UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance - University of Michigan

Brass Audition Information

Trumpet (MM & SM)

Pre-Screening Requirements

Please upload unedited recordings of the following as separate tracks:

• Honegger: Intrada (complete)
• Bach: Magnificat (opening to measure 35)
• Stravinsky: Petrouchka (ballerina dance)

Audition Requirements

Prepare twenty minutes of the standard solo recital literature for trumpet and standard excerpts from the orchestral repertoire representing your highest level of proficiency. You are encouraged to demonstrate your knowledge of different stylistic periods and ability to perform on the piccolo. You will be asked to transpose while sight-reading. Skills are assumed in performance techniques appropriate to the graduate level.

Trombone (MM & SM)

Pre-Screening Requirements

Please upload the appropriate material for the instrument on which you will audition:

• Tenor Trombone
• Upload video recordings of at least two contrasting pieces. Movements of larger works are acceptable. Additionally, upload the following excerpts:
• Berlioz: Hungarian March (Trombone 2)
• Mahler: Symphony No. 3 — Movement I: first solo
• Mozart: Requiem — Tuba Mirum
• Ravel: Bolero
• Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries — B Major section
• Bass Trombone
• Upload a video recording of the Sarabande from the Fifth Suite for Solo Cello by Bach as well as at least one additional piece of your choice and the following excerpts:
• Berlioz: Hungarian March
• Haydn: The Creation
• Schumann: Symphony No. 3 (4th movement)
• Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries — B Major section
• Wagner: Das Rheingold — Entry of the Gods

Audition Requirements

Prepare the same repertoire as listed above for pre-screening, PLUS the Rossini Overture to William Tell.

Horn (MM & SM)

Pre-Screening Requirements

Upload unedited recordings of at least two contrasting pieces. Movements of larger works are acceptable.

Audition Requirements

Prepare two complete compositions of your choice representing different styles. In addition, be prepared to play the first movement of Strauss’ Second Horn Concerto and five contrasting orchestral excerpts. You may be asked to play two-octave major and minor scales. Memorization is required for scales only. Proficiency is assumed in performance techniques appropriate to the graduate level.

Euphonium (MM & SM)

Pre-Screening Requirements

Upload unedited recordings of at least two contrasting pieces. Movements of larger works are acceptable.

Audition Requirements

Prepare fifteen minutes of solo literature and/or band excerpts representative of your repertoire and highest proficiency. You are encouraged to demonstrate your knowledge of different stylistic periods.

If auditioning in person, you may be asked to sight-read and to play two-octave major and minor scales and scales in thirds. Memorization is required for the scales but not for the solo repertoire. Skills are assumed in the reading of both bass and treble clefs and in performance techniques appropriate to the graduate level.

Tuba (MM & SM)

Pre-Screening Requirements

Upload unedited recordings of at least two contrasting pieces. Movements of larger works are acceptable.

Audition Requirements

Prepare fifteen minutes of solo literature and/or orchestral excerpts representative of your repertoire and of your highest proficiency. You are encouraged to demonstrate your knowledge of different stylistic periods. If auditioning in Ann Arbor, you may be asked to sight-read and play two-octave major, minor, and chromatic scales. Memorization is required for the scales but not for the solo literature. Skills are assumed in performance techniques appropriate to the graduate level.

Trumpet, Trombone, Horn, Euphonium & Tuba (DMA)

An audition, interview, or portfolio review is required for every Graduate program. An email confirmation of your audition/interview date will be sent after receipt and processing of all your application materials. Admission decisions will be made in March after the audition/interview, when your complete file has been reviewed.

All portfolios and pre-screening recordings must be submitted by December 1 and will only be forwarded to the faculty for review when the application and all transcripts and test scores (if applicable) have been received. Pre-screening and audition recordings must be uploaded using your Artistic Profile. A select number of applicants will be scheduled for an audition/interview following the portfolio/pre-screening review.

Live auditions/interviews are highly preferred, especially for merit-based award consideration. We understand, though, that this is not always possible. Most MM and SM applicants to instrumental or voice performance programs living 300 miles or more from Ann Arbor may instead upload a recorded audition, which must be uploaded by January 15th for merit-based scholarship consideration. Repertoire requirements for recorded auditions are the same as for live auditions. DMA applicants are required to audition live.

Be aware that applicants who audition/interview in Ann Arbor are given priority for financial awards. SMTD merit-based scholarship decision letters are e-mailed near the beginning of April.

Send audition repertoire changes via email to our Auditions Coordinator (music.auditions@umich.edu) before the week of your audition date so that these changes will be reflected in the materials that the faculty review at your audition. Otherwise you may simply announce your repertoire changes at your audition.

Placement tests are only administered to specific applicant groups. Orchestral conductors will take a written and aural theory exam as part of their audition. Otherwise, all placement tests are taken at fall orientation prior to the first week of class.

Application & Audition Feedback Policy

The staffs of the Admissions Office and the faculty are not able to provide individual application or audition/interview feedback. We ask your understanding and thank you in advance.

Updated on 10/08/2018