Graduate Audition l Eastman School of Music

Conducting Audition Information

Conducting (Choral, Orchestral or Wind Ensemble)

2019 Rochester Audition Dates:

l  Choral Conducting: MM and DMA: February 1st, February 8th, February 15th

l  Orchestral Conducting:  MM and DMA: February 8th

l  Wind Conducting MM and DMA: February 1st

MM and DMA Prescreening Requirement:  

l  All applicants must upload a preliminary conducting video recording by the application deadline. The conductor should be in full frontal or partial profile view; at least part of the ensemble should also be in view.

l  Repertoire should be appropriate to the musical and technical level of the ensemble. 

l  Video of rehearsal must be conducted in English.

l  For Orchestral Conducting and Wind Conducting applicants, the video recording must show the applicant conducting at least two compositions in a performance, and at least two compositions in a rehearsal.

l  For Choral Conducting applicants, videos should include 15 minutes of rehearsal of two contrasting works; performance video is optional for choral conductors. 

MM Orchestral Conducting 2019 Audition Repertoire:  

l  Franck – Symphony in D minor (updated 10/25/18)

2019 DMA Orchestral Conducting 2019 Audition Repertoire:  

l  Franck – Symphony in D minor (updated 10/25/18) 

Note: Auditions for orchestral conducting applicants who are specifically focused on conducting New Music with Prof. Brad Lubman will instead be scheduled on February 1. 

The repertoire for these auditions will be Stravinsky l’Histoire du Soldat.

Choral Conducting and Wind Conducting Repertoire:  

l  Prior to the Rochester audition date, conducting applicants will be informed of the required work(s) to be prepared for the audition.

l  Wind conducting applicants may also be asked to prepare a written analysis of the work to be conducted.

On the audition day: 

l  Applicants rehearse and conduct the prepared score(s) with an Eastman ensemble. Auditions are scheduled for 15 to 20 minutes.

l  A three-part written exam is given on the audition day. The exam covers music history, theory (analysis), and score recognition.

l  An interview with members of the conducting and ensembles department faculty will be scheduled, either individually or in groups. 

l  There is no separate instrumental or vocal audition required.  

l  Please note that applicants to DMA conducting program should have held positions demanding a professional level of conducting for a minimum of two years. 

l  Musicians familiar with your work as a conductor should be included among the three required letters of recommendation.