Auditions Carnegie Mellon University School of Music

Strings Audition Information

Violin (BM)

Violin applicants are required to submit a pre-screening video-recorded audition.

PRE-SCREENING REQUIREMENTS: 

l  One etude from Kreutzer, Fiorillo, Rode, Dont or Gavinies, or a caprice by Wieniawski or Paganini (played by memory) 

l  An allegro movement of a non-Baroque concerto (played by memory) 

l  One movement of a Bach solo sonata or partita (played by memory)

LIVE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates who proceed to the live audition phase are expected to prepare the following audition repertoire:

      l  One etude from Kreutzer, Fiorillo, Rode, Dont or Gavinies, or a caprice by Wieniawski or Paganini (played by memory) 

l  An allegro movement of a non-Baroque concerto (played by memory) 

l  One movement of a Bach solo sonata or partita (played by memory 

If applicants are not able to participate in the live auditions, when invited, a high quality video-recording is the only acceptable medium for those auditioning by recording for the violin studio.

All performance candidates are required to complete an audition. A live audition is preferred. These auditions are scheduled on campus or at a regional site (not available for all studios). 

Recorded auditions may also be accepted but must be received by January 10. Pre-screening applicants will be notified in early January if they are granted a live audition or interview. Auditions will be confirmed at least two weeks prior to your audition date. School of Music audition materials should not be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Note: All solo instrumental auditions are unaccompanied during the live auditions.

Viola (BM)

All applicants to the viola studio are expected to prepare the following audition requirements:

Major and minor scales and arpeggios in three octaves with various bowings

• The Prelude and any dance movement from a Bach Cello Suite, or two contrasting movements from a Bach solo violin sonata or partita
• One movement from a major concerto
• One movement from a sonata
• One or more of the chosen selections should be performed from memory.

If applicants are not able to participate in the live auditions, a high quality video-recording is the only acceptable medium for those auditioning by recording for the viola studio.

All performance candidates are required to complete an audition. A live audition is preferred. These auditions are scheduled on campus or at a regional site (not available for all studios). 

Recorded auditions may also be accepted but must be received by January 10. Pre-screening applicants will be notified in early January if they are granted a live audition or interview. Auditions will be confirmed at least two weeks prior to your audition date. School of Music audition materials should not be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Note: All solo instrumental auditions are unaccompanied during the live auditions.

Cello (BM)

All applicants to the cello studio are expected to prepare the following audition requirements:

l  Scales: any major or minor scale in three octaves as requested. 

l  One etude by Duport, Popper, or Piatti 

l  A movement of a standard concerto 

l  A prelude from one of the Bach Unaccompanied Suites 

All performance candidates are required to complete an audition. A live audition is preferred. These auditions are scheduled on campus or at a regional site (not available for all studios). 

Recorded auditions may also be accepted but must be received by January 10. Pre-screening applicants will be notified in early January if they are granted a live audition or interview. Auditions will be confirmed at least two weeks prior to your audition date. School of Music audition materials should not be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Note: All solo instrumental auditions are unaccompanied during the live auditions.

Double Bass (BM)

All applicants to the double bass studio are expected to prepare the following audition requirements:

l  Contrasting movements from any Baroque sonata or suite 

l  The first movement of a Classical, Romantic or 20th century Concerto performed from memory 

l  Two octave major and minor scales and arpeggios from memory 

l  Two orchestral excerpts of your choice

All performance candidates are required to complete an audition. A live audition is preferred. These auditions are scheduled on campus or at a regional site (not available for all studios). 

Recorded auditions may also be accepted but must be received by January 10. Pre-screening applicants will be notified in early January if they are granted a live audition or interview. Auditions will be confirmed at least two weeks prior to your audition date. School of Music audition materials should not be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Note: All solo instrumental auditions are unaccompanied during the live auditions.

Harp (BM)

All applicants to the harp studio are expected to prepare the following audition requirements:

l  Etude No. 1, from “Cinquante Etudes,” Op. 34, Book 1, by Bochsa 

l  Two contrasting works: one Classical and one by a 20th-Century composer, such as an etude from “Bach-Grandjany Etudes for Harp” and “Natra Sonatine” 

l  Two orchestral excerpts, including the harp cadenza from “Waltz of the Flowers” by Tchaikovsky

All performance candidates are required to complete an audition. A live audition is preferred. These auditions are scheduled on campus or at a regional site (not available for all studios). 

Recorded auditions may also be accepted but must be received by January 10. Pre-screening applicants will be notified in early January if they are granted a live audition or interview. Auditions will be confirmed at least two weeks prior to your audition date. School of Music audition materials should not be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Note: All solo instrumental auditions are unaccompanied during the live auditions.

                                                                                                                                           Updated on 04/17/2019