CMU School of Music

Auditions Carnegie Mellon University School of Music

Woodwinds Audition Information

 

 

Bassoon (BM)

 

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

 

l  Etude(s): showing both technique and musicality 

l  Two movements in contrasting styles: slow and fast from a standard Sonata and/or Concerto 

 

Orchestral excerpts may be played as part of the audition, but are not required.

 

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.

 

 

Clarinet (BM)

 

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

 

l  Scales: any major or minor scales as requested. 

l  A technical etude 

l  A solo composition of the applicant’s choice that will demonstrate their musical and technical level of achievement 

l  Two or three orchestral excerpts of the player’s 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.

 

 

Flute (BM)

 

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

Note: Auditions are only held on campus.

 

PRE-SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:

This video recording must be entirely without piano accompaniment.

 

REQUIRED REPERTOIRE:

 

l  Mozart: Concerto in G or D major- 1st and 2nd movements (exposition only) 

l  Orchestral Excerpts: 

ü  Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 3, measures 328-360 

ü  Brahms Symphony No. 4, movement IV, measures 93-105 

ü  Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night's Dream, Scherzo, 2 measures before P to the end 

ü  Debussy Prelude a l’apres-midi d’un faune, rehearsal No. 2-3

  

All of the above excerpts can be found in Orchestral Excerpts for Flute (Baxtresser/Rearick) published by Theodore Presser.

 

LIVE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: 

Candidates who proceed to the live audition phase will be expected to prepare the following audition requirements:

 

                      l  Mozart Concerto-complete 

l  Standard Work of the Twentieth Century 

l  Four orchestral excerpts of contrasting styles 

l  Major and minor scales 

 

 

 

Oboe (BM)

 

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

 

l  All major and minor (harmonic or melodic) scales 

l  2 contrasting etudes of your choice 

l  1 (or more) sonata and/or concerto movement(s) of your choice 

l  OPTIONAL: 2 contrasting orchestral exerpts 

 

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.

 

 

Saxophone (BM)

 

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

 

l  Scales: any major or minor scales as requested 

l  A technical etude 

l  A solo composition of the applicant’s choice that will demonstrate their musical and technical level of achievement 

l  A jazz selection of the applicant’s choice that will demonstrate style and articulation (Improvisation suggested, but not required.)

 

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