USC Thornton School of Music
Woodwinds Audition Information
BA, BM,
MM, Graduate Certificate (GCRT), DMA
Bassoon
Piano
accompaniment is NOT required. Audio or video recordings are acceptable for
prescreen. Audition repertoire for all degree levels is the same for the live
audition and prescreen recording.
- Three selections representing various
stylistic periods of music. These selections should be full-length pieces
chosen from the standard solo literature or standard etude books such as
Weissenborn, Jancourt, Milde, or comparable excerpts from standard
ensemble literature may also be included. If any of the selections are
taken from a multi-movement sonata or concerto, applicants need only
prepare one movement of the piece.
- All major and minor scales and sight reading
may be tested at the live audition.
Clarinet
Piano
accompaniment is NOT required. Audition repertoire for all degree levels is the
same for the live audition and prescreen recording.
- Three selections representing various
stylistic periods of music. These selections should be full-length pieces
from the standard solo literature, although excerpts from ensemble
literature may also be included. If any of the selections are taken from a
multi-movement sonata or concerto, applicants need only prepare one
movement of the piece. (Note: Video recording only for
prescreen)
Flute
Piano
accompaniment is NOT required. Audition repertoire for all degree levels is the
same for the live audition and prescreen recording (video only).
- Mozart – Exposition of 1st and 2nd movements
of Concerto in G Major or D Major – piano not necessary.
- One contrasting piece (solo flute or with
optional piano)
- Two excerpts from the following list:
- Mendelssohn Scherzo from A
Midsummer Night’s Dream – 2 measures before P to the end.
- Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 3
– measures 328–360.
- Brahms Symphony No. 4 – Last
movement – measures 93–105.
- Debussy Afternoon of a Faun –
measures 1–4
Oboe and Saxophone
Piano
accompaniment is NOT required. Audio or video recordings are acceptable for
prescreen.
- Prescreen Recording
- Two selections, in contrasting
styles, from the standard solo repertoire
- Live Audition Repertoire
- Three selections representing
various stylistic periods of music. These selections should be
full-length pieces from the standard solo literature, although excerpts
from ensemble literature may also be included. If any of the selections
are taken from a multi-movement sonata or concerto, applicants need only
prepare one movement of the piece.
Additional
Information
Students
auditioning for woodwinds and brass, may request that a pre-screen recording be
considered in lieu of the live audition. It is extremely important to note,
however, that only a recording which includes both the required pre-screen
audition repertoire and the required live audition repertoire would be
considered in lieu of a live audition. Recordings that do not include the
required live audition repertoire will not be considered in lieu of a live
audition. Only video recordings are accepted for Flute and Clarinet.
Important
note
Undergraduate
applications are not accepted for Spring admission to these programs unless the
student is already enrolled at USC. All graduate applicants for spring
admission are required to submit a pre-screen recording. Spring applicants will
be notified via email regarding their prescreen decision.
Updated on 08/15/2018