Graduate Audition Requirements, Brass
MM
Prepare live audition, 20 minutes of music to include the following:
- 2-3 solos/etudes of varying styles; one must be a recognized standard concerto or major work.
- 3-4 standard orchestral audition excerpts of varying styles.
If candidate desires, audition repertoire can be reviewed/approved prior to the audition, by contacting the Area Coordinator (minimum 2 weeks before audition).
DMA
Same as above, but prepare 45 minutes of music.
Graduate Audition Requirements, Guitar
MM (Classical Guitar):
Live Audition (please visit the Auditions page to schedule). Prepare approximately 20 minutes of repertoire in varying styles. Include pieces from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods as well as something chosen from the more recent repertoire of the 20th, or 21st centuries. Present pieces which demonstrate your best musical as well as your best technical abilities.
DMA (Classical Guitar):
8a. Pre-Screening Audition — this is an audio recording of recent performances presenting appropriate musical literature. The Screening Audition can be an audio CD or a MP3 file or it can be a web-based file. Video is optional. It should include at least 60 minutes of music performed within the last two or three years.
8b. A live audition at Mason will be scheduled after a successful initial evaluation of the pre-screening material discussed above. Please prepare approximately 45 minutes of musical material, including both solo pieces and one movement from a major concerto, which is to be memorized. Present pieces which demonstrate your best musical as well as your best technical abilities.
Graduate Audition Requirements, Jazz
MM
The audition will consist of two (2) prepared tunes in contrasting styles e.g. Blues/Bop; Swing/Early Jazz etc., one (1) solo transcription and sight-reading. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of scales used in jazz. You may use a recorded accompaniment of play-a-long such as Jamey Aebersold. Rhythm section instruments will demonstrate techniques idiomatic to your instrument e.g. comping, walking, various grooves.
DMA
The Doctor of Musical Arts, Jazz "live" performance audition will consist of a thirty minute musical presentation (with a provided rhythm section) followed by a fifteen minute interview with the graduate committee. Applicants should be prepared to perform selections from the following: ballad, medium tempo standard, up-tempo standard (1/4 note = 240+), bebop, modern and one original prepared arrangement.
Graduate Audition Requirements, Percussion
MM and Artist Diploma
Marimba - A major work for solo marimba. Examples of acceptable works include, but are not limited to, Minoru Miki’s Time for Marimba, Steven Mackey’s See ya Thursday, Alejandro Vinao’s Khan Variations, or other majors works by Kevin Bobo, Gordon Stout, Lee Stevens of Michael Burritt.
A selection of solo Bach – 2 or 4 mallet solos are acceptable.
Timpani – a major work for solo timpani. Examples of acceptable works include, but are not limited to, a selection from Elliott Carter 8 pieces for solo timpani, John Bergamo four movements for timpani, John Beck, Sonata for solo timpani, William Cahn Raga #1 or Raga #2
Snare drum – a Cirone, Peters, or Delecluse etude of the candidate’s choice.
Orchestral excerpts - below is an example of appropriate excerpts, substitutions are allowed:
- Timpani: Beethoven, Symphony No. 9, first movement, coda
- Snare drum: Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade
- Xylophone: Messiaen, Exotic Birds
- Glockenspiel: Debussy, La Mer
DMA
In addition to the literature above, all prospective DMA percussion applicants should prepare a solo piece for multiple percussion (examples of acceptable works include, but are not limited to, Iannis Xenakis’s Rebonds or Psappha; David Lang’s Anvil Chorus).
Graduate Audition Requirements, Piano
MM
Pianists should prepare at least 20 minutes of solo repertoire that includes three contrasting works (or movements) to be chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary periods. Works will be performed by memory according to performance practice.
DMA
Same as the requirements for the MM, but prepare 45 minutes of music and submit a Pre-screening CD.
Graduate Audition Requirements, Strings
MM, Violin
1. 2 contrasting movements of solo Bach
2. 1st movement (including cadenza if applicable) of a standard concerto
3. a concert etude or caprice by one of the following: Kreutzer, Rode, Dont, Gavinies, Paganini, Wieniawski
DMA, Violin
4. In addition to the above, two contrasting movements of your choice, one of which must be a movement of a sonata post-1800
MM, Viola
1. 2 contrasting movements of solo Bach, or 1 unaccompanied work (i.e. Penderecki
2. 1 movement of a standard sonata (eg. Brahms, Schumann)
3. 1 movement of Bartok, Walton, Hindemith OR a virtuoso movement from a standard classical concerto
DMA, Viola
4. In addition to the above, two contrasting movements of your choice
MM, Cello
1. 2 contrasting movements of solo Bach
2. 1 movement of a standard concerto
3. an etude or caprice by Popper, Duport, or Piatti
DMA, Cello
4. In addition to the above, two contrasting movements of your choice: one must be a solo sonata from the last 50 years; the other must be a movement of Romantic sonata
MM, Bass
1. 2 contrasting movements from a concerto or sonata
2. 2 excerpts from standard orchestral literature
DMA, Bass
3. In addition to the above, a virtuosic etude.
Graduate Audition Requirements, Voice
MM
Singers should prepare at least 20 minutes of solo repertoire that includes works in Italian, French, German and English, in varied styles and tempi. One oratorio and one standard operatic aria should be presented. Works will be performed by memory, with piano accompaniment, according to performance practice.
DMA
Same as the requirements for the MM, but prepare 45 minutes of music and submit a Pre-screening CD.
Graduate Audition Requirements, Woodwinds
MM
1. Two complete solo works from contrasting style periods. One must be chosen from the standard concerto repertoire. Accompanist not required. At least 20 minutes of music.
2. Three to four contrasting orchestral excerpts demonstrating knowledge of the standard literature. (Saxophones are exempt from this requirement).
DMA
1. Three complete works from contrasting style periods. One must be chosen from the standard concerto repertoire. Accompanist required. At least 45 minutes of music.
2. Five contrasting orchestral excerpts demonstrating knowledge of the standard literature. (Saxophones are exempt from this requirement).