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Audition Requirements by Instrument:
| Violin Viola Cello Double Bass
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Flute Oboe Clarinet Bassoon Saxophone |
Trumpet French Horn Trombone Euphonium Tuba |
Percussion Piano Voice Composition
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Music majors and music theatre majors qualify for private lessons through the audition process required for acceptance into the major. Non-music majors may also be able to register for private music lessons for credit. Click here for more information about lessons.
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Auditionees should prepare material that will represent them at their best. Audition material should show both technical facility and expressiveness. This material might be two different works (solos or etudes), or contrasting movements of a larger work. Auditionees should also be prepared to play major scales, major arpeggios, and a chromatic scale, all covering the full range of the instrument (to high C). Students are encouraged to confer with the instructor regarding audition repertoire. Instructor: Daryl Durran |
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For the performance degree in cello (Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Musical Arts), students should prepare an etude and two contrasting pieces or movements of pieces. This may include movements of a concerto, sonata, suite (Bach), or short pieces. Instructor: Kim Cook |
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Students should prepare selections which represent them at their best. The chosen works should allow students to play in 1) a slow, sustained, lyrical style and 2) a fast, technically demanding style which includes articulated passages. The selections may be two contrasting movements of the same work or single movements of different works. An etude (such as one of the Rose 32 Studies) is acceptable for one selection only. Students should be prepared to play all major scales in two-octaves and a three-octave chromatic scale. Scales studied beyond these, including minor scales, may be played, but are not required. Students will also be asked to perform sight-reading. Please feel fee to contact the instructor for suggestions on audition music or a private lesson. Instructor: Dr. Anthony J. Costa |
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Students should submit a portfolio of at least three works. At least two of these must be notated in standard music notation (send copies, not originals). Works in a variety of styles and media may be submitted and are encouraged, including concert music, songs and music for film or other media. Recordings on compact disc are also encouraged. There also will be an audition day meeting of approximately 45 minutes for both evaluative and informative purposes. Students should be prepared for a short aural skill exam and be able to discuss their musical interests and possible career objectives. In addition to the session with the composition faculty as described above, students will audition for the faculty in their major performance area. The requirements for each instrument or voice vary; consult the written audition requirements for that area. In cases where the Bachelor of Performance degree audition requirements differ from the Bachelor of Music Education or Bachelor of Arts, prospective composition majors should follow the guidelines for the latter two. If the student's primary performance medium is one for which we have no full-time faculty instruction, such as guitar or harp, the student will audition for the composition faculty on that instrument. Instructor: Dr. Paul Barsom |
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Students contemplating a performance degree in double bass (Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Musical Arts) should be prepared to play a movement from a standard concerto or sonata, one or two etudes from Simandl or others and some two-octave scales. Those intending to pursue the Bachelor of Music Education or the Bachelor of Arts program should be prepared to play a short piece or movement from a concerto or sonata, at least one etude, and some one- or two-octave scales. Instructor: Robert Nairn |
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Students should play a prepared piece of their choice and an etude from any of the following method books: Students should know all major scales (two octaves), and chromatic scales demonstrating the student's full range. In addition, there will be some sight-reading. Instructor: Velvet Brown |
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To prepare for the audition, students should choose works that they feel represent them at their best. The audition faculty would like to hear contrasting materials that show both technical facility and music expressiveness. This may be two different pieces (solos or etudes), or two movements of a large work. In addition, students should be prepared to play all major scales in two octaves, either slurred or tongued upon request, and the chromatic scale from low C up and down three octaves. Instructor: Dr. Naomi K. Seidman |
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Students should prepare repertoire which represents their best playing. Choose two contrasting movements or pieces that demonstrate 1) a slow, sustained, lyrical style, and 2) a technically challenging, faster paced passage. These may come from standard solo literature or from etudes. Also, all major scales, two or three octaves, the chromatic scale demonstrating range, and sight- reading may be requested. Those auditioning for the Bachelor of Music degree may be asked to play two orchestral excerpts of their choice. Instructor: Lisa Bontrager |
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Students should prepare two contrasting pieces, perhaps one from the Baroque period (Bach, Handel, Telemann, etc.) and one from another period. They will be asked to play a D major and Eb major scale, two octaves slurred. There will also be a short sight-reading piece. Students may call or write if they need any help, suggestions on audition music, information about new and used instruments, or a private lesson. Instructor: Timothy Hurtz |
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Admission to the percussion studio at Penn State is very competitive. Please read and All auditionees must audition on snare drum and mallets and timpani. Snare Drum *1. Demonstration of a thorough knowledge of the rudiments. All auditionees must perform two snare drum solos of contrasting style as outlined below: *2. A rudimental solo from the Wilcoxon "All American Drummer" or similar material. *3. A concert snare drum etude demonstrating concert style roll, dynamic control, and reading ability. Any etude from the Cirone Portraits in Rhythm (except for etude #1) or similar material would be appropriate. Mallets *1. Demonstrate knowledge of the major scales. Play each scale at least two octaves up and down the keyboard. Knowledge of minor scales encouraged, but not required. *2. Two-mallet marimba or xylophone solo which demonstrates the student's current level of ability. Teachers may help choose an appropriate piece or the student may contact Dan Armstrong, who will suggest one. Note: Prospective students are specifically requested to NOT perform the "Concerto in a minor" for violin by Bach for the mallet portion of their audition. *3. A short four-mallet marimba solo such as "Yellow After the Rain" by Mitchell Peters or a portion of a longer work. Timpani *1. Demonstrate ability to match pitch and tune a drum correctly. *2. A three- or four-drum etude from the Goodman Modern Method for Timpani or similar material. Drum Set (Optional) 1. Demonstrate knowledge of styles (swing, rock, Latin, funk, etc.) 2. Short solo or "trading fours." 3. Optional: a short written-out or transcribed solo such as those in the back of the Latham Advanced Funk Studies book. Auditionees are expected to provide all of their own music, sticks, and mallets. If local stores do not have what is needed, materials may be mail-ordered from: Steve Weiss Music Students must prepare the material for each area; drum set material is optional. Auditionees are not expected to be an "expert" on all areas, but a strong background must be demonstrated in snare drum or mallets or timpani. If there are any questions about what is appropriate or expected, do not hesitate to e-mail or call Dan Armstrong. Instructor: Dan Armstrong |
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1. Auditionees will be asked to perform several pieces in person before an audition committee. To substitute a recording, see special instructions. All auditionees may be asked to perform major and minor scales and arpeggios. Sight-reading ability may also be checked. In addition, on days of live auditions, the piano faculty will offer an opportunity for a time of questions and answers with applicants. 2. Prospective piano performance majors (Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Musical Arts degrees) should prepare a program of at least 15 minutes duration, memorized, demonstrating advanced performance ability in various styles, COMPARABLE to the following literature levels:
3. Pianists intending to pursue the Bachelor of Music Education, the Bachelor of Arts, or performance minor program should prepare repertoire of at least 10 minutes total duration, including at least one memorized piece, demonstrating an ability to study at an advanced level, with fluent performance of works in various styles COMPARABLE to:
Note: Transfer students will be evaluated, and if accepted, placed in relation to these standards for entering freshman. Contact: Dr. Timothy Shafer |
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Students must prepare the required materials listed below. Please read carefully. Jazz skills are optional for the audition.
At least two solo selections of contrasting style from the standard concert (“classical”) repertoire of the saxophone. The selections may be a complete piece, multi-movement piece, selected movements of the same piece, or selected movements of different pieces. Total duration of prepared repertoire pieces should be approximately 12-15 minutes. Several advanced etudes may be performed in place of ONE of the selections. Students should select and prepare material that represents their best playing, with attention to musical expression, tone quality, appropriate stylistic considerations, and technical facility. Click here for examples of appropriate repertoire
All major scales, full range of the instrument, ascending and descending. Scales are to be performed in the following format:
In addition to items above, students may perform jazz selections. (Students must bring their own CD/ipod recording of the accompaniment and transcriptions with which they will play.)
Instructor: Dr. David Stambler |
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Auditions for the trombone studio generally occur during January and February, typically on Sundays. The audition process includes:
Students will be required to play a variety of music which includes sight-reading and a selection of prepared music that demonstrates proficiency and contrasts in musical style. |
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1. All major scales, two octaves when possible. Instructor: Dr. Langston Fitzgerald |
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Students should play a prepared piece of their choice and an etude from any of the following method books: Students should know all major scales (two octaves), and chromatic scales demonstrating the student's full range. In addition, there will be some sight-reading. Instructor: Velvet Brown |
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Students should prepare the following: Instructor: Dr. Timothy Deighton
VIOLIN Applicants intending to pursue the Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Musical Arts program should prepare the following: Applicants intending to pursue the Bachelor of Music Education or the Bachelor of Arts program should prepare approximately ten minutes of music consisting of contrasting pieces (preferably including a concerto movement), etudes, and two- or three-octave scales in various bowings. Instructor: James Lyon, violin Instructor: Max Zorin, violin
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Voice applicants should refer to the following page for complete instructions:
Voice Area Coordinator: Note: Music Theatre applicants must contact the School of Theatre for information and audition requirements, and to set up an audition.
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