Graduate applicants attend a general convocation on their audition day. In addition to the audition, most graduate applicants will be scheduled for at least one interview. Interviews will be scheduled according to the graduate awards indicated on the application forms and according to the requirements of the degree programs and majors. Repertoire listed below applies to auditions for all graduate programs. Repertoire will not change after September. Audition repertoire, with the exception of voice, should be performed without accompaniment.
- Brass
- Composition
- Conducting
- Early Music
- Ethnomusicology
- Jazz
- Keyboard (Piano, Organ, Harpsichord)
- Music Education
- Musicology
- Opera Stage Directing
- Percussion
- Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music
- Strings
- Theory
- Voice
- Woodwinds
Brass
EUPHONIUM
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th and February 24th
DMA Pre-screening requirement: DMA applicants must upload a 30-minute preliminary audition video recording containing the following material:
- 2 contrasting solo movements/works (1 from the standard repertoire and 1 transcription) (15 minutes)
- A short demonstration of the applicant’s one-on-one teaching ability (10 minutes)
- A short example of the applicant’s proficiency on either trombone, bass trombone, or tuba (5 minutes)
Please include piano or ensemble accompaniment for these recorded performances.
MM and DMA audition requirements:
- 1 lyrical etude (such as, but not limited to, Bordogni, Concone, Panofka, etc.)
- 1 technical etude (such as, but not limited to, Kopprasch, Arban, Charlier, etc.)
- 1 baroque, classical, or romantic transcription
- 1 complete, major work (concerto, sonata, etc.) originally composed for the instrument
- 3 contrasting orchestral or band excerpts as appropriate to training and experience
- Possible sight-reading demanding proficiency in bass, tenor, and B-flat treble clefs
HORN
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th and February 24th
MM and DMA: Pre-screening Requirement: By December 1, all graduate horn applicants must upload a preliminary audition recording (video preferred). The prescreening recording should include:
- 2 movements of contrasting concerti or contrasting recital repertoire (with or without piano accompaniment)
- 2-3 orchestral excerpts demonstrating contrasting styles, periods, and technical/musical attributes.
MM audition requirements:
Select from traditional and contemporary solo literature (including unaccompanied repertoire) and orchestral excerpts from several eras and styles, demonstrating advanced technical and musical development. Audition also will include sight-reading and transposition.
DMA audition requirements:
Prepare a program of solo, orchestral, and etude repertoire demonstrating professional standards of technical and musical development. Proficiency in natural horn is encouraged.
TROMBONE
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th and February 24th
DMA: Pre-screening Requirement: All DMA Trombone and DMA Bass Trombone candidates must upload a 30-minute pre-screening video containing the following material:
- 2 contrasting solo movements/works (1 from the standard repertoire and 1 transcription) (15 minutes)
- A short demonstration of the applicant’s one-on-one teaching ability (10 minutes)
- A short example of the applicant’s proficiency on a doubling instrument or genre such as alto trombone,
tenor trombone, bass trombone, tuba, or jazz improvisation (5 minutes)- Please include piano or ensemble accompaniment for these recorded performances.
MM and DMA Trombone and Bass Trombone audition requirements:
- 1 lyrical etude (such as, but not limited to, Bordogni, Panofka, Busser, etc.)
- 1 technical etude (such as, but not limited to, Bitsch, Tyrell, Bozza, etc.)
- 1 baroque, classical, or romantic transcription
- 1 complete, major work (concerto, sonata, etc.) originally composed for the instrument
- 3 contrasting orchestral excerpts as appropriate to training and experience.
- Possible sight-reading demanding proficiency in bass, tenor, and alto clefs
Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements.
TRUMPET
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, and February 24th
MM and DMA: Pre-screening requirement: By December 1, all graduate trumpet applicants must upload a preliminary audition recording (video strongly preferred). The prescreening recording should be a minimum of 25 minutes in duration.
MM and DMA audition requirements: Prepared repertoire for prescreening. The Rochester audition should also include a range of solo literature (including contemporary) and orchestral excerpts. Possible sight-reading. Familiarity with high horns and transposition is required.
Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements.
TUBA
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd and February 17th
DMA: Pre-screening requirement: DMA applicants must upload a preliminary audition recording (video preferred)
MM and DMA audition requirements: Each of the following:
- One Bordogni melodic study
- One Kopprasch technical etude either #49 or #57 and one Verne Reynolds Etude either #6 or #10 (48 Etudes by Verne Reynolds, www.bmacmusic.com)
- Excerpts: Wagner, “Meistersinger” Overture (Letter J to the end); Resphigi, Fountains of Rome; The “Bear” solo from Stravinsky’s Petrushka; and Berlioz, Recitative from Romeo and Juliet
- Performance applicants must also play the Penderecki Capriccio and the cadenza from the Hindemith Sonata
- Music Education applicants must play the Vaughan Williams Concerto, movements 1 & 2 and the cadenza from the Hindemith Sonata
Composition
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th
MA, MM, DMA and PhD: Prescreening Requirement: Applicants must send copies of a minimum of three or a maximum of four scores of original compositions via postal mail by the application deadline. Scores must be reduced to 11”x17” or smaller. A completed copy of the Composition form must also be enclosed. Recordings of composed works are strongly encouraged, but not required. Due to the large number of scores and recordings submitted, materials will not be returned; do not submit originals.
MA, MM, DMA and PhD: interview requirement: Composition applicants will be interviewed by the composition faculty. Interviews are not conducted at regional audition centers; all composition applicants must interview in Rochester.
MM and DMA Rochester auditions: On the same day the applicant interviews in Rochester, he or she will also be scheduled for an audition on the applied instrument or voice. Applicants should follow the repertoire guidelines given in this section. (Pianists: Note that there is a specific repertoire listing for composition majors.)
Conducting (Choral, Orchestral or Wind Ensemble)
2012 Rochester Audition Dates:
Wind Conducting: February 10th
Choral Conducting: MM: February 3rd, February 10th, February 24th; DMA: February 6
Orchestral Conducting: MM: February 3; DMA: February 8
MM and DMA Prescreening Requirement: All applicants must upload a preliminary conducting video recording by the application deadline. The conductor should be in full frontal or partial profile view; at least part of the ensemble should also be in view. Repertoire should be appropriate to the musical and technical level of the ensemble.
For Orchestral Conducting and Wind Conducting applicants, the video recording must show the applicant conducting at least two compositions in a performance, and at least two compositions in a rehearsal.
For Choral Conducting applicants, videos should include 15 minutes of rehearsal of two contrasting works; performance video is optional for choral conductors.
MM and DMA Orchestral Conducting Audition Repertoire: MM repertoire TBA; DMA: Stravinsky, Sacre du Printemps
MM and DMA Choral Conducting and DMA Wind Conducting Repertoire: Prior to the Rochester audition date conducting applicants will be informed of the required work(s) to be prepared for the audition. Wind Conducting applicants may also be asked to prepare a written analysis of the work to be conducted.
On the audition day:
- Applicants rehearse and conduct the prepared score(s) with an Eastman ensemble. Auditions are scheduled for 15 to 20 minutes.
- A three-part written exam is given on the audition day. The exam covers music history, theory (analysis), and score recognition.
- An aural acuity test
- An interview with members of the conducting and ensembles department faculty will be scheduled, either individually or in groups.
There is no separate instrumental or vocal audition required, only a conducting audition.
Early Music (emphasis in historical plucked instruments)
2012 Audition Dates: February 10 and February 24th
MM: Audition repertoire should consist of three contrasting pieces showing the candidate’s best technical and musical development.
DMA: Select and prepare an audition program that demonstrates, through advanced and varied repertoire, your highest technical and musical achievements commensurate with the qualities exhibited by successful leaders/performers within the profession. The audition repertoire should be a balanced recital program showing the candidate’s best technical and musical development. A live audition is required.
Ethnomusicology
2012 Rochester Interview Date: January 27th-28th
MA: Prescreening Requirement: Applicants must submit a research paper, GRE scores and the Musicology Supplemental Form (along with all other required application materials).
MA Rochester interview: Following submission and review of required papers and materials, a limited number of applicants will be invited to interview in Rochester.
Jazz
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th and February 24th
MM and DMA: Prescreening Requirement: Before December 1, all applicants to the jazz studies and contemporary media program must upload a preliminary audition recording. The prescreening recording should comprise 3-4 varied jazz selections, each including improvisation. All DMA applicants must also send representative scores and recordings of compositions and/or arrangements for varied jazz ensemble formations.
The guidelines given below apply to applicants who are invited for a Rochester audition.
Applicants must be prepared to perform 3-4 jazz selections in varied styles and improvise on each of them.
Keyboard
HARPSICHORD
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 10th and February 24th
MM audition requirements: Each of the following:
- A Prelude and Fugue or Toccata by J.S. Bach
- Representative portions of a 17th- or 18th-century French suite
- A composition from the early 17th-century Italian school or the English virginalist school
- A composition of choice from any historic period (may include 20th-century works).
DMA audition requirements: Applicants should prepare a program of not more than 40 minutes, which should include a major work of J.S. Bach, along with repertoire drawn from each of the following:
- The French literature of the 17th and 18th centuries
- The English virginalists
- Italian music of the 17th century
- A selection of the applicant’s choice from any historic period.
Memorization is encouraged, but not required. Applicants are also required to demonstrate skill in continuo realization.
ORGAN
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 10th, February 17th and February 24th
MM audition requirements: Applicants should prepare a program of not more than 30 minutes, including a major work of J.S. Bach. Other works should be of contrasting styles and periods, and should include at least one lyrical and one virtuosic selection. Performance from memory is encouraged, but not required.
DMA audition requirements: Applicants should prepare a program of not more than 30 minutes, including a major work of J.S. Bach. The program should reflect the applicant’s breadth of knowledge of the organ repertoire, and their highest technical and musical achievements. Performance from memory is encouraged, but not required. If the applicant is skilled in improvisation, a five-minute improvisation may be part of the program.
PIANO
2012 Rochester Audition Dates:
MM and DMA (Performance & Literature): February 10th-11th, February 17th-18th and February 24th-25th
Composition, Jazz, Music Education, and Theory Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th and February 24th
MM and DMA (Performance & Literature): Pre-screening Requirement: By December 1, graduate piano performance applicants seeking a Rochester audition must upload a preliminary audition recording. The pre-screening recording must be a minimum of 30 minutes in duration of solo music and include one virtuoso etude and at least two works representing different styles. The following lists repertoire requirements by degree for applicants invited to a Rochester audition and those auditioning regionally or by recording.
MM audition requirements: Applicants must prepare a 45-minute audition program, to be performed from memory, including one virtuoso concert etude and at least three works representing contrasting styles. U.S. regional auditions are not offered for graduate pianists.
DMA audition requirements: Applicants must prepare a 60-minute audition program, to be performed from memory, including one virtuoso concert etude and at least three works representing contrasting styles. An audition in Rochester is required.
MM and DMA (Composition, Jazz Studies, Music Education) audition repertoire: Applicants for each degree should prepare three contrasting pieces from three different stylistic periods, including one piece by Bach. Student compositions and pieces in jazz or popular styles are not acceptable for the purpose of this audition. Applicants who apply in these majors and audition on piano are not compared to performance & literature majors.
Applicants in jazz studies & contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements.
Music Education
2012 Rochester Audition/Interview dates:
MA: February 3rd, February 10th and February 17th
MM and DM: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th and February 24th
PhD: January 27th
MA, MM, PhD, and DMA Rochester interviews: Music Education applicants will be interviewed in Rochester by the music education faculty.
MM and MA applicants will also be scheduled for a musical skills assessment consisting of sight-reading rhythm and tonal patterns, sight-singing melodies, improvising on the major instrument/voice, harmonizing a melody at the keyboard, and performing accompaniments at the keyboard. A guide for this skills assessment test is found online at: Music Education Skills Assessment
MM and DMA audition requirements: On the same day the applicant interviews in Rochester, he or she will also be scheduled for an audition on his or her applied instrument or voice. Applicants should follow the repertoire guidelines given in this section for all graduate students. (Pianists: Note that there is a specific repertoire listing for music education majors.)
Musicology
2012 Rochester Interview Dates: January 27-28th
MA and PhD: Prescreening Requirement: Applicants must submit research papers, GRE scores and the Musicology Supplemental Form (along with all other required application materials).
MA and PhD interviews: Following submission and review of required papers and materials, a limited number of applicants will be invited to interview in Rochester.
Opera Stage Directing
2012 Rochester Audition/Interview Date: February 8
MM audition requirements:
- Audition for the faculty in their applied music field, to determine the student’s musical proficiency. (Applicants should follow the repertoire guidelines given in this section for all graduate students.) For voice, three vocal selections in three languages (two from stage works) will be required. Students whose area of study is not in music will have to show proficiency as well as provide evidence of scholarly work in their chosen field. These students will provide a portfolio of support material (resume, CV, video recordings of performances, portfolio of artwork or theatrical designs).
- Directing students in an opera scene: The staging session will last for approximately one hour, and the scene will be selected by the dramatic director and music director. Singers in the scene will be prepared and selected from the Eastman School.
- Interview with the dramatic director and music director of the opera department
PERCUSSION
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd & February 10th
Note: Percussionists are expected to bring their own sticks, mallets, cymbals, etc.; other equipment is provided.
MM and DMA: Pre-screening Requirement: By December 1, all graduate percussion applicants must upload a preliminary audition video recording. The pre-screening video must include each of the following:
- A movement of Bach from either the Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin or the Six Suites for Solo Cello. 2 mallet examples preferred.
- A 4-6 minute excerpt or movement from a contemporary solo Marimba work
- Delecluse Etude No. 1, 3, 6 , 9 or 11 from the Douze Etudes
- 2 contrasting orchestral excerpts on each of the following: snare drum, xylophone and timpani
MM and DMA audition requirements: should include snare drum, timpani, and keyboard percussion. Suggested solo repertoire:
- Snare Drum: Etudes from Delecluse, Macarez, Peters, Tompkins
- Timpani: 3 contrasting orchestral excerpts and a solo or etude of your choice from Delecluse, Carter, Hochrainer, or the equivalent
- Keyboard Percussion: A movement of Bach from either the Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin or the Six Suites for Solo Cello
- Burritt Azure or Scirroco; Druckman Reflections on the Nature of Water; Klatzow Dances of Earth and Fire; Maslanka Variations on Lost Love; Sueyoshi Mirage; Schwantner Velocities; Stevens Rhythmic Caprice; Stout Rumble Strips or Sendimental Structures; Viñao Khan Variations
- Three excerpts from the standard repertoire on each of the following: snare drum, xylophone, glockenspiel, and timpani
- Sight-reading required
PIANO ACCOMPANYING & CHAMBER MUSIC
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th and February 24th
MM and DMA audition requirements: Applicants should consult Accompanying & Chamber Music Form, found in the online application, for details on audition repertoire. All applicants must submit the Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music at the time of application.
Strings
VIOLIN
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th, February 24
Pre-screening requirement: By December 1, all graduate violin applicants seeking a Rochester audition must upload a preliminary audition recording. The prescreening recording must include an etude in addition to 10 or more minutes of a violin concerto (unaccompanied is preferred).
MM audition requirements: Prepared repertoire should include solo Bach, a complete concerto, and a Paganini caprice or its equivalent.
DMA audition requirements: Prepared repertoire should include solo Bach, a complete concerto, and a Paganini caprice or its equivalent
VIOLA
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th, February 24
DMA: Prescreening Requirement: DMA applicants must upload a preliminary audition recording (video preferred) including one movement of a concerto, one movement of Bach, and one movement of a sonata.
MM audition requirements: Each of the following:
- 2 movements of a major concerto (memorized)
- 2 movements of a major sonata
- 2 movements of solo Bach (memorized)
- A work composed within the past 50 years
DMA audition requirements: Each of the following:
- A major concerto from the 20th century, or contemporary repertoire
- Two major works for viola and piano or solo viola, one written in the past 20 years
- A complete solo suite or sonata/partita of J.S. Bach
VIOLONCELLO
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: January 27, February 3rd, February 10th, and February 17th
Pre-screening Requirement: By December 1, all graduate cello applicants seeking a live audition must upload a preliminary audition recording. The prescreening recording must include 2 movements of an unaccompanied work by Bach and one movement from a standard concerto.
MM audition requirements: Prepared repertoire should include 3 contrasting movements of solo Bach, a complete concerto, and a sonata movement or other work of personal musical interest. Performance from memory is preferred for Bach and the concerto.
DMA audition requirements: Prepared repertoire should include 3 contrasting movements of solo Bach, a complete concerto, and a sonata movement or other work of personal musical interest. Performance from memory is preferred for Bach and the concerto.
DOUBLE BASS
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th and February 24th
DMA: Prescreening Requirement: DMA applicants must upload a preliminary audition recording (video preferred)
MM and DMA audition requirements: Prepared repertoire should include the Bottesini Concerto, two contrasting movements of solo Bach, a contemporary solo, and orchestral excerpts.
Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements.
HARP
Note: Harp applicants auditioning on-campus do not need to bring their own instruments.
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 17th and February 24th
DMA: Prescreening Requirement: DMA applicants must upload a preliminary audition recording (video preferred)
MM audition requirements: Each of the following:
- An etude selected from Bach-Grandjany Etudes for Harp or Posse Eight Great Concert Etudes for Harp
- Three works of contrasting style from the following periods: 20th-century French, contemporary, and Baroque or Classical period.
DMA audition requirements: Applicants must prepare a 40-minute audition program, to be performed from memory, including works representing at least three contrasting style periods.
GUITAR
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, and February 17th
MM audition requirements: Prepared repertoire should include three contrasting major works from different stylistic periods that best represent the applicant’s technical and artistic strengths.
DMA: Prescreening Requirement: DMA applicants must upload a preliminary audition recording (video preferred)
DMA audition requirements: Applicants should be prepared to perform, from memory, excerpts from a full-length solo recital program representing several contrasting style periods.
Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements.
LUTE
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 10 and February 24th
See Early Music requirements above.
THEORY
2012 Rochester PhD Audition Date: January 27th-28th
2012 Rochester Theory Pedagogy Audition Dates: February 3rd and February 10th
MA and PhD: Prescreening Requirement: Applicants must submit research papers, GRE scores and the Theory Supplemental Form (along with all other required application materials).
MA and PhD interviews: Following submission and review of required papers and materials, a limited number of applicants will be invited to interview in Rochester. No instrument or vocal audition is required.
VOICE
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: January 27th, February 3rd, February 10th and February 17th
Pre-screening Requirement: By December 1, all applicants in voice must upload a preliminary audition recording (video or audio) with the application. The guidelines given below apply to prescreening recordings and to those invited for a live audition – material submitted as part of the prescreening process may be performed at a live audition.
MM and DMA audition requirements: Four pieces–including at least one operatic aria–in at least three different languages, one of which may be English. Non-native speakers of English must perform one piece in English
MM Opera Stage Directing applicants – see separate requirements above
Woodwinds
BASSOON
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th and February 24th
DMA: Prescreening Requirement: DMA applicants must upload a preliminary audition recording (video preferred)
MM audition requirements: The applicant should prepare solo literature of contrasting styles, and several contrasting orchestral excerpts.
DMA audition requirements: The applicant should prepare solo literature of contrasting styles, and several contrasting orchestral excerpts.
CLARINET
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th, and February 24th
Pre-screening Requirement: By December 1, all clarinet applicants seeking a Rochester or regional audition must upload a preliminary audition video recording. Please include the following on your video, and record repertoire in the order listed for your intended degree program. If approved from prescreening, the audition should follow the same repertoire guidelines, and can present the same or different material. Piano accompaniment is required for some prescreen repertoire (as noted below), however on-campus auditions are performed without accompaniment.
MM audition requirements:
Solo Works (record with piano accompaniment for prescreening)
- First movement exposition of Mozart Concerto with piano (opening solo to downbeat of measure 154) and the
- First movement of either Brahms sonata with piano
Contemporary Solo Literature: Choose one of the listed works below
- Shulamit Ran, For an Actor: Monologue for Clarinet (in A) (opening to the end of second line on pg. 6)
- Luciano Berio, Sequenza IXa per clarinetto solo, (letter F up to letter M)
- Libby Larson, Dancing Solo, (choose two of the movements)
- Komives, Flammes, (choose two of the etudes)
- Penderecki, Prelude (entire work)
- Carter, Gra, (entire work)
- Kovacs, Hommages,(DaFalla) or (Weber)
- Rozsa, Sonatina for Clarinet Solo, Rozsa (movement 1)
- Martino, A Set for Clarinet, (choose one movement)
Orchestral Excerpts:
- Beethoven 6: Movement 1 (solo at the end of the movement)
- Beethoven 8: Minuet and Trio (do not take the repeat)
- Mendelssohn Scherzo from Midsummer Night’s Dream: (opening through the end of the trills; dotted quarter = 84)
- Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol movement 1, (both solos) and movement 3 (solo)
- Stravinsky: The Firebird (Variation de l’oiseau de feu)
- Kodaly: Dances of Galante (solo on the first page)
- Shostakovitch: Symphony No. 9 movement 2 (opening solo)
DMA audition requirements: Same requirements as for the Master of Music degree, with the addition of one of the following:
- Nielsen Concerto: Opening through the end of the first cadenza (bottom of page 3) and #30 to #33 (the use of piano and snare drum for prescreen recording is optional)
- Copland Concerto: Opening through the end of the cadenza (piano is required for prescreen recording)
FLUTE
Note: There are no openings for fall 2012 in graduate flute.
Audition repertoire will be posted for fall 2013 applicants by Sept 1, 2012.
OBOE
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th and February 24th
DMA: Pre-screening requirement: By December 1, all oboe applicants seeking a Rochester audition must upload a preliminary audition recording.
MM audition requirements: Prepared repertoire should include studies (such as Ferling or Bozza), contemporary solo literature (such as Berio or Dorati) and orchestral excerpts. Possible sight-reading.
DMA audition requirements: Prepared repertoire should include studies (such as Ferling or Bozza), contemporary solo literature (such as Berio or Dorati) and orchestral excerpts. Possible sight reading.
SAXOPHONE
2012 Rochester Audition Dates: February 3rd, February 10th, February 17th and February 24th
MM audition requirements: Prepared repertoire may include standard and contemporary solo literature appropriate to training and experience. Possible sight-reading.
DMA audition requirements: Prepared repertoire should include three works representing contrasting styles. Applicants are encouraged to include one transcription of a work written before the 20th century.
Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements.
WOODWIND SPECIALIST
MM audition requirements: Entrance to this program requires two auditions, one on the primary instrument, and one on the second primary instrument. (Note that instruments in the same family do not meet the requirements for this major; e.g., flute and piccolo, oboe and English horn, etc.) Applicants should follow the audition guidelines in this section according to their primary and secondary instrument. Follow pre-screening guidelines (if required) for your primary instrument only; pre-screening is not required for the secondary instrument.
