DATES AND AUDITION OPTIONS
2025 Rochester Audition Dates: Fridays February 7, 21, and 28
2025 Remote Audition Option: Applicants who would like to audition virtually should upload their audition requirements within their application by February 1st. A virtual meeting with the Professor of Double Bass will take place over zoom in February 2025.
PRE-SCREENING AND AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Undergraduate
There is no pre-screening required for undergraduate double bass.
- One movement from one of the following double bass concerti: Bottesini, Dittersdorf, Dragonetti, Koussevitsky, or Vanhal
- One contrasting solo work of the applicant’s choice
- Applicants must prepare two orchestral excerpts of the applicant’s choice from the standard orchestral repertoire
- Applicants must perform two scales (one major, one melodic minor) of their choice in two or three octaves
Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for their requirements.
Graduate
There is no pre-screening recording required for graduate double bass.
MM and DMA Audition Requirements: Prepared repertoire should include:
- A minimum of two movements from one of the following double bass concerti: Bottesini Concerto, Tubin Concerto, Koussevitzky Concerto, Vanhal Concerto, Nino Rota Divertimento Concertante, or other selection approved in consultation with Professor VanDemark
- A contemporary solo work
- Orchestral excerpts:
Richard Strauss Ein Heldenleben #9-12
Alberto Ginastera Variaciones Concertantes double bass solo
Standard excerpts from the final movement of Mozart Symphony No. 35
Beethoven Symphony No. 5, 3rd movement, Scherzo and Trio, no repeat
Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for their requirements.