Piano Auditions

In-person auditions are required of all applicants residing in the United States. International applicants may submit an audio recording of high quality. Videotape is optional. The audition program should be performed by memory. An excerpt for sight-reading may be provided. Incomplete audition programs or substitute compositions may not be accepted.

Undergraduate:
- J. S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue from the Well Tempered Clavier
- A classical sonata movement; e.g. Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven
- A composition of contrasting stylistic period and form
- A virtuoso etude, e.g., Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, or Scriabin (may be Czerny, op. 740, Clementi, Moszkowski, etc., for non-piano majors)

Masters Degree:
- J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue from the Well Tempered Clavier
- A complete classical sonata; e.g. Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
- A composition of contrasting stylistic period and form
- A virtuoso etude; e.g. Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Prokofiev, Debussy, Ligeti, etc.

Certificate in Performance:
- A contrapuntal work with fugue of any period
- A complete sonata of any period
- A large composition of contrasting stylistic period and form
- Any advanced virtuoso etude

Undergraduate Jazz Studies piano majors should prepare the classical audition materials, except that the twentieth-century piece may be in a jazz style. Graduate Jazz Studies piano majors need not to take a classical audition. All jazz pianists should be prepared to sight read two selections of contrasting tempos and styles from the Jamey Aebersold Play-A-Long Series, with the CD accompaniment. For each selection you are to perform/embellish the melody for one chorus, provide appropriate accompaniment for one chorus, and improvise for two choruses. Also, sight read a portion of a big band chart or jazz etude, at tempo, with a metronome.

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