Music Conservatory Links

Audition Requirements

Brass

Trumpet

Undergraduate: two representative etudes, one lyrical and one technical; a movement of a major concerto or sonata for trumpet (e.g. Hummel, Haydn, or Hindemith)

Graduate: a representative etude (e.g. one of Theo Charleir’s 36 Etudes Transcendantes or an etude or study of similar difficulty); either the Haydn or Hummel concerto; A sonata of the candidate’s choice. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least four standard excerpts.

Performance Diploma: 3 major works with piano accompaniment, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Twelve standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice; one etude; a complete sonata or concerto with piano accompaniment.

Horn

Undergraduate: two contrasting selections from standard horn repertoire; standard orchestral excerpts

Graduate (Performance, Orchestral Studies): solos of the candidate’s choice from standard horn repertoire; at least four orchestral excerpts

Performance Diploma: 3 major works with piano accompaniment, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Professional Diploma in Orchestral StudiesTwelve standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice; one etude; a complete sonata or concerto with piano accompaniment.

Tenor Trombone

Undergraduate: one Rochut Melodious Etude; either Morceau Symphonique by Guilmant, Concertino by David, or a work of similar difficulty.

Graduate: one Rochut Etude; one intermediate or advanced technical etude; Two contrasting works by Bozza, Hindemith, Corelli, or Wagenseil. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least four standard excerpts.

Bass Trombone

Undergraduate: one Rochut Melodious Etude; two solo works in contrasting styles.

Graduate: one Rochut Melodious Etude; one advanced level Etude by Tommy Pederson; two solo works of contrasting styles. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least four standard excerpts.

Performance Diploma: 3 major works with piano accompaniment, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Professional Diploma in Orchestral StudiesTwelve standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice; one etude; a complete sonata or concerto with piano accompaniment.

Euphonium (undergraduate) :

All major and minor scales; atechnical etude; a classical solo piece, preferably a movement from a sonata, concerto or a work of similar difficulty.

Tuba

Undergraduate: an etude (suggested composers: Kopprasch, Blazevich, Gallay); a solo such as Suite for Tuba by Haddad, Air & Bourèe by Bach, or similar.

Graduate: a complete concerto by Mozart or Strauss, or a work of similar difficulty. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least four standard excerpts.

Performance Diploma: 3 major works with piano accompaniment, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Twelve standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice; one etude; a complete sonata or concerto with piano accompaniment.

Classical Guitar

(All repertoire to be performed from memory.)

Freshman/Sophomore A study by F. Sor : (Nos.1-10,Segovia ed.); two other pieces of comparable difficulty but contrasting style. Sight reading may be included.

Music Education: In addition to the instrumental audition, guitar applicants must present a short vocal audition for the Chair of the Music Education department.

Junior/Senior : A study by F. Sor (Nos. 12-20, Segovia ed.); two other pieces of comparable difficulty but contrasting style. Sight reading may be included.

Graduate ; Two contrasting movements from a Suite by J.S. Bach; an advanced work by Sor or Giuliani; an advanced work by a 20th-century composer. Sight reading may be included.

Performance Diploma : Three contrasting movements from one of the Lute Suites by J.S. Bach; a movement from a concerto; an advanced work by Sor or Giuliani; an advanced work by a 20th-century composer. Sight reading may be included.

Composition

All materials become property of CCPA, and are not returned. Portfolio materials are due January 15. On-campus interviews are required for applicants within 500 miles of Chicago, and are highly recommended for all other applicants. Undergraduates should submit scores and, where possible, recordings for at least two original works, preferably composed for different performance media (for instance, a violin and piano duo, woodwind trio, or string quartet).; One composition may be an electronic work. Neatness and legibility of scores will be considered.

Graduates should submit scores and, where possible, recordings for at least three substantial original works, preferably composed for different performance media (for instance, a chamber ensemble work, choral piece, or orchestra score).; Up to two compositions may be electronic works.; Neatness and legibility of scores will be considered. In addition, both undergraduates and graduates are required to submit two letters of recommendation by persons familiar with your work, a summary of your musical experience thus far, and a statement of your professional goals.

Harp

Two of the following solo pieces or works of comparable difficulty:

Two of the following cadenzas:

Graduate

One of the following works:

Two of the following excerpts:

Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies

All five graduate excerpts listed above; a complete sonata or concerto

Performance Diploma

Three major works, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Jazz Studies

Instrumental Performance

Live auditions are approximately 10 minutes in length. Each applicant chooses his/her first work, and the faculty will choose additional standards from the audition repertoire list that you provide. Rhythm section*, amplifiers and a drum set (without cymbals) will be provided. Applicants will likely be asked to stop in the middle of selections.

Non-guitar applicants must provide music for the trio in the correct key, or may provide their own rhythm section players if they choose. Play- along recordings are not permitted.

*Guitar auditions are presented without full rhythm section, although Mr. McLean will accompany on guitar.

Prepare three different standards in different jazz styles, moods and tempos (one must be a ballad). Be prepared to play the head and improvise over several choruses. Sight-reading will also be included. Scales may be requested.

Vocal Performance

A short interview concerning your educational and career goals will take place after the audition. All applicants must present a classical piece in addition to the requirements listed below.

  1. Two jazz standards:
    • a. 1 ballad (improvisation optional)
    • b. 1 up-tempo (including improvisation)
  2. Scales (one octave):
    • a. major
    • b. harmonic minor
    • c. melodic minor
  3. Arpeggio singing:
    • a. major triad, major sixth chord, major seventh chord
    • b. minor triad, minor seventh chord
    • c. dominant seventh chord
  4. Sight-reading
  5. Improvisation on 12 bar blues.

Piano

Piano (All repertoire to be performed from memory)

Freshman

  1. A work by J. S. Bach at least of the difficulty of a Three-Part Invention or a Prelude and Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier
  2. The first movement of a sonata by Clementi, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert
  3. A work by a Romantic or 20th Century Composer

Music Education - Piano Concentration

  1. A Two-Part Invention or another more difficult work by J.S. Bach
  2. A first or last (Allegro) movement of a Mozart, Haydn, or early Beethoven sonata (through Opus 28)
  3. A shorter piece by a composer of the Romantic or Impressionist school. In addition to the instrumental audition, piano applicants must present a short vocal audition for the Chair of the Music Education department.

Sophomore

  1. A work by J. S. Bach at least of the difficulty of a Three-Part Invention or a Prelude and Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier
  2. The first movement of a sonata by Clementi, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert
  3. A work by a Romantic or 20th Century Composer

Junior

  1. A work by J.S. Bach at least of the difficulty of a Prelude and Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier
  2. A Sonata by Clementi, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert
  3. An Etude by Chopin, Debussy, Liszt, Rachmaninov or Scriabin or a piece of a virtuosic nature
  4. A significant work by a Romantic or 20th Century Composer

Senior or Masters

  1. A work by J. S. Bach at least of the difficulty of a Prelude and Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier
  2. A Sonata by Clementi, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven or Schubert
  3. A significant work by a Romantic composer
  4. A significant work by a 20th Century Composer

Performance Diploma

  1. A minimum of four complete major works representing four stylistic periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century.
  2. At least one of these must be a multi-movement work.

Music Education

Applicants must complete the following for consideration:

  1. One letter of recommendation, submitted directly to CCPA by January 15.
  2. A performance audition on your primary instrument. Follow the classical undergraduate audition requirements for the appropriate instrument/voice.
  3. An interview with the Music Education Faculty. Most interviews are conducted in person, but some may be held via phone or email due to scheduilng conflicts. Be sure that you have made arrangements for you interview by your audition date for adequate consideration.
  4. In addition to an instrumental audition, piano and guitar education applicants must present a short vocal audition with the interview.

Percussion

All instruments will be supplied; students may bring their own snare drum and tambourine.

Freshman: a solo piece for keyboard percussion; a solo piece for timpani; a solo piece for snare drum

Sophomore, Junior, Senior: Snare drum: a rudimental roll mf>p<ff, and an orchestral roll mf>p<ff.;

Keyboard percussion: A four-mallet etude.Timpani: an etude from The Solo Timpanist by Vic Firth, or an etude of similar difficulty; Also: an advanced solo from any area of percussion.

Masters in Performance : Mallet, timpani, and snare drum or multi-percussion solo pieces at the level of a final senior recital. Due to set-up constraints, applicants can submit a videotape of a multi-percussion solo at the live audition.

Performance Diploma (Masters required): Mallet, timpani, and snare drum or multi-percussion solo pieces at the level of a final masters recital. Due to set-up constraints, applicants can submit a videotape of a multi-percussion solo at the live audition.

Masters in Orchestral Studies (Masters required) and Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: 2 or 4-mallet marimba or vibes solo; timpani solo; all of the following excerpts:

Strings

Violin

(All solo selections to be performed from memory. Music may be used for etudes and excerpts. All string auditions will be presented with piano accompaniment.)

Undergraduate: one etude or caprice; one movement of a Bach Partita or Sonata for solo violin; a fast movement of a concerto

Graduate: A caprice or short virtuoso piece; two movements of a Bach Partita or Sonata for solo violin; a fast movement of a concerto. /span>

Performance Diploma: A Paganini caprice; a Bach fuga or chaconne; a complete concerto with cadenza from one of the following: Bartok (#2), Berg, Brahms, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev (#1 or 2), Shostakovich (#1), Sibelius or Tchaikovsky.

Viola

(All solo selections to be performed from memory. Music may be used for etudes and excerpts. All string auditions will be presented with piano accompaniment.)

Undergraduate: An etude; one movement of an unaccompanied Bach piece; a fast movement of a concerto

Graduate: a fast movement of any major 20th-century viola concerto; two contrasting movements of an unaccompanied Bach piece; one other piece of the candidate’s choice.

Performance Diploma: Three major works with piano accompaniment, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Violoncello

(All solo selections to be performed from memory. Music may be used for etudes and excerpts. All string auditions will be presented with piano accompaniment.)

Undergraduate: Two contrasting movements of a Bach Suite; a Popper Etude; the first movement of one of the following concerti: Dvorak, Saint-Saens, or Lalo, or a work of similar difficulty

Graduate: Two contrasting movements of a Bach Suite; a Popper Etude; the first movement of one of the following four concerti: Dvorak, Saint-Saens, Lalo or Prokofiev Cello Symphonie, or a work of similar difficulty.

Performance Diploma: Three major works with piano accompaniment, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Double Bass

(All solo selections to be performed from memory. Music may be used for etudes and excerpts. All string auditions will be presented with piano accompaniment.)

Undergraduate and Graduate: An etude; two additional pieces of contrasting style, preferably including a fast movement from a concerto or a work of similar difficulty. Graduate

Performance Diploma: Three major works with piano accompaniment, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Voice (Classical)

All voice auditions must be accompanied by a pianist. Please inform Chicago College of Performing Arts if your accompanist is not available so one can be provided for you.

Freshman (All repertoire to be performed from memory): The applicant should sing three pieces suitable to his/her voice and development from the classical Italian, English or American repertoire.; French or German songs may be substituted if the student has proficiency in these languages. It is neither expected nor desired that the applicant attempt songs or arias of a difficulty beyond his/her years of vocal ability.; Rather, repertoire that will show the quality and potential of the voice should be presented.

Sophomore (All repertoire to be performed from memory): Three pieces- (1) A song in English, (2) an old Italian air, (3) a German lied, French chanson, or an aria.

Junior, or Graduate (All repertoire to be performed from memory): Four Pieces- (1-2) Two chansons or two lieder, or one of each; (3) a song by an English or American composer; (4) an opera, concert or oratorio aria.

Professional Diploma in Opera (with COT): Applicants must submit an application by December 1. Selected applicants must prepare the following for their live audition (all from memory, sung in the original language, and all operatic, not oratorio, arias):

Four arias representing four languages: Italian, French, German, English and representing four stylistic periods: Baroque (through Handel), Mozart, Romantic/post-Romantic, Modern. No exceptions will be made to these requirements.

Woodwinds

Flute

Undergraduate: proficiency in all major and minor scales, 2-1/2 or 3 octaves; a technical etude; a solo piece, preferably a movement from a sonata, concerto or a work of similar difficulty.

Graduate: a technical etude; an entire sonata or concerto. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least four standard excerpts.

Performance Diploma: Three major works with piano accompaniment, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Twelve standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice; one etude; a complete sonata or concerto with piano accompaniment.

Oboe

Undergraduate: proficiency in all major and minor scales, 2-1/2 or 3 octaves; a technical etude; a solo piece, preferably a movement from a sonata, concerto or a work of similar difficulty.

Graduate: a technical etude; an entire sonata or concerto. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least four standard excerpts.

Performance Diploma: Three major works with piano accompaniment, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Twelve standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice; one etude; a complete sonata or concerto with piano accompaniment.

Clarinet

Undergraduate and Graduate: proficiency in all major and minor scales, 2-1/2 or 3 octaves; one phrasing etude and one articulation etude (e.g. Rose 40 Studies, Nos. 13 and 11); one of the following solo works: Mozart Concerto, Mvt. 1, Weber Concertino,; Debussy Premiere Rhapsodie, a Brahms Sonata, or a work of similar difficulty.

Graduate applicants: in addition to the above, prepare Cavallini and Rose Etudes demonstrating phrasing and articulation abilities. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least four standard excerpts.

Performance Diploma: Three major works with piano accompaniment, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Twelve standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice; one etude; a complete sonata or concerto with piano accompaniment.

Bassoon

Undergraduate: proficiency in all major and minor scales, 2-1/2 or 3 octaves; a technical etude; a solo piece, preferably a movement from a sonata, concerto or a work of similar difficulty.

Graduate: a technical etude; an entire sonata or concerto. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least four standard excerpts.

Performance Diploma: Three major works with piano accompaniment, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.

Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Twelve standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice; one etude; a complete sonata or concerto with piano accompaniment.

Saxophone:

Undergraduate: Proficiency in all major and minor scales, 2-1/2 or 3 octaves; a technical etude; a classical solo piece, preferably a movement from a sonata, concerto or a work of similar difficulty

Graduate: Proficiency in all major and minor scales, 2-1/2 or 3 octaves; two technical etudes; a full sonata, concerto or a work of similar difficulty.