Audition Procedures

Auditions are approximately 25 minutes in length. An accompanist is not required, though applicants are welcome to bring one if they choose.

Audition Requirements

Two complete compositions of the applicant’s choice representing two different styles and style periods, a minimum of three contrasting orchestral excerpts, and sight reading to demonstrate transposition skills.

Questions? Contact the Brass and Woodwind Studies coordinator, Dr. John McMurtery at 702-895-5849 or john.mcmurtery@unlv.edu.

Audition Requirements

1. Please prepare two contrasting pieces by memory demonstrating level of achievement in repertoire.
2. Prepare one orchestral excerpt and one orchestral cadenza (not memorized).
3. Prepare a concerto movement from the standard repertoire (memorized).

Questions? Contact the Harp Studies coordinator, Professor Louise Vickerman.

Audition Requirements

Prepare three jazz selections in contrasting styles and tempi (medium swing or blues, Latin, jazz ballad, or jazz waltz from the accepted jazz standard repertoire) that will be accompanied by a rhythm section (piano, bass, and drums) provided for you. Students will be expected to improvise on each tune as well as to embellish the melody (with jazz interpretation). Pianists and guitarists may play one standard unaccompanied.

Prepare one short excerpt from classical repertoire demonstrating technical ability on your instrument or voice (see Suggested Audition Material listed above). Prepare major and minor scales and modes. Sight Reading in a jazz style will also be included in this audition.

Some examples of Jazz Standards

All The Things You Are, Autumn Leaves, Blue Bossa, But Beautiful, Darn That Dream, My Romance, There Will Never Be Another You, Yesterdays, Like Someone in Love, Take the A Train, There Is No Greater Love.

Some examples of Jazz Blues

Sonny Moon for Two, Tenor Madness, Blues Walk, Straight No Chaser, Footprints, All Blues, Blue Monk, Billie's Bounce, Now's the Time.

Live Accompaniment Is Provided at the Audition

• Live Accompaniment (jazz trio)
• All amplifiers
• Drum Set
• Piano Jazz

Questions? Contact the Jazz and Commercial Music Studies coordinator, Professor David Loeb.

Graduate Piano Applicants

Audition Procedures

Graduate auditions are approximately 15+ minutes in length. Each applicant chooses their first work and the faculty will determine the remainder of the audition program from the applicant’s audition repertoire list.

Graduate Audition Requirements

1. Prelude and fugue by J.S. Bach or D. Shostakovich or another work that contains a fugue
2. Complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Clementi, Hummel, or comparable major work (i.e., Beethoven's “Eroica” Variations)
3. A major Romantic work from the 19^th century
4. Complete work from the 20th or 21^st century

Doctoral Piano Applicants

Audition Procedures

Doctoral auditions are approximately 40+ minutes in length. Each applicant chooses their first work and the faculty will determine the remainder of the audition program from the applicant’s audition repertoire list. 

Graduate Audition Requirements 

D.M.A. applicants must prepare a recital-length audition program of stylistically diverse, musically, and pianistically challenging works. (Shorter programs may be subject to approval by the piano faculty)

Sample Audition Program:

1. Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Clementi, Beethoven, Hummel, Schubert
2. One substantial work by Chopin, Mendelssohn. Schumann, Liszt, Brahms
3. One substantial work by a composer of late 19^th or early 20th century such as, but not limited to, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Busoni, Debussy, Ravel, and Grieg.
4. A substantial 20^th or 21^st century work by a composer post-dating Impressionism.

Applicants must perform all works from memory.

Questions? Contact the Keyboard Studies coordinator, Dr. Mykola Suk at 702-895-4980 or mykola.suk@unlv.edu

In addition to the audition for the applicant’s main woodwind instrument, the audition for the Multiple Woodwind includes one complete work on each of two secondary instruments.

Main Instrument

Two contrasting pieces of your choice. In addition to the main instrument, Applicants must perform one piece (complete) on two secondary instruments, and must choose selections from the following:

Flute

Bach: one of the seven Sonatas; Mozart: Concerto in G major or D major; Faure: Fantasie; Enesco: Cantabile et Presto; Gaubert: Nocturne et Allegro Scherzando; Taffanel: Andante Pastoral et Scherzettino; Poulenc: Sonata; Chaminade: Concertino

Oboe

Mozart: Oboe Quartet; Marcello: Concerto; Hindemith: Sonate; Schumann: Three Romances; Saint-Saens: Sonata

Clarinet

Saint-Saens: Sonata; Brahms: Sonata; Messiaen: Abime des Oiseaux; Stamitz: Concerto #3 in B-flat major; Weber: Concertino; Hindemith: Sonate; Mozart: Concerto; Schumann: Fantasy Pieces

Bassoon

Telemann: Sonata in F Minor; Galliard: Suite; Hindemith: Sonate; Vivaldi: Concerto (any); Devienne: Sonata (F major or G minor)

Alto Saxophone

Bonneau: Caprice en forme de Valse; Glazunov: Concerto; Dubois: Concerto; Ibert: Concertino da Camera; Creston: Sonata; Heiden: Sonata; Milhaud: Scaramouche; Maurice: Tableaux de Provence

Soprano/Tenor Saxophone

Villa-Lobos: Fantasia; Scelsi: Tre-Pezzi; Ruggiero: Interplay; Worley: Sonata; Hatley: Sonata; Cunningham: Trigon; DiPasquale: Sonata; Schmidt: Concerto

Questions? Contact the Brass and Woodwind Studies coordinator, Dr. John McMurtery at 702-895-5849 or john.mcmurtery@unlv.edu.

Application Requirements

Candidates interested in auditioning for the Division of Percussion Studies should be in communication with the Division Coordinator, Kyle Bissantz to discuss the program options, highlights of studying at UNLV, and to learn the nature of our studio.

Following communication with the Coordinator, video recordings of recent performances and prepared pieces will be accepted through a private or public YouTube link. The appropriate level and material will be discussed in our communication.

Live auditions will be prepared to represent musicianship and potential to grow and succeed in the desired degree program. It is most common to perform works on marimba, snare drum, and timpani. However, you may also prepare works for multiple percussion, marching percussion, vibraphone, drum set, steel pan, and other world percussion instruments.

We are a program that encourages questions and creative thinking and look forward to welcoming you to our percussion family.

Graduate Piano Applicants

Audition Procedures

Graduate auditions are approximately 15+ minutes in length. Each applicant chooses their first work and the faculty will determine the remainder of the audition program from the applicant’s audition repertoire list.

Graduate Audition Requirements

1. Prelude and fugue by J.S. Bach or D. Shostakovich or another work that contains a fugue
2. Complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Clementi, Hummel, or comparable major work (i.e., Beethoven's “Eroica” Variations)
3. A major Romantic work from the 19th century
4. Complete work from the 20th or 21st century

Doctoral Piano Applicants

Audition Procedures

Doctoral auditions are approximately 40+ minutes in length. Each applicant chooses their first work and the faculty will determine the remainder of the audition program from the applicant’s audition repertoire list.

Graduate Audition Requirements

D.M.A. applicants must prepare a recital-length audition program of stylistically diverse, musically, and pianistically challenging works. (Shorter programs may be subject to approval by the piano faculty)

Sample Audition Program

1. Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Clementi, Beethoven, Hummel, Schubert
2. One substantial work by Chopin, Mendelssohn. Schumann, Liszt, Brahms
3. One substantial work by a composer of late 19th or early 20th century such as, but not limited to, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Busoni, Debussy, Ravel, and Grieg.
4. A substantial 20th or 21st-century work by a composer post-dating Impressionism.

Applicants must perform all works from memory.

Applicants must perform all works from memory. Questions? Contact the Keyboard Studies coordinator, Dr. Mykola Suk at 702-895-4980 or mykola.suk@unlv.edu

Please reach out to the Division of String Studies Coordinator, Ambroise Aubrun for more information.

Requirements:

Violin:

• M.M. and Artist Diploma
  1. First movement of a standard romantic concerto
  2. Two contrasting movements from J.S. Bach Sonatas and Partitas
  3. A Paganini caprice or other solo violin virtosic piece
  4. A piece of your choice
• D.M.A.
  1. First movement of a standard romantic concerto
  2. Two contrasting movements from J.S. Bach Sonatas and Partitas
  3. A Paganini caprice or other solo violin virtosic piece
  4. A piece of your choice
  5. First movement of a Mozart Concerto

Viola:

• M.M. and Artist Diploma
  1. A movement of a standard concerto
  2. Two contrasting movements from J.S. Bach Suites for Unaccompanied Cello transcribed for viola
  3. A piece of your choice 
• D.M.A.
  1. A movement of a standard concerto
  2. Two contrasting movements from J.S. Bach Suites for Unaccompanied Cello transcribed for viola
  3. Movement of a sonata
  4. A piece of your choice

Cello:

• M.M. and Artist Diploma
  1. A movement of a standard concerto
  2. Two contrasting movements from J.S. Bach Suites for Unaccompanied Cello
  3. A standard etude by Popper, Dupont, or Piatti
• D.M.A.
  1. A movement of a standard concerto
  2. Two contrasting movements from J.S. Bach Suites for Unaccompanied Cello
  3. A standard etude by Popper, Dupont, or Piatti
  4. A piece of your choice

Graduate Voice Applicants

Audition Procedures

Graduate-level auditions are approximately 20 minutes in length for in-person auditions. Each applicant chooses their first work and the faculty will determine the remainder of the audition program from the applicant’s audition repertoire list. You will be invited to speak with the faculty following the audition.

Graduate Audition Requirements

Applicants must prepare a mini-recital audition program of stylistically diverse, musically, and vocally challenging works. The recital program should be 30 minutes in length and will be used by the faculty to choose audition selections.

All works, except oratorio arias, must be performed from memory. Applicants may bring their own accompanist, but Dr. Spencer Baker will also be available to collaborate with you. Please send PDF copies of your music well in advance to Dr. Baker.

Questions? Contact Dr. Monica Williams-McCullough and Dr. Andre Chiang.

Video Audition Requirements

Video audition files are accepted in lieu of in-person auditions and follow the same requirements as in-person auditions. The links should be sent to Dr. Monica Williams-McCullough and Dr. Andre Chiang.

All auditionees are automatically considered for Graduate Assistant positions and in-state tuition waivers.

Doctoral Voice and Artist Diploma Applicants

Application Requirements

Prospective students applying for admission to the Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance degree program must first submit an application through the Graduate College. There are different deadlines for international students and students who wish to apply for assistantships, information for which is also found on the Graduate College website.

All applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.  In addition to submitting an application and transcripts of all college-level coursework to the Graduate College, prospective students must present the following credentials:

1. A Master’s degree in music from a NASM-accredited institution
2. An overall undergraduate GPA and master's GPA of  at least 2.75 (or 3.00 in the last two years of undergraduate study).
3. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 in music.

Prospective students must also present credentials to the School of Music. Under the Program Information section of the online application, please be sure to list your specific concentration. The following credentials must be presented to the School of Music:

1. Three confidential letters of recommendation from former instructors attesting to the student's ability to complete graduate work at an acceptable level.
2. A 500-word essay defining career goals and explaining how graduate studies in music will advance the applicant toward these goals.
3. A successful on-campus performance audition.
4. All auditions must be presented by April 15 for fall semester admission and by October 15 for spring semester admission. Audition length, requirements, and contact information vary by area. Please consult the area coordinator for further information.

Audition Requirements

Applicants must prepare an audition program of stylistically diverse, musically, and vocally challenging works. The program should be 30 minutes in length and will be used by the faculty to choose audition selections.

All works, except oratorio arias, must be performed from memory. Applicants may bring their own accompanist, but Dr. Spencer Baker will also be available to collaborate with you. Please send PDF copies of your music well in advance to Dr. Baker.

Questions? Contact Dr. Monica Williams-McCullough and Dr. Andre Chiang.

Video Audition Requirements

Video audition files are accepted in lieu of in-person auditions and follow the same requirements as in-person auditions. The links should be sent to Dr. Monica Williams-McCullough and Dr. Andre Chiang.

All auditionees are automatically considered for Graduate Assistant positions and in-state tuition waivers.

Audition Procedures

Woodwind Division auditions should be between 15–30 minutes. An accompanist is not required; however, applicants may choose to use one.

Audition Requirements

Flute

Auditions require that applicants prepare the following: One of seven sonatas of J.S.

Bach; the Mozart Concerto in G Major, KV313, first movement with cadenza; a contemporary solo work demonstrating fluency with extended techniques; a selection from the literature by Copland, Dutilleux, Ibert, Jolivet, Liebermann, Martin, Martinu, Nielsen, Prokofiev, Schubert or equivalent; and three orchestral excerpts.

Oboe

Auditions require that applicants prepare material representing different musical styles and stylistic periods. The chosen material may include as many as four orchestral excerpts.

Clarinet

Auditions require that applicants prepare two complete compositions representing different musical styles and stylistic periods, and four contrasting orchestral excerpts, all of the applicant’s choice. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate performance proficiency on the Bass Clarinet and/or the E-Flat Clarinet.

Bassoon

Auditions require that applicants prepare two complete compositions representing different musical styles and stylistic periods, and four contrasting orchestral excerpts, all of the applicant’s choice.

Saxophone

Auditions require that applicants prepare three works or movements of contrasting styles, including at least one work from the contemporary repertoire and one work from the standard repertoire; one etude from the following: Bozza Etude Caprices, Lacour 28 Etudes After Messiaen, Lauba Neuf Etudes, Koechlin Etudes for Saxophone and Piano, Karg-Elert 25 Capricen und Sonate, or other etudes of similar difficulty; and all major and harmonic minor scales, full range. Applicants should be prepared to discuss research interests and career goals.