How do I get an audition date?

Go to the School of Music web site and select your date for your audition. Or call the music office at 330.972.7590 to set up your audition date.

What will the audition consist of?

A written theory placement test, a Piano Proficiency, and an audition on your selected instrument(s).

  • Piano Proficiency
  • Given to assess your keyboard skills. If you have no keyboard skills, you will be placed in a beginning piano class.

  • Written Test
  • Test will include: definitions of musical symbols and terms, recognition of note and rest values, knowledge of key signatures and scales and aural recognition of scale forms, rhythms and pitches.

  • Performance Audition
  • Audition for the area of your choice. Study requirements for your applied area. You need to audition for only one applied area, but have the option of choosing more than one.

    Performance Audition Requirements

    Bass

    Undergraduate/Graduate
    Audition: Yes
    Accompanist: Not required
    Performed from memory: Yes
    Length of Audition: One day 9am-5pm
    Recording Accepted:Yes DVD
    Repertoire:
    Applicants should contact the Professor directly to determine what repertoire will be played in the audition. We prefer solo/concerto material that is under current preparation for lessons or performances.
    Below is a representative list that will help in the selection process.
    Scales and/etude or other example of technical work.
    Repertoire:
    2 Movements of a Baroque Sonata, or 1 movement of a standard bass concerto-
    Dragonetti, Dittersdorf, or Koussevitsky.

    For Jazz students, technique should be the same as above.
    Also include two jazz standards: play the melody, improvise a bass line using the chord changes.

    More Information: Guy Bordo gvbordo@uakron.edu

    Bassoon

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 15 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes CD, DVD
    Repertoire:
    Two pieces (two solos or one solo and one etude) of contrasting style, Major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats, Chromatic scale, Sightreading

    Graduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 30 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes CD
    Repertoire: Two contrasting works from the standard bassoon repertoire and 3-4 orchestral excerpts

    More Information: Cynthia Cioffari ccioffa@uakron.edu

    Cello

    Undergraduate/Graduate
    Audition: Yes
    Accompanist: Not required
    Performed from memory: Yes
    Length of Audition: One day 9am-5pm
    Recording Accepted:Yes DVD
    Repertoire:
    Applicants should contact the Professor directly to determine what repertoire will be played in the audition. We prefer solo/concerto material that is under current preparation for lessons or performances.
    Below is a representative list that will help in the selection process.
    Concertos of:
    Saint-Saëns
    Haydn
    Lalo
    Dvořák
    Two contrasting movements of a Bach suite
    One Etude:
    Popper
    Duport
    Schroeder

    More Information: Guy Bordo gvbordo@uakron.edu

    Clarinet

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 15 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes CD
    Repertoire:
    Class A solo or comparable repertoire Contrasting Etude, preferably from Carl Rose's 32 Etudes Major scales Chromatic Scale up to high G

    Graduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 30 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes CD
    Repertoire: 3 Contrasting Works from Standard Repertoire exhibiting a variety of styles. 5 Orchestral Excerpts

    More Information: Kristina Jones kbelisl@uakron.edu

    Classical Guitar

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 10 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes DVD
    Repertoire:
    Prospective students need to prepare two contrasting pieces from the classical repertoire. These may include selections from the Renaissance lute repertoire or movements of Bach suites, to concert works or etudes by Giuliani or Sor, to Spanish or South American works and contemporary pieces. Students are encouraged to write directly with questions if they unsure about their repertoire. Applicants will be asked to sight-read and to demonstrate some technical activities such as scales, arpeggio patterns and so on.

    Graduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Preferred
    Length of Audition: 20-30 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes DVD
    Repertoire: Prospective students should prepare three contrasting works from the repertoire. They should include a Bach work, a contemporary work and something lyrical in nature or a 19th c. composition. Students will be asked to sight-read and to demonstrate a variety of technical activities, such as arpeggio patterns, scales and tremolo. These guidelines are not absolutely rigid, and students are encouraged to contact Mr. Aron directly with questions or concerns.

    More Information: Stephen Aron stephenaron@mac.com

    Flute

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 15 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes CD or DVD
    Repertoire:
    1. Ohio Class A Solo: for example, Mozart Concerto, Bach Sonata, French Conservatory Piece, Hindemith Sonata, Poulenc Sonata, etc.
    2. A work that contrasts your first choice: an etude, another movement of first choice, another solo work
    3. All major scales required; minor scales encouraged but not required
    4. Sight Reading
    5. A simple sight-singing exercise

    Graduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 30 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes CD or DVD
    Repertoire:Prepare a 30 minutes program that includes at least 3 different styles of solo repertoire and 4-5 orchestral excerpts.

    More Information: George Pope gspope@uakron.edu

    French Horn

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:
    Length of Audition:
    Recording Accepted:
    Repertoire: Two pieces (solos or etudes) of contrasting style. One should be lyrical and one should be more technical. Major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats.

    Graduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:
    Length of Audition:
    Recording Accepted:
    Repertoire: Two contrasting major solo works and also and etude demonstrating technique. Have prepared a group of 4-5 contrasting orchestral excerpts.

    More Information: William Hoyt wgh@uakron.edu

    Jazz Guitar

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:
    Length of Audition:15 minutes
    Recording Accepted:No
    Repertoire: Two selections from The Real Book Volume I or from any Jazz Standard Fake Book. One piece as a chord melody solo if possible and the other play the melody in actual pitch (8va from written lead sheet)and the accompaniment in the appropriate style of the song. Major and minor scales in two octaves. Be prepared to demonstrate your sight reading ability.

    Graduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:
    Length of Audition:15 minutes
    Recording Accepted:No
    Repertoire: Two selections from The Real Book Volume I or from any Jazz Standard Fake Book. One piece as a chord melody solo if possible and the other play the melody in actual pitch (8va from written lead sheet)and the accompaniment in the appropriate style of the song. Major and minor scales in two octaves. Be prepared to demonstrate your sight reading ability.

    More Information: Dean Newton dean2@uakron.edu

    Oboe

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:
    Length of Audition:10-20 minutes
    Recording Accepted:Yes CD
    Repertoire:Two contrasting movements of a concerto or sonata of your choice

    Graduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:
    Length of Audition:10-20 minutes
    Recording Accepted:Yes CD
    Repertoire: Two contrasting works for oboe and three orchestral excerpts.

    More Information: Jack Harel jcozenharel@gmail.com

    Organ

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:
    Length of Audition:
    Recording Accepted:Yes CD or DVD
    Repertoire:Select 2 -3 contrasting pieces from below:

    Smaller works by J.S. Bach such as 8 Little Preludes/Fugues, chorale preludes from the Little Organ Book
    Pieces for manuals by baroque English composers such as Arne, Purcell, Croft, Wesley
    Simple pieces by early French composers such as D\'Aquin, Dandrieu, or Couperin
    Shorter works by 20th-century French/Belgian composers such as Franck, Peeters, Vierne, Dupre, Boellmann
    Shorter works by 20th-century composers such as Callahan, Dale Wood, Paul Manz, Wilbur Held
    All students accepted to study organ should have enough piano background to play a piece with simple two-part counterpoint.

    Graduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:
    Length of Audition:
    Recording Accepted:
    Repertoire: Select 3 pieces in contrasting styles from below: Major mature work by J.S. Bach, Bruhns, Bohm, or Buxtehude Major work or movement from a major work by Mendelssohn Movement from a major work by 20th-century French or Belgian composer such as Franck, Vierne, Widor, Dupre, Messiaen Movement from a major work or single work by 20th-or 21st-century German, Belgian, English or American composer such as Schroeder, Peeters, Hindemith, Howells, or Callahan

    More Information: Valerie Thorson thorson@uakron.edu

    Percussion

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Suggested
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 30 minutes
    Recording Accepted: No
    Repertoire:
    2 or 4 mallet marimba solo
    snare drum solo
    all major scales two octaves at quarter=90 in 16th notes
    sight read snare drum
    sight read marimba
    vocal match pitch
    optional: drum set, steel pan, hand drums, timpani

    Please note: All jazz percussion majors will be expected to complete the 321 level( junior) of classical percussion before graduation.

    Graduate
    Audition: Suggested
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 1 Hour
    Recording Accepted: No
    Repertoire: Delecluse #1 Etude
    4 mallet marimba solo
    sight read 2 mallets
    sight read snare drum
    timpani etude or solo
    three orchestral excerpts of your choice
    optional: hand drums, steel pan, drum set, Djembe

    More Information: Larry Snider lsnider@uakron.edu

    Piano

    Major and minor scales, a Bach two-part invention or two movements from a suite or equivalent, a movement from a Classical sonatina or sonata and/or Romantic or Impressionistic solo and sight reading and accompanying.

    Saxophone

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Suggested
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 15-20 minutes
    Recording Accepted: No
    Repertoire:
    Undergraduate and Graduate: Contrasting movements from major saxophone repertoire ICreston, Maurice, Bozza, Ibert, Dubois, Jacobi, Heiden, etc.) Additionally, major scales performed from memory for the full length of the horn. Also, the auditioning student will be given music to sight read.

    Graduate
    Audition: Suggested
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 15-20 minutes
    Recording Accepted: No
    Repertoire: Undergraduate and Graduate: Contrasting movements from major saxophone repertoire ICreston, Maurice, Bozza, Ibert, Dubois, Jacobi, Heiden, etc.) Additionally, major scales performed from memory for the full length of the horn. Also, the auditionee will be given music to sight read.

    More Information: Richard Shanklin rlshank@uakron.edu

    Trombone

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Suggested
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 15 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes Cassette or CD
    Repertoire:
    Undergraduaute-- Any solo from the Ohio Class "A" Solo and Ensemble list (or comparable) solo. An etude of your choice. Major scales (one octave) up to four sharps or four flats.

    Graduate
    Audition: Suggested
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 30 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes Cassette or CD
    Repertoire: The audition will take place in a private lesson format. Have at least one solo and one etude prepared that demonstrate your present ability. prepare at least four representative, orchestral excerpts. For electronic (cassette, CD) auditions: Include at least two solos that representative of your performing level. Orchestral Excerpts Tenor Trombone: Ravel - Bolero; Mozart - Requiem (Tuba Mirum) (2nd Trombone solo); Wagener- The Ride of the Walkyries (minor); Rossini - Overture to William Tell. Orchestral Excerpts Bass Trombone: Handel - The Creation; Wagner - The Ride of the Walkyries (major); Brahms - Symphony I

    More Information: Edward Zadrozny ezadrozny@aol.com

    Trumpet

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:
    Length of Audition:
    Recording Accepted:Yes CD
    Repertoire: Class A Solo - Examples: Hummel, Trumpet Concerto; Kennan, Sonata; Haydn, Trumpet Concerto; Goedicke, Concert Etude. Contrasting Etude - Examples chosen from: Sachse, 100 Studies; Charlier, 36 Transcendental Etudes; Brandt, Orchestral Etudes. Major Scales - up to four sharps and four flats..

    Graduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:
    Length of Audition:
    Recording Accepted:Yes CD
    Repertoire: Two Major Solos from the Standard Literature - Examples: Stevens, Sonata; Tartini, Concerto; Tomasi, Concerto. Standard Orchestral Excerpts - Examples: Stravinsky, Pertroushka; Mussorgsky, Pictures at an Exhibition; Respighi, Pines of Rome.

    More Information: Scott Johnston trumpetsaj@aol.com

    Tuba

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Suggested
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 10 minutes
    Recording Accepted: No
    Repertoire:
    Class A OMEA solo or equivalent, an etude and major scales from 4 b's through 4 #''s.

    Graduate
    Audition: Suggested
    Accompanist: Not needed
    Performed from memory:Not Required
    Length of Audition: 15 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes CD or DVD
    Repertoire: A major sonata or concerto written for the instrument, a baroque or classical transcription, and some orchestral excerpts

    More Information: Tucker Jolly trjolly@uakron.edu

    Viola

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Yes
    Accompanist: Not required
    Performed from memory: Yes
    Length of Audition: One day 9am-5pm
    Recording Accepted:Yes DVD
    Repertoire:
    Applicants should contact the Professor directly to determine what repertoire will be played in the audition. We prefer solo/concerto material that is under current preparation for lessons or performances.
    Below is a representative list that will help in the selection process.
    Concertos of: Telemann Handel J.C. Bach Bach solo Cello Suites (one or more movements)

    More Information: Alan Bodman bodman@uakron.edu

    Violin

    Undergraduate/Graduate
    Audition: Yes
    Accompanist: Not required
    Performed from memory: Yes
    Length of Audition: One day 9am-5pm
    Recording Accepted:Yes DVD
    Repertoire:
    Applicants should contact the Professor directly to determine what repertoire will be played in the audition. We prefer solo/concerto material that is under current preparation for lessons or performances.
    Below is a representative list that will help in the selection process.
    Mozart Concerto 3, 4 or 5 (one movement)
    Concertos of:
    Bruch
    Lalo
    Saint-Saens
    Kabalvesky
    Solo Bach (any work for Violin)

    More Information: Guy Bordo gvbordo@uakron.edu

    Voice

    Undergraduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Provided
    Performed from memory:Yes
    Length of Audition: 15-20 minutes
    Recording Accepted: No
    Repertoire:
    Two contrasting selections must be performed. These selections should be chosen from the Ohio Music Education Association Adjudicative Events list or the music should be of comparable quality. All repertoire must be memorized. All potential voice students (Music Education majors, Performance majors, Bachelor of Arts majors and minors) must audition for entrance into the School of Music. The student must be able to read music well enough to play a vocal melody of a given song on the piano with pitch and rhythmic accuracy. The student will be tested on sight singing and rhythm during the voice audition. Each student will sing a melody at sight and clap/tap 8 measures of rhythm.

    Graduate
    Audition: Required
    Accompanist: Provided
    Performed from memory:Yes
    Length of Audition: 20 minutes
    Recording Accepted: Yes Unedited CD or DVD
    Repertoire: Applicants should be prepared to sing in Italian, German, French and English. Appropriate repertoire for the applicant’s voice category should be selected. The audition will include arias and art song. At the time of application, graduate students must demonstrate that they have completed the equivalent of French I-II, German I-II, and Italian I-II. All of these courses are available for remedial study at the University of Akron. Students may complete these requirements by taking an examination for reading knowledge in each of the languages or by taking the courses. Languages courses do not count towards a graduate degree in music.

    More Information: Laurie Lashbrook lashbro@uakron.edu

     

    OMEA Solo Lists

  • Voice Bass, Baritone, Mezzo, Soprano