Graduate Audition Material

Composition | Band Studies | Conducting | Guitar | Music Therapy

Musicology | Percussion | Piano | Strings | Voice | Woodwind and Brass

 

**Videos of audition repertoire are optional for the School of Music application (EXCLUDING Graduate Conducting and Graduate Composition). If the prospective degree requires an audition, applicants MUST audition in person on their selected audition day to be considered. SHSU faculty may use videos to assess of your current ability level.

Composition 

*PORTFOLIO UPLOAD REQUIRED IN THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC APPLICATION*

Master of Music

Applicants interested in studying composition should submit a portfolio of materials (recordings and scores) for three works in contrasting genres or styles that you feel represent your best work to date. For more information, visit the Composition Studies page.

Band Studies

Master of Arts

Contact Dr. Matthew McInturf at mcinturf@shsu.edu to schedule an interview.

Conducting 

*CONDUCTING VIDEOS ARE REQUIRED TO BE UPLOADED IN THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC APPLICATION*

Master of Music

All conducting applicants must submit a conducting video in addition to scheduling an interview with the conducting faculty. Please contact the appropriate faculty for your area of interest:

Classical Guitar

Master of Music

One movement from a J. S. Bach Lute Suite or from the Prelude, Fugue and Allegro (BWV 998).

Two contrasting works from different periods.

Music Therapy

Master of Music

SHSU is currently not admitting new students for the Master of Music in Music Therapy at this time. Please check back later or contact Dr. Carolyn Moore at cxd042@shsu.edu if you have any questions.

Musicology

Master of Music

The purpose of this degree is to provide advanced skills in the research of music for students planning to pursue the Ph.D. in musicology or for those seeking to teach at the college level.

In addition to the admission requirements for the SHSU School of Music, students seeking admission to the Musicology track for the Master of Music degree must submit a sample of academic writing relevant to musicology and complete an admission interview with the Musicology Coordinator, Dr. Mario Aschauer (mario.aschauer@shsu.edu), and/or the primary professor in the student's field of study. Applicants to the musicology track must have maintained a minimum of 3.0 GPA for all undergraduate music credit hours, and maintained a minimum of 3.25 GPA in all music literature and music history courses. Graduate students who graduate with an emphasis in Musicology are required to pass a language proficiency examination in either German or French. The language requirement should ideally be fulfilled by the end of the second semester of study.

Percussion

Percussion requirements and repertoire suggestions can be found here:

https://www.shsu.edu/academics/music/ensembles-divisions/division/percussion/auditions.html

Contact Dr. John Lane at jwl002@shsu.edu for any questions.

Piano

*Videos of audition repertoire are required to be uploaded in the School of Music Application in addition to scheduling a live audition with the Piano Are Faculty. Video recordings should be made within six months prior to the audition. In special circumstances such as international applicants, a Zoom live audition will be considered in lieu of an in-person audition. Video audition and live audition repertoire requirements are the same.*

Contact Dr. ILonka Rus, (lir001@shsu.edu), Director of Keyboard Studies for any questions.

Master of Music in Collaborative Piano and Chamber Music

Live Audition Requirements

1. Two contrasting art songs, one in German and one in either French or Italian

2. Two contrasting movements from a standard instrumental sonata (e.g. Beethoven, Brahms, Franck, Faure, Poulenc, Chopin, Rachmaninov, or Debussy sonatas for violin, cello, clarinet, flute, etc.)

3. One additional piece demonstrating collaboration with either voice or another instrument, such as a vocal aria or instrumental chamber work.

4. Any short solo piano work or movement approximately 7-10 minutes in length by memory

5. Sight-reading proficiency

6. Interview with the Piano Faculty

An audition repertoire list and a complete repertoire list (instrumental and vocal) must be submitted with your application.

MM applicants for the Collaborative Piano program are eligible for Graduate Piano Assistantships and must submit a resume detailing their collaborative piano experience and a repertoire list in addition to the assistantship application.

Master of Music in Piano Performance

Live Audition Requirements

1. One work from the baroque period

2. A complete major work from the classical period

3. Two additional contrasting piano works from romantic period, 20th or 21st century

4. Sight-Reading

5. Interview with the Piano Faculty

Students must prepare a minimum of 45 minutes memorized solo recital repertoire.

MM applicants for the Piano Performance program are eligible for Graduate Piano Assistantships and must submit a resume detailing their piano solo and collaborative experience and a repertoire list in addition to the assistantship application.

Artist Diploma in Piano Performance Post Master’s

Live Audition Requirements

1. Two contrasting etudes by Chopin, Liszt, Prokofiev, Rachmaninov, Debussy, etc.

2. One complete sonata from the Classical period

3. One work from the 19th century

4. One work from the 20th or 21st century

5. Sight-Reading

6. Interview with the Piano Faculty

Artist Diploma in Piano Collaborative and Chamber Music Post Master’s

Live Audition Requirements

1. Three contrasting art songs, including one in German, one in French, and one in English or Italian.

2. Two contrasting movements of a sonata from a major instrumental work (e.g. Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy) with violin, cello or another orchestral instrument.

3. One additional movement from a chamber work for a small ensemble (trio, quartet, or quintet), such as works by Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, or Shostakovich.

4. Sight-Reading – students will be asked to sight-read a short passage of vocal or instrumental repertoire to demonstrate adaptability in collaborative settings.

5. Interview with the Piano Faculty.

Strings

Violin and Cello

Prepare the first movement of a romantic concerto with cadenza (if applicable), and two movements of an unaccompanied partita or sonata by J. S. Bach (from memory).

Viola and Bass

Prepare two contrasting movements from the unaccompanied Suites of J.S. Bach, one movement from any concerto from the standard repertoire, a movement from a sonata, or an etude, or an additional work of the candidate's choosing.

Harp

Prepare two contrasting works. Performance majors must play these from memory. Also prepare three orchestral excerpts from the standard literature.

Voice

Master of Music, Performers Certificate, Artist Diploma

Prospective graduate students are to prepare a program of five memorized pieces from which the voice faculty will choose selections for the audition. Music must be memorized. The prepared pieces must cover all of the following categories:

  • At least one selection in English, Italian, German, and French.
  • At least one, but no more than two arias (opera or oratorio).
  • At least one selection must have been written before 1800.
  • At least one selection must have been written after 1920.

Students may bring their own accompanist or one will be provided. Please bring a copy of the sheet music to the audition to share with the accompanist. The accompanist's copy should be prepared with all the notes on the page, double-sided and contained in a three-ringed binder. Music must be in the keys in which you will sing. Students will have the opportunity to work with the accompanist briefly before their audition.

Prospective students will be asked to sight-read a short musical passage. Students may also be asked to repeat short melodic passages (played on the piano) to demonstrate tonal memory and musicianship skills.

Woodwind and Brass

Master of Music

You will be asked to play:

  • One etude from Londeix "Nouvelle Etudes" or Guy Lacour "28 Studies after the Modes of Oliver Messaien"
  • Two prepared pieces
  • Please email  Dr. Masahito Sugihara with any questions or concerns.
  • Suggested Repertoire:

William Albright, Sonata (Peters)
Luciano Berio, Sequenza VIIb (Universal)
L. Berio, Sequenza IXb (Universal)
Ingolf Dahl, Concerto (M. C. A.)
Edison Denisov, Sonata (Leduc)
Alfred Desenclos, Prélude, Cadence et Finale (Leduc)
Ida Gotkovsky, Variations Pathétiques (Billaudot)
Karel Husa, Concerto (Associated)
Jacques Ibert, Concertino da Camera (Leduc)
Lars-Erik Larsson, Konzert (Gerhmans) 
Christian Lauba, Hard (Billaudot)
C. Lauba, Steady Study on the Boogie (Billaudot)
John Anthony Lennon, Distances Within Me (Dorn)
J. A. Lennon, Symphonic Rhapsody (Peters)
Frank Martin, Ballade (Universal)
David Maslanka, Sonata (NASA)
Giacinto Scelsi, Tre Pezzi (Salabert)
Piet Swerts, Klonos (Ascolta)
Fuminori Tanada, Mysterious Morning III (Lemoine)
Micha Zupko, In Transit (self)

Other wind players should prepare two entire works from contrasting time periods from the standard repertoire. Three to four orchestral excerpts from the standard literature should also be prepared. An accompanist is not necessary. Music may be used.