HORN

Please prepare 2 significant compositions for Horn of contrasting styles AND 5 standard orchestral excerpts.

TROMBONE

Please prepare at least four significant compositions (or movements) of contrasting styles. The works should demonstrate a mature grasp of phrasing, tone, contemporary techniques, articulation, and general technique. Memorization is not required.

TRUMPET
Graduate - (MM & DMA)

Please prepare at least four significant compositions (or movements) of contrasting styles. The works should demonstrate a mature grasp of phrasing, tone, contemporary techniques, articulation, and general technique. Memorization is not required.

*Prescreening not required.

TUBA/EUPHONIUM

Please prepare at least four significant compositions (or movements) of contrasting styles. The works should demonstrate a mature grasp of phrasing, tone, contemporary techniques, articulation, and general technique. Memorization is not required.

No in-person or instrumental audition is required for MM or DMA composition applications. Please see information on the Graduate Admissions page for specific MM and DMA composition application requirements.  Scores and recordings should be submitted to Traci Hair at [email protected]. 

COMPOSITION
a.  Bachelor's degree for Master's admission; Master's degree for DMA admission. Applicants must demonstrate experience and promise as a composer through the submission of scores, recordings, and a list of performances.
b.  Two or three compositions that display an understanding of different media; if possible, include complete recordings (CD or DVD preferred; MIDI realizations discouraged).
c.  A resume or curriculum vitae that includes a typed summary of educational and professional experience.
d.  A list of completed compositions that includes the following information: date of composition, duration, instrumentation, and a list of all performances.
e.  A sample of your writing in the form of a published article or term paper.
f.  A brief, 1-2 page essay outlining your goals, ambitions, and interests as a composer, as well as what you hope to accomplish while at USC.

Note for Master's Applicants
Applicants without a Bachelor's degree in music must take either the Music GRE or Graduate Music Diagnostic Examination before admission. Applicants with deficiencies in music theory, orchestration, score reading, counterpoint, keyboard skills, or conducting will be required to remedy those deficiencies. Necessary courses will be determined by the student's academic advisor before the student enters the program via the results of the Graduate Music Diagnostic Examination. It is important to understand that these courses must be completed in addition to the normal requirements for the degree, and that all such courses must be completed before the student registers for MUSC 799. (For example, a student required to take basic orchestration may not count that course toward the completion of the music theory or free electives requirement.) In the event that a necessary course is not offered before the end of a candidate's second year, additional arrangements must be made with the candidate's academic and thesis advisors.

CONDUCTING

Master's and Doctoral CHORAL CONDUCTING applicants:
Pre-screening video (due by December 1): All choral conducting applicants must submit a pre-screening video of at least 20 minutes which includes conducting in both rehearsal and performance. The camera should be placed facing the conductor.  Selected applicants will be invited to an on-campus audition and interview (TBA). 
 

Master's and Doctoral INSTRUMENTAL (WIND AND ORCHESTRAL) applicants:
Pre-screening video (due by December 1): All instrumental conducting applicants must submit a pre-screening video of at least 20 minutes, which, if possible, includes conducting in both rehearsal and performance. If possible, the camera should be placed at the back of the ensemble with the focus on the front of the conductor. Include the date(s) and name of the performing ensemble(s). Selected applicants will be invited to an on-campus audition and interview (TBA).

GUITAR

At least four compositions from different style periods (Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary) that demonstrate tone, technique, and musical proficiency. Considerable flexibility will be permitted in the choice of literature when stylistic areas seem to overlap. The following may serve as a guide:

• A work by J.S. Bach
• A multi-movement sonata or major one-movement sonata
• A major 20th- or 21st-century work
• One composition of the applicant's choice, preferably one representing a composer from an underserved background or an otherwise underrepresented demographic

Except for an avant-garde works, all compositions should be performed from memory.

Please contact Mak Grgić if you have any questions about your audition repertoire.

*Prescreening not required.

 

JAZZ PERFORMANCE

Play and improvise in at least three different jazz idioms (Swing, BeBop, Cool, Fusion, etc.) and perform one work from the "classical" repertory.

ORGAN

• One major work by J.S. Bach (such as a Prelude and Fugue or a trio sonata)
• One work each from the 19th and 20th centuries
• One work of the applicant?s choice

OPERA PERFORMANCE

• A minimum of five selections in English, French, German, and Italian.  
• Two of the selections must be arias.  
• At least 3 musical periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 1900-1950, post 1950) should be represented. 
• At least one art song in French, German or Italian.  
• All repertoire should be performed from memory.  

 

OPERA STAGE DIRECTING

By invitation only, an analytical presentation of an opera for production that includes information on the composer and librettist, with period and historical references, character analysis, set and costume concepts, and comments on the musical style; presentation of an impromptu movement audition.

 

PERCUSSION

Prescreen requirements for prospective MM and DMA students:

Snare Drum:  A solo from Douze Etudes by Jaques Delecluse, Etudes for Snare Drum (purple book) by Mitchell Peters, or The Solo Snare Drummer by Vic Firth.  One orchestral except - examples may include Scheherazade (III and IV), Lt. Kije, Shostakovich #10

Marimba:  A movement of a Bach Cello Suite or a movement from the Sonatas and Partitas for Violin and an advanced work by composers including Burritt, Kopetzki, Schwantner, Mackey, Maslanka, among others.  

Xylophone:  One orchestral excerpt - examples may include Porgy and Bess, Harry Janos, Appalachian Spring, Polka, Colas Breugnon

Timpani:  A solo or Etude from Hochrainer, K. Gay, Lepak, etc.  Also, an orchestral excerpt from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms

Sightreading will be asked on marimba and snare drum.


Doctor of Musical Arts
If you have questions about your audition repertoire, please contact Dr. Scott Herring

Snare Drum:  A solo from Douze Etudes by Jaques Delecluse, Keiskleiriana by Jaques Delecluse, or The Solo Snare Drummer by Vic Firth.  Two orchestral excepts - examples may include Scheherazade (III and IV), Lt. Kije, Shostakovich #10, etc.

Marimba:  A movement of a Bach Cello Suite or a movement from the Sonatas and Partitas for Violin and an advanced work by composers including Burritt, Viñao, Schwantner, Klatzow, Mackey, Maslanka, among others. 

Xylophone:  Two orchestral excerpts - examples may include Porgy and Bess, Harry Janos, Appalachian Spring, Polka, Colas Breugnon

Timpani:  A solo or Etude from Hochrainer, K. Gay, Lepak, etc.  Also, an orchestral excerpt from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms

Sightreading will be asked on marimba and snare drum.

 

PIANO AND PIANO PEDAGOGY

Pre-screening is required for all piano and piano pedagogy applicants. Send a YouTube video link to [email protected]. Deadline for pre-screening submissions is December 1. Please do not reserve a live audition date until you are notified of your pre-screening results. Applicants for MM degrees should prepare a program 30 minutes in length; for DMA degrees, 45 minutes is needed. The audition program should feature works in contrasting styles from the standard literature. Except for avant-garde works, all compositions should be performed from memory.

 

STRINGS

CELLO:
*Prescreening not required.
Please contact Claire Bryant with any questions regarding audition repertoire.

Master of Music

• Two contrasting movements from any of the Six Cello Suites by J.S. Bach
• One movement of a concerto 
• One movement of a solo or collaborative sonata
• One short solo cello work written after 2000 by a self-identifying composer from an underrepresented group such as: female, BIPOC, Hispanic/Latino/Latinx, AAPI, Native American, LGBTQIA+, and non-binary. Please contact Professor Claire Bryant if you need recommendations for repertoire to fulfill this requirement. 

Performances from memory are encouraged for solo and concerto repertoire. Please be prepared to introduce your selections to the jury in a thoughtful and engaging way.

Doctor of Musical Arts

• Two contrasting movements from any of the Six Cello Suites by J.S. Bach
• One movement of a standard concerto such as Haydn C or D, Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations, Elgar, Dvorak, Schumann, Shostakovich
• One movement of a standard sonata
• One short solo cello work written after 2000 by a self-identifying composer from an underrepresented group such as: female, BIPOC, Hispanic/Latino/Latinx, AAPI, Native American, LGBTQIA+, and non-binary. Please contact Professor Claire Bryant if you need recommendations for repertoire to fulfill this requirement. 

Unaccompanied movements by Bach and the concerto must be performed from memory. Please be prepared to speak about your selections.

DOUBLE BASS:
*Prescreening not required.

Graduate Degrees

• First movement from a standard double bass concerto – Bottesini, Vanhal, Dittersdorf, or similar
• A movement from the Bach suites for solo cello.

These are suggested pieces only-any standard work of comparable quality is acceptable.

VIOLA:
*Prescreening not required.
***Alternative repertoire will be approved on a case by case basis.***

Master of Music and Graduate Certificate

• Two contrasting movements from any of the Six Cello Suites by J.S. Bach
• One movement of a standard concerto such as Bartok, Walton, Hindemith, Schnittke, or Penderecki
• One movement of a standard sonata

Unaccompanied movements by Bach must be performed from memory.  The String Faculty recommends that the concerto be memorized.

Doctor of Musical Arts

• Two contrasting movements from any of the Six Cello Suites by J.S. Bach
• One movement of a standard concerto such as Bartok, Walton, Hindemith, Schnittke, or Penderecki
• One movement of a standard sonata
• A 20th or 21st century work of the applicant's choice

Unaccompanied movements by Bach and the concerto must be memorized.

VIOLIN:
*Prescreening not required.
***Alternative repertoire will be approved on a case by case basis.***

Master of Music

• Two contrasting movements from a solo sonata or partita by J.S. Bach
• One movement of a standard concerto such as Bruch, Barber, Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns, Sibelius, Vieuxtemps, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, or Brahms
• One movement of a standard sonata

Unaccompanied movements by Bach must be performed from memory.  It is highly recommended that the concerto also be performed from memory.

Doctor of Musical Arts

• Two contrasting movements from a solo sonata or partita by J.S. Bach
• One movement of a standard concerto such as Bruch, Barber, Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns, Sibelius, Vieuxtemps, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, or Brahms
• One movement of a standard sonata
• A 20th or 21st century work of the applicant's choice

Unaccompanied movements by Bach and the concerto must be memorized.

VOICE

All voice applicants must submit pre-screen videos to be considered for in-person auditions. Email YouTube video link to [email protected]. Deadline for pre-screening submissions is December 1.

• Masters of Music in Performance 
  • A minimum of five selections representing compositions from at least three of the following periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 1900-1950, post 1950.  
  • Of those 5 selections, at least 3 should be art songs and 1 must be an aria performed in the original language.  
  • The following languages should be represented: English, French, German, and Italian.  
  • All repertoire should be performed from memory.  

• • A minimum of five selections in English, French, German, and Italian.  
  • Two of the selections must be arias.  
  • At least 3 musical periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 1900-1950, post 1950) should be represented. 
  • At least one art song in French, German or Italian.  
  • All repertoire should be performed from memory.  

• • A minimum of five selections representing compositions from at least three of the following periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 1900-1950, post 1950.  
  • Of those 5 selections, 4 should be art songs and 1 must be an aria performed in the original language.  
  • The following languages should be represented: English, French, German, and Italian.  
  • All repertoire should be performed from memory.  

• Doctor of Musical Arts On-Site Audition 
  • Art songs from multiple stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 1900-1950, post 1950) 
  • At least one operatic aria performed in the original language. 
  • The following languages should be represented: English, French, German, and Italian.  
  • All repertoire should be performed from memory. 
  • If invited to an on-site audition, all candidates should prepare 30 minutes of repertoire.  Selections should include: 

 

 

BASSOON

MASTERS AND GRADUATE CERTIFICATE DEGREE AUDITIONS

• Prepare three contrasting selections, such as individual movements from sonatas, concertos, or other solo works. You are encouraged to perform at least one selection by a composer from a community that has been historically underrepresented in the field (women, persons of color).
• One of these selections can be an etude.
• Three standard orchestral excerpts, contrasting in style and technical / lyrical demands.
• Sight reading may be required.
• For questions regarding audition repertoire or to set up a lesson either on or in advance of your audition day, please contact Michael Harley, [email protected]

DOCTORAL DEGREE BASSOON AUDITIONS

• Prepare four contrasting selections, such as individual movements from sonatas, concertos, or other solo works. You are encouraged to perform at least one selection by a composer from a community that has been historically underrepresented in the field (women, persons of color).
• One of these selections can be an etude.
• One of these selections must have been written in the last 50 years.
• Four standard orchestral excerpts, contrasting in style and technical / lyrical demands.
• Sight reading may be required.
• For questions regarding audition repertoire or to set up a lesson on or in advance of your audition day, please contact Michael Harley, [email protected]

CLARINET

Graduate clarinet auditions are to be prescreened for the USC Clarinet Studio with a YouTube video link. Email YouTube video link to [email protected]. Deadline for pre-screening submissions is December 1. Finalists will be chosen and invited to take part in a live audition at one of the scheduled audition dates in December, January or February. If one of these dates are not possible, special arrangements can be made for alternative audition dates. All finalist are considered for the GA position, if a GA position is available. Contact Professor Eller to see if a GA position is available in clarinet, or visit Graduate Assistantships.

Materials for video recording must contain the following:  
At least two to three significant compositions (or movements) of contrasting styles. The works should demonstrate a mature grasp of phrasing, tone, contemporary techniques, articulation, and general technique. Also, at least two standard orchestral excerpts demonstrating articulation skills, technical and lyrical abilities and cadenza-like material.  Memorization is not required.  Masters candidates should upload at least 15 minutes worth of material and Doctoral candidates should upload at least 20 minutes of material.

Materials for the live/final round audition must contain the following:
At least four significant compositions (or movements) of contrasting styles. The works should demonstrate a mature grasp of phrasing, tone, contemporary techniques, articulation, and general technique. Also, at least four standard orchestral excerpts demonstrating articulation skills, technical and lyrical abilities and cadenza-like material.  Memorization is not required.  Masters candidates should prepare at least 20 minutes worth of material and Doctoral candidates should prepare at least 30 minutes of material.

FLUTE

Graduated flute applicants must submit pre-screen videos to be considered for in-person auditions. Email YouTube video link to [email protected]. Deadline for pre-screening submissions is December 1. Finalists will be notified if they are selected to attend one of the live audition dates.

MASTERS AND GRADUATE CERTIFICATE DEGREE AUDITIONS

For a list of woodwind pieces by underrepresented composer (woman, BIPOC composer), please click here.

OBOE

Either No. 2 or No. 3 must be a complete major work which is not less than 10 minutes in length.

1. Two etudes showing the applicant’s level of technical and musical ability.
2. A slow/fast pair of movements or a complete shorter work from any Baroque or Classical piece, not less than 8 minutes in length (may include repeats).
3. A sonata or concerto movement (or pair of movements) or a short work (or pair of short works) in a style other than Baroque or Classical, not less than 6 minutes in length.
4. William Grant Still- “Incantation and Dance” for oboe and piano.
5. Three orchestral excerpts demonstrating slow, fast, and articulated passages.

For questions regarding audition repertoire or to set up a lesson in advance of your audition day, please contact Hassan Anderson.

SAXOPHONE

Graduate saxophone applicants must submit pre-screen videos to be considered for in-person auditions. Email YouTube video link to [email protected]. Deadline for pre-screening submissions is December 1. Finalists will be notified to register for one of the live audition dates.

• Please prepare at least four significant compositions (or movements) of contrasting styles. The works should demonstrate a mature grasp of phrasing, tone, contemporary techniques, articulation, and general technique.  Memorization is not required.
• Masters candidates should prepare at least 20 minutes worth of material
• Doctoral candidates should prepare at least 30 minutes of material.
• For questions regarding audition repertoire or to set up a lesson either on or in advance of your audition day, please contact Clifford Leaman, [email protected]