Admission to the School of Music as a Masters student requires an audition or the submission of scholarly/creative materials. These steps are in addition to the formal application process for admission to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Information on graduate admissions can be found at www.unl.edu/gradstudies.

Auditions for performance and conducting areas are heard by the School of Music faculty and are usually 20-30 minutes in length. To assist candidates in achieving success, each area has set forth requirements for their department. Please refer to the list below in knowing how to prepare.

 
Please Select Your Area Of Interest
Conducting
Composition
Music Education
Music History
Music Theory
Jazz Studies
 
 

MM - PERFORMANCE:

BRASS
Auditions scheduled during the application process. For more information click here.

Euphonium :

  1. Two contrasting movements from a standard repertoire solo piece for euphonium, for example; Horowitz, Concerto; Wilder, Sonata; Ponchiellei, Concerto; Sparke, Pantomime
  2. Band excerpts from the standard repertoire including Holst, Suites; Bennett, Suite of Old American Dances; Schoenberg, Theme and Variations.

Horn:

  1. Two works of contrasting styles that represent the applicant's technical, melodic and interpretive abilities.
  2. A minimum of five standard orchestral excerpts

Bass Trombone:

  1. One slow and one fast movement from works such as Ewazen-Concerto for Bass Trombone; Lebedev-Concerto in One Movement; Hidas-Meditation; Casterede-Fantasie Concertante or equivalent
  2. A solo of applicant’s choice, and
  3. Three orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire.

Tenor Trombone:

  1. One slow and one fast movement from works such as Bozza-Ballade; Sulek-Sonata; Hindemith-Sonata; Rabe-Basta; Tomasi-Concerto; Casterede-Fantasie Concertante or equivalent
  2. A solo of applicant’s choice, and
  3. Three orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire.

Trumpet:

  1. Honegger Intrada and one other solo work of your choice
  2. A minimum of three orchestral excerpts of standard repertoire
  3. Proficiency of major scales (two octaves slurred) may be asked.

Tuba:

  1. Two contrasting movements from a standard pepertoire solo piece for tuba, for example: Vaughan Williams, Concerto; Hindemith, Sonate; Penderecki, Capriccio (complete piece)
  2. Orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire including Wagner, Meistersinger Overture; Wagner, Ride of the Walkurie; Hindemith, Symphonic Metamorphosis; and Revueltas, Sensamaya.

JAZZ STUDIES (Performance)
Auditions scheduled during the application process. For more information click here.

  1. American Popular/Jazz Standard that utilizes common ii-V-I progressions (such as:  All the Things You Are, Have You Met Mrs. Jones, Stella By Starlight)
  2. Blues (using common ii-V-I progressions or "Bird Blues") in the key of your choice
  3. A selection based on "Rhythm Changes"

JAZZ STUDIES (Composition)
Auditions scheduled during the application process. For more information click here.

Students interested in majoring in jazz composition should:

  1. Submit a portfolio of 3-5 scores (hard copy & CD examples) in an array of media and jazz genres to the School of Music admission office. Portfolios should be submitted not less than 4 weeks in advance of the scheduled audition day.
  2. Schedule a personal interview with members of our composition faculty (preferably on the UNL School of Music Graduate Audition Day) by contacting the head of the area Dr. Eric Richards (erichards2@unl.edu) to discuss your background as a composer, assess your theory proficiency and other relevant topics.

 

KEYBOARD
Auditions scheduled during the application process. For more information click here.

Piano:

  1. Prepare three pieces in contrasting styles from memory.

Organ:

  1. A major work by J.S. Bach (e.g. a prelude and fugue; two or more movements of a trio sonata; or a group of chorale settings)
  2. A work written by a composer born between 1800 and 1900 (a single movement of a larger work is acceptable)
  3. A work written b a composer born after 1900 (a single movement of a larger work is acceptable).

Piano Pedagogy:

  1. Prepare three pieces in contrasting styles from memory.

PERCUSSION
Auditions scheduled during the application process. For more information click here.

Mallet Percussion:

  1. Two works, or movements, from the four mallet marimba repertoire of contrasting styles that represent the applicant's technical, melodic and interpretive abilities.
  2. A two mallet etude or solo that demonstrates rolls, some rapid passage work, musical elements and interpretive ability.
  3. A four mallet solo or etude for vibraphone.

Snare Drum:

  1. A solo or etude in concert/orchestral style that includes rolls, drags, flams, and dynamic contrasts. Suggested sources: Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone; Twelve Etudes by Jacques Delecluse.
  2. A solo in the rudimental style from the standard repertoire.

Timpani:

One slow and one fast movement from the standard four drum repertoire.

Multiple Percussion:

Optional

STRINGS
Auditions scheduled during the application process. For more information click here.

Cello:

  1. One movement of a concerto
  2. Two contrasting movements of a Bach Suite
  3. One movement of a Sonata (Beethoven or later)
  4. A piece written after 1938

Viola:

20-25 minutes of music to include:

  • the first movement of a major concerto
  • a movement of a sonata
  • a movement of solo Bach

Violin:

  1. One movement of a concerto
  2. Two contrasting movements from the Bach Solo Partitas or Sonatas
  3. Two contrasting concert works of applicant's choice, one of which has to be written after 1945.

Bass:

  1. One slow and one fast movement from works such as Vanhal, Concerto; Hindemith, Sonata; Koussevitzky, Concerto or other equivalent
  2. A solo movement of applicant’s choice.

Classical Guitar:

Applicants should be prepared to perform three contrasting major works from different stylistic periods that best represent the applicant’s technical and artistic strengths.

Jazz Guitar:

Please refer to the MM Jazz Studies Requirements

VOICE
Auditions scheduled during the application process. For more information click here.

The voice area requires 5 selections including ONE aria (opera or oratorio) and 4 Art Songs. English, French, German, and Italian need to be represented in any combination the student wants. (The language sung in the aria doesn't need to be represented again in the art songs.) The student chooses the first selection. After that, the voice area chooses anywhere from 1-4 others in the order of their preference.

WOODWINDS
Auditions scheduled during the application process. For more information click here.

Any CD submission needs to be of a recent live performance.

All audition recordings should include piano accompaniment as required of the repertoire.

Flute:

    20 minutes of a well-chosen program demonstrating musicianship and technique in a wide variety of styles, including a movement of Bach or Mozart (single movements possible). Orchestral excerpts possible, but not required. Piano accompaniment required for CD but not for live audition.

Oboe:

    20 minutes of a well-chosen program demonstrating musicianship and technique in a wide variety of styles. For example, Mozart or Strauss, Paris Conservatory, 20th-century. Orchestral excerpts possible, but not required. Piano accompaniment required for CD but not for live audition.

Clarinet:

    20 minutes of a well-chosen program demonstrating musicianship and technique in a wide variety of styles and in at least two genres (i.e. Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and 20th-century). Piano accompaniment required for CD but not for live audition.

Saxophone:

    20 minutes of music representing the applicant’s technical, melodic and interpretive abilities. Repertoire chosen should be of Grade IV or V level or higher. Please choose contrasting selections that demonstrate both your melodic ability and your technical range. Applicants may use a transcription (baroque or classical); however, at least one selection must be from the 20th-century/conservatory literature written for the saxophone. Piano accompaniment required for CD but not for live audition.

Bassoon:

      20 minutes of a well-chosen program demonstrating musicianship and technique in a wide variety of styles, including the first and second movements of the Mozart or Weber
Concerto
    and a 20th century piece of your choice. Orchestral excerpts possible, but not required. Piano accompaniment required for CD but not for live audition.

WOODWIND SPECIALTIES
Auditions scheduled during the application process. For more information click here.

An audition of approximately 30 minutes, demonstrating capabilities on two different woodwinds. Because the degree requirement includes a performance on a double reed instrument that is at a level equivalent to a junior music major, students are strongly advised to audition on oboe or bassoon if neither is the primary instrument.

Any CD submission needs to be of a recent live performance.

All audition recordings should include piano accompaniment as required of the repertoire.

Personal auditions are preferred and are required of all Nebraska residents.

1. The expected proficiency level for the major instrument is the same as that of a MM audition in performance. Please see the major area requirements listed above for specific audition requirements. This portion of the audition or audition CD will be 20 minutes in length.

2. The expected proficiency level for the secondary instrument is equivalent to that of an entering first-year undergraduate student. An approximately 10-minute sample of representative repertoire for the secondary instrument is required. Representative works include, but are not limited to: flute - Handel Sonata in G Major; oboe - Telemann Concerto in F Minor; clarinet - Finzi Five Bagatelles; bassoon - Telemann Sonata in F Minor; saxophone - Tcherepnin Sonata Sportive.

MM - CONDUCTING:
Auditions scheduled during the application process. For more information click here.

Choral:

  1. A screening video: 20-25 minute standard VHS video or DVD of conductor with camera angle limited to side or front view of the conductor. Approximately 10-15 minutes should be of a recent rehearsal; the remainder of the video should be of a recent public performance.
  2. After receiving approval of the screening video, schedule an audition. Applicants should confer with the Director of Choral Activites (peklund1@unl.edu) regarding the literature to be conducted for the audition. The audition will include vocalizing the choir, rehearsing the choir, an interview with the choral faculty, and a brief singing exercise.

Orchestral:

  1. A screening video: 20-25 minute standard VHS video or DVD of conductor with camera angle limited to side or front view of the conductor. Approximately 10-15 minutes should be footage of a recent rehearsal; the reminder of the video should be footage of a recent public performance.
  2. After receiving approval of the screening video, schedule an audition. Applicants should confer with the Director of Orchestral Activities (twhite1@unl.edu) regarding the literature to be conducted for the audition. The audition will begin with a run-through of the selected repertoire, followed by 5-10 minutes of rehearsal (lead at the discretion of the applicant). For the remainder of the audition, the applicant will be coached in a "quasi-lesson format" by the Director of Orchestras.
Wind Band:
  1. A screening video (preferably submitted before January 15): 20-25 minute standard VHS video or DVD of conductor with camera angle limited to side or front view of the conductor. Approximately 10-15 minutes should be footage of a recent rehearsal; the reminder of the video should be footage of a recent public performance.
  2. After receiving approval of the screening video, schedule an audition. Applicants should prepare at least three movements (applicant's choice) of Percy Grainger's Lincolnshire Posy. Each applicant is responsible for securing his or her own full score (Fennell edition) and will perform a 20-minute audition with the UNL Wind Ensemble. The audition will begin with a run-through of the selected movements, followed by 5-10 minutes of rehearsal (lead at the discretion of the applicant). For the remainder of the audition, the applicant will be coached in a "quasi-lesson format" by the Director of Bands.
  3. Following the audition, a brief diagnostic exam designed to assess the applicant's aural skills, score reading and recognition, analytical skills, knowledge of terminology and transpositions, and familiarity with wind band literature (grades 1-6) will be administered. (The skills components of the exam will use Lincolnshire Posy as a point of departure.) Each applicant will have an interview with the Director of Bands and members of the band faculty to discuss the applicant's professional goals, philosophy, and experience.

MM - COMPOSITION, MUSIC HISTORY, MUSIC EDUCATION, MUSIC THEORY:
Proceed to Application Process

Composition:

Students interested in majoring in composition should:

  1. Submit a portfolio of 3-5 scores (hard copy & CD examples) in an array of media and genres to the School of Music admission office. Portfolios should be submitted not less than 4 weeks in advance of the scheduled audition day.
  2. Schedule a personal interview with members of our composition faculty (preferably on the UNL School of Music Graduate Audition Day) by contacting the head of the area Dr. Eric Richards (erichards2@unl.edu) to discuss your background as a composer, assess your theory proficiency and other relevant topics.

Music History:

  1. Scholarly/Creative Materials such as an analytical term paper or research document on
    a music history topic must be received in hard copy or electronic form.

Music Education - Research (Thesis) Option:

  1. A 10-15 minute standard VHS tape or DVD demonstrating representative work in the classroom or rehearsal hall.
  2. A 1-to-2 page type-written statement of philosphy of music education.
  3. A sample or samples of formal writing/organizational ability (term paper, curriculum guite, etc.).

Music Education - Practitioner (Coursework only) Option:

  1. A 10-15 minute standard VHS tape or DVD demonstrating representative work in the classroom or rehearsal hall.
  2. A 1-to-2 page type-written statement of philosophy of music education.

Music Theory:

  1. Scholarly/Creative Materials such as an analytical term paper or research document on
    a music theory topic must be received in hard copy or electronic form.