Graduate Audition Information
All 2021-22 auditions will take place in person at the UofSC School of Music. Applicants may request to submit video recordings in lieu of a live audition if they have extenuating circumstances.
The February 26th, Graduate Audition Day will feature current graduate student performances during the opening presentation and will offer various sessions specifically for prospective graduate students. Graduate applicants are encouraged to register for the Graduate Audition Day, but may select any of the below audition days their instrument is offered. You must submit application materials to the USC Graduate School BEFORE your audition.
*Applicants who are feeling ill or displaying any symptoms of COVID 19 should not attend a live audition. Please contact the Assistant Director of Music Admissions, Jennifer Mitchell at jmitchell@mozart.sc.edu or 803-777-4281 to reschedule your audition due to illness.
The deadline to submit all other application materials as required by the degree programs (Graduate School application, letters of recommendation, resume, repertoire list, writing samples, test scores, etc.) is FEBRUARY 28, 2022.
Register for Graduate Audition
2021-2022 School of Music Audition Schedule
Applicants for Spring 2022 Enrollment
Audition Date:
Saturday, December 4
*All areas
Applicants for Fall 2022 Enrollment
Audition Dates:
Saturday, December 4
*All areas
Saturday, January 22
*All areas
Saturday, January 29
*Voice, strings, and guitar only
Saturday, February 12
*Woodwinds, brass, percussion and jazz only
Saturday, February 19
*All areas
Saturday, February 26
**All areas, Graduate Applicants Only
**Grauduate applicants may select any day their instrument is offered for their audition
but are encouraged to select our Graduate Audition Day where the audition day presentations
and sessions will be geared towards prospective graduate students.
Completed audition and admission are required by February 28 for Graduate Assistantship consideration.
CLARINET
Graduate clarinet auditions are to be prescreened in the USC clarinet studio. Your
video recording must be presented in a digital format through an unlisted youtube
playlist via the Graduate Audition Request form. Finalists will be chosen and invited
to take part in a live audition at one of the scheduled audition dates in 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 2 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 4 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.
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 15): 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 Feb. 6-7, 2022. Notification of selection
and audition information will be sent by Jan. 14, 2022.
Master's and Doctoral Instrumental (Wind and Orchestral) applicants:
Audition video (due by December 15): All instrumental conducting applicants must submit
an audition 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).
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
Except for an avant-garde works, all compositions should be performed from memory.
Please contact Christopher Berg if you have any questions about your audition repertoire.
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
By invitation only after admission to the MM-voice program, on-campus audition consisting of two contrasting arias or solo scenes, one of which should be staged.
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
Prospective students must audition in ALL areas listed below to be considered for
admission into the percussion program. Each instrument category should be recorded
as a single unedited take. For example, one video for Snare Drum solo and snare drum
excepts, one video for keyboard solos and xylophone excerpts, and one video for timpani
solo and excerpts. Full excerpts are not required, only the major "spots" from each
excerpt is expected.
Masters of Music
If you have questions about your audition repertoire, please contact Dr. Scott Herring
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 excerpts 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 two orchestral excerpts from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms.
Sightreading will be asked on marimba and snare drum
PIANO AND PIANO PEDAGOGY
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
VIOLA:
***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:
***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.
CELLO:
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:
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.
TRUMPET
Graduate - (MM & DMA)
Graduate auditions are prescreened in the USC trumpet studio. Your video recording must be presented in a digital format through an unlisted YouTube playlist, submitted through the Graduate Audition Registration form. Finalists will be chosen and invited to take part in a live audition (sometime between January & March). All finalist are considered for the TA position (if a TA position is available - please contact Prof. Ackley to see if a TA position is available in trumpet). Materials for both the video recording and the live audition must contain:
Masters audition requirements:
- Longinotti Etude No. 7, complete
- Haydn or Hummel Trumpet Concerto (Mvt. I, with cadenza)
- Honegger Intrada
- Orchestral Excerpts: Mahler 5 (opening & lyrical solo - 1 before No. 13 through No. 14), Petroushka (Ballerina Dance), Pictures (opening), Pines of Rome (offstage), Leonore No. 3.
DMA audition requirements:
- Choice of a piccolo trumpet work (Mvt I only - Fasch, Tartini, Torelli, Corelli, Telemann, Richter, et al.)
- Longinotti Etude No. 7, complete
- Tomasi Concerto (Mvt. I)
- Orchestral Excerpts: Mahler 5 (opening & lyrical solo - 1 before No. 13 through No.
14), Petroushka (Ballerina Dance), Pictures (opening), Pines of Rome (offstage), Leonore
call No. 3.
Live audition durations are approx. 20-25 minutes in length. Sightreading and scales may be asked based on time allowed. An "interview" may also be a part of the audition. No accompaniment required.
VOICE
Masters of Music
- Four pieces representing compositions from at least three of the following periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th/21th Century. At least one piece should be in English.
- One operatic aria sung in the original language should be included
- The following languages should be represented: English, French, German, and Italian
All repertoire should be performed from memory.
Doctor of Musical Arts on-site auditions:
DMA voice applicants must submit pre-screening audition videos to be considered for
in-person auditions.
If invited to an on-site audition, all candidates should prepare 30 minutes of repertoire.
This should include:
- Art Songs from multiple stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century/21st Century)
- At least one operatic aria sung in the original language
- Repertoire in at least three languages
All repertoire should be performed from memory.
WIND INSTRUMENTS
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.