Auditions - FSU College of Music - Florida State University

Keyboard Audition Information

Piano

Prescreen

All MM and DM Piano Performance and MM Piano Pedagogy applicants who are not current FSU students must submit a pre-screening audition by December 1. Following faculty review, a select number of applicants will be invited to audition.

Present from memory three contrasting pieces selected from three of the following four categories:

A major work by J. S. Bach (such as a Prelude and Fugue);

A complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, or Beethoven (excluding Op 49 and Op 79);

A Romantic work;

A twentieth or twenty-first century work

In addition to the above requirements, Doctoral auditions will include a brief interview in which you may be asked to discuss the works you have presented in your audition or other general musical topics.

Applicants who have questions about appropriate audition repertoire please contact Dr. Read Gainsford.

Live Audition

Present from memory three contrasting pieces selected from three of the following four categories:

A major work by J. S. Bach (such as a Prelude and Fugue);

A complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, or Beethoven (excluding Op 49 and Op 79);

A Romantic work;

A twentieth or twenty-first century work

In addition to the above requirements, Doctoral auditions will include a brief interview in which you may be asked to discuss the works you have presented in your audition or other general musical topics.

Applicants who have questions about appropriate audition repertoire please contact Dr. Read Gainsford

**Additional Requirements for Assistantships:

All applicants will be considered for Private Piano teaching assistantships.

Piano candidates who wish to be considered eligible for Accompanying Assistantship must meet with members of the accompanying faculty and do a short sight-reading test. This will take place on the Friday afternoon of audition weekends; candidates must contact Professor Trujillo (vtrujillo@fsu.edu) to arrange a time.

Candidates interested in Group Piano Assistantships must give a mock lesson for the Piano Pedagogy faculty; candidates must contact Music Admissions (musicadmissions@fsu.edu) to arrange a time.

Piano Accompanying

Masters applicants

Piano Accompanying Applicants: Please submit a list of accompanying repertoire well in advance of your audition to Professor Valerie Trujillo (vtrujillo@fsu.edu) and musicadmissions@fsu.edu. The Accompanying Faculty will select works they would like to hear during your audition. Applicants will also be asked to sight-read. Please know that an on-campus audition is required for admission into this program. Recorded auditions are not acceptable.

The emphasis in Accompanying is designed for the advanced pianist who wishes to make accompanying and chamber music a major part of his or her career. Students may elect a concentration in either Vocal Accompanying and Coaching or Instrumental Accompanying and Chamber Music. Each track will include practical experience in the appropriate vocal and instrumental studios and ensembles. Due to the performance requirements – three recitals – and the amount of time necessary for adequate rehearsal and individual preparation, students enrolled in this curriculum should plan to distribute their course load over a two-year period. This will enable them to obtain maximum experience and take full advantage of the numerous opportunities in various areas of accompanying.

Prerequisites for Admission

•          A completed bachelor’s degree in piano performance (or equivalent) from an accredited institution.

•          Repertoire lists and programs showing evidence of extensive performance experience and a thorough acquaintance with the appropriate vocal and instrumental repertoire (submitted at the time of application); a repertoire list of solo works should also be included.

•          A personal audition consisting of two parts (solo and accompanying).

Admission is based on demonstrated ability comparable to the technical and musical proficiency of an entering graduate level performance major, and the additional artistic qualities and technical skills necessary for accompanying and ensemble playing.

Prerequisites for Graduation

Foreign Languages: Proficiency in two of the following languages:

•          French, German or Italian.

*Proficiency is interpreted as having completed one year of each language at the college level with a grade of “B” or better OR satisfactory performance on the language entrance examination administered by the accompanying faculty.

Note: Identified language deficiencies will have to be made up during the period of residence, most likely at a credit level not applicable to the total graduate credit hour requirement of the degree.

Recitals

•          Three degree recitals, which will include a combination of vocal and instrumental repertoire

AUDITION INFORMATION

The audition for the MM Accompanying degree will consist of the following:

1. Solo Performance of one memorized major work that demonstrates your technical and musical command of the keyboard

2. Instrumental repertoire - choose two of the following composers:

•          Franck: Violin Sonata in A Major (second movement only)

•          Hindemith: Trumpet Sonata (first movement only)

•          Mozart: Violin Sonata in B-flat Major, K. 378 (first movement only)

•          Prokofiev: Flute/Violin Sonata, Op. 94 (first and second movements)

3. Vocal repertoire - prepare all selections in the high key:

•          Schubert: Die Forelle

•          Strauss: Allerseelen

•          Debussy: Il pleure dans mon coeur

•          Fauré: Clair de lune

•          Argento: Spring

4. Sight-reading

The list of repertoire to be performed at your audition must be submitted to the Coordinator of Accompanying at least two weeks in advance of your scheduled audition date. (Please note that this is in addition to the comprehensive repertoire list of solo and collaborative works studied, which you are requested to submit along with your College of Music application).

Doctoral Applicants

Piano Accompanying Applicants: Please submit a list of accompanying repertoire well in advance of your audition to Professor Valerie Trujillo (vtrujillo@fsu.edu) and musicadmissions@fsu.edu. The Accompanying Faculty will select works they would like to hear during your audition. Applicants will also be asked to sight-read. Please know that an on-campus audition is required for admission into this program. Recorded auditions are not acceptable.

The emphasis in Accompanying is designed for the advanced pianist who wishes to make chamber music and vocal accompanying a major part of his or her career.

Prerequisites for Admission:

• A completed master’s degree in piano performance or collaborative piano (or equivalent) from an accredited institution
• Repertoire lists and programs showing evidence of extensive performance experience and a thorough acquaintance with the appropriate vocal and instrumental repertoire (submitted at the time of application); a repertoire list of solo works should also be included
• A personal audition consisting of two parts (solo and accompanying)

Admission is based on demonstrated ability comparable to the technical and musical proficiency of an entering doctoral level performance major, and the additional artistic qualities and technical skills necessary for accompanying and ensemble playing.

Prerequisites for Graduation:

Foreign Languages:

• Reading and diction proficiency* in French, German and Italian
• Diction proficiency in English, Spanish and IPA

*Proficiency is interpreted as having completed one year of each language at the college level with a grade of “B” or better OR satisfactory performance on the language entrance examination administered by the accompanying faculty.

Note: Identified language deficiencies will have to be made up during the period of residence, most likely at a credit level not applicable to the total graduate credit hour requirement of the degree.

Four Recitals:

• One (or two) vocal recitals, which include representative standard vocal repertoire
• One (or two) instrumental recitals, which include representative standard solo works for both winds and strings, PLUS works for other chamber ensembles
• Studio/Lecture recital, which includes both vocal and instrumental works

AUDITION INFORMATION

The audition for the DM Accompanying degree will consist of the following:

1. Solo Performance of one memorized major work that demonstrates your technical and musical command of the keyboard

     2. Instrumental repertoire - choose three of the following composers:

• Franck: Violin Sonata in A Major (second movement only)
• Hindemith: Trumpet Sonata (first movement only)
• Mozart: Violin Sonata in B-flat Major, K. 378 (first movement only)
• Prokofiev: Flute/Violin Sonata, Op. 94 (first and second movements)

     3. Vocal repertoire - prepare all selections in the high key:

• Schubert: Die Forelle
• Strauss: Allerseelen
• Debussy: Il pleure dans mon coeur
• Fauré: Clair de lune
• Argento: Spring

    4. Sight-reading

The list of repertoire to be performed at your audition must be submitted to the Coordinator of Accompanying at least two weeks in advance of your scheduled audition date. (Please note that this is in addition to the comprehensive repertoire list of solo and collaborative works studied, which you are requested to submit along with your College of Music application).

Organ

Applicants are required to perform three works of contrasting styles and tempi including a major work of Bach. Non-performance majors perform two works.

Applicants who have questions about appropriate audition repertoire please contact Dr. Iain Quinn.

All organ applicants are strongly encouraged to audition on campus.

Organ applicants should plan to arrive by 12pm the day before their audition date to allow for practice time on the audition organ.

Organ Studies at FSU

Opera Coaching

The audition for the Master of Music in Opera with an emphasis in coaching is outlined below. Please be certain to submit a list of your audition selections to the Music Director of Opera at least two weeks in advance of your scheduled audition date. This audition is scheduled directly with the Director.

Douglas Fisher at dfisher@fsu.edu

Florida State University College of Music

Tallahassee, FL 32306-1180 (850) 645-4903

1. Two scenes from the opera repertory, in contrasting styles. Examples of appropriate selections include a finale from a Mozart or Rossini opera, a complete act of a Puccini or Verdi opera, or a complete scene from the operas of Bizet, Massenet, Gounod, Wagner, Richard Strauss, etc.

2. Three arias in contrasting languages and styles. Auditioners should select repertoire that reveals their technical and musical skills. Prospective students are strongly advised to select a major aria from the operas of Mozart, along with challenging arias from the works of Handel, Gounod, Massenet, Wagner, Richard Strauss, Stravinsky, etc.

1. In 1 and 2 the student will be expected to demonstrate his/her skills in playing the orchestral reduction of opera excerpts at the piano, singing cues in ensembles and multi-character scenes, and following a conductor.

2. The repertoire selected for the audition should be prepared in the original languages, and should cover at least three different languages (Italian, French, German, English, Czech, and Russian).

3. Sight-reading

Opera coaching applicants should have a repertoire that reflects experience in and acquaintance with the standard operatic repertoire.

The emphasis in opera coaching is designed for the advanced pianist who wishes to make opera coaching a major part of his/her career. Due to the comprehensive nature of the program, it is suggested that enrolled students plan to distribute their course load over a two year period. This will enable them to obtain maximum experience and take full advantage of the numerous opportunities in various areas of coaching and accompanying. Students who desire conducting experience as part of their studies will also have opportunities to study conducting, lead rehearsals, and conduct performances, if appropriate.

PREREQUISITES FOR GRADUATION

FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

Reading proficiency in French, German and Italian In addition, all candidates must exhibit a thorough knowledge of correct diction in these languages, including the ability to correctly transcribe them into the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

“Proficiency” is to be interpreted as having completed one year of each language at the college level with a grade of “B” or higher OR satisfactory performance on the language entrance examination administered by the coaching faculty.

Identified language deficiencies will have to be made up during the period of residence.

OPERA COACHING PROJECT

The student will be responsible for the musical preparation and performance of an approved opera performance: scenes program, chamber opera, etc.

RECITAL

The student will accompany one vocal recital.

Updated on 08/30/2018