Bienen School of Music - Northwestern University

Keyboard Audition Information

Master of Music: Piano

Prescreening required; video strongly preferred. Hands should be visible in video.

For Prescreening:

Repertoire is required and must be memorized. Prescreening should total a minimum of 30 minutes. Include a list of significant repertoire studied with prescreening submission.

• Sonata allegro movement from a classical sonata preferably by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
• Romantic work

Optional: additional pieces of applicant’s choice

For Final Audition:

Repertoire is required and must be memorized. Repertoire does not have to be the same from prescreening

• A work by J.S. Bach
• A full classical sonata preferably by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
• Romantic work
• Impressionist or contemporary work
• Étude of virtuosity

In Addition: sight-reading is required

A list of significant repertoire studied should be brought to your audition.

Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance

Prescreening required must be video recording for clarinet, piano, trombone, and voice. All others: video is strongly preferred.

• Piano Performance
• String Performance
• Voice Performance
• Wind and Percussion Performance

For Prescreening:

The applicant must submit their prescreening online, and it must contain 45 to 60 minutes of music representing different styles and historical periods. If reviewed favorably, the applicant will be invited to campus. Candidates should plan to be on campus for the entire day.

For Final Audition:

If invited to campus, the applicant will perform for, and interview with, a music faculty jury. Candidates are expected to prepare 60 minutes of music appropriate for the doctoral level. (Voice candidates should prepare 30 minutes of music appropriate for the doctoral level.) Selections should represent various styles and historical periods from the standard repertoire. The audition will last approximately 30 minutes. (The voice audition will last approximately 15 minutes.) The applicant should perform selections used in the prescreening, but can also bring additional repertoire. Candidates should print the list of prepared audition selections and bring this to the audition.

Master of Music: Piano Performance and Pedagogy

Prescreening required; video strongly preferred. Hands should be visible in video.

Complete a performance audition, plus:

• An outline of applicant’s pedagogical background and a list of materials and literature used in teaching.
• Additional pedagogical materials may be required for those invited for a live audition.

For Prescreening:

Repertoire is required and must be memorized. Prescreening should total a minimum of 30 minutes. Include a list of significant repertoire studied with prescreening submission.

• Sonata allegro movement from a classical sonata preferably by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
• Romantic work

Optional: additional pieces of applicant’s choice

For Final Audition:

Repertoire is required and must be memorized. Repertoire does not have to be the same from prescreening

• A work by J.S. Bach
• A full classical sonata preferably by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
• Romantic work
• Impressionist or contemporary work
• Étude of virtuosity

In Addition: sight-reading is required

A list of significant repertoire studied should be brought to your audition.

Master of Music: Music Education and Piano Pedagogy

Applicants must fulfill all admission and audition requirements for both Music Education (1 year or 2 year with certificate) AND Piano Performance and Pedagogy. 

Master of Music: Music Education (1 year) OR
Master of Music: Music Education (2 year w/certification)

AND

Master of Music: Piano Performance and Pedagogy

Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy

Prescreening required; must be video recording.

For Prescreening:

• 45 minutes of memorized music representing different styles and historical periods.
• Outline of pedagogical background including music and materials used in teaching.

For Final Audition:

If invited to campus, the applicant will perform for and interview with a music faculty jury. Candidates are expected to prepare 45 minutes of music appropriate for the doctoral level. Solo selections should represent various styles and historical periods from the standard repertoire. Typically the audition will last approximately 30 minutes. The applicant should perform selections used in the prescreening, but can also bring additional repertoire. Candidates should print the list of prepared audition selections and bring this to the audition.

Additionally, further pedagogical materials may be required for applicants invited for a live audition.

Updated on 09/04/2018