Music at Illinois - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Brass Audition Information

Euphonium

The candidate should demonstrate good embouchure resulting in comfortable playing in all registers, a good concept of sound, a strong sense of rhythm, and a steady tempo. The student will be asked to perform:

1. 1. A solo, movements from a sonata or concerto, or etudes, demonstrating lyrical phrasing and technical proficiency.
   2. Sight reading.

Horn

IMPORTANT AUDITION INFORMATION: Horn auditions will be held on the following dates only: February 3, 4, 10, and 11. 

Undergraduate applicants should prepare two contrasting solos. Examples could include any combination of the following: the Mozart Concerti, Strauss Concerti, “Villanelle” by Dukas, “En Foret” by Bozza, “Sonata” by Beethoven, “Sonata (1939)” by Hindemith, etc.; Etudes of Kopprasch, Kling, Maxime-Alphonse, Verne Reynolds, etc.; solo horn pieces such as "Laudatio" by Krol, “Parable” by Persichetti, “Postcards” by Plog, etc.  Selections from each chosen work will be asked during the audition. If a piece is a multi-movement work, then only play one movement. 

• Sight reading will be asked. 
• Be prepared to play any major/minor scale and arpeggio, two octaves minimum, and be able to play a chromatic scale over the applicant’s entire range of the horn. 
• Performance applicants only: prepare three contrasting excerpts of your choice from the standard orchestral repertoire.

Trombone

Bass Trombone:

The candidate should demonstrate good embouchure resulting in comfortable playing in all registers, a good concept of sound, a strong sense of rhythm, excellent intonation, and a steady tempo.

1. Be prepared to perform two contrasting movements from the list of works cited below, demonstrating lyrical phrasing and technical proficiency. For bass trombone — Brahms - Four Serious Songs, Defaye/Knaub: Deux Danses; ; Jacob: Cameos; McCarty: Sonata, Lebedev:Concerto in one movement, Spillman: Concerto. Please contact Professor Chasanov at chasanov@illinois.edu or 217.778.6674, should you wish to substitute works not cited.
2. Sight reading.
3. Applicants for the Performance Degree in trombone and bass trombone are also required to prepare 3 orchestral excerpts from the lists located at the UI Trombone Website.

Tenor Trombone

The candidate should demonstrate good embouchure resulting in comfortable playing in all registers, a good concept of sound, a strong sense of rhythm, excellent intonation, and a steady tempo.

1. Be prepared to perform two contrasting movements from the list of works cited below, demonstrating lyrical phrasing and technical proficiency. Please contact Professor Chasanov at chasanov@illinois.edu or 217.778.6674, should you wish to substitute works not cited. For tenor trombone — David: Concertino; Guilmant: Morceau Symphonique; Hindemith: Sonate; Larsson: Concertino: Saint Saens: Cavatine.
2. Sight reading.
3. Applicants for the Performance Degree in trombone and bass trombone are also required to prepare 3 orchestral excerpts from the lists located at the UI Trombone Website.

Trumpet

The candidate should demonstrate healthy tone production resulting in comfortable playing in all registers, and good musicianship including a beautiful sound, a strong sense of rhythm, attention to good phrasing and a steady tempo. The student will be asked to perform:

1. The Exposition of the first movement of either the Haydn Concerto in E Flat or the Hummel Concerto in E Flat (candidate’s choice)
2. Charlier: Étude Transcendantes #2 or #4 or #6 (candidate’s choice)
3 Solo work of candidates choice
4. Scales and Arpeggios
5. Sight-reading

Tuba

The candidate should demonstrate good embouchure resulting in comfortable playing in all registers, a good concept of sound, a strong sense of rhythm, and a steady tempo. The student will be asked to perform:

1. A solo, movements from a sonata or concerto, or etudes, demonstrating lyrical phrasing and technical proficiency.
2. Sight reading.

Updated on 09/07/2018