Audition Information - MSU College of Music - Michigan State University

Brass Audition Information

Trumpet (BM)

An accompanist is neither required nor provided. You may bring an accompanist at your own discretion.

• All major and minor scales (two octaves up to high C).
• Arban, “Characteristic Etude No. 6” or an equivalent etude.
• Solo of the level of “Fantasie in Bb” by J. Ed. Barat.
• Other materials that demonstrate musicianship, embouchure, and potential.

Trombone (BM)

An accompanist is neither required nor provided. You may bring an accompanist at your own discretion.

• All major and melodic minor scales (two octaves where possible).
• Two contrasting etudes by Rochut, Blazhevich, and/or Tyrrell.
• One solo piece such as Concertino by David, Morceau Symphonique by Guilmant, Andante and Allegro by Barat, or a movement from concertos by Grondahl or Jacob.

Horn (BM)

An accompanist is neither required nor provided. You may bring an accompanist at your own discretion.

• All major and melodic minor scales (two octaves).
• A technical etude selected from Kopprasch or Maxime-Alphonse, Vol. 2 or 3, that demonstrates technique and range.
• One or two movements of a standard solo such as a Mozart concerto, Saint-Saen's Morceau Du Concert, or R. Strauss's Concerto No. 1.
• Two or three standard orchestral excerpts (optional).

Euphonium (BM)

An accompanist is neither required nor provided. You may bring an accompanist at your own discretion.

• Demonstrate to the best of your ability your command of tone quality, range, intonation, articulation, and rhythm.
• Major scales, melodic minor scales, and chromatic scales covering two octaves whenever possible.
• One or two solo works or movements featuring varied musical styles (at a difficulty level equal to or more challenging than the “Morceau Symphonique” by Guilmant. 
• One or two contrasting etudes that demonstrate lyrical and marcato styles of performance (using study books by Fink, Arban, Rochut, Voxman, and/or Tyrell).
• Reading knowledge of both treble clef and bass clef is desired.
• Expect to do a short sight reading passage and a short aural response exercise.

Tuba (BM)

An accompanist is neither required nor provided. You may bring an accompanist at your own discretion.

• Demonstrate to the best of your ability your command of tone quality, range, intonation, articulation, and rhythm.
• Major scales, melodic minor scales, and chromatic scales covering two octaves whenever possible.
• One or two solo works or movements featuring varied musical styles (at a difficulty level equal to or more challenging than the “Concertino” by James Curnow).
• One or two contrasting etudes that demonstrate lyrical and marcato styles of performance (using study books by Fink, Arban, Bordogni, Blazevich, and Tyrell).
• A reading knowledge of both treble and bass clef is desired.
• Expect to do a short sight reading passage and a short aural response exercise.

Updated on 10/03/2018