Brass

The Department of Music offers students the opportunity to study with gifted nationally and internationally recognized faculty while pursuing their undergraduate or graduate music degrees.

Undergraduate students may choose to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, the Bachelor of Music in Music Education, or a Bachelor of Music degree. Students choosing a career path in the Bachelor of Music degree may specialize in one or more areas of emphasis: music composition, music performance, music theory, or the Bachelor of Music degree with elective studies in business.

Master of Music students can pursue emphases in composition, instrumental conducting, instrumental performance, music education, music history, or music theory.

Graduate students who have completed an MA degree or its equivalent have the opportunity to further develop their musical skills in a performance-intensive program culminating in a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Performance.

Brass Audition Requirements

All students must satisfy an entry audition into the Department of Music. Details on this process, including applying to the Department, can be found at the Auditions and Admissions page.

Undergraduate Auditions

In preparation for the audition you will need to choose two excerpts of contrasting style that best represent your highest technical and musical achievement. Movements of a sonata, concerto, or other standard solo repertoire are preferred. Students should also be prepared to perform from memory the chromatic and all major scales. In addition, a sight-reading excerpt will be required during the audition.

Because of limited space, each professor may only be able to accept a select number of students into their studio each year. Your preparation for the audition is vital to your success.

Graduate Auditions

Trumpet

A major concerto or sonata from the trumpet repertoire demonstrating all aspects of musical and technical proficiency. The applicant may bring their own accompanist or will be provided with a list of local accompanists for hire at their expense.
Etudes number 1 and 2 from "Trente‐six Etudes Transcendantes" by Theo Charlier.

Note: If the applicant is applying for a trumpet studio graduate assistantship, a live audition is required and will include additional elements.

Horn

All major, minor and chromatic scales, two octaves, three where possible
Two contrasting major solo works
Three contrasting orchestral excerpts
Demonstrate proficiency in transposition, stopped horn, multiple tonguing, high and low ranges
Submit a resume of major repertoire studied, major repertoire performed, recital experience, participation in ensembles large and small, music festivals attended, private study, and any other pertinent experiences
Submit a statement of professional goals and how study at this institution will further those plans

Trombone

Demonstrate proficiency with major/minor scales (2 octaves)
Perform two solos of contrasting styles, one of which must be a standard concerto or sonata
Perform two orchestral excerpts of your choice IN ADDITION to the following:
- Tenors: "Tuba Mirum" from Mozart's Requiem and "Hungarian March" from Berlioz's Damnation of Faust
- Basses: Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" and Haydn's Creation
Sight-reading