Graduate Audition Repertoire Information

Scales: Will be chosen from all major and minor scales and arpeggios, preferably in the full range of the instrument (up to high C or, if possible, high D). They should be prepared slurred, tongued, and with mixed articulations. The minimum tempos are: for full range scales, quarter note = 100 (play eight notes) and for 2 or 3 octave scales, quarter note = 84 - 88 (play sixteenth notes).

Excerpts: Performance majors must prepare a minimum of THREE orchestral excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire. Performance and Pedagogy majors must prepare a minimum of TWO orchestral excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire.

Etudes: It is strongly recommended that prospective graduate students use solo repertoire for the audition but if one etude is chosen, suggested materials would be Andersen Etudes Op. 30, 33, or 63. Etudes from 24 Concert Studies from J.S. Bach's Works, or etudes of a comparable level.

Solos: THREE contrasting pieces from standard Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, and Contemporary periods demonstrating high levels of technical and musical abilities.

• Suggestions include solos from:
  • Flute Music by French Composers
  • J.S. Bach Sonatas or the Partita in a minor
  • Mozart Concerti
  • Reinecke Sonata
  • Poulenc Sonata
  • Prokofiev Sonata
  • Martinu Sonata
  • Schubert Introduction, Theme and Variations

Sight-reading: Required. Two to three excerpts will be chosen with varying tempi, style, articulation, and time signatures.

Accompanist: Not required, nor provided.

Other: Memorization is not required. Students need to provide a thorough repertoire list of etudes, solos, chamber music, and orchestral excerpts studied and/or performed. If available, a recording of a previous recital would be helpful. These should be uploaded to the student's online audition application. It is recommended that prospective students contact Dr. Adah Jones (am10@txstate.edu) prior to the audition date to discuss repertoire choices and other flute studio details. Please refer to the flute website, www.txstateflutes.com for more information.

Scales: Memorized - all major and minor (natural, harmonic, and melodic) in full range with basic arpeggios (I5, V7, and vii diminished 7).

Excerpts: Orchestral excerpts, examples include: Beethoven and Brahms Symphonies, Stravinsky's Firebird, Kodaly, Galanta Dances, etc.

Etudes: If preparing etudes you must be able to perform ONE fast and ONE slow etude of your choosing.

Solos: ONE solo repertoire piece, examples:

• Weber - Concertos No. 1 or 2
• Mozart - Concerto
• Debussy - Rhapsody; Tower, Wings

This is only suggested repertoire! Other works of equal significance or comparable qualities and level of difficulty is acceptable. A total of 15 - 20 minutes of music that represents significant repertoire in contrasting styles is the requirement.

Sight-reading: Required

Accompanist: Not required, nor provided.

Other: Memorization is not required. Auditions are restricted to B-flat and/or A soprano clarinet. There is no degree plan for bass clarinet. Clarinetists may perform bass clarinet in addition to their Bb or A clarinet in clarinet choir, band, or orchestra ensembles. Current Texas State Music Majors that have the approval of their major professor and two additional members of the woodwind area may use their bachelor's degree recital as their audition for the MM in Performance program. It is recommended that interested applicants contact Dr. Vanguel Tangarov (vt12@txstate.edu) prior to auditioning and for additional clarinet studio details.

Scales: Prepare all major and minor scales, full range of the instrument and memorized.

Excerpts: Choose FIVE from the following:

• Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Op. 60 OR Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61
• Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14
• Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77
• Donizetti: "Una furtiva lagrima" from L'elisir d'amore
• Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
• Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro, K. 492 OR Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385 'Haffner'
• Ravel: Bolero OR Piano Concerto in G Major
• Rimsky Korsakov: Scheherazade, Op. 35
• Shostakovich: Symphony No. 9 in E-flat Major, Op. 70
• Stauss: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
• Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring OR The Firebird
• Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in f minor, Op. 36 OR Symphony No. 5 in e minor, Op. 64 OR Symphony No. 6 in b minor, Op. 74 'Pathétique'

Etudes: Any contrasting etudes from Jacobi, Piard, or Bozza.

Solos: Any repertoire from St. Saens, Tansman, Bozza, Mozart, or Weber.

Sight-reading: Not required.

Accompanist: Not required, nor provided.

Other: Must provide a record/history of reed-making. It is recommended that prospective students contact Mrs. Daris Hale (dh40@txstate.edu) prior to the audition date to discuss repertoire choices and other bassoon studio details.

Auditions may occur on any of the following saxophones:

• Alto
• Tenor
• Baritone

Scales: Refer to "Daily Studies" by Trent Kynaston for proper scale format.

• All full range major, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales from memory performed slurred in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 86.
• All major and harmonic minor 3rds performed slurred in sixteenth notes at a tempo of quarter note = 86.
• All major, minor, and dominant seventh arpeggios, full range with altissimo, performed slurred in sixteenth notes at quarter note = 100.
• The chromatic scale in three octaves performed in sixteenth notes at a quarter note = 120.
• All major 4ths, full range with altissimo in sixteenth notes at quarter note = 86 (as requested).
• All whole-tone scales performed in sixteenth notes at quarter note = 86.

Etudes: Perform TWO contrasting etudes from Bozza Etudes/Caprices, Lacour 28 Etudes After Messiaen, Lauba Neuf Etudes, Koechlin Etudes for Saxophone and Piano, Karg-Elert 25 Capricen und Sonate, Londeix Nouvelle Etudes, Muel 18 Exercises, or Muel 53 Etudes. No memorization is required.

Solos: Perform at least TWO major solo works of contrasting style. Examples: Albright Sonata, Amram Ode to Lord Buckley, Aperghis Alter Egos (tenor), Asia The Alex Set (soprano), Berio Sequenza IXb, Berio Sequenza VIIb (soprano), Bolcom Concert Suite, Bolcom Lilith, Dahl Concerto, Denisov Sonata, Harbison San Antonio, Hurel Opcit (tenor), Husa Elegie et Rondeau, Husa Concerto, Larsson Concerto, Lennon Distances with Me, Lennon Symphonic Rhapsody, Mihalovici Chant Premier (tenor), Scelsi Tre Pezzi (soprano or tenor), Schmitt Legende, Tanada Mysterious Morning III (soprano), Villa-Lobos Fantasia (soprano or tenor), Williams Six Studies in English Folksong,  and Yoshimatsu Fuzzy Bird Song.

Sight-reading: Required

Accompanist: Not required for "in-person" auditions at Texas State. Required for video audition submissions which are ONLY allowed in special approved cases.

Other: Brief interview regarding career goals and aspirations. It is recommended that prospective students contact Dr. Todd Oxford (wo10@txstate.edu) prior to auditioning and to discuss the saxophone studio.

Scales: Students must play all major and minor scales (two octaves).

Etudes/Solos: You must submit a repertoire list prior to your selected audition date. The repertoire list should be a complete list of musical works (solos, books, chamber music, etc.) that you have studies/performed. This will give the faculty a comprehensive look at your musical background and training. You will select a few works from this list to bring to the audition.

Sight-reading: Required

Accompanist: Not required, nor provided.

Other: It is recommended that interested applicants contact Dr. Keith Winking (kw09@txstate.edu) prior to auditioning and for additional trumpet studio details.

Scales: All major and minor (all three forms) scales (memorized), two octaves, tongued, and any tempo.

Excerpts: Tchaikowsky's Symphony No. 5, Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza and R. Strauss, Til Eulenspiegel, opening 1st horn solo.

Etudes: Kling #18, tempo is dotted half = 50-60. Horn. Composed by Henri Kling. Edited by Lorenzo Sansone. Brass Solos & Ensembles - Horn Methods/Studies. Southern Music. Instructional and Etudes. Collection of etudes. 34 pages. Southern Music Company #B131. Published by Southern Music Company (HL.3770209)

Solos: Mozart's Concerto No. 2 (K. 417) in Eb, 1st movement only (any edition).

Sight-reading: Required

Accompanist: Not required, nor provided

Other: You should prepare all of the above, though the audition committee will only select portions from the above to hear during your audition. It is recommended that interested applicants contact Dr. Caroline Steiger (cns113@txstate.edu) prior to auditioning and for additional horn studio details.

Etudes: Play one etude comparable in difficulty to the works below.

• Tenor
  • Rochut: Book I, #55- 60
  • Bitsch: 15 Etudes de Rythme, Etude #3
  • Boutry: 12 Etudes de haut Perfectionnement, Etudes #7
• Bass
  • Rode: 15 Caprices
  • Rochut: Volume I (#49-60 played 8vb)
  • Maenz: Zwanzig Studien fur Bassposaune

Solos: Play two works of contrasting styles comparable in difficulty to the works below.

• Tenor
  • Grondahl: Concerto
  • Larsson: Concertino
  • Sulek: Sonata vox Gabrieli
  • David: Concertino
• Bass
  • Bozza: New Orleans
  • Lebedev: Concerto No. 1
  • Sachse: Konzert (ed. Arno Hermann)
  • Koetsier: Allegro Maestoso

Orchestral Excerpts: Play five orchestral excerpts comparable in difficulty to the following works.

• Tenor
  • Mozart: Tuba Mirum from Requiem
  • Berlioz: Hungarian March (2nd trombone part)
  • Rossini: La Gazza Ladra Overture
  • Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries
  • Ravel: Bolero
• Bass
  • Haydn: Achieved is the Glorious Work from The Creation
  • Berlioz: Hungarian March
  • Schumann: Symphony No. 3, Rhenish
  • Rossini: William Tell Overture
  • Wagner: Entry of the Gods into Valhalla from Das Rheingold

Sight-reading: Not required

Accompanist: Not required, nor provided

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the trombone studio, contact Dr. Billy Gayman (goq15@txstate.edu).

Scales: All scales are to be performed two octaves, tongued up and down in an eighth note pattern at a minimum tempo of quarter note = 120. Students must be prepared to play all 12 major minor (natural, harmonic, and melodic) scales.

Excerpts: Prepare all excerpts. THREE will be selected at the audition.

• Euphonium
  • Barber: Commando March, letter B - C
  • Holst: Second Suite for Military Band, 1st movement, solo section, also letter E - G AND 4th movement letter G to the end; AND The Planets (Mars)
  • Smith: Festival Variations, mm. 79-109 AND 274-323
  • Shostakovich/Hunsberger: Festive Overture, #8 - #10, #21 - #23, AND #33 to the end
  • King: The Melody Shop, entire march
  • Sullivan/Mackerras: Pineapple Poll, bar 5 - 9; after number 1; number 11 to the end
  • Moussorgsky/Ravel - Pictures at an Exhibition (Bydlo)
• Tuba
  • Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, mvmts. 4 AND 5
  • Bruckner: Symphony No. 7, mvmt. 4
  • Mahler: Symphony No. 1, mvmt. 3
  • Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5, mvmt. 1
  • Respighi: Fountains of Rome
  • Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel
  • Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries AND Overture to Die Meistersinger

Solos: ONE solo, memorization not required.

• Euphonium
  • H. Bellstedt - Napoli
  • Boccalari - Fantasia di Concerto
  • Curnow - Symphonic Variants, play 2 mvmts of your choice
  • Horovitz - Concerto, play 2 mvmts of your choice
  • Jacob - Fantasia
  • Mantia - Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms
  • Ross - Partita
  • Schubert - Arpeggione Sonata
• Tuba
  • Broughton - Sonata, play 2 mvmts of your choice
  • Gregson - Sonata, play 2 mvmts of your choice
  • Hindemith - Sonata, play 2 mvmts of your choice
  • Lebedev - Concerto in One Movement
  • R.V. Williams - Concerto, play 2 mvmts of your choice

Sight-reading: Required

Accompanist: Not required, nor provided

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the low brass studio, contact Professor Raul Rodriguez (rr13@txstate.edu).

Excerpts: Orchestral excerpts are optional.

Etudes/Solos: Memorization is not required.

• ONE concert style snare drum etude or solo
• ONE rudimental snare drum etude or solo
• ONE 2 mallet etude or solo
• ONE 4 mallet etude or solo
• ONE timpani etude or solo
• Drum set is optional

Sight-reading: Required on snare drum and marimba. Timpani and drum set are optional.

Accompanist: Not required, nor provided.

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the percussion studio, contact Professor Genaro Gonzalez (gg11@txstate.edu).

Scales: All three-octave scales.

Solos: A recital program of at least 30 minutes representing a minimum of THREE contrasting works chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and Contemporary periods, demonstrating high levels of technical and musical abilities.

Sight-reading: Required

Accompanist: Not required, nor provided.

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the violin studio, contact Dr. Lynn Ledbetter (ll09@txstate.edu).

Scales: All major and melodic minor three-octave scales and arpeggios at quarter note = 60 bpm or faster will be required.

Solos: A 30-minute program of solo works representing a variety of stylistic and historical periods (at least THREE styles/periods).

Sight-reading: Required

Accompanist: Not required, nor provided.

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the viola studio, contact Dr. Ames Asbell (sa22@txstate.edu).

Scales: All major and minor scales in three-octaves.

Solos: A recital program of at least 30 minutes representing a minimum of THREE contrasting works chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and Contemporary periods, demonstrating high levels of technical and musical abilities.

Sight-reading: Required

Accompanist: Not required, nor is one provided by the School of Music.

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the cello studio, contact Dr. Karla Hamelin (kmh119@txstate.edu).

Solos: Two solo works (or movements of works) showcasing contrasting styles and time periods.  Please do not perform two movements of the same work. 

Excerpts: Two contrasting standard orchestral excerpts by different composers.

Sight-reading: Required

Accompanist: Not required, nor provided.

Other: Please make selections that you feel represent yourself well as a musician. If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the double bass studio, contact Ms. Andrea Beyer (andrea.beyer@txstate.edu).

Solos: THREE contrasting works (one being a sonata) chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic and Contemporary periods. These may be performed as a recital of 30 minutes. Students should be able to demonstrate high levels of technical and musical abilities.

Sight-reading: Will be required for in-person auditions.

Other: Memorization is required. If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the keyboard studio, contact Dr. Jason Kwak (jk45@txstate.edu).

Scales: Two Octave Scales - First Position: E Major, F Major, G Major, e minor, and g minor. Three Octave Scales (Segovia or original systematic fingering): E Major, F Major, F# Major, G Major, and A Major as well as c# and e melodic minor. All scales should be played as 8th notes at 100 - 120 bpm.

Etudes and/or Solos: THREE contrasting pieces, memorized, from the following list.

• Etudes
  • Fernando Sor: No. 10, No. 12, No. 17, or No. 20 – from Andres Segovia - Twenty Studies for the Guitar by Fernando Sor
  • Matteo Carcassi: No. 1, No. 6, No. 7, No. 9, No. 11, No. 16, No. 20, or No. 23 – from Twenty-five Melodic Etudes, Op. 60
  • Leo Brouwer: No. 11, No. 16, or No. 17 – from Simple Etudes (Estudios Sencillos or Etudes Simples)
• Solos
  • Capricho Arabe by F. Tearrega
  • Danza Caracteristica or Ojos Brujos by L. Brouwer
  • Fandanguillo (from Suite Castellana) by F.M. Torroba - choose ONE movement
  • Fandanguillo by J. Turina
  • Passacaille by S.L. Weiss
  • Tarantelle by J.K. Mertz
  • Tarantelle by M. Castelnuevo-Tedesco

Sight-reading: Required

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the guitar studio, contact Professor Mark Cruz (mc39@txstate.edu).

PRE-SCREEN PROCESS: Submit a video upload of two selections (one aria and one art song) from the standard classical repertoire on your Acceptd application media tab. Your upload must be submitted by the appropriate deadline for your desired audition date. The faculty will review your submission and you will be notified via Acceptd as soon as possible after your submission is received if you have been granted an in-person audition on your selected date. NOTE: If you are an out-of-state applicant and need more than two weeks' notice in order to make travel arrangements, please contact the School of Music Recruitment Coordinator. 

Requirements for submission of a pre-screening video for the Texas State Voice Area

Announce your name and the title of your piece clearly and slowly enough to be heard and understood.

The selections that you present must be memorized

Your performance should preferably be with live piano accompaniment. If live accompaniment is not possible, the playback that you use must be played through a loud speaker – with a volume level such that the audition panel can hear it clearly without disturbing the quality of the voice recording

You should stand in front - or just to the side - of the piano

The camera must be far enough away from you so that the audition panel has a full body view.

Video should be recorded in a neutral room (preferably in your school choir room, but living room or voice teacher’s studio is acceptable)

Videos recorded in bedrooms, bathrooms, or cars are NOT acceptable

Make sure the lighting in the room is bright enough for the panel to see you clearly

Face the camera as you would face an audience

Dress in the way that you would for a job interview in an office, or how you might dress to attend a special school event.

Sing expressively

Before you submit your video:

Watch your video with a critical eye and ear, remembering that this video will determine if you get a live audition. Avoid the mistake of thinking, "It's only a prescreen video..." Treat this like a live audition. Listen carefully to your intonation. You want to present us with your best performance so that we are interested in hearing more. While a professional video is not necessary, your performance and presentation should be as professional as you can make it.

If granted a live audition, it will consist of the following:

Solos/Monologue: SIX MEMORIZED SONGS. These songs should represent major style periods and languages (English, Italian/Latin, German, French). You will choose and sing one piece and the faculty may choose to hear more at their discretion. In addition, you must prepare and perform ONE monologue of no more than one minute in length, from a time period no earlier than 1900. Note: Your pre-screen selections may be ones you sing for your live audition.

Sight-reading: Not required, however, you may be asked to complete exercises in pitch matching, range, etc. This is done at the faculty's discretion.

Accompanist: An in-person accompanist is required and provided by the School of Music. Please bring a copy of each of the pieces on your list in the proper keys to the audition to share with the accompanist that is provided. You will have a chance to briefly work with the accompanist that is provided. Singing a cappella or performing to pre-recorded music or taped accompaniments are not allowed!!! You may bring your own accompanist if you choose.

Other: You are required to provide 11 word-processed copies of the list of the repertoire you have prepared for the audition. If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the voice area, contact contact Professor Daveda Karanas (dkb113@txstate.edu).

All Mariachi instrumentalists must prepare and perform the following TWO selections on at least one instrument.

• Son de la Negra
  • Violin – First Part
  • Trumpet – First Part
  • Armonía – Guitarrón and Vihuela Parts
• Viva Veracruz
  • Violin – First Part
  • Trumpet – First Part
  • Armonía – Guitarrón and Vihuela Parts

Recommended Vocal audition requirements:

• Perform TWO Mariachi songs in contrasting styles. Classical repertoire may also be performed if you are comfortable with that repertoire.

NOTE: Those students who can demonstrate advanced skills across the various sections of the Mariachi will be given preference.

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the Latin Music Studies area coordinator, contact Professor Cirilo Campos (cc1460@txstate.edu).

Applicants with a Salsa/Afro-Caribbean music background.

Prepared Music

• Perform THREE (3) contrasting songs from The Latin Real Book, Latin Jazz category.

Sight-reading

• Candidates will sight-read TWO excerpts selected by the audition panel.
  1. A syncopation rhythm sheet
  2. A salsa music excerpt

Applicants with a Classical or Jazz background.

Prepared Music

• Perform THREE (3) musical selections in contrasting styles. You may use a CD track or program such as iReal Pro for accompaniment.

Sight-reading

• Candidates will sight-read TWO excerpts selected by the audition panel.
  1. A syncopation rhythm sheet
  2. A salsa music excerpt

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the Latin Music Studies area coordinator, contact Professor Cirilo Campos (cc1460@txstate.edu).

Applicants with a Salsa/Afro-Caribbean music background.

Foundation

• Play page 36 from True Cuban Bass/El Verdadero Bajo Cubano by Carlos Del Puerto and Silvio Vergara.
• Demonstrate patterns in various Latin genres besides son montuno:
  • cha cha cha
  • bolero
  • merengue
  • any other genre of your choosing

Prepared Music

• Prepare FOUR (4) songs from The Latin Real Book. The Latin Real Book divides its songs into four categories (found on pages i - ii). Your selections should include one piece from each of the four categories:
  • Contemporary Salsa
  • Salsa Classics - Arsenio Rodriguez to Tito Rodriguez
  • Salsa Classics - Standards
  • Latin Jazz

Sight-reading

• Candidates will sight-read an excerpt selected by the audition panel.

Applicants with a classical or jazz background.

Prepared Music

• Perform THREE (3) contrasting musical selections. Choose pieces that do not require bowing.

Sight-reading

• Candidates will sight-read an excerpt selected by the audition panel.

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements, contact Professor Cirilo Campos (cc1460@txstate.edu).

Applicants with a Salsa/Afro-Caribbean music background.

Foundation

• Play piano montuno variations in 2-3 and 3-2 clave using the following chord progressions with a conga playing along with you:
  • (I-IV/V-IV) (i-iv/V-iV)
  • (I-ii-V7-I) (im7-iib5-V7b9-im7)
  • (I-V7-V7-I) (i-V7-V7-i)
• Play the appropriate montunos or standard piano patterns for the following genres:
  • cha cha cha
  • bolero
  • merengue
  • any other genre of your choosing

Prepared Music

• Perform FOUR songs from The Latin Real Book. The Latin Real Book divides its songs into four categories (found on pages i - ii). Your selections should include one piece from each of the four categories:
  • Contemporary Salsa
  • Salsa Classics - Arsenio Rodriguez to Tito Rodriguez
  • Salsa Classics - Standards
  • Latin Jazz

Sight-reading

• Candidates will sight-read an excerpt selected by the audition panel.

Applicants with a classical or jazz background.

Prepared Music

• Perform THREE contrasting musical selections.

Sight-reading

• Candidates will sight-read an excerpt selected by the audition panel.

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the Latin Music Studies area coordinator, contact Professor Cirilo Campos (cc1460@txstate.edu).

Applicants with a Salsa/Afro-Caribbean music background.

Foundation

• Please demonstrate the standard percussion patterns for all genres listed below. Instruments will be provided in the audition room (inc. congas, timbal, bongo, tambora, and small percussion).
  • son montuno
  • cha cha cha
  • merengue
  • charanga
  • danzón
  • bolero
  • afro-cuban 6/8
  •  guaguancó
  • any other genre of your choosing

Prepared Music

• Play syncopation exercises 1, 2, 3, and 4 from Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer by Ted Reed.
  • Play each exercise on a different instrument (congas, bongo, and timbal). The fourth should be on the instrument that you dominate the most.
  • For each exercise, play four measures of son montuno pattern followed by line 1 of the exercise, then return to four measures of son montuno, and follow with line 2, and so on.  Continue until the end of the exercise.
  • The exercises can be played on open tones but interpretation using various timbre choices (rim shots, cymbal hits, bass tones, slaps, high and low drums, etc.) is preferred.

Sight-reading

• Candidates will sight-read an excerpt selected by the audition panel.

Applicants with a Classical or Jazz background.

Prepared Music

• As the M.M. in Performance with Latin concentration focuses on Hispanic Caribbean percussion instruments such as congas, timbal, and bongo, among others, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate any skills they may have on these instruments.
  • Classical percussionists
    1. Perform TWO keyboard selections (preferably on vibraphone).
    2. Perform ONE snare solo.
    3. Optional: Demonstrate any patterns in Hispanic Caribbean genres that you know on drum set.
  • Jazz percussionists
    1. Perform TWO selections on vibraphone (you may use a CD track or program such as iReal Pro for accompaniment).
    2. Perform TWO selections on drum set.
    3. Demonstrate any Hispanic Caribbean genres that you know on drum set.

Sight-reading

• Candidates will sight-read an excerpt selected by the audition panel.

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements or the Latin Music Studies area coordinator, contact Professor Cirilo Campos (cc1460@txstate.edu).

Applicants with a Salsa/Afro-Caribbean music background.

Prepared Music

• Perform FOUR (4) songs in the following genres:
  • salsa dura
  • contemporary salsa
  • an additional genre such as bolero, cha cha cha, merengue, etc.

Improvisation

• Be prepared to improvise (sonear) over the coro of a standard salsa song from the salsa dura period. The song will be called for at the time of the audition and you will improvise to the provided montuno and coro.

Applicants with a classical or jazz background.

Prepared Music

• Perform THREE contrasting musical selections of your choice (selections should be in Spanish).

Other: If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements, contact Ms. Michelle Quintero (mq15@txstate.edu) or Professor Cirilo Campos (cc1460@txstate.edu).

Scales:

• Solo focus
  • All major, minor, and common modal scales as well as the chromatic scale over the full range of the instrument.
• Lead focus
  • All major and minor scales as well as the chromatic scale over the full range of the instrument.

Solos/Improvisation: 

• Solo focus
  • Prepare the melody to ONE medium/medium-up swing jazz standard of your choice and improvise at least THREE choruses
  • Prepare at least ONE blues head and improvise on the changes
  • Prepare the melody to the jazz standard All The Things You Are and improvise at least ONE chorus
  • Prepare the melody to ONE standard jazz ballad and improvise at least ONE chorus
• Lead focus
  • Improvise over an F or Bb blues - four choruses
  • Prepare TWO heads to jazz standards or jazz-specific etudes
  • Prepare ONE lead trumpet part of the faculty's choosing

Sight-reading: Required

Other: There is no classical audition requirement. If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements, contact Dr. Utah Hamrick (utah.hamrick@txstate.edu)

Scales: Students should have prepared all major, harmonic minor, and diminished scales.

Solos/Improvisation: 

• Prepare the melody to ONE medium/medium-up swing jazz standard of your choice and improvise at least THREE choruses
• Prepare at least ONE blues head and improvise on the changes
• Prepare the melody to the jazz standard "All The Things You Are" and improvise at least ONE chorus
• Prepare the melody to ONE standard jazz ballad and improvise at least ONE chorus

Sight-reading: Required

Other: There is no classical audition requirement. If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements, contact Dr. Utah Hamrick (utah.hamrick@txstate.edu)

Scales: Selected scales from major and minor (aeolian, dorian, melodic, and pentatonic), selected mixolydian bebop scales, and diminished and altered scales.

Etudes: Perform TWO etudes/transcribed solos by either JJ Johnson ("Blue Trombone", "Old Devil Moon", or "Just Friends"), Andy Martin ("Doxy"), Fred Wesley ("Sandu"), Bill Watrous ("Just In Time"), or Curtis Fuller ("Autumn Leaves"), and ONE transcription of your choosing.  

Solos/Improvisation: Perform THREE diverse standards from memory.

Sight-reading: Required

Other: There is no classical audition requirement. If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements, contact Dr. Utah Hamrick (utah.hamrick@txstate.edu)

Solos/Improvisation: Students must be prepared to perform the head and improvise all four styles below:

• Prepare the melody to one medium/medium-up swing jazz standard of your choice and improvise at least three choruses
• Prepare at least one blues head and improvise on the changes
• Prepare the melody to the jazz standard "All The Things You Are" and improvise at least one chorus
• Prepare the melody to one standard jazz ballad and improvise at least one chorus

Prepare all major, melodic minor, and diminished scales

Other: There is no classical audition requirement. If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements, contact Prof. Hank Hehmsoth (hh09@txstate.edu).

Scales: Students should have prepared all major, harmonic minor, and diminished scales.

Solos/Improvisation: Students must be prepared to walk an uptempo bass line and/or demonstrate a "two-feel" for the tunes below.

• Prepare the melody to ONE medium/medium-up swing jazz standard of your choice and improvise at least THREE choruses
• Prepare at least ONE blues head and improvise on the changes
• Prepare the melody to the jazz standard "All The Things You Are" and improvise at least ONE chorus
• Prepare the melody to ONE standard jazz ballad and improvise at least ONE chorus

Sight-reading: Required

Other: There is no classical audition requirement. If you have any questions regarding the audition repertoire requirements, or the jazz area, contact Dr. Utah Hamrick (ulh1@txstate.edu)

Styles: Students must demonstrate rhythmic and "groove" competency in the following musical styles:

• 4/4 swing at a variety of tempos
• Funk and rock styles at a variety of tempos
• Samba and Bossa Nova
• Mambo
• Afro-Cuban 6/8

Skills: In addition to the above, the following skills will be assessed:

• Brush technique
• Knowledge of form and repertoire
• “Trading Fours”
• “Call and Response”: ability in drum set patterns and ear exercises (i.e., hearing a phrase and playing it back)

Sight-reading: Required (big band charts)

Other: There is no classical audition requirement. If you have any questions about the jazz drum set audition requirements, contact Mr. Arthur Latin (al26099@txstate.edu). 

Conducting Videos

• Video demonstrating rehearsal techniques and two pieces demonstrating your conducting for the entire piece with the camera focused on you, the conductor.
  • Deadline for pre-screen submission is January 15th. If you are selected for an in-person audition, those will occur Monday, January 31, 2022.

Score Reading Assessment: There is an open-score reading assessment that is administered by Dr. Jonathan Babcock.

Accompaniment: Provided for the choral conducting portion of the audition.

Other: Contact Dr. Joey Martin (joey.martin@txstate.edu) if you have any questions or concerns regarding the Choral Conducting program.

Conducting Videos

• Submit a 20 - 30 minute video of yourself conducting an ensemble or various ensembles. The video must be taken from the players point of view (front view of conductor). Ideally, the video will include both rehearsal and performance footage, however, both are not required.
  • Deadline for pre-screen submission is January 14th. Based on those items, some applicants will be invited to an on-campus interview with Dr. Beatty and a live audition rehearsal session with the Wind Symphony. On-campus interviews and auditions will be scheduled during the first two weeks of March 2022.

Other: Contact Dr. Caroline Beatty, cb57@txstate.edu if you have any questions or concerns regarding the Band Conducting program.

Conducting Video

• A 20 - 30-minute video of yourself conducting an orchestra or string ensemble. The video must be taken from the players point of view (front view of conductor). Ideally, the video will include both rehearsal and performance footage, however, both are not required.
  • Deadline for pre-screen submission is TBD. Upon review of all application materials and video footage, some applicants will be invited for an on-campus interview with Dr. Harrison and a live audition rehearsal session with the Symphony Orchestra. On-campus interviews and auditions are usually scheduled for sometime in February or early March.

Other: Contact Dr. Jacob Harrison, jgh111@txstate.edu if you have any questions or concerns regarding the Orchestral Conducting program.