Audition Information

Notification Dates

At this time, students will be asked to indicate when they intend to complete the audition process along with their preferred date to schedule a sample lesson with our faculty.

Students are encouraged to register for the audition at least one week in advance of their preferred application round deadline.

Voice students may request a virtual coaching session and piano accompaniment recording on this form. See our Best Practices for Audition Recordings and Tips for Recording Your Vocal Audition.

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You will receive an email with detailed upload instructions when you register for the audition. Audition repertoire is listed below or by clicking here.

See our Best Practices for Audition Recordings for tips or go directly to our instructions on uploading your audition video.

Students are encouraged but not required to upload audition videos two weeks prior to their sample lesson.

Tip: Record yourself early and often as you practice your audition repertoire. That way, you are less likely to be caught off guard by something you hear on the recording. Schedule multiple recording sessions so you can submit the performance you are the most comfortable with. Start early and record often.

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For admission to the School of Music and scholarship consideration:

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon – At least two contrasting works from the standard repertoire, including movements of sonatas, concerti and other solo pieces. You will be asked to sight-read and demonstrate proficiency in both scales and arpeggios.

For admission to the School of Music and scholarship consideration:

1. Select One Solo Literature or Etudes from each of the following categories: 

• Snare drum: solo snare drum or etudes from Peters, Cirone, Delecluse that demonstrating buzz rolls, flams, and different articulation strokes; and optional on rudiments: here
  
• Marimba, xylophone or vibraphone (demonstrating two and four-mallet technique)
• Timpani (demonstrating fundamental strokes tuning ability);
• Optional: drum set or multiple percussion.

2. Sight-reading on snare drum and marimba
3. Two Octave Major Scales (quarter note = 80 bpm) with Arpeggio from memory

If students do not have access to timpani or keyboard instrument, please contact Professor Ming-Hui Kuo at ming-huikuo@depauw.edu.

For admission to the School of Music and scholarship consideration:

Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Double Bass – At least two contrasting works chosen from the following three choices: (1) a movement from a J.S. Bach solo sonata or partita, or other Baroque work; (2) a movement from a 19th-20th century sonata or concerto; (3) or a work of the student's choice. You will be asked to sight-read. Prospective students may be asked to perform three-octave scales in a key of their choosing.

For admission to the School of Music and scholarship consideration:

Vocalists will be required to perform two pieces of contrasting style: a classical or musical theatre piece in English and an art song or aria in Italian, French, or German. Both selections should be performed from memory and with piano accompaniment. All auditionees will have a sample lesson with one of our voice faculty. In addition to vocalizing and working on sections from the audition repertoire, the sample lesson will include sight-reading and pitch matching. If you have questions, we are here to help. Click here for more information regarding voice coaching and accompaniment.