Brass
Kent State’s Brass Area emphasizes the fundamentals of healthy playing with many opportunities to perform.
The artist-teachers of the brass area provide student-centered private instruction with a specialist on each instrument. Becoming a well-rounded player equipped to teach and perform in a variety of settings is a hallmark of the brass area.
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Private Lessons and Studio Classes
Private lessons are tailored to the individual needs and goals of each student covering a wide range of concert repertoire, technical studies and excerpts.
Weekly studio classes offer opportunities for the entire studio to meet.
- All studios meet separately at the same time every week, coming together for an all-studio meeting occasionally for guest lectures, clinics and masterclasses or to perform chamber music.
- Students perform for each other, sometimes as soloist and other times in small ensembles.
- Professors and guests also offer presentations on special topics relevant to brass performance, pedagogy and history.
Performance Opportunities
In addition to studio classes, additional opportunities to perform include:
- Large and Small Ensembles (Click here for more information)
- Juries (a culminating performance given every semester where faculty give constructive feedback and recommendations)
- Recitals (music majors and approved nonmajors)
Degrees and Programs Offered
Majors
B.A. Music Major | B.M. in Composition |
B.M. Music Education | B.M. in Performance |
M.M. in Performance |
Minors
Music Minor | Jazz Studies Minor |
World Music Minor | Arts Entrepreneurship Minor |
Questions or want more information?
Contact
Glauser School Admissions
musicadmissions@kent.edu | 330-672-2172
Faculty
Admissions & Audition Requirements
Admission Requirements
- Complete an application for admission to Kent State University.
- Complete an audition for admission to the Glauser School of Music.
English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students:
All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a
- Minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version),
- Minimum 75 MELAB score,
- Minimum 6.0 IELTS score,
- Minimum 48 PTE score or
- Minimum 100 DET score; or by completing the ESL level 112 Intensive Program.
For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.
Undergraduate Requirements
Brass:
Concentration in: Performance, Music Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music or General Music Minor
- Solo work and/or contrasting etudes (memorization and accompaniment not required).
- Major scales, 1 octave required (2 octaves optional).
- Chromatic scales, 1 octave required (2 octaves optional)
- Sight-reading
Woodwinds
Concentration in: Performance, Music Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music or General Music Minor
- Major and chromatic scales—memorized.
- Solo.
- Memorization not required.
- Suggested repertoire is contained in the OMEA contest list.
- Compositions of equivalent difficulty may be substituted.
- Accompaniment is not required.
- Demonstration of sight reading proficiency.
Percussion Instruments:
Concentration in: Performance, Music Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music or General Music Minor
- A solo on all of the following:
- Snare drum.
- Percussion keyboard (mallets).
- Timpani (Proficiency in tuning).
- Accompaniment is not required.
- Demonstration of sight reading proficiency on at least two of the above instruments.
- Your percussion audition must be done in person or, if distance to the Kent Campus is an issue, via recorded video audition.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university for unconditional admission.
- 3.0 GPA out of a 4.0 scale for unconditional admission.
- Official transcript(s)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of career goals
- Resumé
- Audition
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 525 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 71 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 74 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 50 PTE score
- Minimum 100 Duolingo test score
Graduate Requirements
Trumpet:
- Two works contrasting in period and style, including one 20th-century work. These works may be movements from a concerto/sonata or separate works.
- A selection of standard orchestral excerpts.
- Sight-reading may be included.
Horn:
- A Mozart concerto and a contrasting solo work.
- A selection of standard orchestral excerpts.
- Sight-reading may be included.
Trombone:
- Two movements from solo(s) of applicant’s choice, demonstrating musicality, technical proficiency, range and contrasting styles.
- Preferred Tenor Trombone orchestral excerpts are Mozart “Tuba Mirum” solo from Requiem; “Ride of the Valkyries” (2nd trombone); and Mahler Symphony No. 3, 1st Mvt., 1st trombone solos.
- Preferred Bass Trombone orchestral excerpts are Haydn The Creation (solo), Franck Symphony in D Minor (solo), Wagner “Ride of the Valkyries.”
- Sight-reading may be included.
Tuba:
- Two contrasting etudes (Bordogni/Rochut and Kopprasch preferred) and a concerto from the standard repertoire.
- A selection of standard orchestral excerpts. Proficiency on both bass tuba and contrabass tuba preferred.
- All major and minor scales (2 octaves).
- Sight-reading may be included.
Find more specific audition information: