Graduate Audition Information

Graduate Requirements

Band: 

• To be considered as a candidate, applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a 15-20 minute conducting video prior to February 1.
• The Director of Bands will notify applicants if they are invited to audition.  
• Applicants who attend the “Kent Wind Band Conductor’s Symposium” are not required to submit video.
• Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in music. 
• Preference will be given to those with public school teaching experience. 
• An on-campus audition is required.
• Please contact Dr. Wendy K. Matthews, at wmatthe4@kent.edu for more information. 

Choral: 

• To be considered as a candidate, applications should submit a 15-20 minute DVD choral rehearsal/performance video recording and a resume outlining prior vocal/choral/conducting experience prior to setting up the audition date.
• The Director of Choral Studies will notify candidates if they are invited to audition.
• The 30-minute live audition will consist of the vocal warm-ups and a rehearsal of two works (1. an assigned piece; 2. a work of the candidate’s choosing) with one of the University choral ensembles.
• A 30-45 minute video recording may be submitted in lieu of a live audition if the distance is too great; however, an on-campus audition is preferred.
• Please contact Dr. Scott MacPherson, Director of Choral Studies, at smacpher@kent.edu for more information. 

Orchestra: 

• To be considered as a candidate, applicants must submit a 30-45 minute video recording (or links to online videos) of conducting, including (if possible) rehearsal footage from the perspective of the orchestra. 
• The Director of Orchestras will then notify candidates if they are invited to audition. 
• An on-campus audition and interview will then be arranged.
• Please contact Dr. Jungho Kim, Director of Orchestra, at jkim73@kent.edu for more information. 

Graduate Requirements

• Solo work demonstrative of proficiency on keyboard percussion (solo marimba work preferred).
• Standard orchestral excerpts for xylophone or glockenspiel, snare drum and timpani.
• Etude or solo for snare drum and timpani (or multiple percussion).
• Optional: demonstration of jazz skills on drum set, vibraphone, or steel pan.
• Recordings may be submitted in lieu of an audition at the Kent Campus. A DVD recording of a live performance is preferred in this case. 

Please note: Percussion auditions can only be done in person or, if distance to the Kent Campus is a factor, by recorded video audition. 

Graduate Requirements

Solo Piano

• Four works representing at least three different style periods, including a complete Classical Sonata.
• All selections composed prior to 1950 should be memorized.
• Sight-reading may be included.

Collaborative Piano 

• Two memorized solo works of contrasting style (sonata movement(s) acceptable).
• Two contrasting movements from two different major instrumental sonatas. Examples include Beethoven Violin or Cello Sonatas, any Sonata by Brahms, major works from the impressionistic era, any Sonata by Bartok, Hindemith, Poulenc, Prokofiev or Shostakovich.
• One song by composers such as Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wolf, Liszt, Faure, Debussy, Duparc or Rachmaninoff. (Singer may be provided by the school, if available).
• One aria by composers such as Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Berlioz, or another major operatic composer. (Singer may be provided by the school, if available).
• Scales and all major and minor keys (4 octaves).
• Two sight-reading examples, one of which may include part-writing.

To confirm that your audition repertoire is acceptable, please contact Dr. Donna Lee, Coordinator of Piano, at dlee3@kent.edu or 330-672-9241.

Graduate Requirments

Strings 

• Violin: Two contrasting movements from an unaccompanied Bach Sonata or Partita and the first movement from a standard concerto.
• Viola: Two contrasting movements from a Bach suite and the first movement from a standard concerto.
• Cello: Two contrasting movements from a Bach suite and the first movement from a standard concerto.
• Bass: One movement of a Bach Cello Suite. Two contrasting movements of a concerto or other significant solo work. Orchestral Excerpts: Beethoven Symphony No. 5, 3rd movement, and Mozart Symphony No. 40, 4th movement, mm. 49-70 or applicant’s choice. Scales with varied bow articulations (staccato, legato, detache, marcato). 

Graduate String Quartet 

• Two complete works of contrasting styles, demonstrating the quartet’s overall playing level.
• Following a live audition, there will be a coaching session with the faculty Artists-in-Residence. 
• For audition recordings, a recording of two complete works of contrasting styles. A video recording is preferred. 

Graduate Requirements

• Present a variety of languages and a variety of performance styles.
• Typically, songs or arias presented are from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century repertory and include an oratorio aria or an opera aria.
• Candidates are requested to provide their own accompanist. If this is not possible, a recording of the accompaniment is acceptable.
• Additionally, candates will be asked to demonstrate musical sight-reading ability and proficiency in Italian, German, and French diction through poetic excerpts.
  • 2021 Auditions: For those submitting a video audition, a member of the voice faculty will reach out to you to complete this step.

Graduate Requirements

Flute: 

• First movement exposition of either Mozart Concerto (G or D major).
• Two other works of contrasting period and style, including one 20th century work. These may be movements from a concerto/sonata or separate works.
• A selection of standard orchestral excerpts.
• Sight-reading may be included.

Oboe: 

• Two works contrasting in period and style, including one 20th century work. These may be movements from a concerto/sonata or separate works.
• A selection of standard orchestral excerpts.
• Sight-reading may be included.

Clarinet: 

• Two works contrasting in period and style, including one 20th century work. These may be movements from a concerto/sonata or separate works.
• A selection of standard orchestral excerpts.
• Sight-reading may be included.

Bassoon: 

• Two works contrasting in period and style. These may be movements from a concerto/sonata or separate works.
• A selection of standard orchestral excerpts. 
• Sight-reading may be included.

Saxophone: 

• Two works contrasting in period and style, including one 20th century work. These may be movements from a concerto/sonata or separate works.
• Sight-reading may be included.