Audition Info

Audition dates for students wishing to enter the program in the Fall of 2011:

December 4, 2010
January 22, 2011
February 12, 2011
February 26, 2011

DEGREES IN SAXOPHONE PERFORMANCE OR MUSIC EDUCATION

Suggested Audition Materials

Undergraduate Level
Technique - Prepare all major and harmonic minor scales through the full range of the instrument

Etudes - Prepare two contrasting etudes from Ferling 48 Studies or Voxman Selected Studies

Solo literature - Prepare a solo piece demonstrating excellent technique, tone, and musicianship.

Examples of appropriate works are as follows:

Creston - Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano
Glazounov - Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra
Maurice - Tableaux de Provence
Rueff - Chanson et Passpied
Teal - Solos for the Alto Saxophone Player

Masters Level
Saxophonists currently in the program are playing pieces such as the following:

Denisov - Sonata
Desenclos - Prelude, Cadence et Finale
Harbison - San Antonio
Ibert - Concertino de Camera
Lauba - Neuf Etudes
Maslanka - Sonata
Swerts - Klonos
Villa-Lobos - Fantasia

DMA Candidates
Must present a pre-audition recording of recent performance. If invited for a live audition, DMA candidates will prepare and perform 35-40 minutes of music demonstrating graduate-level difficulty, in a range of styles. A pianist will be provided if needed.

Click here for the Saxophone Studio Suggested Repertoire list

Click here for School of Music Prospective Student Information

Frequently Asked Questions
How large is the classical saxophone studio?
We currently have 19 classical saxophone majors - 11 undergraduate, 3 Masters, and 5 Doctoral students. In addition, the jazz program generallly has 6 jazz saxophone majors.

How many students usually audition?
In 2009-10 about 40 saxophonists auditioned. We expect about the same number of students to audition in 2010-11.

How many students will be accepted into the program?
This also varies from year to year, but generally we will accept 3-4 undergraduate and 2-3 graduate students each year.

How long are auditions?
Typically an audition lasts 15 minutes for undergraduates. About 10 minutes of that is performing, and we reserve 5 minutes to answer questions (or ask them!). Prospective Masters auditions average about 20 minutes.

What should I play for my audition?
Anything from the lists above or the Suggested Repertoire List. We want to hear you perform technical passages cleanly, with good time and rhythm, a developed tone and correct intonation. Most of all, we want to hear music! If you are in doubt as to whether or not you are playing an acceptable piece, feel free to contact the saxophone studio.

Can I study Jazz?
Yes, and you don't need to audition into the jazz program to do this - most jazz classes are open to all music students.

If I want to be a jazz major do I need to do a classical audition?
No, you only need to perform an audition for the jazz faculty!