Audition Requirements

The entire programme should be at least 20 minutes with a minimum of three contrasting styles. All pieces must be performed from memory. Exceptions may be given for works from the 20th- and 21st-centuries. The programme should include:

• One work from Baroque period
• One first movement of a Classical sonata
• One major work from Romantic period, 20th-century, or 21st-century

The entire programme should be at least 15 minutes with a minimum of three contrasting styles. All pieces must be performed from memory. The programme must meet the following two requirements:

• Language: One English language and at least two different languages of your choice (German, French, English, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, etc.)
• Genre:
  • At least one art song (only ONE Chinese art song is allowed, if included)
  • Only one aria from any opera or oratorio in the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th-century periods.

The entire programme should be at least 20 minutes with a minimum of three contrasting styles.

Violin

All pieces must be performed from memory. The programme should include:

• One movement from an unaccompanied Bach sonata or partita. No repeats should be played unless ornamented. A dance movement and its double constitute one movement
• One fast movement from a 19th-, 20th-, or 21st-century concerto (including cadenza)
• A virtuosic piece, such as one by Sarasate, Paganini, Wieniawski, or Tartini

Viola

All works except item iii must be played from memory. The programme should include:

• One movement from an unaccompanied Bach sonata, partita, or cello suite (No. 4 to 6; BWV1010 to 1012). No repeats unless ornamented. A dance movement and its double constitute one movement
• A fast movement from a major concerto (including cadenza), such as one by Walton, Hindemith, or Bartók
• One contrasting work or sonata movement of your choice

Cello

All works must be played from memory. The programme should include:

• One movement from an unaccompanied Bach cello suite (No. 3 to 6; BWV1009 to 1012). No repeat unless ornamented
• One movement of a major concerto (including cadenza), such as one by Dvorak, Schumann, or Haydn (D major)
• One caprice from Piatti’s 12 Caprices or one etude from Popper’s High School of Playing

The entire programme should be at least 20 minutes. The programme should include both solo works and orchestral excerpts. Candidate must provide a copy of all the pieces and excerpts along with the audition video submission.

Solos

• One short piece or a single movement of a two- or four-mallet solo marimba work. Memory is required
• One piece of a concert snare drum solo or etude (example: Delecluse, Pratt, Peters, Tompkins, etc.)
• One piece of timpani solo (example: Delecluse, Vic Firth, Carter, etc.)

Orchestral Excerpts

• Snare drum: Two contrasting excerpts
• Xylophone: Two contrasting excerpts
• Glockenspiel and/ or vibraphone: Two contrasting excerpts
• Timpani: Two contrasting excerpts

Submit a portfolio comprising at least three compositions of contrasting instrumentation, genre or compositional style. The total duration of the portfolio should be a minimum of 15 minutes. The submission must include:

• Scores in PDF format (handwritten scores are acceptable only if clearly and neatly presented)
• For electronic works, scores are not required; instead, a technical rider must be provided
• Recordings of all submitted works in mp3 or video format (live recordings are encouraged, but MIDI realisations are acceptable)

We are currently offering the following instruments: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, and percussion. Applicants should prepare three contrasting pieces from different periods of the repertoire, as well as two contrasting large-ensemble (band or orchestral) excerpts.