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Applying to Blair
Audition dates 2012-13
On-campus auditions
- January 25-26, 2013
- February 8-9, 2013
- February 22-23, 2013
Exceptions:
- Bassoon auditions will not be held January 25-26.
- Saxophone auditions will not be held February 23.
- French horn auditions will not be held February 23.
Contact the Blair Admissions office at (615) 322-6181 or email Dwayne Sagen with any further questions about auditions.
Off-campus auditions
We will be holding off-campus auditions this year (2012-13) in the following cities (dates, times and locations will be added as they are determined and are subject to change). Note: Off-campus auditions do not include voice auditions.
- Washington D.C.: Thursday, Jan. 17, from 3-5 p.m., at Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda, Md.)
- Orlando, Fla.: Friday, Jan. 18, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., at Lake Brantley High School
- New York, N.Y.: Friday, Jan. 25, at Riverside Church
- Houston, Texas: Tuesday, Feb. 12, at High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
- San Francisco, Calif.: Friday, Feb. 22, San Mateo High School
- Los Angeles, Calif.: Saturday, Feb. 23, at Santa Monica High School
This list represents our most current information. Please be aware that it differs from and supersedes what is printed on the Part 1: Vanderbilt Common Application Supplement. Off-campus audition dates and specific locations will be updated as the time approaches, so please check back often. When completing the Music Profile, students interested in off-campus auditions should list their preferred city in the Audition or Interview Request section, in the space marked "Other."
How to apply
Begin the application process through the main Vanderbilt website. Students applying to the Blair School of Music will need to apply to Vanderbilt University using the Common Application. In addition, Blair applicants need to submit the Blair Profile and Audition Form to request an audition. Please pay attention to the application dates and deadlines!
Application info for voice students only
Prescreening recordings are required for all voice major auditions.
Voice applicants who wish to audition for the Blair School of Music must submit a video recording via getacceptd.com/Vanderbilt by November 1 for Early Decision I candidates, and by January 3, 2013 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision candidates.
After review by the voice faculty, selected applicants will be invited to audition in person at Blair. Early Decision I auditions will be held on December 1. Students applying as Early Decision II candidates will be heard on January 26, 2013. Regular Decision candidates may choose January 26, February 9 or February 23, 2013.
Please be sure to indicate your preferred audition weekend on your application. A pianist will be provided. All candidates must have applied to Vanderbilt University and completed the Blair Profile and Audition Form, as outlined above, before any recording will be reviewed.
Instrumental DVD auditions
Blair accepts DVD auditions only from students who live outside a 400-mile radius of Nashville. DVDs must include the appropriate repertoire (see below). Blair reserves the right to require a live audition on campus if deemed necessary. DVD and completed Blair Profile and Audition Form should be sent care of the Assistant Dean of Admissions and postmarked no later than February 1, 2013.
Composition portfolio
Applicants for the composition/theory major or the musical arts concentration in composition must submit a portfolio of two original compositions, postmarked by February 1, 2013. The composition faculty will call to schedule interviews with students who are being seriously considered for admission. Interviews may be conducted on campus of by telephone.
Practice entrance examination in music theory
Admission to the Blair School of Music requires successful completion of an examination in music theory, which will be administered during your audition weekend. The sample test below represents every element of the examination you will be given. Please review it to determine if you need assistance or instruction in any of the areas covered before your audition. There are numerous resources for study, including various textbooks, workbooks and online tools such as www.musictheory.net. You may also wish to speak with your current music teachers for assistance.
Please know that a lack of background in music theory is not prohibitive to your admission into the Blair School of Music. The faculty recognizes there are differences, sometimes vast, in applicants' backgrounds and opportunities. This exam focuses not just on an applicant's existing knowledge base, but also, and perhaps more importantly, on the applicant's aptitude for learning and the innate desire to excel in every area of the music discipline.
Download the sample music theory examination.
Recommended audition repertoire
Woodwinds
Brass
Strings
| Violin (Performance/Musical Arts) | Cello (Musical Arts) |
| Viola (Performance) | Double Bass (Performance) |
| Viola (Musical Arts) | Double Bass (Musical Arts) |
| Cello (Performance) |
Keyboard
| Piano (Performance) | Organ (Performance) |
| Piano (Musical Arts) | Organ (Musical Arts) |
Percussion
| Percussion (Performance) | Percussion (Musical Arts) |
Classical Guitar
| Classical Guitar (Performance) | Classical Guitar (Musical Arts) |
Harp
| Harp (Performance) | Harp (Musical Arts) |
Voice
Composition & Theory
Woodwinds
Flute (Performance)
- Major and minor scales
- Three solo pieces, standard sonata or concerto movements of contrasting styles/periods, demonstrating technical proficiency and musical maturity
Flute (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- Two solo pieces, standard sonata or concerto movements of contrasting styles/periods, demonstrating technical proficiency and musical maturity
Oboe (Performance)
- Major and minor scales
- Two movements of a sonata, concerto, or similar work from the standard oboe literature that contrast in style and time period, and represent the applicant's musical and technical skill. Applicants should feel free to contact oboe professor Jared Hauser for specific suggestions.
- Either a Ferling etude or one of the Barret 16 Grand Studies
Oboe (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- Two movements of a sonata, concerto or similar work from the standard oboe literature that contrast in style and time period, and represent the applicant's musical and technical skill. Applicants should feel free to contact oboe professor Jared Hauser for specific suggestions.
- Either an etude of Ferling or Barret
Clarinet (Performance)
- Major and minor scales
- Mozart Concerto (1st movement exposition), Weber Concerto No. 2, or Debussy Premiere Rhapsodie
- Two contrasting Rose (32) etudes or three contrasting orchestral excerpts
Clarinet (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- Two contrasting Rose (32) etudes
- Mozart Concerto (1st movement exposition), Stravinsky 3 Pieces, Debussy Premiere Rhapsodie, or either Weber Concerto
Saxophone (Performance)
- Major and minor scales
- Two contrasting movements from a solo work, sonata or concerto from the standard saxophone repertoire. Please contact saxophone professor Brian Utley for suggestions if necessary. The contrasting movements may be from the same work or from different works, and should demonstrate the applicant's technical proficiency and musical maturity.
- Two contrasting etudes from Ferling's 48 Famous Studies
Saxophone (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- Two contrasting movements from a solo work, sonata or concerto from the standard saxophone repertoire. Please contact saxophone professor Brian Utley for suggestions if necessary. The contrasting movements may be from the same work or from different works, and should demonstrate the applicant's technical proficiency and musical maturity.
- One etude from Ferling's 48 Famous Studies or Voxman's Selected Studies
Bassoon (Performance)
- Major and minor scales
- Two movements of a sonata, concerto, or similar work from the standard bassoon literature that contrast in style and time period, and represent the applicant's musical and technical skill. Applicants should feel free to contact bassoon professor Peter Kolkay for specific suggestions.
- An etude from the 50 Advanced Studies of Weissenborn, the Concert Studies of Milde, or a similar collection
Bassoon (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- Two movements of a sonata, concerto, or similar work from the standard bassoon literature that contrast in style and time period, and represent the applicant's musical and technical skill. Applicants should feel free to contact bassoon professor Peter Kolkay for specific suggestions.
- An etude from the 50 Advanced Studies of Weissenborn
Multiple Woodwinds (Performance)
Audition on two instruments using recommended repertoire for each instrument. Note: There is no musical arts major in multiple woodwinds.
Brass
Horn (Performance)
- Major and minor scales, two octaves
- Etude from Maxime-Alphonse, Gallay, or Kling
- Mozart concerto or Strauss Concerto No. 1
- Orchestral excerpts
Horn (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- Etude of choice
- Movement from a Mozart concerto
Trumpet (Performance)
- Major and minor scales
- Two contrasting etudes, such as Charlier, Brandt, or Bousquet
- Movement of the Haydn Concerto, Hummel Concerto, Hindemith Sonata, or similar work
- Orchestral excerpts
Trumpet (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- Etude by Arban, Bousquet, Charlier, Concone, Pottag, or Vonnetelbosch
- Solo by Corelli, Fizgerald, Goeyens, Handel, or similar work
Trombone (Performance)
- Major and minor scales
- Two contrasting etudes, such as Bordogni-Rochut or Kopprasch
- Major contemporary work (such as Hindemith Sonata or Gordon Jacob Concerto) demonstrating technical proficiency and musical maturity
- Orchestral excerpts
Trombone (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- An etude by Kopprasch, Rochut, or Tyrell
- A solo by Galliard, Guilmant, Rimsky-Korsakov, Serly, Serocki, or similar work
Bass Trombone (Performance)
- Major and minor scales
- Two contrasting etudes using the thumb valve(s)
- Solo work demonstrating technical proficiency and musical maturity
- Orchestral excerpts
Bass Trombone (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- Etude by Arban, Kopprasch, Rochut, or Tyrell
- Solo by Galliard, Guilmant, Rimsky-Korsakov, Serly, Serocki, or similar work
Euphonium (Performance)
- Major and minor scales
- Two contrasting etudes technical and lyrical
- Solo by Barat, Capuzzi, Sparke, Ellerby or similar work
- Orchestral or band excerpts (optional)
Euphonium (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- Two contrasting etudes, technical and lyrical
- Solo by Barat, Capuzzi, or similar work
Tuba (Performance)
- Major and minor scales
- Two contrasting etudes
- First movement of the Vaughan Williams or Gregson Concerto, Hindemith Sonata, or similar work
- Orchestral excerpts
Tuba (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- Etude by Blazhevich, Bordogni, or Kopprasch3) Solo by Marcello, Haddad, Hartley, or similar work
Strings
Violin (Performance/Musical Arts)
- First or third movement of a standard concerto, memorized
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo sonata or partita, memorized
Viola (Performance)
- Etude demonstrating technical proficiency
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach unaccompanied cello suite (memorized)
- First or third movement of a standard viola concerto including, but not limited to, Hoffmeister, Rolla, or Stamitz; or any movement from a standard 20th-century concerto including, but not limited to, Hindemith, der Schwnendreher, Bartok, or Walton (memorized)
Viola (Musical Arts)
- Etude demonstrating technical proficiency
- One movement of a Bach unaccompanied cello suite
- One movement of a concerto. Note: If preparing the Telemann Concerto in G, a slow-fast pair of movements is required.
Cello (Performance)
- Etude demonstrating technical proficiency
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach unaccompanied suite (memorized)
- Movement of a standard concerto (memorized)
Cello (Musical Arts)
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach unaccompanied suite (memorized)
- Movement of a standard concerto (memorized)
Double Bass (Performance)
- First movement of a concerto
- Contrasting concerto movement or solo piece
Double Bass (Musical Arts)
- Major and minor scales
- Etude by Simandi
- Solo by Telemann or Vivaldi
Keyboard
Piano (Performance)
Memorization required
- Major and harmonic minor scales, four octaves
- Prelude and fugue from Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier or similar contrapuntal Baroque work
- Complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart (excluding K.545), Beethoven (excluding Op. 49) or similar work from the classical period
- A work from the Romantic or Impressionistic period
- A work in a contemporary idiom by a major 20th- or 21st-century composer
- Sight reading, demonstrating moderate proficiency
Piano (Musical Arts)
Memorization required. The Musical Arts audition repertoire should be a minimum of approximately 15 minutes.
- Major and harmonic minor scales, four octaves
- One or more movements from a major sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven
- At least two contrasting works from the Baroque, Romantic, Impressionistic, or 20th/21st-century periods
- Sight reading
Organ (Performance)
Applicants with no previous organ experience may audition on piano, using the requirements listed for piano.
- Praeludium by Buxtehude, Bruhns, Lubeck, etc., or a chorale prelude or work such as Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, BWV 533 by Bach
- Mendelssohn sonata movement, Brahms chorale prelude, one of Vierne's 24 Pieces en style libre, or similar Romantic work
- Sight reading, such as hymn or anthem accompaniment
Organ (Musical Arts)
Applicants with no previous organ experience may audition on piano, using the requirements listed for piano.
- Major and minor scales
- Short composition from an organ method by Gleason, Peeters, Andrews, Ritchie/Stouffer, Ragatz, Soderlund, etc.
- Manual or manual and pedal work from 80 Chorale Preludes by German Masters of the 17th and 18th centuries or similar work
Percussion
Percussion (Performance)
Selections are required from all three areas:
Snare Drum
- Demonstrated proficiency of basic techniques including open and closed rolls, flams, paradiddles, ruff, and drags
- Solo in rudimental or concert style
Keyboard Percussion (marimba, xylophone, vibraphone)
- Major and minor scales, two octaves
- Major and minor arpeggios, two octaves
- Solo using two to four mallets
Timpani
- Demonstrated proficiency of basic strokes and rolls using contrasting dynamics
- Interval recognition
- Solo using two to four drums
Percussion (Musical Arts)
Selections from at least two areas:
Snare Drum
- Etude by Cirone, Feldstein, Firth, Goldenberg, Wilcoxen, Handel, McMillan, or Whaley
Keyboard Percussion (marimba, xylophone, vibraphone)
- Major and minor scales, two octaves
- Solo by Bach, Cirone, Goldenberg, Handel, McMillan, Peters, or Whaley
Timpani
- Etude by Cirone, Firth, Goodman, Hinger, McMillan, Peters, or Whaley
Drum Set
- Etude by Appice, Cappazolli, Chopin, Fink, Kettle, Reed, or Rogers
- Demonstration of selected styles (rock, swing, Latin, etc.)
Classical Guitar
Classical Guitar (Performance)
Memorization Required
- Major and minor scales
- Proficient basic technique, including proper use of rest-stroke and free-stroke
- Solo representing each period: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic
- Fifth solo of applicant's choice
Classical Guitar (Musical Arts)
Memorization required
- Major and minor scales
- Etude by Aguado, Carcassi, Carulli, Giulani, or Sor
- Selection from Solo Guitar Playing, Vol. I by Noad or Classic Guitar Technique by Shearer
Harp
Harp (Performance)
- One movement of a concerto by Handel, Mozart, Dittersdorf, or similar work
- Two contrasting solo pieces from different periods
Harp (Musical Arts)
- Two contrasting solos from different periods
- Etude by Bochsa, Pozzoli, Salzedo, or Bach-Grandjany
Voice
The repertoire requirements are the same for all students applying in voice, regardless of major program. Those selected to audition in person may perform the same repertoire submitted on the prescreening video, if they so choose. A change in repertoire must follow audition guidelines.
- Voice students must submit an audition video via getacceptdcom/vanderbilt.
- Applicants should prepare two art songs, one in English and one in a foreign language. No musical theater, and no arias composed after 1800.
Composition and Theory
Requirements are the same for the concentration in composition within the Musical Arts degree and for the B.Mus. degree in Composition/Theory
- Portfolio of scores and/or DVDs/CDs of original compositions
- Personal interview at request of the composition faculty
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