We’re thrilled to hear you are considering your music studies at BU, in Boston, a city filled with so much art, music, and culture. As a BU music student, you’ll have the opportunity to work with professors who are leaders in their field. They’re performing at Symphony Hall, attending international music education conferences, and still have enough time in the day to teach and help shape the next generation of musicians (that includes you!)
Prescreening Guidelines
Applicants to the following programs and instruments need to submit a prescreening video recording or portfolio by December 1 through the Online Portal, Acceptd, in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition or interview at CFA:
- Cello, choral conducting, double bass, flute, orchestral conducting, piano, trombone (bass and tenor), trumpet, viola, violin, voice (regardless of degree or program)
- Collaborative Piano applicants
- Graduate composition majors
- Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance (all instruments)
- Artist Diploma applicants (all instruments) – This program is not accepting applications for Fall 2026.
- Opera Institute applicants – This program is not accepting applications for Fall 2026.
NOTE: Applicants who are not required to prescreen and plan to audition live on campus must create their Acceptd portal within enough time to schedule their audition by January 5, 2026.
Prescreening Requirements by Instrument
Bassoon
There is no prescreening required for Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), or Performance Diploma (PD) applicants in bassoon. However, all applicants must create an Acceptd portal so that we can schedule your audition.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for the final-round Boston audition.
Cello
Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire
- 1 movement of an unaccompanied Bach suite
- 1 movement of a standard concerto or sonata
Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire
- 1 movement of an unaccompanied Bach suite
- 1 movement of a standard concerto
- 1 movement of a standard sonata with piano (preferably from a different style period than the Bach and concerto)
We strongly suggest memorization of Bach and the concerto.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
- A movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite
- A movement from a standard concerto
- A movement from a standard sonata with piano (preferably from a different style period than the Bach and concerto)
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for the final-round Boston audition
We strongly suggest memorization of Bach and the concerto.
Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- A complete unaccompanied Bach suite
- A complete standard concerto
- A complete standard sonata with piano (preferably from a different style period than the Bach and concerto)
Clarinet
There is no prescreening required for Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), or Performance Diploma (PD) applicants in clarinet. However, all applicants must create an Acceptd portal so that we can schedule your audition.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for the final-round Boston audition
Collaborative Piano
Master of Music (MM) Repertoire
- When beginning your prescreening video, please state your name and that you are applying for the Master of Music in Collaborative Piano program. Then, speak briefly about your interest in the program. Your introduction should be approximately 60 seconds (1 minute) total
- 1 German art song
- 1 French art song
- 1 American or British art song
- First movement of any violin or cello sonata by Beethoven or Brahms
All selections must be performed with a partner. Repertoire from the live audition requirements may be used as part of the pre-screening video.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
- When beginning your prescreening video, please state your name and that you are applying for the Doctor of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano program. Then, speak briefly about your interest in the program. Your introduction should be approximately 60 seconds (1 minute) total
- DMA collaborative piano applicants should prepare a prescreening recording with 30 minutes of music selected from the in-person audition repertoire listed on the Audition Repertoire page. All selections must be performed with a collaborating partner.
Composition
Master of Music (MM) and Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Score Submission and Interview Requirements
- All graduate composition applicants are required to submit a portfolio for pre-screening review
- Submit at least 3 original compositions in good manuscript form, reflecting a variety of instrumental and formal types, including at least one work for a larger group such as a chamber orchestra and/or chorus
- Please also include audio recordings of each submitted composition; acoustic recordings are strongly preferred rather than MIDI realizations
- Applicants who pass the prescreening must complete an interview with members of our Composition & Theory faculty
- Applicants should have a copy of their portfolio available for the interview
- Candidates may be required to participate in various placement tests or proficiencies on the day of the interview
- A performance audition is not required for admission to graduate programs in composition
Choral Conducting
Master of Music (MM), Master of Sacred Music (MSM, through BU’s School of Theology), Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
- A rehearsal recording of a candidate (8-10 minutes)
- A performance recording with a choral ensemble (8-10 minutes)
- The camera should be facing the candidate and audio should be intelligible.
Orchestral Conducting
Master of Music (MM) and Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
- 2-3 recordings of 2-3 contrasting repertoire (15-30 minutes)
- All recordings must be filmed from the players’ view of the conductor.
- It is preferred that videos are made with a full orchestra; though, a mixed ensemble of about 15 musicians is acceptable.
Double Bass
Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire
- A movement from Bach Cello Suites
- A movement from the standard solo literature, or the 1st Movement from a standard bass concerto, including the published cadenza
- Two (2) standard orchestral excerpts
Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire
- A movement from Bach Cello Suites
- A movement from the standard solo literature, OR the 1st Movement from a standard bass concerto, including the published cadenza
- Three (3) standard orchestral excerpts
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
- A movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite
- A movement from a standard concerto
- A movement from a complete sonata
- Standard orchestral excerpts of contrasting tempi and styles
Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- A complete unaccompanied Bach suite
- A complete standard concerto
- A complete sonata
- Standard orchestral excerpts of contrasting tempi and styles
- Memorization is not required
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions
Euphonium
There is no prescreening required for Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), or Performance Diploma (PD) applicants in euphonium. However, all applicants must create an Acceptd portal so that we can schedule your audition.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions
Flute
Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare two contrasting movements from either a Mozart Concerto or a Bach Sonata
- One additional piece of your choosing from the standard flute repertoire that exemplifies a different style, such as but not limited to Chaminade Concertino, Faure Fantasy, Piece pour Flute Seule by Ibert, Hue Fantasie, Dutilleux Sonatine, Hindemith Sonata and Prokofiev Sonata
- If the work is through-composed, it should be prepared in its entirety
- If a multi-movement work, prepare two contrasting movements
- Two contrasting standard orchestral excerpts — one lyrical and one technical
Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare a movement of a sonata or concerto from four contrasting works and from the following eras:
- The Baroque
- The Classical
- The Contemporary (late 20th century and 21th century—demonstrating some use of extended techniques)
- Either the Romantic or the French School of the 1800s or mid-1900s (complete sonatas and concertos are not required)
- Applicants should also prepare the major flute solos from all of the following orchestral works:
- Ravel Daphnis et Chloe
- Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night’s Dream (scherzo)
- Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (opening 4 bar solo, continue at rehearsal #2)
- Prokofiev, Peter and the Wolf, Opus 67 (opening solo)
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program, including music from the Baroque Era, Classical Era (concertos are acceptable), French or Romantic Era, and a piece composed within the last 50 years. Pieces that demonstrate some knowledge and use of extended techniques should be included. Your selections should represent approximately 60 minutes of music and the committee may choose from this material
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for the final-round Boston audition
Harp
There is no prescreening required for Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), or Performance Diploma (PD) applicants in harp. However, all applicants must create an Acceptd portal so that we can schedule your audition.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
Horn
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
Updated 11/15/24
- Exposition of a Mozart Concerto
- Contrasting selection from another solo work or etude
- 3 contrasting orchestral excerpts
- If you need suggestions, please see the list of orchestral excerpts on this page under ‘Horn.’
Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions
- Memorization is required for the concerto/concerti and optional (but recommended) for the remaining repertoire
Oboe
There is no prescreening required for Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), or Performance Diploma (PD) applicants in oboe. However, all applicants must create an Acceptd portal so that we can schedule your audition.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions
Percussion
There is no prescreening required for Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), or Performance Diploma (PD) applicants in percussion. However, all applicants must create an Acceptd portal so that we can schedule your audition.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- One piece each on snare drum, timpani, and mallets.
Piano
Prescreening recordings for all piano applicants must be submitted as one, single-take video.
Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire
- One work or movement of a work by J.S. Bach
- One movement of a sonata from the Classical period (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or similar)
- One work or movement of a work from the Romantic period (Chopin, Schubert, Liszt, Brahms, or similar)
- One work or movement of a work from the twentieth century (Debussy, Ravel, Copland, Bartók, or similar)
Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire
- One work from the Baroque
- One work from the Classical
- One work from either the Romantic or Contemporary period
- In the case of multi-movement works, the following is acceptable in prescreening video:
- Several short movements from a Baroque suite
- Any Bach Prelude and Fugue must be presented in its entirety
- Two contrasting movements from a Classical sonata. (i.e. the first movement and contrasting slow movement; or, if the first movement is a slow movement, please submit a contrasting fast movement)
- A single movement from a large Romantic or Contemporary piece
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level graduation recital program
Saxophone
There is no prescreening required for Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), or Performance Diploma (PD) applicants in saxophone. However, all applicants must create an Acceptd portal so that we can schedule your audition.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions
Trombone (Bass)
Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare two contrasting solo works and should be selected from works with a minimum difficulty of Cameos by Jacob, Concerto for Bass Trombone by Lebedev, or Ballade by Ewazen. Accompaniment for solo works is optional for prescreening.
- Applicants should prepare 3 orchestral excerpts. Some examples include:
- The Creation, Haydn
- The Ride of the Valkyries or Lohengrin, Prelude to Act lll, Wagner
- La Gazza Ladra, Rossini
- Chorale, Symphony #1, Brahms
- Hungarian March, Berlioz
- Symphony #3 “The Rhenish,” Schumann
Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire
- Two contrasting solo pieces
- An étude or study
- Four orchestral excerpts
Accompaniment for solo works is optional for prescreening.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare contrasting solo pieces and orchestral excerpts
Accompaniment for solo works is optional for prescreening.
Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for the final-round Boston audition
Trombone (Tenor)
Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire
- Two contrasting solo works
- Three orchestral excerpts
Excerpt examples include:
- Requiem, Tuba Mirum, tenor trombone solo, Mozart
- Hungarian March, Berlioz
- The Ride of the Valkyries or Lohengrin, Prelude to Act lll, Wagner
- Bolero, 1st Trombone solo, Ravel
- La Gazza Ladra, Rossini
- 2nd Trombone solo from Russian Easter Overture, Rimsky-Korsakov
- Chorale, 1st Trombone part, Symphony #1, Brahms
- 1st trombone solo, Symphony #3, Saint-Saens
Accompaniment for solo works is optional for prescreening.
Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire
- Two contrasting solo pieces
- An étude or study
- Four orchestral excerpts
Accompaniment for solo works is optional for prescreening.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare contrasting solo pieces and orchestral excerpts.
Accompaniment for solo works is optional for prescreening.
Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditi
Trumpet
Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire
- Measures 1-24 of Characteristic Study #1 from J.B. Arban Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet (Cornet) or a comparable technical etude
- Measures 1-24 of Etude #2, 4, or 6 from Théo Charlier 36 Études Transcendantes or a comparable lyrical etude
- 2-3 minutes of a movement from a solo of the applicant’s choosing
Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire
- Étude #1, 3, or 5 from Marcel Bitsch Vingt Études or a comparable technical etude
- Étude #2, 4, or 6 from Marcel Bitsch Vingt Études or a comparable lyrical etude
- Measures 1-34 from Arthur Honegger Intrada
- J.S. Bach Magnificat (Trumpet 1 mvt. 1, mm. 1-15) or a comparable excerpt or solo passage on piccolo trumpet
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Two movements (one slow, one fast) from a Baroque-era concerto
- J. Haydn Concerto in E flat (mvt. 1, with cadenza composed by the applicant)
- One movement from a post-1930 sonata for trumpet and piano
- One movement from a post-tonal work
- Orchestral excerpts (all Trumpet 1):
- Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra (mvt. 5, mm. 211-254)
- Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story (Mambo, mm. 508-541)
- Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade (mvt. 4, Letters C-D and T-U)
Tuba
There is no prescreening required for Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), or Performance Diploma (PD) applicants in tuba. However, all applicants must create an Acceptd portal so that we can schedule your audition.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for the final-round Boston audition
Viola
Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire
- One movement of an unaccompanied Bach Suite
- One movement of a standard concerto or sonata
- An étude or study
- One major and one minor 3-octave scale and arpeggio (of your choice)
Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire
Applicants should prepare one movement from each of the following:
- An unaccompanied Bach Suite
- A standard concerto (Walton, Hindemith, Bartok, or the equivalent)
- A Romantic or a 20th-century sonata with piano
We highly suggest memorization for the Bach and the concerto.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
- A movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite
- A movement from a Romantic or 20th-century sonata with piano
- A movement from a standard concerto (Walton, Hindemith, Bartok, or the equivalent)
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for the final-round Boston audition
Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- A complete unaccompanied Bach suite
- A complete Romantic or 20th-century sonata with piano
- A complete standard concerto (Walton, Hindemith, Bartok, or the equivalent)
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions
Violin
Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire
Applicants should prepare at least two solo works, one from memory. We suggest:
- One movement of solo Bach
- One movement of a standard concerto or sonata
Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire
Applicants should prepare one movement from each of the following:
- An unaccompanied Bach sonata or partita
- A standard concerto
- A standard sonata with piano (preferably from a different style period)
- A virtuoso show piece
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
Applicants should prepare the following:
- A movement from an unaccompanied Bach sonata or partita
- A movement from a standard concerto
- A movement from a standard sonata with piano (preferably from a different style period)
- A virtuoso showpiece
Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- A complete unaccompanied Bach sonata or partita
- A complete standard concerto
- A complete standard sonata with piano (preferably from a different style period)
- A virtuoso showpiece
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for the final-round Boston audition
Voice (Includes Opera Institute)
Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire
Applicants are asked to prepare three songs from memory from the classical art song repertoire:
- Of the three selections, one must be in Italian and one in English
- The third selection may be in Italian, English, German or French and should be chosen from the art song literature in those languages
- If English is not your native language, please also include an additional piece in your native language
Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD in Voice) Repertoire
Applicants should prepare and perform from memory a total of five (5) selections as follows:
- One art song in German
- One art song in French
- One art song in English
- One art song OR Baroque aria in Italian
- One operatic OR oratorio aria
The Performance Diploma in Voice Performance (PD in Voice) program is separate from the Opera Institute (PD in Opera) program, with different application and repertoire requirements.
Opera Institute (Performance Diploma in Opera) Repertoire
Please note that admission to the Opera Institute for the Fall 2026 application cycle has been suspended. Applications will reopen in September 2026 for Fall 2027 admission.
The prescreening video recording should include:
- Five (5) opera arias (one of which must be in English) of contrasting style, displaying the applicant’s abilities in various languages, musical periods, and styles
The Opera Institute (PD in Opera) program is separate from the Performance Diploma in Voice Performance (PD in Voice) program.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
For the prescreening video, present:
- Six (6) selections
- Four art song selections one in each of the following languages: English, Italian, German, and French
- One opera aria
- One oratorio aria
Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare an audition program of recital length in four languages: English, Italian, German, and French. Two contrasting arias, one aria from oratorio, and at least one song composed since 1950
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for the final-round Boston audition
Video Recording Guidelines
Check out these handy tips to record a high-quality prescreening video.
