School of Music Audition Repertoire and Portfolio Requirements

For certain department areas, final recorded auditions or virtual-live auditions may be permitted for Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) applicants. Please write to Zachary Schwartz, Director of Admissions, to inquire about appropriate audition procedures for your instrument.

DMA Strings Applicants

DMA Strings applicants may submit a final recorded audition at the discretion of the Director of Admissions and the Department Chair. Applicants must adhere to the following requirements:

Prepare one, single-take video, at least twenty (20) minutes in duration, of the following:

• Relevant repertoire from your instrument’s list below in the “Audition Requirements by Instrument” section.
• Your verbal discussion of all three of the following prompts:
  1. A brief introduction of yourself, your background, and your musical interests.
  2. Your specific reasons for applying to the DMA at Boston University, and how this will advance your musical and academic goals.
  3. What are two non-musical interests of yours? Help us get to know you!

DMA Piano and Collaborative Piano Applicants

DMA Piano and Collaborative Piano applicants may request a virtual-live (i.e., Zoom) audition, by writing to the Director of Admissions, Zachary Schwartz and the Chair of Keyboard, Professor Shiela Kibbe. DMA Keyboard applicants may not submit a recorded audition.

DMA Woodwind Applicants

DMA Woodwind applicants may request a virtual-live (i.e., Zoom) audition, by writing to the Director of Admissions, Zachary Schwartz. DMA Woodwind applicants may not submit a recorded audition.

DMA Voice Applicants

DMA Voice applicants may request a virtual-live (i.e., Zoom) audition, by writing to the Director of Admissions, Zachary Schwartz. DMA Voice applicants may not submit a recorded audition.

Bachelor of Music (BM), Master of Music (MM), and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

• 3 contrasting movements from 3 different musical periods. One work should be from the major solo repertoire. A solo étude is acceptable for one of the selections. Accompaniment is not required
• 3 contrasting orchestral excerpts
• Sight-reading may be requested

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

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

• 1 movement of an unaccompanied Bach suite
• 1 movement of a standard concerto or sonata
• Prepare to play an étude or study
• All major and minor scales, arpeggios, and sight-reading may be requested in the audition

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) and 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)
• Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions

We strongly suggest memorization of Bach and the concerto.

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

• Applicants should prepare two works or movements of contrasting styles

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

Applicants should prepare three contrasting works from the:

• Classical period
• Romantic period
• Contemporary period

Orchestral excerpts can be substituted for one or two of the solo works.

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

Sight-reading and playing by ear may also be tested for all applicants of all levels. 

Master of Music (MM) Repertoire

Auditioning pianists must perform with a partnering singer and instrumentalist in the in-person final audition. Boston area auditioning pianists must bring their own collaborating partners to the audition. Pianists coming from out of town who are unable to bring their own collaborating partners can contact Professor Shiela Kibbe to make arrangements. For the audition, you will need to prepare:

• Vocal: Four classical art songs in original keys:
  • Schubert Ganymed (A flat major)
  • Debussy C’est l’extase (E major)
  • Brahsm Ståndchen Op. 106 (G major)
  • Barber St. Ita’s Vision, from Hermit Songs (high key)
• Instrumental: Two complete (all movements) duo sonatas:
  • One sonata for violin or cello by Beethoven
  • One sonata for violin or cello by Brahms

Auditioning pianists will be asked to sight-read vocal and instrumental repertoire and may be asked to read the text of any art song from their audition repertoire.

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire

All auditioning pianists are asked to submit their complete audition repertoire list to Professor Shiela Kibbe by early January to ensure the availability of on-campus collaborating instrumentalists and singers. Boston area auditioning pianists must supply their own collaborative partners.

For the audition, you will need to choose one component from each of the four listed categories: 

1. Debussy Ariettes Oubliées (complete; high key) or Fauré – Violin Sonata in A Major, Op.13
2. German lieder (high keys; prepare all)

• Schubert – Im Frühling882
• Schubert – Suleika I720
• Schubert – Rastlose Liebe 138
• Schumann – Mondnacht 39a

or

Beethoven – Violin or Cello sonata (complete)

3. German lieder (high keys; prepare all)

• Brahms – Die Mainacht 43
• Brahms – Botschaft47
• Strauss – Cäcilie27
• Strauss – Ständchen17

or

Brahms – Violin or Cello sonata (complete)

4. Barber – Hermit Songs (high key; complete)

or

Franck – Violin Sonata

Auditioning pianists will be asked to sight-read vocal and instrumental repertoire and may be asked to read the text of any art song from their audition repertoire.

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

• Submit at least three (3) original compositions in good manuscript form. Your portfolio should demonstrate talent, some knowledge of contemporary music, and technical skill
• Submitting audio recordings of your submitted compositions is encouraged but not required. Please note that your compositions should be in digital format as they will be uploaded in Acceptd.

Scores are due by the following deadlines:

• November 1 for undergraduate Early Decision and Spring Transfer applicants
• January 7 for undergraduate Regular Decision applicants
• March 1 for fall transfer applicants (We strongly suggest fall transfer applicants adhere to the Regular Decision timeline)

Composition applicants are accepted based on the strength of the composition portfolio and academic record.

Applicants who wish to study with a faculty member on their primary instrument (instrumental/vocal) are required to audition. Composers should check the guidelines for audition requirements for the appropriate instrument.

Composition applicants who do not successfully place into an applied faculty member’s studio or who do not wish to take a primary studio audition will enter the piano track and may study with an advanced graduate student on piano. This piano track focuses on the keyboard skills necessary as a composer, and not those of a performer.

There is no formal interview process required for undergraduate composers with our composition faculty, but students are welcome to reach out to department chair Dr. Martin Amlin.

Master of Music (MM) and Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Score Submission and Interview Requirements

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

Visit our Audition Dates page to find out when Composition interviews take place next.

Master of Music (MM), Master of Sacred Music (MSM), and Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire

• Candidates will be asked to sing an art song and play a solo keyboard composition at the level of a Bach two-part invention

Choral Conducting is only open to DMA Applicants for fall 2023. 

Master of Music (MM) and Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire

• Candidates will conduct an ensemble as the final part of the audition. The live audition will also include an individual interview and a general musicianship examination

Orchestral Conducting is only open to DMA Applicants for fall 2023. 

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
• Memorization is not required

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

• A movement from Bach Cello Suites
• 1st movement from a standard bass concerto, including the published cadenza
• Three (3) standard orchestral excerpts
• Any solo piece of the applicant’s choosing
• Memorization is not required

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and 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

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

• Two contrasting solo works
• One étude or study
• Two or three orchestral excerpts

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

• One piece from the Baroque or Classical period
• One piece from the Romantic period
• One contemporary piece
• Orchestral excerpts

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

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
  • 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 would be welcome but are not required. 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 Boston auditions

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

• Orchestral excerpts
• Two contrasting solo works, one of which should be an original composition for harp (the other work may be a transcription)
• One étude

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

Applicants must be prepared to perform three compositions:

• 1 from the Baroque or Classical period
• 1 from the Romantic period
• 1 from the Contemporary period
• Applicants may also offer orchestral excertps

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire

• Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

• A work by J.S. Bach
• A work by an eighteenth-century French composer
• A work from the seventeenth century

Of the pieces listed above, one should be brilliant and another lyrical.

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire

• A major work by J.S. Bach
• A work by an eighteenth-century French composer
• A work from the seventeenth century
• A sonata by Scarlatti or Soler

Of the pieces listed above, one should be brilliant and another lyrical.

Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire

• Applicants should prepare a 30-minute recital program demonstrating the applicant’s technique, musicality, scholarship, and artistry
• Chamber music is not recommended for AD auditions

Master of Music (MM), Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire

• Instrumental: Instrumentalist applicants must demonstrate proficiency by performing a representative sample of appropriate repertoire from the 16th through 18th centuries in at least two different national styles. The audition program should contain one lyrical and one brilliant work
• Vocal: Three languages are required in repertoire from the 16th through 18th centuries. The audition program should contain one lyrical and one brilliant work

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

• Two solo works
• One étude
• Two or three passages from the orchestral repertoire
• Applicants may be asked to perform all scales and arpeggios that demonstrate musicianship and technique and be prepared to sight-read literature appropriate to the instrument
• Memorization is required for the concerto/concerti and optional (but recommended) for the remaining repertoire

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

• One work or movement of a work from the Baroque or Classical period
• One work or movement of a work from the Romantic period
• One contemporary work or movement
• Orchestral excerpts
• Memorization is required for the concerto/concerti and optional (but recommended) for the remaining repertoire

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
• Memorization is required for the concerto/concerti and optional (but recommended) for the remaining repertoire

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

• Applicants should prepare solo works and études or studies written expressly for the instrument
• As well as be prepared to play passages from the orchestral repertoire, all scales and arpeggios, and sight-read
• Auditions are usually performed without accompaniment
• Consider works that demonstrate cantilena style (slow tempo, legato melodic lines, sustained phrasing, singing tone quality) and technical facility (fast tempo, variety in rhythm, correct phrasing, tone quality, clean articulation)
  • Sonata No. 1 or No 2. by Handel
  • First movement from Sonata by Hindemith
  • First movement, F Major Quartet, K.370 by Mozart
  • Symphony No. 4 (slow movement) by Tchaikovsky
  • Symphony No. 3 (“Eroica”) by Beethoven
  • Symphonies by Brahms, Schumann, or Mozart

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

• One piece from the Baroque or Classical period
• One piece from the Romantic period
• One contemporary piece
• Orchestral excerpts

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

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

• A work by J.S. Bach (a chorale prelude, or a prelude and fugue excepting “little”)
• A work from before 1750
• A work from after 1800 (until the present)

Of these, one should be lyrical, another brilliant, and they should represent two different nationalities. A short sight-reading test will be given

Master of Music (MM) and Master of Sacred Music (MSM) Repertoire

• A work by J.S. Bach (a large chorale prelude, trio sonata, or major prelude and fugue) or one of his contemporaries
• A major work from the Romantic repertoire
• A piece of contemporary music
• Applicants may also be asked to demonstrate other keyboard skills, although it is understood that a candidate may not have had much experience in this area

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire

• A major work of J.S. Bach
• A work from before 1750
• A work from 1800 to 1900
• A work from after 1900 (until the present)

Of these, one should be lyrical, another brilliant, and they should represent at least two different nationalities.

Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire

• Applicants should prepare a 30-minute recital program demonstrating the applicant’s technique, musicality, scholarship, and artistry

NOTE: Prescreen videos are NOT required for percussion BM, MM, or PD auditions.

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

Snare:

• One concert solo or etude of your choice
  • Suggested composers: Delecluse, Cirone, Peters, or similar
• One rudimental solo or etude of your choice
  • Suggested composers: Pratt, Tompkins, Wilcoxon, or similar

Timpani:

• One solo or etude of your choice
  • Suggested composers: Hochrainer, Woud, Firth, Goodman, Carroll, or similar

Keyboard:

• One two-mallet solo or etude of your choice
  • Suggested works: a movement of J.S. Bach’s Violin Sonatas and Partitas, G.H. Green Rags, solos from MassChap Xylophone Collection, or similar. If you use a transcription (like Bach) for one of your mallet solos, please use a contemporary solo for the other

One four-mallet solo or etude of your choice:

• Suggested works: a movement from J.S. Bach’s Violin Sonatas and Partitas, Cello Suites, or Lute Suites; works from the Intermediate Marimba Masterworks books, works by Eric Sammut, Joe W. Moore III, or Keiko Abe. If you use a transcription (like Bach) for one of your mallet solos, please use a contemporary solo for the other

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

Snare:

• One concert solo or etude of your choice. Suggested composers: Delecluse, Cirone, Peters, or similar
• One rudimental solo or etude of your choice. Suggested composers: Pratt, Tompkins, Wilcoxon, or similar

Timpani:

• One solo or etude of your choice. Suggested composers: Hochrainer, Woud, Firth, Goodman, Carroll, or similar

Keyboard:

• One two-mallet solo or etude of your choice. Suggested works: a movement of J.S. Bach’s Violin Sonatas and Partitas, G.H. Green rags, solos from MassChap Xylophone Collection, or similar. If you use a transcription (like Bach) for one of your mallet solos, please use a contemporary solo for the other

One four-mallet solo or etude of your choice:

• Suggested works: a movement from J.S. Bach’s Violin Sonatas and Partitas, Cello Suites, or Lute Suites; works from the Intermediate Marimba Masterworks books, works by Eric Sammut, Joe W. Moore III, Pius Cheung, or Keiko Abe. If you use a transcription (like Bach) for one of your mallet solos, please use a contemporary solo for the other.

Two excerpts from the orchestral repertoire:

• Each on snare drum, timpani, and xylophone (six excerpts total)

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire

• Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program

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)

Memorization is mandatory for all who audition for Performance. For all other majors (Music Education, Composition, Musicology), memorization is highly recommended. Concerto literature is not recommended for the live audition. Arrangements of popular music, jazz compositions, reductions, simplifications, and/or transcripts of original compositions are not acceptable for auditions.

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

Complete works should be presented for the live audition. All works should be performed from memory. Concerto literature is not recommended for the live audition.

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire

• Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level graduation recital program

Complete works should be presented for the live audition. Concerto and chamber literature are not recommended for the live audition.

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

Applicants should prepare the following:

• Solo works
• Études

Sight-reading may be given at the audition.

Below are examples of the literature appropriate for an audition. You should consider works that demonstrate cantilena style (slow tempo, legato melodic lines, sustained phrasing, singing tone quality) and technical facility (fast tempo, variety in rhythm, correct phrasing, tone quality, clean articulation):

• Sonata by Paul Creston or Bernard Heiden
• Glazunov’s Concerto
• Paule Maurice’s Tableaux de Provence

Candidates should play contrasting movements or sections of one-movement works. One slow and one fast étude by Ferling and one étude from Karg-Elert 25 Caprices, Book 1 (or a work of comparable difficulty).

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

• Applicants should prepare three contrasting works. One piece should be from the standard repertoire
• Applicants may also offer orchestral excerpts suitable their own instrument

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

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. Solo works will be performed without accompaniment at the live audition.
• 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

Solo works will be performed without accompaniment at the live audition.

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire

• Applicants should prepare contrasting solo pieces and orchestral excerpts

Solo works will be performed without accompaniment at the live audition.

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

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

Solo works will be performed without accompaniment at the live audition.

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

• Two contrasting solo pieces
• An étude or study
• Four orchestral excerpts

Solo works will be performed without accompaniment at the live audition.

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire

• Applicants should prepare contrasting solo pieces and orchestral excerpts.

Solo works will be performed without accompaniment at the live audition.

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 audition

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

• Characteristic Study #1 from J.B. Arban Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet (Cornet)
• Etude #2, 4, or 6 from Théo Charlier 36 Études Transcendantes
• One movement from a solo of the applicant’s choosing
• Three excerpts (all Trumpet 1) chosen by the applicant among:
  • Copland: An Outdoor Adventure (Lyrical Solo)
  • Mahler: Symphony No. 5 (mvt. 1, opening solo)
  • Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition (Opening Promenade)
  • Ravel: Piano Concerto in G (mvt. 1, Figure 2 to 3)
  • Respighi: Pines of Rome (mvt. 2 offstage solo)
  • Stravinsky: Petrushka (Ballerina’s Dance)

Sight-reading and playing by ear will also be tested.

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

• Étude #1, 3, or 5 from Marcel Bitsch Vingt Études
• Étude #2, 4, or 6 from Marcel Bitsch Vingt Études
• Arthur Honegger Intrada
• Orchestral excerpts (all Trumpet 1):
  • Schumann: Symphony No. 2 (mvt. 1, mm. 1-13);
  • J.S. Bach: Magnificat (mvt. 1, mm. 1-15);
  • Gershwin: Concerto in F (mvt. 2, m.5 to Figure 1)
• One movement from a solo of the applicant’s choosing

Sight-reading and playing by ear will also be tested.

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)  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):
  • Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story (Mambo, from the high solo to the end of the movement)
  • Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade (mvt. 4, Letters C-D and T-U)
  • Scriabin: Poem of Ecstacy (7 before Figure 11 to 9 before Figure 20)
• Additional solo repertoire as offered by the applicant (optional)

Sight-reading and playing by ear will also be tested.

Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire

• Material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
• Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

• Two contrasting solo works
• One étude or study
• Two or three orchestral excerpts

Scales, arpeggios, and sight-reading may be given at the audition.

Master of Music (MM) and Performance Diploma (PD) Repertoire

• One piece from the Baroque or Classical period
• One piece from the Romantic period
• One contemporary piece
• Orchestral excerpts

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

Bachelor of Music (BM) Repertoire

• One movement of an unaccompanied Bach Suite
• One movement of a standard concerto or sonata
• An étude or study
• All major and minor scales and arpeggios>

Sight-reading may be requested in the audition.

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) and 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

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

An accompanist will be provided at the live audition for any pieces with piano accompaniment.

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

We strongly suggest memorization for the Bach, the concerto, and the show piece. An accompanist will be provided at the live audition for any pieces with piano accompaniment.

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire

Applicants should prepare the following:

• 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
• We strongly suggest memorization for the Bach, the concerto, and the show piece.
• Doctor of Musical Arts applicants will be provided with an accompanist at the live audition for any pieces with piano accompaniment. Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions

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) 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

Opera Institute (Performance Diploma in Opera) Repertoire

• Five (5) arias (one of which must be in English) of contrasting style, displaying the applicant’s abilities in various languages, musical periods, and styles. The arias may be the same or different ones used for the prescreening recording
• One (1) straight theatre monologue in English to be recited at the audition
• Bring 3 resumes, 3 headshots, and 3 repertoire lists to give to the Opera & Voice faculty panel

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and 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 an oratorio, and at least one song composed since 1950
• Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions