So you’ve decided to take the next step and apply to one of our music programs? 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
Applicants to the following programs and instruments need to submit a prescreening video recording or portfolio for review 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, organ, piano, trombone (bass and tenor), trumpet, viola, violin, or voice (regardless of degree or program)
- Collaborative piano majors
- Graduate composition majors
- Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance applicants
- Artist Diploma applicants
- Opera Institute applicants
Prescreening recordings and portfolios are due by December 1! Applicants will be notified of prescreening results in early January. Keep an eye out in your inbox!
Requirements by Instrument
Bassoon
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 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) and Artist Diploma (AD) 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 Boston auditions
We strongly suggest memorization of Bach and the concerto.
Clarinet
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
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 piano
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
Visit our Audition Dates page to find out when Composition interviews take place next.
Choral Conducting
Master of Music (MM), Master of Sacred Music (MSM), Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
- The prescreening video recording should include 20-30 minutes of the candidate in rehearsal and/or performance with a choral ensemble
Orchestral Conducting
Master of Music (MM) and Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Repertoire
- The prescreening video recording should include 20-30 minutes of the candidate in rehearsal and/or performance with an orchestral ensemble
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) and Artist Diploma (AD) 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 applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions
Euphonium
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
- 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
Harp
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a master’s-level recital program
Harpsichord
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
Historical Performance
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
Horn
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
Oboe
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
Organ
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
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
Percussion
NOTE: Prescreen videos are NOT required for percussion BM, MM, or PD auditions.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Artist Diploma (AD) Repertoire
- One piece each on snare drum, timpani, and mallets.
Piano
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
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 Boston auditions
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
- 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
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)
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):
- 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)
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions
Tuba
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
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 1 major and 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) and Artist Diploma (AD) 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 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) and Artist Diploma (AD) 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 applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions
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) 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
The prescreening video recording should include:
- 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
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 from one opera, one aria from oratorio, and at least one song composed since 1950
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for Boston auditions
Video Recording Guidelines
Check out these handy tips to record a high-quality prescreening video.
