CLASSICAL
GUITAR
Considerable flexibility is permitted in the
choice of audition material. Guitarists
admitted to the
undergraduate program
should demonstrate a degree of technical
fluency and musical awareness
appropriate to the level of audition literature.
The School of Music recognizes that some
talented students
may lack
the benefit
of substantial previous classical guitar
training. These
students may be offered a conditional acceptance
into the program to
pursue remedial study (for credit) and
work toward a formal audition.
For more information on USC’s guitar
studio, please visit Professor Christopher
Berg’s website.
COMPOSITION
Students interested in studying composition
should submit three scores of compositions
or arrangements
with recordings,
if possible.
For more information on the composition
program, including admission requirements, please visit
the USC
Composition website.
Students interested in being reviewed
for composition
admissions
and/or composition
scholarships should schedule an interview
with a member of the composition faculty on the
same day
as their
auditions. To request
an interview, contact the Director of
Music Admission, Jennifer
Jablonski,
when registering for an audition. All prospective
composition
majors must successfully
complete a
music audition.
EUPHONIUM
Candidates in the brass area should prepare
two movements from different
compositions from the standard solo
repertoire that show a contrast in
style, one fast and the other slow
and lyrical. (Two single movement works
are also acceptable.) Accompaniment
is not required. Major scales should
be
prepared; sightreading will be required.
FLUTE
Candidates in flute should prepare
two movements from different
compositions from the standard solo
repertoire that show a contrast in
style, one fast and the other slow
and lyrical. (Two single movement
works
are also acceptable.) Accompaniment
is not required. Major scales should
be
prepared; sightreading will be required.
HORN
Horn candidates should prepare two
movements from different
compositions from the standard
solo repertoire that show a contrast
in
style, one fast and the other slow
and lyrical. (Two single movement
works
are also acceptable.) Accompaniment
is not required. Major scales should
be
prepared; sightreading will be
required.
JAZZ
Please visit the USC
Jazz website for the most
up-to-date audition and scholarship
information.
OBOE
Candidates must prepare at least
two selections that demonstrate
contrasting styles. These
can include
etudes as well as
solo pieces. Considerable flexibility
is permitted in the choice
of audition
material. Oboists admitted
to the undergraduate
program should demonstrate a degree
of technical fluency and musical
awareness
appropriate to the level of
the audition literature. This means
it is better to play easier
pieces well than to play
difficult
pieces poorly. Some appropriate
audition pieces
include
standard etudes by Barret or
Ferling, concertos by Marcello
or Haydn,
and sonatas by Hindemith or
Handel. Auditions
will include sight reading
and scales. Music scholarships
are available to qualified
applicants. Scholarship
candidates are strongly
encouraged
to apply early.
For more information on USC’s
oboe program, please visit
Professor
Rebecca Nagel’s
website.
ORGAN
Audition repertory should consist
of one contrapuntal work
by Bach or Buxtehude,
a work from the
nineteenth century,
and, if possible,
a piece from the twentieth
century. Memorization is
not required.
PERCUSSION
Please
click here to consult the USC Percussion website
for up-to-date
requirements
for percussion
auditions.
PIANO
Students auditioning to
be considered for a performance
degree should
prepare a balanced
program of three
memorized works
from contrasting style
periods.
The program may involve
either complete
works or individual movements
from larger
works. Students auditioning
for entrance to other
music degree programs
or a auditioning for
a minor in music should
prepare two works from
contrasting
style periods.
Students
majoring
in areas other than
music, but wishing
to pursue elective study
in piano, should prepare
one piece
which
best represents
their skills.
In the case
of non-performance
degrees,
memorization is encouraged
but not required. There
is no examination
of technical
rudiments, but all
applicants will be asked
to sightread at the audition.
SAXOPHONE
Saxophonists should prepare
two movements from
different
compositions from the
standard solo repertoire
that show
a contrast in
style, one fast and
the other slow and
lyrical.
(Two single
movement
works
are also acceptable.)
Accompaniment is not
required. Major
scales should be
prepared and sightreading
will be required.
STRINGS
Strings candidates
should be prepared
to play two
works in contrasting
styles that best
represent the
student's
highest
technical and
musical achievement.
Recommended is a
movement of solo Bach,
as well as
a concerto
movement
or short
solo
piece. At least
one work
from memory is recommended,
but not mandatory.
Accompaniments are
encouraged
but not
required. Students
interested in the
USC
String Project
should be prepared
to describe briefly
why
they are interested
in music
education and
summarize
any teaching
experience.
TROMBONE
Trombonists should
prepare two or
three pieces in
contrasting styles:
lyrical/legato
and technical/tongued.
These
varied styles can
be different movements
from the same work.
Students
may select
etudes,
solos or
orchestral excerpts.
In addition,
sightreading
will be
required.
Suggested
pieces (tenor trombone):
Guilmant, Morceau
Symphonique (Concert
Piece)
Galliard, Sonata
No. 1
Barat, Andante
and Allegro
Rimsky Korsakov,
Concerto (esp.
mvts. I and II)
St. Seans, Cavatine
Larsson Concertino
(esp mvts II
and III)
Suggested
etudes (tenor trombone):
Bordogni/Rochut,
Melodious Etudes
for Trombone
Voxman, ed.,
Selected Studies
Suggested pieces
(bass trombone):
Haddad, Suite
for Tuba (esp.
mvts
I and II)
Lassen/Bollinger,
Two Fantasy Pieces
Jacob, Cameos
(esp. mvts. I,
II or
III)
Hindemith, Drei
Leichte Stucke
(Three Easy
Pieces)
Suggested etudes
(bass trombone):
Bordogni/Rochut,
Melodious Etudes
for Trombone
(down an octave)
Bordogni/Ostrander,
Melodious Etudes
for Bass Trombone
Grigoriev, Studies
Candidates are
free to select
other works
of
comparable difficulty.
Above all,
auditioners
should choose
music on which
they sound their
best.
For more information
on
the USC
Trombone
studio,
please visit
Dr.
Brad Edwards’ website.
TRUMPET
Candidates in
the brass area
should
prepare
two movements
from different
compositions
from the standard
solo
repertoire
that show
a contrast
in
style, one
fast and the
other
slow and
lyrical.
(Two single
movement
works
are also acceptable.)
Accompaniment
is not required.
Major
scales should
be
prepared; sightreading
will be required.
TUBA
Candidates
in the brass
area
should
prepare
two movements
from different
compositions
from the
standard
solo
repertoire
that show
a contrast
in
style, one
fast and
the other
slow and
lyrical.
(Two single
movement
works
are also
acceptable.)
Accompaniment
is not required.
Major
scales should
be
prepared;
sightreading
will be required.
VOICE
Students
should
bring a minimum
of three
memorized
selections
in contrasting
style.
Examples
of repertoire could include
selections
from the "Twenty-Four
Italian
Songs and
Arias" collection
or "The
First/Second
Book of
SATB Solos," compiled
by Joan
Boytim.
One music
theater
piece is
also permissible.
One selection
in a foreign
language
is recommended.
No
taped accompaniments,
pop songs,
or unaccompanied
selections
are allowed.
A piano
accompanist
will be
provided
for all
auditioners,
and all
those auditioning
are encouraged
to use
our accompanist
at no charge.
All those
who choose
to use
our accompanist
perform
their audition
with no
rehearsal
time beforehand.
Auditioners
may instead
choose
to bring
their own
accompanist,
if they
desire.
Aural and
sightsinging
skills
will be
tested.
SUBMITTING
PRE-RECORDED
AUDITIONS
It is to
a student's
advantage
to
perform
a live
audition,
if possible.
Applicants
who
live outside
of South
Carolina
may try
to arrange
a
live
audition
on a date
other than
those offered,
with the
approval
of
the Director
of Music
Admissions.
Applicants
who live
outside
of South
Carolina
and who
are
unable
to travel
to the
campus
for an
audition
may submit
a pre-recorded
audition
on tape
or CD.
To
submit
a pre-recorded
audition,
register
for
an audition
and select
the "taped
audition" option.
Then
send
your
tape
or CD
to Jennifer
Jablonski,
Director
of Music
Admissions,
USC School
of Music,
813 Assembly
St.,
Columbia,
SC 29208.
Tapes
or CDs
should
be submitted
by candidates
as early
as
possible
in the
audition
review
cycle,
and they
should
be received
by USC
no later
than
the last
scheduled
audition
date.
