Instrumental Music Audition Instructions

Applicants seeking admission into the Music Department for Instrumental Music will be expected
to:

Play two memorized scales
Play a prepared solo selection of their choice
Be prepared to play a second solo should the jury so require
Sight-read on their instrument from music selected by the jury panel
Demonstrate ability to match with their voices pitches that will be played on the piano by a panel member

The Baltimore School for the Arts supplies a piano, practice drum pads, timpani and mallet
instruments, and music stands. Percussion will be required to audition solely on the snare drum.
Applicants must bring with them all other instruments and music equipment needed in the
audition.

The music jury/panel considers the potential of each applicant. Previous training or the lack
thereof is not necessarily a determining factor in the department’s decision for acceptance.

Those students interested in auditioning for the BSA Jazz Program must first complete
the audition for the Music Program and the additional requirements for the jazz program
are listed under the BSA Jazz Program.

SUGGESTED AUDITION REPERTOIRE

Flute and Oboe
Any repertoire from the Rubank Advanced Method or Rubank Selected Studies

Clarinet
Any repertoire from the Rubank Advanced Method for Clarinet, Volume 1
(recommended – Page 24 #6 or Page 56 #18)

Bassoon
Any repertoire from the Weissenborn Studies Op. 8 Book I or II

Saxophone
Any repertoire from the Rubank Advance Method for Saxophone, Volume 1
(recommended: Page 23 #5 or Page 34 #18)

Trumpet
Contempora Suite – Gordan Young
Bist du bei mir – J. S. Bach, arr. by Fitzgerald Ballad – Fitzgerald
Scales: one -octave Major scales up to 3-sharps and 3-flats and the chromatic scale

French Horn
Mozart Concert #3, mvt. II Hunt – Ployahr
Scales: C Major and Chromatic (slur and tongue)

Trombone
Etude #5 from Rubank Advanced Method for Trombone
Euphonium/ Baritone

Bass Clef: same as trombone

Treble Clef: Page 7, #8 Rubank Method

Tuba
Any selection from Rubank Advanced Method (recommended: Page 8, #15)

Piano
All major and minor scales, 2 octaves Two selections from repertoire such as:
J.S. Bach: Two-part Inventions
Any Kuhlau or Clementi Sonatina
A selection from the Mendelssohn Songs Without Words
Any Chopin Waltz or Mazurka
A selection from Schumann’s Album for the Young, the Grieg Lyric Pieces, or a comparable piece

Violin
2 octave scale and arpeggios
Any Etude from Wohlfart Book II, Preparing for Kreutzer, Book I or II
2 contrasting movements from a concerto (suggestions – Vivaldi, Bach, Viotti, DeBeriot, Accolay
or from a Handel sonata)

Viola
2 octave scales and arpeggios Wohlfahrt etude Bk. I – any etude Marcello Sonata – Presto
2 contrasting movements of a concerto (suggestions: Telemann, Handel,
Zelter,JC Bach, Accolay) Bach Suite No. 1 for Viola – Bourree I or any other
movement

Bass
One-octave F, B-flat, or G Major scale and arpeggio Any selection from “Bach for Bass,”
Schirmer pub.

Harp
Two contrasting solos of the student’s choice. No scales are necessary. Sight reading required.

Cello
2 octave scales and arpeggios
Must be fluent in first position through fifth position. Two contrasting solos. Suggested repertoire minimum level: La Cinquantaine, movements from a Vivaldi or Romberg sonata.

Guitar
Choose one of the following etudes from Op. 35 by Fernando Sor: (nos. 3, 13, 14, 17, or 22)
Choose one etude from Estudios Sencillos by Leo Brouwer (Nos. 1-10)
One octave, diatonic major and minor scales in the first two positions (one note per beat at
metronome equals 120)

Violin
2 octave scale and arpeggios
Any Etude from Wohlfart Book II, Preparing for Kreutzer, Book I or II
2 contrasting movements from a concerto (suggestions – Vivaldi, Bach, Viotti, DeBeriot, Accolay
or from a Handel sonata)

Bass
One-octave F, B-flat, or G Major scale and arpeggio Any selection from “Bach for Bass,”
Schirmer pub.

Harp
Two contrasting solos of the student’s choice. No scales are necessary. Sight reading required.

Cello
2 octave scales and arpeggios
Must be fluent in first position through fifth position. Two contrasting solos. Suggested
repertoire minimum level- La Cinquantaine, movements from a Vivaldi or Romberg
sonata

Percussion
Percussion auditions are conducted on the snare drum (alone)
Please bring solos appropriate to that instrument
Please – no improvised pieces
Percussionists may choose to use the selection Haskell Harr. book 2, p. 90 sheet music (this selection is only a suggestion, not requirement)
If you have had training on the timpani and mallet instruments, you are asked to play a solo on those instruments as well.
BRING DRUMSTICKS. DO NOT BRING A DRUM SET.
The music jury considers the musical potential of each applicant
Previous training or the lack of training is not necessarily a determining factor in acceptance to the program