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Woodwind

MM Audition Materials and Requirements: Woodwind

Bassoon
Prepare a 20-minute audition, which includes the following:

• Two or three movements from solo works of contrasting periods (Baroque, Classical/Romantic, and 20th Century).
• Two etudes chosen from Milde, Bozza, Dubois, Bianchi, Bertoni, Boutry, Bitsch or comparable collections.
• Two contrasting orchestral excerpts.
• All scales and arpeggios.

Clarinet
The clarinet area works to keep auditions less formulaic so you have the opportunity to present yourself in what you feel is your best possible light. The clarinet area does not have a required repertoire list as this limits what can be found out about a player/person in the audition.

If you come to campus, the actual audition time is only 20 minutes.  We spend some time with you following the audition.  We suggest two contrasting works – these can be excerpts of pieces as well as perhaps a couple of short orchestral excerpts.

If you send a recording, make it no longer than 20 minutes and, again, make certain it represents you at your best.  Recorded auditions should be of high quality.  All tapes or compact discs should be clearly labeled with your name and phone number.

Flute
Live and taped auditions are accepted; however, if you wish to be considered for available scholarships a live audition is preferred.

• One movement from either the G-major or D-major Mozart Concerto.
• Two twentieth-century works for either solo flute or flute and piano.
• Three orchestral excerpts.
• Piano accompaniment is strongly recommended, but not required.

Oboe

• 15- to 20-minute program of your choice. 
• Selections should be drawn from the standard repertoire, including something baroque and something post-1950. 
• Include one or two orchestral excerpts. 
• Etudes are acceptable.

Saxophone
If you are interested in pursuing advanced studies in saxophone in the Herberger College School of Music at Arizona State University, you have a strong musical foundation during your undergraduate education. Such a foundation will be evident during the audition through the performance of scales and solo literature from, though not confined to, the lists below. You may bring supporting materials such as recordings, but admission will be decided based primarily on the audition.

Due to time constraints, you may be asked to play portions of larger works. The results of the audition are based on the depth of your technical and musical abilities; demonstration of not only the correct performance of a work (notes, articulations, rhythms, etc.), but also the creative and insightful interpretation of the music.

As a master’s degree applicant in saxophone performance, you will need to demonstrate a thorough understanding of all full-range major scales and arpeggios (full range implies that all scales are expanded to include the entire normal range of the instrument). An ability to play in the altissimo register is also necessary and can be displayed either through scales or performed literature. Be prepared to perform two solo works of contrasting style that best demonstrate your technical ability and musical instincts. The standard repertoire for the saxophone includes those works that are compositionally strong, musically interesting and have stood the test of time. Such appropriate works include:

• Bonneau’s Caprice en forme de valse
• Creston’s Sonata
• Desenclos’ Prelude, cadence et finale
• Dubois’ Concerto
• Glazounov’s Concerto        
• Husa’s Elegie et Rondeau
• Ibert’s Concertino de Camera        
• Martin’s Ballade
• Maurice’s Tableaux de Provence
• Muczynski’s Sonata
• Milhaud’s Scaramouche
• Noda’s Mai
• Rorem’s Picnic on the Marne
• Villa Lobos’ Fantasia
• Schmitt’s Legende

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a program is that you should present as complete a picture as possible your ability. It is a short period of time to make a lasting impression. Those interested in pursuing a MM in saxophone are encouraged to contact Dr. Michael Hester and should feel comfortable asking questions related to the audition requirements or other pertinent information regarding the graduate saxophone program in the ASU Herberger College School of Music.

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