To arrange an audition, you must:

1. Complete and submit the Shepherd School Audition Form by January 2, 2008. Mail your completed audition form to:

Grimaldo Robles
Graduate Music Admissions
Shepherd School of Music – MS 532
Rice University
P.O. Box 1892
Houston, TX 77251-1892

2. Attention Double Bass, Flute, Orchestral Conducting, Piano Chamber Music, String Quartet and Violin applicants: Due to limited availability within specific studios or programs, a preliminary audition recording is required from all applicants for these areas (only those Violinists whose preferred teacher is Mr. Goldsmith must submit a preliminary tape). The preliminary recording is due by January 2, 2008 with your audition form.

3. Call the Audition Coordinator at 713-348-3578 to schedule an audition time. It is the applicant’s responsibility to request an audition. The Shepherd School does not automatically schedule any auditions.

Please click on your area of study for specific audition dates and repertoire requirements. Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Composition, Double Bass, Flute, Harp, Horn, Music Theory, Musicology, Oboe, Orchestral Conducting, Organ, Percussion, Piano Performance, Piano Chamber Music, String Quartet, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola, Violin, Voice

Bassoon:  February 4, 11 and 25, 2008
Required graduate audition repertoire:

• Mozart Concerto, Movements 1 and 2
• One Milde scale and chord étude op. 24
• A slow, melodic étude of the applicant’s choice (recommended Orefici, Jancourt or equivalent)
• Orchestral excerpts:
• Overture to Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro
• Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 4, movement 2

Cello: January 28, February 4 and 11, 2008
Required graduate audition repertoire:

• An étude by Popper or a caprice by Franchomme, Servais, Paganini, or Piatti
• A full concerto
• A movement of a sonata
• Two contrasting movements of a solo suite by Bach 

The concerto and the Bach should be played from memory if possible.  If a live audition is not possible, please submit a video recording.

Clarinet: February 8, 15, 18 and 29, 2008
Required graduate audition repertoire:

• Mozart, Clarinet Concerto
• A major work from the 19th century (concerto or clarinet and piano)
• A major work from the 20th or 21st century (concerto or clarinet and piano)
• An unaccompanied work other than the Stravinsky Three Pieces.
• You may play only two contrasting movements from a multiple-movement work.
• Orchestral excerpts:
• Beethoven Symphony No. 6 (movements 1 and 2)
• Kodaly, Dances of Galanta
• Mendelssohn, Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Respighi, Pines of Rome
• Schubert, Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished)
• Stravinsky, The Firebird (variation only). 

An accompanist is neither required nor provided.

Composition:  Composers must submit a portfolio of compositions that are representative of their work to date.  To establish the applicant's musical ability and background, applicants must demonstrate proficiency on a musical instrument by submitting an audition recording with a performance by the applicant of music from the standard repertoire.  It is not required that instrumental competence be at the level of a major in performance.  A live audition is not required, but an interview with a composition faculty member is suggested.  Please send copies of your work, as application materials cannot be returned.

Double Bass: Preliminary DVDs are due January 2, 2008.
The Shepherd School Office of Music Admissions will contact double bass applicants invited for a live audition upon review of the preliminary recordings. Live auditions will be scheduled individually on a date and time in January or February that is mutually convenient to the applicant and faculty.
Required graduate audition repertoire:

• Preliminary DVD required (DVD may include live audition repertoire)
• Two contrasting movements of solo Bach (from any of the solo suites for cello)
• Two movements of a major concerto
• Representative excerpts from
• A Mozart Symphony (Nos. 39, 35, 40, 41)
• Brahms Symphony No. 1 or 2
• Beethoven Symphony 5, 3rd movement
• Either Don Juan or Ein Heldenleben of Strauss. 
• Students are expected to know major and minor scales and arpeggios in three octaves.

Flute: Preliminary recordings are due January 2, 2008.
Live auditions will be held February 8, 15, 18, and 29, 2008.
The Shepherd School Office of Music Admissions will contact flute applicants invited for a live audition upon review of the preliminary recordings.

Preliminary recording requirements:

• Any recent recording (cassette or CD) that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to interpret several contrasting styles and orchestral excerpts is acceptable.
• Works for flute and piano (or orchestra) should be taped with accompaniment.
• Recording must be timed or banded so that the beginning of each work can be easily found.

Live audition repertoire:

• Four works representing different styles from the standard repertoire. 
• At least one should be from memory. 
• Only two contrasting movements of any multiple-movement work are required. 
• In addition, be prepared to play the major solo from these orchestral works:
• Brahms Symphony No. 4
• Saint Saëns Carnival of the Animals
• Ravel Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2
• Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphoses
• Stravinsky The Firebird (variation only)
• An accompanist is neither required nor provided.

Harp: February 22, 23, 2008
Graduate Audition Requirements

• Twenty to thirty minutes of solos from the 17th to 20th centuries.
• Études or movements of a concerto may be included
• Transcriptions of Bach or Handel or any major composer may be included
• Repertoire should demonstrate both technical proficiency and musical development sufficient to justify the expectation of meeting the degree requirements from the school within the time prescribed by the curriculum.

• Be prepared to play two contrasting solos of your choice (examples: Mozart No. 2 or No. 4 contrasted with a Strauss concerto)
• In addition, prepare excerpts which cover the following criteria:
• Soft and low (examples: Mahler 1st low tutti or Variation 8 of Strauss Don Quixote)
• Soft and high (examples: Ravel G major piano concerto or Pavane)
• Loud and low (examples: Shostakovich 5th low tutti or Variation 7 of Don Quixote)
• Loud and high (examples: Beethoven 7th or Wagner Siegfried Call)
• Something that encompasses the full range (examples: openings of Ein Heldenleben or Till Eulenspiegel). 
• In addition, scales, sight-reading, and transposition will be tested

Musicology: An interview is strongly recommended and can be arranged through the Music Admissions Office at 713-348-3578.  No performance audition is required.  Diagnostic exams in music history and music theory must be completed by the application deadline.

Oboe: January 21, 25 and February 25, 2008
Graduate Audition Requirements:

• A Bach aria
• Two contrasting études by Ferling
• Mozart Concerto
• Three excerpts of the applicant’s choice

Orchestral Conducting: Required preliminary DVD is due January 2, 2008.
The Shepherd School Office of Music Admissions will contact Orchestral Conducting applicants invited for a live audition and interview upon review of the preliminary DVDs. Live auditions will be scheduled individually on a date and time in March that is mutually convenient to the applicant and faculty.

Organ: Live auditions will be scheduled individually on a date and time mutually convenient to the applicant and faculty.      
Graduate Audition Requirements:

• Be prepared to play one work each from the Baroque, Romantic, and Contemporary repertory. 
• Performance from memory is desired but not required.

Percussion: Live auditions will be scheduled individually on a date and time mutually convenient to the applicant and faculty.
Graduate Audition Requirements:

• Two solos on marimba (one four-mallet contemporary solo and one two-mallet solo, e.g., a Bach sonata or partita). 
• A timpani solo or étude and a snare drum étude (e.g., Delecluse).
• Orchestral excerpts in each of the following areas: Xylophone, bells, snare drum, and timpani. 
• You should also be able to demonstrate your proficiency in tuning the timpani and in performance on all other basic utility percussion instruments (e.g., triangle, tambourine, cymbals). 
• Sight-reading will be included.

• Prepare 45 minutes of memorized music, to include three of the following four style periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Impressionist/Contemporary.
• If possible, include a major work or Prelude and Fugue by Bach and an entire sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert. 
• Three contrasting styles should be represented; solo works are preferred (no two-piano pieces.) 
• Some sight-reading may be required. 
• Scales and arpeggios will not be required

Piano Chamber Music and Accompanying:
Required preliminary recording (audio or video) due January 2, 2008.
Live audition dates: February 4, 11, 18, 25, 2008
Preliminary recording requirements:

• Submit a recording of a chamber music or duo performance. 

Live Audition Requirements:

• At least two solo works of different historical periods, to be performed from memory. 
• An entire sonata for piano and violin or cello (the selection of this work must be approved by Mr. Brian Connelly, and the school will, if possible, provide the applicant with a violinist or cellist). 
• Sight-reading and an interview may be required.

String Quartet: Required preliminary recording (audio or video) due January 2, 2008.
Following a review of the recordings, groups under final consideration will be invited for a live interview-audition in February or early March.
Preliminary recording requirements:

• Two or three complete works of contrasting style.

Live audition requirements:

• Two or three complete works of contrasting style.
• Individual members will also be asked to play solo auditions to include a movement of a concerto and two contrasting movements of solo Bach.

Trombone: January 14, 28, and February 11, 2008
Graduate Audition Requirements:
Be prepared to play several works (such as a concerto, sonata, or other solo piece) from your studies of the past two years, as well as excerpts from orchestral literature that best demonstrate your abilities.

Trumpet: January 28, February 8, 18, 2008
Graduate Audition Requirements:

• Haydn Concerto, movement I
• Honegger Intrada
• A solo of applicants choice (one movement only)
• Orchestral excerpts: 
• Bach Magnificat (opening)
• Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 3 (off-stage solo)
• Mahler Symphony No. 5 (opening)
• Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition (first promenade)
• Respighi Pines of Rome (off-stage solo)
• Stravinsky Petrouchka (ballerina dance)
• Major/minor scales, sight-reading and transposition may be tested.

Tuba: January 25, February 8, 22, 2008
Graduate Audition Requirements:

• All major/minor scales and arpeggios in two octaves (one chromatic scale in three octaves)
• A solo piece or concerto movement of your choice
• Two contrasting (lyrical/technical) études
• Standard orchestral excerpts. 

If preferred, solo works may be performed on Bass Tuba, but candidates should perform the majority (or all) of their audition on Contrabass Tuba.  It is not necessary to transport two instruments on your audition.  Expect sight-reading.

Viola: January 18, February 1, 11, 22, 2008
Graduate Audition Requirements:

• A major concerto (two movements minimum, played from memory)
• Three movements from a Bach Cello Suite
• One composition of a different style

If a live audition is not possible, a video recording is acceptable.

Violin:  
Auditions for Mr. Goldsmith’s studio: February 1, 15, 25, 2008
Preliminary recordings are due January 2, 2008.
Audition requirements for Mr. Goldsmith:

• The first movement, with cadenza, of a major concerto from the standard literature
• Two contrasting movements from the Bach solo Sonatas/Partitas
• Two additional works of the candidate’s choice, of which one is to be chosen from the Classical period (not a sonata). 
• If not a live audition, a video recording is preferable.

All compositions must be played from memory.

Auditions for Mr. Lin’s studio: January 14, February 1, 4, 22, 2008
Audition requirements for Mr. Lin: (No DMA auditions January 14)

• The first movement of a major concerto (cadenza included) from the standard repertoire
• Two contrasting movements from the Bach solo Sonatas/Partitas
• Two contrasting concert works of the candidate’s choice, one of which has to be written after 1945. 
• If not a live audition, a video recording is preferable.

All compositions except the post-1945 work must be played from memory.

Auditions for Mr. Luca’s studio: February 11 and 22, 2008
Audition requirements for Mr. Luca:

• The first movement, with cadenza, of a major concerto from the standard literature
• Two contrasting movements from the Bach solo Sonatas/Partitas
• Two additional works of the candidate’s choice, of which one is to be chosen from the Classical period (not a sonata).
• If not a live audition, a video recording is preferable.

All compositions must be played from memory.

Auditions for Ms. Winkler’s studio: February 1, 8, 22, 25, 2008
Audition requirements for Ms. Winkler: 

• All major and minor scales and arpeggios in three octaves
• The first movement, with cadenza, of a major concerto from the standard repertoire
• Two contrasting movements from an unaccompanied Bach solo Sonata/Partita
• Two additional works of the candidate’s choice. 
• If not a live audition, a video recording is preferable.

All compositions must be played from memory

Voice: January 18, 19, 25, 26, February 1, 2, and 8, 2008
Graduate Audition Requirements:

• At least one song each in English, French, Italian, and German
• Three arias of your choice
• Your contrasting selections must include at least one representation of the following periods:
• Baroque
• Classical
• Romantic
• Music composed after 1950
• Please be prepared to sight-read music as well as read foreign language texts.