Performance Proficiency Audition Procedures
This page summarizes by area how each performance area assesses the performance proficiency requirement when met by audition. Students should review this information in the context of the full performance proficiency policy.
It is the student's responsibility to inform their own department of the scheduled exam, so that a faculty member in that department can be present for the exam if desired.
Brass
What to prepare
- A piece from the repertoire (One concerto movement, unaccompanied piece, substantial etude, etc.) performed with or without piano
- Two or three samples of orchestral, band, or jazz literature of contrasting styles
- Major and minor scales of two octaves (natural, harmonic, and melodic forms of minor scales)
Check with a faculty member of your instrument for specific suggestions.
Estimated audition length
Approximately 10-15 minutes.
When auditions are held
Usually scheduled on a jury date sometime in the last two weeks of the semester but may be arranged with faculty of your instrument
Who hears the audition
At least two members of your instrument faculty
How to schedule the audition
Contact any faculty member of your instrument (contact information is here)
Historical Performance
What to prepare
Students may audition on any appropriate instrument. Contact the Historical Performance Office (hpi@iu.edu or 812-855-4088)
The student should prepare, from memory, the melody (only) and three variations, in any key, on either:
(a) Greensleeves
(b) The Pachelbel Canon
Note: The faculty will consider requests to substitute alternative pieces. No technical exercises shall be required, and sight reading is unnecessary. Students may find the authentic, historic performances (c.1976) on many early music instruments to be helpful in preparing for the audition. The performances may be viewed on the 6-part DVD "Early Musical Instruments" (Music Library Call #: 9676849). Some instruments cited may be found in the HPI's Oliver Brookes Collection, and may be checked out from MA410 for use in the audition. A list, and pictures, of the instruments is obtainable from the Director of the EMI (playable condition is not guaranteed).
Additional note: Special attention will be paid by the audition committee to tuning, temperament and mode and, in the case of the voice, to the absence of vibrato.
Estimated audition length
5 minutes
When auditions are held
On jury dates in the last week of classes, in MU204 or MU205
Who hears the audition
A Historical Performance audition committee consisting of three full-time faculty (if available)
How to schedule the audition
Contact the Historical Performance Office (hpi@iu.edu or 812-855-4088)
Guitar
What to prepare
- One Study by Fernando Sor
- Any of the 5 Preludes by Villa Lobos
- Bouree by Bach or works of similar difficulty in arrangement with Prof. Petar Jankovic, who hears the exam.
Estimated audition length
10-15 minutes
When auditions are held
By appointment
Who hears the audition
Faculty member
How to schedule the audition
Contact Professor Petar Jankovic
Harp
What to prepare
Pieces of the level of a Pozzoli or Bochsa Etude, 1-2 Graded Recital Pieces (McDonald-Wood), Naderman Sonatinas, Grandjany 3 Pieces
Estimated audition length
About 10 minutes
When auditions are held
By appointment on Wednesdays beginning at 3:00 p.m., MA 003
Who hears the audition
The harp faculty
How to schedule the audition
Sign up outside MA 003
Jazz Studies
What to prepare
(1) Three tunes. For each tune be prepared to play the melodies and improvise over the chord changes from memory.
- Anthropology (Bb)
- Two from the following list:
- Joy Spring (F)
- Hot House (C)
- Donna Lee (Ab)
- Confirmation (F)
(2) Be prepared to play the following arpeggios and scales in all keys. For these there will be a sheet with chord symbols. You will be asked to arpeggiate the chord up and down and then play the scale. One good way to practice this is to make flash cards--one set with each of the 12 roots, another set with each of the chord symbols.
| Arpeggio | Scale |
| (none) | Chromatic |
| major 9 | Major |
| major 13 #11 | Lydian |
| major 7 #5 | Lydian Augmented |
| minor 9 (or 13) | Dorian |
| minor-major 9 (or 11) | Ascending Melodic Minor |
| half-diminished 7 | Locrian |
| half-diminished 7 maj 9 (add 11) | Locrian #2 |
| dominant 9 | Mixolydian |
| dominant 13 #11 | Lydian Dominant |
| dominant 9 #5 | Whole Tone |
| dominant 13 #11 b9 | Diminished (HW) |
| dominant 7 #9 #5 | Diminished-Whole Tone |
| root and triad a half step above the root (C/B) | Phrygian |
| diminished 7 | Diminished (WH) |
| (none) | Major Bebop Scale |
| (none) | Dominant Bebop Scale |
| (none) | Major Pentatonic |
| (none) | Minor Pentatonic |
| (none) | Blues Scale |
Estimated audition length
about 20 minutes
When auditions are held
By appointment
Who hears the audition
One or more members of the jazz studies faculty
How to schedule the audition
Contact Professor Thomas Walsh.
Organ
What to prepare
Music representing a minimum of two stylistic periods; one piece must come from the Baroque period and the other a work should be in a contrasting style from either the Romantic or Contemporary repertoire. Memorization is not required but accomplishing one's own registration is. The minimum standard of difficulty should be commensurate with the following repertoire: one of the Eight "Little" Preludes and Fugues or representative chorale preludes from the Orgelbüchlein of Johann Sebastian Bach, a free work from the North German repertoire or group of French Classical versets in contrasting styles; one movement from a Mendelssohn Prelude and Fugue or Sonata, Brahms Chorale Prelude or Vierne Piece in the Free Style; "The Peace may be exchanged" by Dan Locklair, Mvt. II from Hindemith Sonate II or Ned Rorem "There is a spirit that delights to do no evil," from A Quaker Reader.
Candidates should submit their repertoire for consideration to the Chair well in advance of the audition.
Practice in MA 407 will be arranged through the Curator of Organs.
Estimated audition length
12 to 15 minutes.
When auditions are held
Ad hoc with preference given to Mondays at 12:30 pm in MA 407.
Who hears the audition
The organ faculty.
How to schedule the audition
Contact department chair, Professor Chris Young
Percussion
What to prepare
Each of the following
- Snare Drum: Delecluse or similar advanced etude for snare drum
- Timpani: an advanced level etude (Vic Firth or Saul Goodman)
- Marimba/Keyboard Percussion: 5 minutes of a solo work; 4 mallets preferred
- If the candidate would like to demonstrate basic drum set styles (swing, Bossa Nova, rock, etc.) that is fine, but not mandatory
Estimated audition length
10 minutes
When auditions are held
May be scheduled at any time.
Who hears the audition
Two percussion faculty members. The candidate is also encouraged to bring a professor of their choice.
How to schedule the audition
Contact Prof. Joseph Gramley, chair of the percussion department.
Piano
What to prepare
Two or three substantial movements or pieces from distinct stylistic periods. An example of minimally acceptable repertoire would be:
- A Clementi Sonatina Allegro movement (for example from Op. 36)
- A Chopin prelude
- A Debussy Arabesque
Other repertoire may be acceptable—it is advisable to contact the department chair by email to determine whether the intended repertoire is appropriate.
It is recommended that students memorize their performance material. While memorization is not required, to perform at least part of the program from memory will reflect positively upon the performance.
Estimated audition length
Approximately 10 minutes
When auditions are held
Once each semester. The date (typically a Saturday close to the end of the semester) will be posted at the beginning of each semester outside MA010.
Who hears the audition
A faculty committtee
How to schedule the audition
Contact Professor David Cartledge before the beginning of the eighth week of the semester to request an examination and to discuss appropriate repertoire. This page has more details about this semester's procedure and dates.
Strings
What to prepare
Pieces similar to those listed below. Memorization is not required.
Violin: Vivaldi A Minor Concerto; Haydn G Major Concerto; Viotti Concerto No. 23
Viola: Telemann G Major Concerto; Marcello Sonatas
Cello: Bach, Arioso; Squire, Tarantella or Bourree; Bruch, Kol Nidre; Saint-Saens, The Swan or Allegro Appasionato; Vivaldi, Sonatas, Eccles, Sonata; Golterman, Concerto; Romberg, Concerto
Double Bass: Sonatas, like those of Vivaldi (originally for cello), Marcello (originally for cello), or Eccles; Concerti of Capuzzi, Dragonetti, or Dittersdorf; any movement from any of the Bach Unaccompanied Suites (originally for cello), in any key.
Estimated audition length
Approximately 10 minutes
When auditions are held
Generally in MU204 on Thursdays and Fridays between 4:15 and 6:30 p.m. A second attempt must be made within four weeks, though is subject to departmental scheduling practices.
Who hears the audition
Two members of the string department faculty.
How to schedule the audition
Fill out the String Department's hearing request form. Please note in your form that this hearing request is for a performance proficiency exam. If you have questions or concerns, contact Prof. Simin Ganatra.
Voice
The voice faculty expects that anyone who chooses to demonstrate performance proficiency in voice has had formal one-on-one voice lessons for at least a year. If you have never taken voice lessons, you should enroll in V700 for two semesters.
What to prepare
Four memorized pieces:
- At least one should be in English
- One should be in Italian, French, or German
- One may be from musical theater repertoire
These need not be difficult pieces. You can find suitable songs in the Boytim First Book series (The First Book of Soprano Solos, The First Book of Tenor Solos – Book II, etc.). . These can be found in the Music Library Reserves M1619.F515 B69 (etc.).
Estimated audition length
The audition will take less than ten minutes. You will start with the piece of your choice, and the faculty will choose a second piece. You must provide your own pianist for the audition. Be sure that you have practiced together before your audition.
When auditions are held
During the last week of classes each semester and is typically added onto the end of a group of freshman juries in the studio of one of the voice faculty.
Who hears the audition
A panel of three voice faculty.
How to schedule the audition
Contact Dr. Brian Horne early in the semester you wish to take the exam (no later than November. 1 in the fall semester or April 1 in the spring semester). Committees are formed about two weeks before the end of the semester. You will be notified of the exact time and place as soon as possible.
Woodwinds
What to prepare
- A piece from the repertoire (One concerto movement, unaccompanied piece, substantial etude, etc.) performed with or without piano
- Major and minor scales of two octaves (harmonic, and melodic forms of minor scales).
Check with a faculty member of your instrument for specific suggestions.
Estimated audition length
Approximately 10 minutes.
When auditions are held
Usually scheduled on a jury date sometime in the last two weeks of the semester but may be arranged ad hoc with faculty of your instrument
Who hears the audition
At least two members of your instrument faculty.
How to schedule the audition
Contact any faculty member of your instrument (contact information can be found here).