Like professional musicians who have to audition for competitions and symphony orchestra roles, we require potential students to the Colburn Conservatory of Music to audition. This is mandatory.
The prescreening video recording is the first step of the audition process. Prescreening and live audition repertoire can be found below by instrument. Applicants can upload separate videos for each piece; the repertoire does not need to be recorded in one uninterrupted take. Our faculty will determine who will be invited to move on to the in-person audition in Los Angeles (we do not conduct regional auditions). You’ll be notified of a scheduled audition date. Those who are not invited to the in-person audition will be notified their files are closed.
Audition dates are determined by instrument; however, dates are subject to change, so please hold off booking travel arrangements until you have officially received your audition invitation. Due to the complexity of schedule, requests for specific times cannot be accommodated.
Review the repertoire requirements below carefully. If a movement is not specified, then rehearse a complete work. Also, be ready to perform the piece in its entirety, but keep in mind, faculty may only wish to hear a portion of it, or even ask you to skip around during the audition.
If you have questions about repertoire, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@colburnschool.edu or 213-621-4534.
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload a prescreening video by the December 1st application deadline. The prescreening recording must contain the following repertoire:
Your choice of at least two contrasting works or movements by different composers. DVD recordings of live recitals also are acceptable to upload. Accompaniment is required for prescreening.
If you are invited to audition, you must prepare works from each category listed below. Memorization of audition repertoire is NOT required. Piano accompaniment is required for the live audition. A list of accompanists will be provided if you are invited.
Scales A scale and chord study from Milde, opus 24
Etudes Weissenborn, 50 Advanced Studies: One slow and one fast etude
Concerto Weber, Concerto in F, movements 1 and 2
Etudes One slow and one fast etude of the applicant’s choice
Concerto Mozart, movements 1 and 2
Orchestral Excerpts • Mozart, Overture to Marriage of Figaro • Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 4, second movement
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload a prescreening video by the December 1st application deadline. Piano accompaniment is required. The prescreening recording must contain the following repertoire:
If you are invited to audition, you must prepare works from each category listed below. All violoncello audition repertoire must be memorized, with no exceptions. Piano accompaniment is required. A list of pianists will be provided.
Scales All 3-octave major and minor scales, using melodic and harmonic forms of minors
Arpeggios All 4-octave arpeggios, major and minor
Etudes Choice of Popper #6 or #9 OR any Piatti Caprice
Concerto Movement Prepare the first movement of one of the following, unless otherwise noted: • Barber, Concerto • Dvorak, Concerto, B minor, Op. 104 • Haydn, Concerto, D Major • Prokofiev, Symphonie Concertante, Op. 125 • Schumann Concerto • Tchaikovsky, Rococo Variations, Op. 33 (complete) • Shostakovich, Cadenza and final movement, Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major
Virtuoso Piece One virtuoso piece such as: • Davidoff, At the Fountain, Op. 20 #2 • Chopin, Polonaise Brillante, Op. 3 • Paganini, Moses Variations • Popper, Elfentanz
Short Lyrical Work One short lyrical work, to contrast with the virtuoso piece, such as: • Fauré, “Après un rêve” • Saint-Saëns, The Swan • Mendelssohn, Song Without Words • Schumann, “Abendlied”, arr. Davidoff
If you are invited to audition, you must prepare works from each category listed below. Memorization of audition repertoire is HIGHLY recommended, but NOT required. Piano accompaniment is required at the live audition. A list of accompanists will be provided.
Scales All major and minor scales, both slurred and articulated, in three octaves. (Scales in C#, D, and Eb should be prepared in two octaves.)
Etudes Choose one of the following caprices: • 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, or 17 from Paganini, Dix-Sept Caprices adapted for the clarinet and published by Éditions Musicales Alphonse Leduc.
Kovács, Béla Hommage à Johann Sebastian Bach. Edition Darok. EDL 2103
Solo Work A piece or composition of the applicant’s choice such as a concerto, sonata, or solo (Applicants may choose to perform two concertos from the list below; one as a solo work and another as a concerto work.)
Concerto Choose one of the following concertos and prepare any two movements of the concerto: • Corigliano, Concerto • Mozart, Concerto K. 622 • Nielsen, Concerto • Weber, Concerto #2 in E-flat • Copland, Concerto (entire work)
Orchestral Excerpts • Beethoven, Symphony No. 6, mvmt 1 and 2 • Mendelssohn, Midsummer Night’s Dream • Brahms, Symphony No. 3, mvmt 2 • Shostakovich, Symphony No. 9, mvmt 2 and 3
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload prescreening videos by the December 1st application deadline. The prescreening recording must contain the following repertoire:
The prescreening videos must consist of the applicant conducting representative works of their choice from the standard orchestral repertoire. Applicants should upload at least three selections. The videos may be from performance or rehearsal. At least one video must be shot from the back of the orchestra, to show the conductor from the front. The applicant must be clearly visible in all videos. The repertoire should represent a variety of musical styles, and artistic and technical challenges. Videos should be unedited and must be representative of recent work.
First round audition at Colburn: Stravinsky: Petrushka (1947 version) Brahms: Haydn Variations
Final callbacks in London: Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 Stravinsky: Concerto in D for String Orchestra
Please note, all applicants must have an up-to-date passport and have the ability/proper visas to travel to both Los Angeles and London for the live audition rounds.
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload a prescreening video by the December 1st application deadline. Piano accompaniment of the solo is not required. The prescreening recording must contain the following repertoire:
Solo A solo of the applicant’s choice
Excerpts The same orchestral excerpt requirements listed below in the audition repertoire specific to your program
If you are invited to audition, you must prepare works from each category listed below. Piano accompaniment is not required. There is no memorization requirement for double bass.
Scales/Arpeggios One 3-octave major scale and arpeggio and one 3-octave minor scale and arpeggio of the applicant’s choice, using melodic and harmonic forms of minor
Bach One movement from any of the solo cello suites by J.S. Bach
Orchestral Excerpts Three standard orchestral excerpts of the applicant’s choice
Scales/Arpeggios All 3-octave major and minor scales and arpeggios, using melodic and harmonic forms of minor
Orchestral Excerpts Five standard orchestral excerpts of the applicant’s choice
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload a prescreening video by the December 1st application deadline. Piano accompaniment is not required. The prescreening recording must contain the following repertoire:
If you are invited to audition, you must prepare works from each category listed below. Memorization of audition repertoire (except for etudes) is highly recommended, but not required. Accompaniment is not required.
4. Bach—Sarabande from Partita in A minor
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload a prescreening video by the December 1st application deadline. The prescreening recording must contain the following repertoire.
The prescreening video must contain the same material that the applicant has prepared for the live audition (see below).
If you are invited to audition, you must prepare works from each category listed below.
Solo Work Three contrasting solo works are required, as follows: • One work from either the Baroque or the Classical era • One work from the Romantic era • One contemporary work
Orchestral Excerpts Three orchestral excerpts of the applicant’s choice.
Note: The Colburn School owns a Lyon and Healy 85CG harp. If the applicant requires use of this instrument for the audition, he/she must notify the Admissions Office as soon as the applicant’s invitation to audition has been confirmed.
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload a prescreening video by the December 1st application deadline. Piano accompaniment is preferred but not required for prescreening. The video recording must contain the following repertoire:
If you are invited to audition, the live audition repertoire is the same as above. Memorization of the concerto is encouraged, but not required. Piano accompaniment is required. A list of pianists will be provided if you are invited.
Piano accompaniment is required for the live audition. A list of accompanists will be provided.
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload a prescreening video by the December 1st application deadline. You may make separate tracks for each piece/excerpt. The prescreening recording must contain the repertoire below.
Snare Drum Solo: Choose one etude from Twelve Etudes for Snare Drum by Delecluse: #1, 6, 9, or 10
Marimba Bach – One movement of applicant’s choice from Cello Suites, Violin Sonatas and Partitas, or Lute Suites (no repeats required)
Xylophone Excerpt: Choose one standard excerpt of your choice
Timpani Choose one work from: Carter’s Eight Pieces for Four Timpani, a Hochrainer Etude, or a Delecluse Timpani Etude
Excerpt: Excerpt: Prokofiev: Lt. Kije – rehearsals 1-2
Xylophone Excerpts: Gershwin: Porgy & Bess
Glockenspiel Excerpts: Mozart: Magic Flute
Snare Drum Solo: Choose one etude from Twelve Etudes for Snare Drum by Delecluse: #1, 4, 6, 9, 10, or 11
Snare Drum Solo: Choose one etude from Twelve Etudes for Snare Drum by Delecluse: #1, 4, 6, 9, 10, or 11 Excerpts: 1. Prokofiev: Lt. Kije – rehearsals 1-2 2. Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol, mvmts 3 and 4
Marimba Bach – One movement of applicant’s choice from Cello Suites, Violin Sonatas and Partitas, or Lute Suites (no repeats required) A contemporary 4-mallet solo of your choice
Xylophone Excerpts: 1. Gershwin: Porgy and Bess 2. Kabalevsky: Colas Breugnon – rehearsals 9-12 and 36-37
Glockenspiel Excerpts: 1. Dukas: Sorcerer’s Apprentice 2. Mozart: Magic Flute
Excerpts: 1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, first movement 2. Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis 2. Mozart: Symphony No. 39
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload prescreening videos by the December 1st application deadline.
The videos must include at least 30 minutes of music from various musical periods and include a virtuosic etude (Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, or Stravinsky) and a classical work (Mozart, Clementi, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, or Mendelssohn). The repertoire beyond the etude and classical work is at the discretion of the applicant and should be of a different style than the etude and classical work.
The videos must include at least 30 minutes of music from various musical periods and include a classical work (Mozart, Clementi, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, or Mendelssohn). The repertoire beyond the classical work is at the discretion of the applicant and should be of different styles than the classical work.
If you are invited to a live audition, you must fulfill the same requirements as the prescreening repertoire—at least 30 minutes of music, to include a virtuosic etude (BM and PD applicants only) and a classical work (all applicants). All audition repertoire must be memorized. Live audition selections may be different from the prescreening selections, so long as the requirements listed above are met. Sightreading may be a part of the live audition.
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload a prescreening video recording by the December 1st application deadline. Piano accompaniment is preferred, but not required, for prescreening. The prescreening video recording must contain the following repertoire:
If you are invited to audition, you must prepare works from each category listed below. Piano accompaniment is required. A list of pianists will be provided.
Scales All major and minor scales, two octaves, both slurred and tongued.
Etudes • Blazhevich Clef Studies (bass, tenor and alto clefs) – Etudes #67 and #71.
Solo Work One slow and one fast movement from a solo of the applicant’s choice or a piece with contrasting sections OR Choose one of the following: • Guilmant Morceau Symphonique • Lars-Erik Larsson Concertino • Serocki Sonatine
Orchestral Excerpts • Berlioz Hungarian March • Mozart Tuba Mirum from the Requiem • Ravel Bolero • Rossini Overture to La Gazza Ladra (all sections) • Wagner Ride of the Valkyries (major and minor sections)
Solo Work Choose one of the following: • Casterede Sonatine • Defaye Deux Danses • Grondahl Concerto • Martin Ballade • Sulek Vox Gabrieli
Orchestral Excerpts • Berlioz Hungarian March • Mahler Symphony No. 3 (first solo) • Mozart Tuba Mirum from the Requiem • Ravel Bolero • Rossini Overture to La Gazza Ladra (all sections) • Wagner Ride of the Valkyries (major and minor sections)
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload a prescreening video by the December 1st application deadline. Piano accompaniment is preferred, but not required, for precreening. The prescreening recording must contain the following repertoire:
Scales All major and minor scales, two octaves, both slurred and tongued
Etudes One etude from EACH of the following: • Fink Studies in Legato OR Bordogni Melodious Etudes Book One (Rochut) – The Bordogni must be played at pitch and also in bass clef down an octave. • Blume 36 Studies for F attachment Trombone – Choose one non-legato etude. • Grigoriev 24 Studies for Bass Trombone
Solo Work Choose ONE of the following: • Galliard – One sonata (applicant’s choice) • McCarty Sonata • One slow and one fast movement from a concerto of the applicant’s choice • Two contrasting short solos
Orchestral Excerpts • Berlioz Hungarian March • Franck Symphony in d minor • Haydn Creation • Wagner Ride of the Valkyries (major and minor sections)
If you are invited to audition, you must prepare works from each category listed below. Piano accompaniment is required. A list of pianists will be provided
Scales All major and minor scales at least two octaves, both slurred and tongued
Etudes One etude from EACH of the following: • Bordogni Melodious Etudes Book One (Rochut) – The Bordogni must be played at pitch and also in bass clef down an octave. • Blume 36 Studies for F attachment Trombone • Grigoriev 24 Studies for Bass Trombone
Solo Work • Bach Sarabande from Cello Suite No. 5 AND Two contrasting movements from one of the following: • Ewazen Concerto • McCarty Sonata • Ritter-George Concerto
Orchestral Excerpts • Berlioz Hungarian March • Haydn Creation • Kodaly Hary Janos Suite • Schumann Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish” (fourth movement) • Strauss Ein Heldenleben • Wagner Ride of the Valkyries (major and minor sections)
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload a prescreening video by the December 1st application deadline. Piano accompaniment is preferred, but not required, for prescreening. The prescreening recording must contain the following repertoire:
If you are invited to audition, you must prepare works from each category listed below. Memorization of audition repertoire is recommended but not required; scales must be memorized. Piano accompaniment is required. A list of pianists will be provided.
Chosen material should represent the candidate’s highest level of proficiency, and should demonstrate musicality, lyrical playing, and technical facility.
Etudes Two contrasting etudes of the applicant’s choice.
Suggested etudes for BM and PD applicants • Arban Characteristic Etudes • Clark Characteristic Etudes • Bousquet • Or the equivalent of these etudes.
Suggested etudes for MM, AD and PSC applicants • Charlier • Chaynes • Bitsch • Tomasi
Or the equivalent of these etudes.
Concerto/Sonata Two contrasting movements from a standard concerto or sonata.
Orchestral Excerpts • BM and PD students: Prepare 3 contrasting excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire. • MM, AD and PSC students: Prepare 5 contrasting excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire.
Sight-Reading and Transposition Required of all applicants.
Repertoire requirements are the same for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Etudes One etude from Bordogni Solfeggi for Tuba (published by Encore Music or Robert King)
Solo Work Two contrasting movements from a solo of the applicant’s choice, such as:
Orchestral Excerpts • Berlioz, Hungarian March from The Damnation of Faust • Hindemith, Symphonic Metamorphosis (second movement, from Letter L to 9 measures after Letter M) • Mahler, Symphony No. 1 (third movement, measures 15-24) • Prokofiev, Symphony No. 5 (first movement, rehearsal number 3 to 7 measures after rehearsal number 5) • Strauss, Till Eulenspiegel (three measures before rehearsal number 37 to four measures before rehearsal number 38) • Wagner, Overture to Die Meistersinger (Letter J, measure 158, to Letter L, measure 188) • Wagner, Ride of the Valkyries
The first step of the audition process is for you, the applicant, to upload prescreening videos by the December 1st application deadline. The prescreening recordings must contain the following 4 repertoire selections:
Please note: Selections 1 and 3 must be performed by memory. Selections 3 and 4 must be performed with piano accompaniment. Please upload each work as an individual track.
If you are invited to audition, the live audition repertoire is the same as the pre-screening requirements. Piano accompaniment is required. A list of pianists will be provided.
The prescreening recording must consist of a concerto from the list below (only required movements) with accompaniment. No other material is required or requested.
If you are invited to audition, you must prepare works from each category listed below. All violin audition repertoire must be memorized, with no exceptions. Piano accompaniment is required. A list of pianists will be provided.
Audition repertoire is the same for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Arpeggios All 3-octave arpeggios, major and minor
Etudes Choice of any Dont or Gavinés etude, or a Paganini Caprice
Bach One movement of the applicant’s choice
Concerto Movement
Choose one work from this list; prepare movements as indicated:
Other One virtuoso piece of the applicant’s choice