Audition Requirements

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) and Dual Degree (B.A./B.Mus.) Audition Requirements

• Majors in performance, music education, composition, and theory are available within the B.Mus. and dual degrees.
• A jazz emphasis is available, but is not a standalone major.
• Repertoire requirements for each instrument and portfolio requirements for composition are listed below in alphabetical order.

B.Mus. Degree | Dual Degree

Bassoon

• Two contrasting selections from the étude or solo repertoire (individual movements allowed)
• One selection in any format that best represents your individual artistry, skills, or interests (ex: excerpt, original composition, favorite piece, improvisation, etc.)
• The following scales, ascending and descending:
  • Three-octave chromatic scale, slurred, at a tempo of your choosing
  • Two-octave A major, slurred 8th notes, quarter note = 120
  • Two-octave G harmonic minor, slurred 8th notes, quarter note = 120
• Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions

Bassoon Studio | Bassoon Faculty

Cello

• One movement from the standard concerto repertoire, or any single-movement work for cello and orchestra
• One movement of unaccompanied Bach
• One contrasting movement or work. This might be a 21st century composition, or even something entirely outside the classical style. Applicants are highly encouraged to select a work written by a composer from an underrepresented group
• Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions 

Cello Studio | Cello Faculty

Clarinet

• The exposition of the first movement of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, measures 57-155
• One stylistically contrasting movement selected from the standard sonata or concerto repertoire (not by Mozart)
• One complete work for unaccompanied clarinet. Examples below:
  • "Blush” by Jean Ahn
  • “Three Smiles for Tracey” by Adolphus Hailstork
  • “Hall of Ghosts” by Amanda Harberg
  • “Homage to Manuel Da Falla” by Bela Kovacs
  • “Winter Fantasy” by Eric Mandat
  • “Three Pieces” by Igor Stravinsky
• The following orchestral excerpt: Scherzo from Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Beginning to Letter B
• Optional: one additional solo work, étude, or band/orchestra excerpt on the Bass clarinet or Eb clarinet
• Scales or sight-reading may be requested

For recorded auditions:
Please submit an additional video where you speak to the following four prompts:
1) Why are you interested in attending Lawrence?
2) Choose a piece of music that you love and share why you find it meaningful.
3) How would you assess your own strengths and weaknesses as a clarinetist?
4) What qualities do you bring to a musical community beyond your musicianship? What would it be like to have you as a colleague in the Lawrence clarinet studio?

Audition Note: Clarinet auditions are not available on Feb. 21. If you are applying for Regular Decision, register for the Feb. 7 on campus audition, a recorded audition, or contact Prof. Hudson to request a special audition, which must take place before Feb. 21.

Clarinet Studio | Clarinet Faculty

Composition

• An 8–10-minute audition on your primary instrument that best represents your level of playing, individual artistry, or skills

  • Note: If you would also like to be considered for a music major other than Composition, you must complete a full audition on your primary instrument. Please follow the instrument-specific requirements outlined on this page.
• A complete composition portfolio (materials can be uploaded through the portfolio section of your application status portal) :
  • Three musical scores (recordings of the submitted works are highly recommended, but not required)
  • A statement of your compositional interests and goals
  • A list of compositions that includes completion dates and a list of public performances or readings

Refer to the Jazz Composition guidelines below if you're interested in this area.

What we're looking for in a future Lawrence composer's portfolio:

• Well developed and complex musical ideas within the contemporary classical style, effective use of instruments and voices, good notation and presentation, an interest in contemporary idioms, and imagination.
• We encourage the submission of solo and chamber works.
• If possible, we like to see composers who have had their music read and performed live by musicians.

Composition Major | Composition Faculty

Double Bass

• Two contrasting pieces or movements from the standard repertoire (Including a movement from a Baroque sonata or suite)
• Your choice of 2-4 standard orchestral excerpts
• Three-octave major scale, its relative melodic minor, and arpeggios
• Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions 

In addition, students may elect to perform a transcribed jazz solo or improvise with pre-recorded accompaniment.

Double Bass Studio | Double Bass Faculty

Euphonium

• Two or three compositions, études, or band/orchestral excerpts that demonstrate contrasting styles and the ability to play melodic and technical material
• Two examples each of natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales
• Two-octave chromatic scale
• Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions 

Tuba & Euphonium Studio | Tuba & Euphonium Faculty

Flute

• Three pieces of contrasting styles, which may include movements from the concerto, sonata, and solo repertoire. These works should highlight your musicianship, technical skill, and artistic interests. 

• Your choice of 2-4 standard orchestral excerpts 

• All major scales, full range and slurred 

• Minor scales: G, F, and C (harmonic or melodic), 2 octaves and tongued 

• Full range chromatic scale 

• Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions  

Please contact Erin Lesser for questions regarding audition repertoire. 

Flute Studio | Flute Faculty

Guitar (classical)

• One piece from standard classical guitar literature (may be a movement from a larger work)
• One movement of Bach
• An etude by Sor, Carcassi, Brouwer or Villa-Lobos
• Three selections from the Giuliani 120 Studies for the Right Hand
• Three-octave major scale and its parallel minor
• Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions
• Optional work: Feel free to include any work that does not fit the above requirements. Examples might include: your own composition; a song with guitar accompaniment; a work from another style of music (Blues, Flamenco, Jazz etc.); an ensemble recording; an improvisation; a multi-track recording; a piece using a plucked string instrument other than guitar (banjo, mandolin, lute, ukulele etc.). This portion of the audition is not required, but you are encouraged to display other interests and skills.

For students interested in jazz or pursuing the Jazz Emphasis, please refer to the Jazz Audition Guidelines.

Guitar Studio | Guitar Faculty

Harp

• Two solos (applicant’s choice) in contrasting styles demonstrating technical and interpretive abilities. Harp applicants are encouraged to perform solos from memory.
• An orchestral excerpt or cadenza from the standard repertoire.

Harp Studio 

Horn

• Please prepare 8-10 minutes of music that represent your level of playing within different styles, technical complexity, high and low registers, and pieces that you like and reflect your musical interest.

You do not need accompaniment. If you are doing a pre-recorded audition, the pieces may be recorded separately.

Horn Studio | Horn Faculty

Jazz Composition

• A complete jazz composition portfolio (materials can be uploaded through the portfolio section of your application status portal):
  • Three scores and/or lead sheets of original jazz compositions or arrangements (big band, combo, or any other ensemble)
  • Recordings or midi audio files of submitted charts are recommended but not required.
• Jazz audition: Refer to the Jazz - Instrumental requirements below, however, a classical audition is not required.
  • Note: If you would also like to be considered for a music major other than Jazz Composition, you must complete a full audition on your primary instrument. Please follow the instrument-specific requirements outlined on this page.

Composition Major | Jazz Faculty

Jazz - Instrumental

Students interested in the Jazz Emphasis in the Bachelor of Music degree must perform a complete classical audition on their primary instrument in addition to a separate jazz audition.

• See primary instrument audition requirements for the classical audition.
• On-campus auditions: Students are required to attend the “Jazz Jam" as part of their audition day, and should come prepared to perform the melody and improvise several solo choruses on the following works: Tenor Madness (Sonny Rollins), Mr. P.C. (John Coltrane), or Lester Leaps In (Lester Young). Students will be accompanied by a Lawrence student rhythm section and memorization is preferred. Students are also strongly encouraged to prepare a jazz etude, solo transcription, or improvisation on a prepared jazz piece selected by the student, as well as an improvisation to a pre-recorded accompaniment (such as the Jamey Aebersold Play-Along series).
• Self-recorded and live virtual auditions: Students should submit recordings of a jazz etude, solo transcription, or improvisation on a prepared jazz piece selected by the student, as well as an improvisation to a pre-recorded accompaniment (such as the Jamey Aebersold Play-Along series).

Jazz Emphasis | Jazz Faculty

Music Education

• Students who are interested in majoring in Music Education must complete a regular audition on their primary instrument for admission into the Bachelor of Music or dual degree program. Prospective Music Education majors will interview for admission to the major during the beginning of their sophomore year.
• Students who audition on campus are highly encouraged to attend a collaborative, interactive, and informative session where you will get to connect with music education faculty and current Lawrence music education students. Attendees will be considered for a music education scholarship.

Music Education Major | Music Education Faculty

Oboe

• Two contrasting works (or portions of works). One work may be an étude such as Barret or Ferling. Audition repertoire should not exceed fifteen minutes in length.
• Two major and two minor scales of your choice, two octaves preferred.
• Sight-reading may be requested for live auditions 

Oboe Studio | Oboe Faculty

Organ

• Two works from the standard organ repertoire and an accompaniment:
  • A work of J.S. Bach, either a prelude, toccata, or fantasy and fugue, a chorale prelude, or trio sonata movement
  • A work from either the Romantic or Contemporary periods
  • Accompaniment of a hymn (religious or secular) intended to be sung by a large assembly. Provide an introduction and two stanzas as if leading a large group. 
• Sight-reading may be requested for live auditions 

Repertoire should demonstrate the applicant's technical skills and musical abilities, and the accompaniment should demonstrate registrational, improvisational, and collaborative abilities.  

Organ Studio | Organ Faculty

Percussion

Piano

• A Bach Prelude and Fugue or other Bach composition containing a fugue (such as a Toccata or Partita)
• A Sonata-Allegro movement of a sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert (usually the first movement)
• Two additional pieces showing stylistic diversity and evidence of considerable experience at the instrument.

We welcome and encourage the inclusion in your audition program of a work written by a composer from an underrepresented group and/or written in the last fifty years.

Piano Studio | Piano Faculty

Saxophone

• Three works that highlight your musicianship, technical skill, and artistic interests (about 15 minutes of repertoire total):
  • a piece that demonstrates lyricism, phrasing, and beauty of sound
  • a piece that demonstrates technical skill
  • a piece of music that you love to play
• Types of works may include:
  • A movement from a standard work for saxophone (Suggested Glazounov, Maurice, Milhaud, Creston, Still, Bozza, Ibert, Muczynski, Debussy, etc.)
  • Etudes by Ferling, Berbiguier/Mule, Voxman, Small, or similar
  • Improvisations with play along
  • Transcriptions
• All major scales, full range and slurred
• Full range chromatic scale, slurred
• Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions

Please contact Joseph Connor for questions regarding audition repertoire.

Saxophone Studio | Saxophone Faculty

Trombone (Tenor and Bass)

• Three contrasting works that highlight your expression, technique, and creativity (10-15 minutes total). These can include:

  • Solo works such as Alexandre Guilmant "Morceau Symphonique", Barbara York "A Caged Bird", and Anthony Barfield "Red Sky"
  • Etudes such as Rochut/Bordogni Melodious Etudes, or Blazhevich Clef Studies
  • Orchestral excerpts such as Mozart "Tuba Mirum", Berlioz "Hungarian March", or Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3
  • Jazz transcriptions such as JJ Johnson "Old Devil Moon"
  • Improvisations with backing tracks 

• The following scales:

  • G major and F# major in two octaves
  • F harmonic minor in two octaves
  • Chromatic scale from your lowest comfortable note to your highest comfortable note 

• Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions  

For students interested in the Jazz Emphasis, please refer to the Jazz Audition Guidelines.

Trombone Studio | Trombone Faculty

Trumpet

• Three contrasting works (around 10 min total) that demonstrate your musicality, technique, and individual artistic interest. These can include:
  • Lyrical solo works with or without recorded accompaniment, works by composers from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged
  • An étude demonstrating your technical skills such as Charlier, Goldman, Wurm, Brandt, or Arbans Characteristic Studies
  • An original composition
  • Orchestral excerpts
• Both Leonore Overture No. 2 and 3 excerpts (performed on trumpet of choice)
• The following two octave scales, ascending and descending:
  • G major and Ab major
  • A harmonic minor
  • B melodic minor or chromatic scale
• Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions

For students interested in the Jazz Emphasis, please refer to the Jazz Audition Guidelines.

Audition Note: Trumpet auditions are not available on Feb. 7. If you are applying for Regular Decision, register for the Feb. 21 on campus audition, a recorded audition, or contact Prof. Noordhuis to request a special audition, which must take place before Feb. 21.

Trumpet Studio | Trumpet Faculty

Tuba

• Two or three compositions, études, or band/orchestral excerpts that demonstrate contrasting styles and the ability to play melodic and technical material
• Two examples each of natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales
• Two-octave chromatic scale
• Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions 

Tuba & Euphonium Studio | Tuba & Euphonium Faculty

Viola

• One movement of a standard concerto or other work for solo viola and orchestra
• A movement of a solo work by J.S. Bach from works originally for cello or violin
• One étude or caprice (such as Campagnoli, Dont, Lillian Fuchs, Michael Kimber, Mazas, Palaschko, etc.)
• One three-octave major scale and its parallel minor scale and arpeggios
• An optional work of your choice (contrasting in style from other works presented)

At Lawrence, we encourage viola students to think expansively and creatively when selecting repertoire. Choosing works that are meaningful to you not only demonstrates musical depth and curiosity, but also helps us get to know who you are as an artist. We invite you to explore pieces in the rich and varied viola repertoire that inspires you and brings something uniquely yours to the audition experience.

If you have any questions about your repertoire please don’t hesitate to reach out to Professor Kozoroz.

Viola Studio | Viola Faculty

Violin

• Either the first or third movement of a standard concerto performed from memory  

• One movement of unaccompanied Bach  

• An étude or caprice  

• One contrasting work of the applicant's choice

  Violin Studio | Violin Faculty

Voice

• Please sing, from memory, two solos of contrasting styles, at least one of which should demonstrate classical vocal production. One song must be sung in English; the other can be sung in a foreign language or English.  

• For recorded auditions: In a separate video of yourself speaking, please briefly tell us what you love about singing, and where you hope the study of music will take you over the next ten years or so. In submitting recordings for auditions, be mindful that studio faculty are assessing your voice. Avoid editing, mixing and too much reverb. 

  Vocal Arts | Vocal Arts Faculty

Bachelor of Arts in Music

• An audition is not required for this major. Completing an optional audition or submitting a portfolio will not affect your admission, but it can help connect you with faculty.

B.A. in Music Major

Back to Top

Questions?

Email us at musicadmissions@lawrence.edu

Lawrence University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, parental or marital status, age, or disability. Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policy may be directed to the Provost and Dean of the Faculty at 920-832-6528. Lawrence adheres to the Statement of Principles of Good Practice of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).