Students performing at “Inhabiting Spaces,” a multi-year and multi-disciplinary performance art tour held in various locations around North Campus in April 2023.
Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
The UB Department of Music holds auditions for admission to its degree programs and ensembles on many dates throughout the year. The schedule for the academic year 2024–25 will be announced soon. Requirements for each instrument are below. If you have you questions about a particular instrument or voice, please email one of our performance faculty!
Undergraduates applicants to the Department must select an audition date when they complete their Application Form. If all dates have passed, you may submit a video audition.
Non-majors, including graduate students, interested in taking lessons with our faculty can request enrollment by completing this form. We do not offer lessons to complete beginners, though the department does offer beginner group courses in piano (Mus 155) and guitar (Mus 216).
For information about auditioning for one of the Department of Music's large ensembles or chamber ensembles (open to both UB students and members of the Buffalo community) please view the individual ensemble pages. Popular ensembles include:
The music department offers a number of scholarships to undergraduate music majors. Your audition for the degree program also qualifies you to be considered for these awards.
Read about the application process for UB's undergraduate majors and minors.
We are happy to accept video auditions, though we always prefer in-person auditions if possible. When scheduling an audition, you should select a date even if you plan to submit a video. Once you've recorded your audition, send it to Mary McCarthy. Audition videos must be received by the audition date that you selected.
Applicants to either of the two Music Majors or two Performance Minors must request their audition date when they submit their application.
Violin
Viola
'Cello
Double Bass
Voice
An accompanist will be provided at all auditions. Students should bring the printed music for the songs they will be performing. Interested applicants should prepare a memorized audition consisting of three vocal pieces:
Flute
Winds/Brass (Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba)
(If students have limited experience on mallets or timpani, they are encouraged to contact Professor Kolor at tpkolor@buffalo.edu to arrange for suitable substitute repertoire.)
Piano
Organ
Applicants to the MM in Performance degree must (1) apply to the Graduate School and (2) either request a spring audition date or submit a video audition. To request an audition date, complete the Graduate Student Audition Request Form.
VIOLIN
VIOLA
'CELLO
DOUBLE BASS
VOICE
Applicants for the MM in Voice should present a program of at least 15 minutes of music spanning the major periods of solo literature from baroque to Contemporary, including at least one Romantic lied and one operatice aria. At least two foreign languages must be represented.
FLUTE
OBOE
CLARINET
Play one complete composition from each of the categories listed below:
SAXOPHONE
BASSOON
FRENCH HORN
TRUMPET
TROMBONE
Play one complete composition from each of the categories listed below:
TUBA
PERCUSSION
Prepare one solo work from each of the following categories:
The works chosen should demonstrate ones present level of technical and musical advancement and must be legitimate recital pieces, not etudes or studies which are obviously not mean for public performance.
PIANO - SOLO PERFORMANCE
The candidate should normally prepare three works that demonstrate musical and technical ability and a grasp of styles from eighteenth through twentieth centuries. At least two of these works shall be performed by memory. Sight-reading will be included.
PIANO - CHAMBER MUSIC AND ACCOMPANIMENT
ORGAN
HARPSICHORD
GUITAR (Acoustic, Classical or Electric Guitars)