Auditioning for the Department of Music
Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
The University at Buffalo’s Department of Music welcomes talented musicians to audition for our undergraduate programs (MusB and BA), performance minors, and Master of Music (MM) in Performance. Auditions are held throughout the academic year for both fall and spring semester enrollments.
Learn about:
- Audition Options: Choose between in-person auditions or video submissions.
- Audition Repertoire: Suggested repertoire is provided below. If you have questions about selecting pieces, contact 📧 Brian Moseley.
- Voice Auditions: Voice auditions will be accompanied. Accompanists will be arranged as part of the scheduling process.
- Instrumental Auditions: Instrumental auditions will not include accompaniment.
- Application Requirement: Students must submit their application to the University before their audition date.
Upcoming Audition Dates:
- Friday, February 7, 2025 (registration closed!)
- Saturday, March 1, 2025 (registration closed!)
- Friday, March 28, 2025 (registration closed!)
- Sunday, April 6, 2025 (registration closed!)
- Saturday, April 26, 2025 (Accepted Students Day)
Apply for a Music Major or Performance Minor!
Follow these steps to begin your undergraduate musical journey at UB:
Step 1: Apply to UB
- Complete the Undergraduate Application.
- Indicate your intended major or minor in music.
- Review deadlines and criteria on the Undergraduate Admissions page.
Step 2: Submit music application
- Complete the Department of Music application form.
- Request your preferred audition date.
Step 3: Audition
- Auditions are required for MusB in Performance, BA in Music and Music Performance minor.
- Choose an audition date during the academic year.
- Prepare repertoire based on the specific instrument or voice requirements.
Department of Music Scholarships
The Department of Music offers a number of scholarships to undergraduate music majors. Your audition for the degree program also qualifies you to be considered for these awards.
Undergraduate Audition Requirements
Violin
- A movement from Bach's “Unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas.”
- A movement from a standard concerto (e.g., Bruch, Mozart, Mendelssohn).
- An etude, showpiece, or contemporary work.
Viola
- Major and minor scales/arpeggios in 3 octaves.
- An etude by Kreutzer, Campagnoli, Fuchs, or equivalent.
- A movement from a Bach Gamba Sonata or equivalent baroque piece.
- A classical, romantic, or contemporary work.
Cello
- Major/minor scales and arpeggios in 3 octaves.
- An etude (Duport Volume II, Franchomme, etc.).
- A work by Faure, Bruch, Saint-Saens, or similar.
- Sight-reading.
Double Bass
- Major/minor scales and arpeggios in 2 octaves.
- An etude (Simandl Book II or equivalent).
- Two movements from a sonata (Marcello or Vivaldi).
- A classical, romantic, or contemporary piece.
- Sight-reading.
- Prepare three memorized vocal pieces:
- A 17th/18th-century Italian aria.
- An art song in German or French.
- A 20th-century English song (classical or musical theater).
- An accompanist will be provided; bring your music scores.
- All major scales (2 octaves) and chromatic scales (2 octaves).
- One of the following:
- An etude or characteristic study.
- One movement from a concerto or sonata.
- Sight-reading.
Snare Drum
- Basic rudiments and one intermediate/advanced solo or etude.
- Sight-reading.
Keyboard Percussion
- Scales (2 octaves) and one solo or etude on marimba or xylophone.
Timpani
- Ear tests (matching pitches, interval identification).
- One etude or solo.
Contact Thomas Kolor for assistance with substitute repertoire.
- Prepare three memorized pieces:
- A work by J.S. Bach.
- One movement from a classical sonata.
- A 19th/20th-century piece.
- Scales and sight-reading.
- A prelude and fugue by Bach.
- A choral prelude by Bach.
- A romantic or 20th-century work.
- Sight-reading.
- Two to three contrasting works.
- Knowledge of all major and minor scales and arpeggios is recommended.
- Contact Sungmin Shin for more details.
For information on auditioning for large ensembles or chamber ensembles (open to UB students and Buffalo community members), visit the specific ensemble pages. Popular ensembles include:
The Chamber Singers.
- Non-majors, including graduate students, can request lessons with UB faculty.
- Beginners are encouraged to take group beginner courses in piano or guitar.
The Department of Music gladly accepts video auditions, though in-person auditions are preferred when possible.
Steps to submit a video audition
- Select an Audition Date: When scheduling your audition, choose a date even if you intend to submit a video.
- Record Your Audition: Follow the guidelines provided for your specific instrument or voice.
- Submit Your Video: Send the completed audition video to Mary McCarthy by the audition date you selected.
Video audition recording tips
- Equipment: Use a smartphone or tablet for high-quality recording.
- Framing: Film horizontally, ensuring full visibility of the performer.
- Lighting: Place a light source in front of you.
- Sound: Position the microphone unobstructed in a central location.
- File Sharing: Large files can be uploaded to the UBbox, Google Drive or Dropbox.
