Auditions are an important part of applying to the music program at ÃÛÌÒAPP. They allow the Department of Music to get to know you as a musician and to assess your readiness for our curriculum, offered in collaboration with the Joint Music Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
The information below will guide you through completing the Music Arts Supplement and preparing for a successful audition.
Music Arts Supplement
The Music Arts Supplement is required for:
- Applicants to the Music (BA) or Music Education (BS) programs
- Students seeking consideration for performance-based music scholarships
The supplement is submitted through your applicant portal during the application process and reviewed by Department of Music (CWRU) and Joint Music Program (CIM) faculty.
If you do not receive access to your applicant portal within a few days of submitting your application, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
What's Included
The Music Arts Supplement consists of:
- A music questionnaire and statement of interest in CWRU Music
- Audition materials for your primary instrument or voice
All audition materials must follow the requirements listed below for your instrument or voice.
Deadlines
- The Music Arts Supplement is due 15 days after the university application deadline.
- All audition materials submitted by February 1 will be reviewed for major placement and scholarship consideration.
For full application plans and timelines, visit the Undergraduate Applications page.
Preparing Your Audition
Your audition is an opportunity to show who you are as a musician. You are welcome to:
- Choose repertoire that highlights your musical strengths, technique, and artistry
- Include works by underrepresented composers or selections that reflect your cultural background, gender identity, or personal expression
Review our Preparing Your Audition guide for helpful tips on:
- Repertoire selection
- Performance expectations
- Recording or live audition best practices
How Auditions Are Reviewed
Auditions are evaluated by faculty based on the following criteria:
- Completeness of the Music Arts Supplement
(All sections of the questionnaire must be fully completed, and all required audition materials must be submitted as listed. Partially completed or incomplete submissions cannot be evaluated.) - Technical proficiency
- Tone quality and musical accuracy
- Stylistic understanding and interpretations
- Overall musical readiness for undergraduate study
Auditions results are reviewed in conjunction with university admission decisions and are used to determine eligibility for music majors and performance-based scholarships.
Important distinctions:
- Students may declare a music minor, take applied lessons, or participate in ensembles without passing an audition.
- All Arts Achievement Award applicants must audition.
- Students admitted to CWRU who successfully pass an audition may declare a Music (BA) major, even if music was not listed as the intended major on the original application.
Audition Requirements by Primary Instrument or Voice
Piano
- Three works representing different musical periods
- All works must be memorized
Examples of acceptable repertoire:
- One Baroque work
- A composition by Bach
- One Classical work
- A movement or complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven
- One work selected from either the Romantic, Impressionist, or Contemporary Period
- Only one piece total is required from these periods (not one from each)
Organ
- Two selections from the standard organ literature in contrasting styles or periods
- Demonstrate musical and technical skills
- Memorization not required
- These applicants may include a partial audition on the piano (requirements above)
Violin and Viola
- 1 (three-octave) major scale
- 1 (three-octave) melodic minor scale
- One movement of a standard concerto or other representative solo work
- Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work (by any composer) of a similar nature. The two movements should demonstrate different musical characteristics or styles.
- Memorization not required
- Optional: One additional selection of your choice
Cello
- 1 (two-octave) major scale
- 1 (two-octave) melodic minor scale
- Two contrasting works or movements from concerto, sonata, or similar repertoire
- One or two movements from the Bach Cello Suites or comparable work
- Memorization not required
- Optional: One additional selection of your choice
Double Bass
- 1 (two-octave) major scale
- 1 (two-octave) melodic minor scale
- Two contrasting works or movements from concerto, sonata, or similar repertoire
- Memorization not required
- Optional: One additional selection of your choice
Woodwinds and Brass
- 1 (two-octave) major scale
- 1 (two-octave) chromatic scale
- Three works or movements of contrasting styles demonstrating technique, range, tone, articulation, and musicianship
- One of the three selections may be a solo or orchestral excerpt performed on a secondary instrument (if applicable)
- Saxophone: Applicants may audition on alto, tenor, or baritone saxophone
- Clarinet: Applicants may audition on B-flat soprano or bass clarinet. BA and BS music degrees require a primary focus on the B-flat clarinet.
Percussion
Perform on all three instruments:
- Snare Drum: Solo or etude (Cirone, Delecluse, Peters, Pratt, Wilcoxon, etc.)
- Mallets: 2- and 4-mallet solo (marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone)
- Timpani: Solo or etude (Carroll, Delecluse, Freise, Goodman, etc.)
- Drum Set (optional): Two selections in contrasting jazz styles, moods, tempos
- Memorization not required
- On-campus applicants: Please provide your own mallets and sticks
Drum Set
- Two selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos (may include blues, rhythm changes) with improvisation
- A medium-tempo or ballad selection with brushes
- Memorization not required
- Optional: Another work of your choice (pop, rock, Bebop, jazz, funk, etc.)
Guitar
Classical
- Two contrasting works (one slow, one showing technical skill)
- Two major and minor scales and arpeggios of your choice
- Memorization not required
- Optional: Another work from any style or an original composition
Jazz or Popular Music
- Two contrasting works (pop, rock, folk, bebop, jazz, funk, etc.)
- Demonstrate major and minor pentatonic scales
- Memorization not required
- Optional: Another work from existing popular repertoire or an original composition
- Note: Originals accepted; if other musicians are present, applicant must be clearly featured and audio must be live (no digital enhancement). Studio recordings may be uploaded as supplemental material (not a substitute for audition).
Harp
- Two solos works of contrasting style (preferably memorized)
- Level III Warm-Up from On Playing the Harp by Yolanda Kondonassis
- One standard orchestral excerpt of your choice
Historical Performance Practice
(Baroque Flute, Oboe, Violin, Cello, Viola da Gamba, Harpsichord, Fortepiano, Lute, Recorder)
- Three works spanning appropriate periods (e.g., two or three contrasting suite/sonata movements, recitative & aria)
- Solo or small ensemble; applicant must be featured and clearly visible
- Memorization not required
- Note: Candidates will be evaluated by Historical Performance Practice faculty on their command of various national idioms, ornamentation styles, and other aspects of historical performance, as well as the overall level of artistry, and academic potential.
Voice
Classical Styles
- Three contrasting vocal solos (art songs, 17th–20th c. works, folk songs)
- At least one selection in a foreign language
- Strongly encouraged to memorize
- Perform with keyboard accompaniment; live pianist (preferred) or recorded pianist (accepted)
- No digital enhancement, added effects, or overdubbing
Popular Styles
- Three contrasting vocal solos (pop, rock, jazz, musical theater)
- Strongly encouraged to memorize
- Perform with keyboard accompaniment; you may self-accompany (guitar or piano) or use recorded tracks as appropriate
- Optional: Studio recordings or live performances may be submitted as supplemental material
- Sound amplification permitted, but no digital enhancement, added effects or overdubbing allowed
Note for Pre-College Applicants: The vocal instrument at this stage is typically still developing. Audition selections will be evaluated primarily on vocal freedom, pleasantness and naturalness of tone, healthy production technique, and expressive musicianship. Choose repertoire that is comfortably within your technical abilities. Previous musical experiences—such as choral singing or other group/solo performances—are highly beneficial, and prior study on an instrument (especially piano) or vocal coaching is encouraged.