Brass

Brass

Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.), Master of Music (M.M.), Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.), Doctor of Music (D.M.) in Music Literature and Performance


The following information is for entry into the 2024-25 school year.

There is no prescreening for trumpet applicants.

You will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

  • January 12-13, 2024
  • February 2-3, 2024
  • March 1-2, 2024

Applicants should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.


Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.)

  • Major scales up to four sharps and four flats, covering two or more octaves as possible
  • 5 to 8 minutes of contrasting selections from your current repertoire of solos, etudes and/or excerpts
  • Possible sight-reading

Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.), Doctor of Music (D.M.) in Music Literature and Performance, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

  • All major and minor scales, covering two or more octaves as possible
  • 5 to 8 minutes of contrasting selections from your current repertoire of solos, etudes and/or excerpts
  • Possible sight-reading

Doctoral applicants should expect a 20 to 25-minute audition/interview.

There is no prescreening for horn applicants.

You will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

  • January 12-13, 2024
  • February 2-3, 2024
  • March 1-2, 2024

Applicants should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.


Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.)

  • Major scales up to four sharps and four flats, covering two or more octaves as possible
  • Exposition of a Mozart or Strauss concerto or equivalent solo from your current repertoire
  • Possible sight-reading
  • B.M. applicants: Four contrasting orchestral excerpts
  • B.M.E. applicants: An etude

If you are submitting a final recorded audition in lieu of an in-person audition, include a spoken video introduction including your name, one sentence or more on why you want to join the Jacobs School, and the pieces and respective composer names of your prepared repertoire with your media submission. Scales are not required.


Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.), Doctor of Music (D.M.) in Music Literature and Performance, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

  • All major and minor scales, covering two or more octaves as possible
  • Exposition of a Mozart or Strauss concerto or equivalent solo from your current repertoire
  • Six contrasting orchestral excerpts
  • Possible sight-reading

Doctoral applicants should expect a 20 to 25-minute audition/interview with a wider range of solo pieces and orchestral excerpts

If you are submitting a final recorded audition in lieu of an in-person audition, include a spoken video introduction including your name, one sentence or more on why you want to join the Jacobs School, and the pieces and respective composer names of your prepared repertoire with your media submission. Scales are not required.

All tenor trombone applicants must submit prescreen recordings via the JSOM Supplemental application by December 1.

Select applicants will be invited to a live audition based on prescreen review.

If you are invited, you will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

  • January 13, 2024
  • February 3, 2024
  • March 2, 2024

Applicants should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.


Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.)

Prescreening Requirements

Submit a video recording via the JSOM Supplemental Application, including:

  • Solo (to be performed without piano): Guilmant – Morceau Symphonique, Op. 88 (final Andante sostenuto to end)
  • Orchestral Excerpts: Mozart - Requiem, Tuba mirum (first 18 measures); Rossini - Overture to La Gazza Ladra (all three commonly requested passages); Saint-Saens - Symphony No. 3 “Organ” (letter Q to letter R only); B.M. applicants must also include: Ravel - Bolero (solo only)

Note: All recordings must be continuous and unedited. Please do not stop the camera between repertoire selections. The video should be positioned to show your right side to provide an unobstructed view of your face and slide arm.

Audition Requirements

Prepare the following repertoire.

All repertoire should be performed on tenor trombone.

  • Solo (to be performed without piano): Guilmant – Morceau Symphonique, Op. 88 (complete)
  • Etude: One etude of applicant’s choice from either Blazhevich, Bordogni, or Kopprasch
  • Orchestral Excerpts (B.M. applicants: all five excerpts; B.M.E. and B.S.O.F applicants: choose three): Mozart - Requiem, Tuba mirum; Ravel - Bolero; Rossini - Overture to La Gazza Ladra; Saint-Saens - Symphony No. 3 (Organ); Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries (minor and major sections)
  • Major scales up to four sharps and flats, covering at least two octaves
  • Possible sight-reading

Masters and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.), Performer Diploma - Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

Prescreening Requirements

Submit a video recording via the JSOM Supplemental Application, including:

  • Solo (to be performed without piano): Martin - Ballade for Trombone (beginning to rehearsal 6)
  • Orchestral Excerpts: Mozart - Requiem, Tuba mirum (first 18 measures); Ravel - Bolero (solo only); Rossini - Overture to William Tell (letter C through the 9th measure of letter D); Saint-Saens - Symphony No. 3 “Organ” (letter Q to letter R only); Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries (minor and major sections)

Note: All recordings must be continuous and unedited. Please do not stop the camera between repertoire selections. The video should be positioned to show your right side to provide an unobstructed view of your face and slide arm.

Audition Requirements

Prepare the following repertoire.

All repertoire should be performed on tenor trombone. No alto trombone.

  • Solo (to be performed without piano): Martin - Ballade for Trombone (complete)
  • Etude: One etude of choice from either Bitsch, Boutry, or Bozza
  • Orchestral Excerpts: Berlioz - Symphonie fantastique; Mozart - Requiem, Tuba mirum; Ravel - Bolero; Rossini - Overture to La Gazza Ladra; Rossini - Overture to William Tell; Saint-Saens - Symphony No. 3 “Organ”; Schumann - Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish”; Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra; Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries (minor and major sections)
  • All major and minor scales, covering two or more octaves
  • Possible sight-reading

Doctoral applicants

Doctor of Music (D.M.) in Music Literature and Performance

Prescreening Requirements

Submit a video recording (20-30 minutes in length) via the JSOM Supplemental application including repertoire of your choice, demonstrating current performance achievement in solo repertoire, etudes, and common ensemble excerpts.

Note: All recordings must be continuous and unedited. Please do not stop the camera between repertoire selections. The video should be positioned to show your right side to provide an unobstructed view of your face and slide arm.

Audition Requirements

Applicants invited to the live audition will perform an audition and interview (approximately 25 minutes in length), including:

All repertoire should be performed on tenor trombone. No alto trombone.

  • Solos and etudes of your choice (to be performed without piano)
  • Orchestral Excerpts: Berlioz - Symphonie fantastique; Mozart - Requiem, Tuba mirum; Ravel - Bolero; Rossini - Overture to La Gazza Ladra; Rossini - Overture to William Tell; Saint-Saens - Symphony No. 3 “Organ”; Schumann - Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish”; Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra; Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries (minor and major sections)
  • All major and minor scales, covering the entire range
  • Possible sight-reading
  • Interview addressing philosophy, goals, and pedagogical concepts

There is no prescreening for bass trombone applicants.

You will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

  • February 2-3, 2024

Applicants should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.


Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.)

  • Solo (to be performed without piano): Lebedev - Concerto No. 1 (Concerto in One Movement)
  • Etude: One etude of choice from either Blazhevich, Bordogni or Kopprasch (any edition)
  • Excerpts (B.M. applicants: prepare all; B.M.E. and B.S.O.F. applicants: choose three): Bach - Sarabande from the Fifth Cello Suite; Berlioz - Hungarian March; Haydn - The Creation, No. 26; Wagner - Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla from Das Rheingold; Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries (minor and major sections)
  • Major scales up to four sharps and flats, covering two octaves, three where possible
  • Possible sight-reading

Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.), Performer Diploma - Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

  • Solos (to be performed without piano): Bozza - New Orleans; Vaughan Williams - Tuba Concerto Mvts. I & II
  • Excerpts: Bach - Sarabande from the Fifth Cello Suite; Beethoven - Symphony No. 9; Berlioz - Hungarian March; Haydn - The Creation, No. 26; Kodaly - Hary Janos Suite; Respighi - Fountains of Rome; Wagner - Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla from Das Rheingold; Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries (minor and major sections)
  • All major and minor scales, covering two or more octaves
  • Possible sight-reading 

Doctor of Music (D.M.) in Music Literature and Performance

Audition/interview (20-25 minutes in length), including:

  • Solos, etudes, and excerpts of your choice (to be performed without piano)
  • All major and minor scales, covering the entire range
  • Possible sight-reading
  • Interview addressing philosophy, goals, and pedagogical concepts

There is no prescreen for euphonium applicants.

You will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

  • February 2-3, 2024
  • March 1-2, 2024

You should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.


Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.)

  • A melodious etude (to demonstrate good sound, solid intonation, and musicianship)
  • A study (to demonstrate technical facility)
  • Any solo of your choice
  • Possible sight-reading

Please contact Dr. Thurman directly if you have any questions regarding the required audition repertoire.


Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.), Doctor of Music (D.M.) in Music Literature and Performance, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

  • At least two major works of your choice from the solo repertoire
  • 5-6 standard military band audition excerpts

Please contact Dr. Thurman directly if you have any questions regarding the required audition repertoire.

There is no prescreen for tuba applicants.

You will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

  • January 12-13, 2024
  • February 2-3, 2024
  • March 1-2, 2024

Applicants should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.


Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.)

  • A melodious etude (to demonstrate good sound, solid intonation, and musicianship)
  • A study (to demonstrate technical facility)
  • A solo of your choice
  • Two orchestral excerpts of your choice (transfer applicants should prepare several)
  • A 2-octave C or Bb scale and a 3-octave Eb or F scale.

Recommended undergraduate repertoire

Etudes: Arban - Complete Method for the Tuba, ed. Young; Blazevich - 70 Studies; Bordogni/Jacobs - Complete Vocalises for Tuba; Kopprasch/Young - 60 Studies for Tuba; Phil Snedecor - Low Etudes; Tyrell - Advanced Etudes for BB Flat bass

Solos: Bach - Sonata in Eb - arranged by Floyd Cooley; Bruce Broughton - Sonata; Jean-Michel Defaye - Suite; Hindemith - Sonata; Paul Holmes - Lento; Jan Koetsier - Sonatina; Vincent Persichetti - Serenade No. 12 for Unaccompanied Tuba; Robert Schuman - Adagio and Allegro - arranged by Floyd Cooley; Robert Sibbing-Sonata for Tuba and Piano;-Halsey Stevens - Sonatina; Alec Wilder - Effie Suite; Gregson - Concerto; Vaughan Williams - Concerto

Excerpts: Berlioz - The Damnation of Faust; Mahler - Symphony No. 1; Prokofiev - Symphony No. 5; Wagner - Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg; Wagner - The Ride of the Valkyries


Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.), Doctor of Music (D.M.) in Music Literature and Performance, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

  • Two contrasting solos
  • Several of the major orchestral excerpts

Graduate applicants should be able to demonstrate both the CC and F (or Eb) tubas at the advanced level. D.M. applicants should be able to perform at the professional level.

Recommended graduate repertoire

Solos:

  • Bruce Broughton - Sonata (Concerto) (Masters Music Publications)
  • Jacques Casterede - Sonatine (Alphonse Leduc)
  • Zoltan Gardonyi - Sonate fur Tuba & Klavier (Edition Walahll)
  • Paul Hindemith - Sonata (European American - Schott)
  • Trygve Madsen - Sonata for F Tuba and Piano, Op. 34 (Musikk - Huset A/S)
  • Alec Wilder - Sonata for Tuba and Piano (Mentor Music)
  • Eugene Bozza - Concertino (Alphonse Leduc)
  • Anthony Plog - Three Miniatures (Editions BIM)
  • Anthony Plog – Sonata (Editions BIM)
  • Martin Ellerby - Tuba Concerto (Maecenas Music, Ltd.)
  • Eric Ewazen - Concerto for Tuba or Bass Trombone (Southern Music Company)
  • Telmo Marques - Allegro Sonata (Editions BIM)
  • Arild Plau - Concerto for Tuba and Strings (Ovation)
  • John Williams - Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra (Hal Leonard Corporation)
  • James Grant - Three Furies (Grantwood Music Press)
  • Edward Gregson - Alarum (Intrada Music Publishing)
  • William Kraft - Encounters II (MCA Music/Editions BIM)
  • Morgan Powell - Midnight Realities (Brass Music, Ltd)
  • John Stevens - Salve Venere, Salve Marte (Editions BIM)
  • John Stevens-Concerto (Editions BIM)

Excerpts:

  • Richard Wagner - Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg
  • Richard Wagner - The Ride of the Valkyries
  • Hector Berlioz - Benvenuto Cellini (rehearsal #15 through the third measure of rehearsal #17; rehearsal #18 through the fifth measure of rehearsal #19)
  • Hector Berlioz - The Damnation of Faust
  • Hector Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique
  • Johannes Brahms - Symphony No. 2 (Mvt. IV, rehearsal "O" to the end)
  • Anton Bruckner - Symphony No. 7 (Mvt. IV, rehearsal "P" to rehearsal “S”)
  • Paul Hindemith - Symphonic Metamorphoses (Mvt. II: Turandot, Scherzo, complete)
  • Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 1 (Mvt. III, complete)
  • Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 2 (Mvt. V: Chorale, from the second measure of rehearsal #10 through rehearsal #11)
  • Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 5 (Part II. Mvt. 3: Scherzo, from the sixteenth measure of rehearsal #15 through rehearsal #17)
  • Sergei Prokofiev - Symphony No. 5 (Mvt. I, complete)
  • Sergei Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet, Suite No. 2 (Mvt. V, from the fourth measure of rehearsal #49 through rehearsal #51)
  • Respighi - Fountains of Rome
  • Silvestre Revueltas - Sensamaya (rehearsal #2 to rehearsal #11, rehearsal #33 to rehearsal #41)
  • Dimitri Shostakovich - Symphony No. 8: Scherzo
  • Richard Strauss - Ein Heldenleben
  • Richard Strauss - Till Eulenspiegel (from rehearsal #13 to two measures before rehearsal #14; from rehearsal #25 to seven measures before rehearsal #26; from three measures before rehearsal #37 to four measures before)
  • Igor Stravinsky - Petrouchka (Peasant with Bear, from rehearsal #189 through rehearsal #191
  • Masqueraders, from rehearsal #240 through three measure before rehearsal #242)

Special Circumstances

If you are unable to attend one of the live audition weekends, you may request to have an adhoc audition or select the recorded audition option. You should prepare the audition repertoire requirements listed on this page.

If you are unable to attend one of the live audition weekends, you may submit a final audition video recording via the JSOM Supplemental Application. Final audition recordings are due by February 15.

Please indicate on your JSOM Supplemental application that you wish to audition via final video recording and make sure to submit the Supplemental application by December 1. You can upload your audition materials upon submission or upload your audition materials after your application has been submitted. To submit your audition materials after submission, simply select "Upload Media" under the Action column and click on "Add Media File."

Note: Programs that have pre-screening will require a media upload to submit your application.  If your program requires this, please upload a PDF with your name and "Final Recorded Audition" to submit your application. You must then write to musicadm@iu.edu to request that your application be reopened. Once your application has been reopened, select "Upload Media" under the Action column and click on "Add Media File" to upload and submit your materials.

For applicants who cannot make one of the audition weekends but would like to audition in person, an ad hoc audition may be arranged upon department approval. Please email musicadm@iu.edu to request an ad hoc audition. If approved, you must reach out to the faculty or department chair directly to arrange a date and time. All required application materials must be submitted by the deadline in order for arrangements to be made.

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