Piano Audition Requirements

Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees

For the live audition, you must prepare one piece from each of the following categories:

  1. Baroque: a Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Books I or II;
  2. Classical: a complete multi-movement sonata by a Classical composer, up to and including Schubert;
  3. Romantic: a major solo work by Chopin, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Schumann or Liszt;
  4. Contemporary: a work from the 20th or 21st Centuries. Works by Impressionistic composers are acceptable in this category;
  5. Etude: a virtuoso etude.

All selections must be played from memory.

When choosing repertoire, we encourage (not require) you to explore the works of underrepresented composers who reflect different racial, gender, ethnic and cultural traditions. To get started, we recommend the following resources:

1. A work from the Baroque Era at the level of a Prelude and Fugue or movement from a Suite

2. One movement from a sonata of the Classical Era.

3. A representative work from either the Romantic Era (for example, Chopin, Brahms, Liszt or Schumann) OR from the 20th or 21st centuries.

When choosing repertoire, we encourage (not require) you to explore the works of underrepresented composers who reflect different racial, gender, ethnic and cultural traditions. To get started, we recommend the following resources:

 

Auditions for Private Piano Lesson, Spring, 2023

Auditions will take place online. You should make a video recording of two pieces in contrasting styles, memorization not required, and upload your unlisted video to YouTube. Send the link to your recorded YouTube audition to chen@ku.edu by 11:59 P.M. on January 22, 2023.

Requirements for Graduate Degrees

No Prescreening audition is required.

You may choose to audition online or in-person. All music must be performed by memory. If you choose to audition online, your audition recording does not have to be professional quality but should be a clear and accurate reflection of your performance. A poor-quality recording will lessen your chances.

Prepare a 20-minute program that includes:

  • Baroque

    • One Prelude and Fugue from J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, or

    • Any two movements from one of J.S. Bach’s French Suites, or

    • A sonata by Domenico Scarlatti.

  • Classical

    • A single movement from a sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Clementi.

  • Romantic

    • One representative work from the Romantic style period, or the 20th or 21st centuries

      • Individual movements from sonatas or single pieces from larger sets are acceptable.

When choosing repertoire, we encourage (not require) you to explore the works of underrepresented composers who reflect different racial, gender, ethnic and cultural traditions. To get started, we recommend the following resources:

Teaching Video

  • Upload a video (or a link) that is a minimum of 20 minutes long, showing you teaching a private student at any age or level.

  • Be sure to include enough interaction to represent your teaching approach.

Pre-screening A pre‐screening video should be submitted with your graduate application. The deadline is December 1st.

Students must submit a 20‐minute audition of works from at least 2 periods:

  • First movement of a Classical Sonata is required (Schubert included)
  • Additional repertoire of applicant’s choice

Note: Memorization is required for all works except for 20th/21st Century works of exceptional difficulty.

The video does not have to be professional quality but should be a clear and accurate representation of your playing. Poor sound quality will lessen your chances of admission.

Final Audition Requirements  A 45‐minute program and repertoire must include at least 3 solo works from different periods. 

  • All Sonatas, Variations, Suites, and other individual works written with multiple movements must be prepared in their entirety.
  • Sets of pieces that are intended to be performed together must be prepared in their entirety (Schumann Carnaval, Davidsbündlertanze, or Kreisleriana; Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition; Franck Prelude, Chorale and Fugue).

When choosing repertoire, we encourage (not require) you to explore the works of underrepresented composers who reflect different racial, gender, ethnic and cultural traditions. To get started, we recommend the following resources:

Teaching Video

  • Upload a video (or a link) that is a minimum of 20 minutes long, showing you teaching a private student at any age or level.
  • Be sure to include enough interaction to represent your teaching approach.

*All applicants interested in being considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship should prepare to answer the following question: “Why do you wish to pursue graduate study at the University of Kansas and what are your goals following your musical study at the University of Kansas?” If auditioning by video, please submit a separate video response to the question.

Pre-screening 

A pre‐screening video should be submitted with your graduate application. The deadline is December 1st.

Students must submit a video recording (unedited) from within the last year; that includes (both selections must be presented with a partner):

  • One song or aria
  • One movement from an instrumental sonata of your choice

The video does not have to be professional quality but should be a clear and accurate representation of your playing. They can be submitted as one or multiple videos. 

Final Audition Requirements (live or video)  

  • Vocal repertoire (please prepare four selections)
    • Schubert: Die Forelle (Db Major)
    • Strauss: Allerseelen (Eb Major)
    • Debussy: Il pleure dans mon coeur (G# Minor)
    • Fauré: Green (G-flat major) or Mandoline (A-flat major)
    • Argento: Spring (F Major)
    • Barber: St. Ita’s Vision
    • Ralph Vaughan-Williams: Songs of Travel: The Vagabond (C minor)
    • Clara Schumann: Er Ist gekommen (G-sharp minor)
    • Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: Abendbild (E-flat major)
  • Instrumental repertoire: (please prepare 2 from the selected pieces)
    • Franck: Violin Sonata in A Major (second movement)
    • Hindemith: Oboe Sonata or Trumpet Sonata (first movements only)
    • Mozart or Beethoven Violin Sonatas  (first movements only of any sonata)
    • Prokofiev: Flute / Violin Sonata #2 in D Major (second movement only)
  • Solo Performance of one major work that demonstrates your technical and musical command of the keyboard (memorization optional)
  • Sight-reading (chosen by the piano division) 

*Please attach a speaking video in which you answer the following questions:

  • Why do you wish to study collaborative piano?
  • What experiences have you had collaborating with others?
  • What are your goals for the degree, and what do you see yourself doing in 5 years?

Applicants who have questions about appropriate audition repertoire (or repertoire substitutions) please contact Prof. Ellen R. Sommer - ellenb@ku.edu. 

 

Pre-screening A pre‐screening video should be submitted with your graduate application. The deadline is December 1st.

Students must submit a 20‐minute audition of works from at least 2 periods:

  • First movement of a Classical Sonata is required (Schubert included)
  • Additional repertoire of applicant’s choice

Note: Memorization is required for all works except for 20th/21st Century works of exceptional difficulty.

The video does not have to be professional quality but should be a clear and accurate representation of your playing. Poor sound quality will lessen your chances of admission.

Final Audition Requirements  A 45‐minute program and repertoire must include at least 3 solo works from different periods. 

  • All Sonatas, Variations, Suites, and other individual works written with multiple movements must be prepared in their entirety.
  • Sets of pieces that are intended to be performed together must be prepared in their entirety (Schumann Carnaval, Davidsbündlertanze, or Kreisleriana; Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition; Franck Prelude, Chorale and Fugue).

When choosing repertoire, we encourage (not require) you to explore the works of underrepresented composers who reflect different racial, gender, ethnic and cultural traditions. To get started, we recommend the following resources:

*All applicants interested in being considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship should prepare to answer the following question: “Why do you wish to pursue graduate study at the University of Kansas and what are your goals following your musical study at the University of Kansas?” If auditioning by video, please submit a separate video response to the question.

Prescreening A pre‐screening video should be submitted with your graduate application. The deadline is December 1st.

Students must submit a 20‐minute audition of works from at least 2 periods:

  • First movement of a Classical Sonata is required (Schubert included)
  • Additional repertoire of applicant’s choice

Note: Memorization is required for all works except for 20th/21st Century works of exceptional difficulty.

The video does not have to be professional quality but should be a clear and accurate representation of your playing. Poor sound quality will lessen your chances of admission.

Final Audition Requirements  A 45‐minute program and repertoire must include at least 3 solo works from different periods. 

  • All Sonatas, Variations, Suites, and other individual works written with multiple movements must be prepared in their entirety.
  • Sets of pieces that are intended to be performed together must be prepared in their entirety (Schumann Carnaval, Davidsbündlertanze, or Kreisleriana; Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition; Franck Prelude, Chorale and Fugue).

When choosing repertoire, we encourage (not require) you to explore the works of underrepresented composers who reflect different racial, gender, ethnic and cultural traditions. To get started, we recommend the following resources:

Pedagogical Tutorial Video Requirement

Please submit a 10-minute pedagogical tutorial video on a piano piece of any level focused on performance practice and teaching strategies. Imagine that this could be used for a pedagogy class or conference presentation.

The time limit will be strictly enforced.

          Video Format

  • Record your presentation independently and upload it to YouTube as an unlisted video.
  • Submit the video link only (do not attach files).
  • You are encouraged to use PowerPoint, embedded video clips, or other edited content to create an engaging and informative tutorial-style presentation.

Content Guidelines

Your presentation should:

  • Focus on performance practice appropriate to the selected period and style. Topics may include but are not limited to:
    • Fingering
    • Pedaling
    • Dynamics
    • Articulation
    • Ornamentation
    • Phrasing (including suggested slurs)
  • Provide a brief composer introduction and relevant musical or historical context.
  • Highlight appropriate practice strategies and problem-solving approaches for selected passages. Due to time restrictions, it will not be possible to include all possible strategies and approaches. Use your own good judgement to include those you think most important.

Teaching Video

  • Upload a video (or a link) that is a minimum of 20 minutes long, showing you teaching a private student at any age or level.
  • Be sure to include enough interaction to represent your teaching approach.

*All applicants interested in being considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship should prepare to answer the following question: “Why do you wish to pursue graduate study at the University of Kansas and what are your goals following your musical study at the University of Kansas?” If auditioning by video, please submit a separate video response to the question.

 

Prescreening A pre‐screening video should be submitted with your graduate application. The deadline is December 1st.

Students must submit a 20‐minute audition of works from at least 2 periods:

  • First movement of a Classical Sonata is required (Schubert included)
  • Additional repertoire of applicant’s choice

Note: Memorization is required for all works except for 20th/21st Century works of exceptional difficulty.

The video does not have to be professional quality but should be a clear and accurate representation of your playing. Poor sound quality will lessen your chances of admission.

Final Audition Requirements  A 45‐minute program and repertoire must include at least 3 solo works from different periods. 

  • All Sonatas, Variations, Suites, and other individual works written with multiple movements must be prepared in their entirety.
  • Sets of pieces that are intended to be performed together must be prepared in their entirety (Schumann Carnaval, Davidsbündlertanze, or Kreisleriana; Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition; Franck Prelude, Chorale and Fugue).

When choosing repertoire, we encourage (not require) you to explore the works of underrepresented composers who reflect different racial, gender, ethnic and cultural traditions. To get started, we recommend the following resources:

*All applicants interested in being considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship should prepare to answer the following question: “Why do you wish to pursue graduate study at the University of Kansas and what are your goals following your musical study at the University of Kansas?” If auditioning by video, please submit a separate video response to the question.