Auditions

Bowed Strings

General: Acceptance into the Performance Major of the Master of Music Degree presupposes performing ability by the candidate at the 400-level of undergraduate study. (Information on performing levels for string instruments can be obtained by contacting individual string faculty members.) Auditions must be in person on the Boise State Campus, though recorded auditions will be acceptable if traveling to Boise is impractical. Recorded auditions must be unedited.

At the Audition:

1. A 20-minute audition is required.
2. Three compositions of 400-level difficulty (senior performance major level) from 3 contrasting periods of music
3. Be prepared to perform each piece in its entirety. Memorization is highly recommended in all but sonatas w/piano works.
4. Entrance decisions will be based on quality of performance, keeping in mind considerations including appropriateness of style, technical accuracy, quality/level of music, etc.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Wind, Brass and Percussion

General: Acceptance into the Performance Major of the Master of Music Degree presupposes performing ability by the candidate at or above the senior undergraduate level. Information on acceptable repertoire for brass instruments can be obtained by contacting the relevant brass faculty member. Auditions must be in person on the Boise State Campus, though video auditions will be acceptable if traveling to Boise is impractical.

At the Audition:

• Prepare two complete solo works, demonstrating material from contrasting time periods and/or stylistic genres
• Prepare material in a third area that exhibits an area of interest or strength (i.e. orchestral excerpts, a jazz transcription, the shout chorus of a big band lead part, or contemporary solo music, etc.)
• Auditions will be 20 minutes in length
• Auditions will not be accompanied by piano

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Piano

General: Acceptance into the Performance major of the Master of Music Degree presupposes performing ability by the candidate at the 400-level. Information on performing levels for piano or organ can be obtained by contacting the Music Department. Auditions must be in person on the Boise State Campus. though recorded auditions will be acceptable if traveling to Boise is impractical. Auditioning by recording must be approved prior to the audition by the Keyboard Faculty. A recorded audition must be an unedited and original recording, and verification of performance by memory (if a piano audition) must be supplied with the recording.

At the Audition:

1. A 20-minute audition is required.
2. Three compositions of 400-level difficulty (senior performance major) from 3 contrasting periods of music, from memory
3. Be prepared to perform each piece in its entirety. Entrance decisions will be based on the quality of performance, keeping in mind considerations including appropriateness of style, technical accuracy, quality level of music, etc.

Voice

The applicant must perform a vocal audition prior to being accepted into either program. The audition must run fifteen to twenty minutes in length and must include material chosen from the following categories:

1. An aria from the traditional major opera/oratorio repertoire: classic, romantic, or 20th century
2. A song or aria from the pre-classic period
3. A German Lied: Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Mahler, R. Strauss, etc.
4. A French melodie: Faure, Poulenc, Debussy, Berlioz, etc. and/or an art song in Spanish or some language other than English.
5. An art song in English in a 20th-century idiom: American, British, or Canadian

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Conducting (Choral)

General: Acceptance into the Master of Music Conducting (Choral) Degree presupposes performing ability by the candidate at or above the senior undergraduate level in their applied studio.

In addition to the graduate program application materials, please submit the following to Dr. C. Michael Porter, Director of Choral Activities (michaelporter2@boisestate.edu)

1. Résumé
2. A link to an audition video on YouTube or another platform of the candidate conducting two contrasting pieces. The video should be at least 20 minutes long and consists of rehearsal and performance footage with a clear straight-on view of the conductor.
3. Possible audition and interview following review of your preliminary recorded audition.