BaylorSchool of MusicAdmissionsAudition RequirementsWoodwinds

Woodwinds

Before You Apply

We highly encourage you to email our woodwind faculty to set up a visit or a sample lesson.

Graduate applicants should contact the professor directly regarding assistantship availability.

Apply

Apply to both Baylor University and the School of Music by February 1 to begin in the Fall:

To gain admission to the School of Music, you must also be accepted by the university; acceptance for one does not guarantee acceptance for the other.

Acceptance is based on the student’s performance abilities, artistic potential, and maturity as demonstrated in the audition/interview process.

Audition
  • In-person auditions only.
  • Memorization is not required.
  • We prefer to hear auditions without piano accompaniment.
  • The audition committee consists of woodwind faculty members.
  • 2022-23 Audition Dates: Jan. 27, 28, and Feb. 3
 

Audition Material:

FLUTE

All candidates are welcome to communicate directly with Dr. Charlotte Daniel with questions regarding their application, repertoire, audition, etc.

UNDERGRADUATE Flute Requirements:
  • Two contrasting selections that give you the opportunity to demonstrate lyrical expression and technical skill in the audition. The selections should come from two different works. Individual movements from multi-movement pieces and complete pieces that stand alone are equally welcome.
  • Scales: All major scales, and full range chromatic scale.
  • Selections should be performed without piano accompaniment.
  • We request that candidates not perform any all-state etudes from the current or previous academic year.
GRADUATE Flute Requirements:
  • Three contrasting selections from different stylistic time periods that demonstrate both lyrical expression and technical skill. The selections should come from three different works. Individual movements from multi-movement pieces and complete pieces that stand alone are equally welcome.
  • Scales: All major scales and arpeggios.
  • Three contrasting orchestral excerpts of your choice. (Some examples include: Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Ravel Daphnis et Chloe, Stravinsky Firebird Suite, Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals, JS Bach 'Aus Liebe' from St. Matthew Passion, Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis, Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 3, Prokofiev Peter and the Wolf)
  • Selections should be performed without piano accompaniment.

OBOE

All candidates are welcome to communicate directly with Dr. Euridice Alvarez with questions regarding their application, repertoire, audition, etc.

UNDERGRADUATE Oboe Requirements:

 

  • Scales: Play the following Major scales in two octaves: D-flat, E-flat, E, and F.
  • Solo Repertoire: Two complete contrasting movements, preferably from different periods and contrasting styles (lyrical/technical). These may be movements of a concerto or sonata, or one-movement works. Perform without accompaniment, skipping over multi-measure rests. Repertoire can be by a standard composer or by an underrepresented composer. Optional: Applicants are encouraged to choose from the suggestions by underrepresented composers listed below:
    • Alyssa Morris: Four Personalities (first or last movements) 
    • William Grant Still: Incantation and Dance
    • Clara Schumann: Romances
    • Jenni Brandon: Wood Song 
    • Ruth Gipps: The Piper of Dreams
  • Etude: an etude from Ferling, 40 Progressive Melodies or 16 Grand Studies by Barret.
  • We request that candidates not perform any all-state etudes from the current or previous academic year.

 

GRADUATE Oboe Requirements:
  • Solo Repertoire: A movement from a standard concerto. 
  • Two other contrasting selections from different periods or styles of composition. Repertoire can be by a standard composer or by an underrepresented composer. Optional: Applicants are encouraged to choose from the suggestions listed below by underrepresented composers:
    • Jennifer Higdon: Oboe Concerto
    • Alyssa Morris: Collision Etudes for Oboe Solo
    • Oscar Navarro: Legacy Oboe Concerto
    • Jenni Brandon: Wood Song 
    • Clara Schumann: Romances
    • James Lee III: Principal Brothers No. 2
    • Alyssa Morris: Four Personalities (first or last movements) 
    • Thea Musgrave: Night Windows for Oboe and Piano
    • Marina Dranishnikova: Poem
  • Etude: an etude from any of Ferling, Bozza Etudes, or any of the Sixteen Grand Studies by Barret.
  • Orchestral Excerpts: Three excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire. Suggestions include, but are not limited to: Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin, Brahms Violin Concerto, Debussy La Mer, Beethoven Eroica Symphony, Rossini La Scala di Seta, Stravinsky Pulcinella, and Strauss Don Juan.

CLARINET

All candidates are welcome to communicate directly with Professor Ran Kampel with questions regarding their application, repertoire, audition, etc.

UNDERGRADUATE Bb Clarinet Requirements:
  • Solo Repertoire:  A movement from a concerto or sonata from the standard repertoire (such as Mozart, Weber, Brahms, Schumann, or Debussy).
  • Etudes: Two etudes from Rose 32 Etudes – one slow and one fast.
  • Scales: Major and minor scales and sight reading may also be required.
  • We request that candidates not perform any all-state etudes from the current or previous academic year.

Bass clarinet auditions – you must audition on Bb clarinet and may choose to substitute one of your selections with a bass clarinet solo/etude piece.

GRADUATE Clarinet Requirements:
  • Solo Repertoire: Mozart Concerto for Clarinet K622 – 1st movement, exposition only.  Two additional works or movements of contrasting style from the standard repertory (such as Weber, Spohr, Copland, Nielsen, Brahms, Schumann, or Debussy).
  • Orchestral Excerpts: 
    • Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 – 2nd movement – measures 68-78
    • Brahms: Symphony No. 3 – 2nd movement – opening until measure 23
    • Mendelssohn: Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream – opening until rehearsal B

SAXOPHONE

All candidates are welcome to communicate directly with Dr. Michael Jacobson with questions regarding their application, repertoire, audition, etc.

UNDERGRADUATE Saxophone Requirements:
  • Two contrasting selections that give you the opportunity to demonstrate lyrical expression and technical skill in the audition. The selections should come from two different works. Individual movements from multi-movement pieces and complete pieces that stand alone are equally welcome.
  • Scales: All major scales – preferably full range, and full range chromatic scale.
  • Selections should be performed without piano accompaniment.
  • We request that candidates not perform any all-state etudes from the current or previous academic year.
GRADUATE Saxophone Requirements:
  • Three contrasting selections from different stylistic time periods that demonstrate both lyrical expression and technical skill. The selections should come from three different works. Individual movements from multi-movement pieces and complete pieces that stand alone are equally welcome.
  • Scales: All major and minor scales, arpeggios, and broken 3rds.  All full range.
  • Selections should be performed without piano accompaniment.

BASSOON

All candidates are welcome to communicate directly with Dr. Ann Shoemaker with questions regarding their application, repertoire, audition, etc.

UNDERGRADUATE Bassoon Requirements:
  • Scales: Play the following major scales (three octaves preferred): Bb, B, Db, D
  • Etude: #1 from 25 Studies in Scales and Chords for Bassoon, Op. 24 by Ludwig Milde (recommended edition is edited by Benjamin Kamins and William Short, published by Presser).
  • Solo Repertoire: Two contrasting selections, demonstrating both lyrical expression and technical skill. This may include individual movements from multi-movement works, or complete works that stand alone. Selections should be performed without accompaniment. Optional: Applicants are encouraged to pick one of their selections by a composer from an historically underrepresented racial/ethnic group, gender, and/or culture. Choosing works that represent the applicant’s own cultural background is also welcomed. See suggestions listed below:
    • Jenni Brandon: Colored Stones
    • Nancy Galbraith: Sonata
    • William Grant Still: Three Songs
    • Adolphus Hailstork: Bassoon Set
    • Ulysses Kay: Sonata
    • Francisco Mignone: 16 Waltzes for solo bassoon
    • Jose Siqueira: Three Etudes
    • Jacqueline Wilson: Dance Suite

We request that candidates not perform any all-state etudes from the current or previous academic year.

GRADUATE Bassoon Requirements:
  • Solo Repertoire: 
    • A movement from a standard concerto.
    • One or two additional contrasting selections, demonstrating both lyrical expression and technical skill. This may include individual movements from multi-movement works, or complete works that stand alone. Selections should be performed without accompaniment. Optional: Applicants are encouraged to pick one of their selections by a composer from an historically underrepresented racial/ethnic group, gender, and/or culture. Choosing works that represent the applicant’s own cultural background is also welcomed. See suggestions listed below:
      • Jenni Brandon: Colored Stones
      • Nancy Galbraith: Sonata
      • William Grant Still: Three Songs
      • Adolphus Hailstork: Bassoon Set
      • Ulysses Kay: Sonata 
      • Mark Lomax: Trouble Don't Last for bassoon and piano 
      • Francisco Mignone: 16 Waltzes for solo bassoon
      • Natalie Moller: Translations: One movement
      • Jeff Scott: Elegy for Innocence
      • Jose Siqueira: Three Etudes
      • Jacqueline Wilson: Dance Suite
  • Etude: An etude of your choice from 25 Studies in Scales & Chords Op. 24 by Ludwig Milde.
  • Orchestral Excerpts: Three excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire. Suggestions include, but are not limited to:
    • Mozart: Overture to The Marriage of Figaro
    • Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 4, movement 2
    • Ravel: Bolero
    • Stravinsky: Rite of Spring
    • Shostakovich: Symphony No. 9, movements 4 and 5
    • Beethoven: Symphony 4, movement 4
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