Some applicants are required to do a live audition. These live auditions may take place during scheduled audition days or individually scheduled between the applicant and the faculty member.
Many of the degrees in performance require a prescreening audition. Please check the requirements for specific programs or instruments. Prescreen recordings via online links (e.g. to Youtube or equivalent postings) should be entered in a single PDF file and uploaded into the documents section of the UCSB Graduate Application (titled Prescreen Links). Please note that although the application deadline is January 10, prescreen materials may be due earlier depending on area of emphasis (see detailed information below).
Some applicants are required to do a live audition. These live auditions may take place during scheduled audition days or individually scheduled between the applicant and the faculty member.
NO APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED FOR CHORAL OR ORCHESTRAL CONDUCTING AT THIS TIME.
The voice audition day for applicants entering in Fall 2023 is Saturday January 28, 2023. You will be contacted by Professor Bayrakdarian if you have been invited for a live audition based on your prescreening video audition.
The MM voice applicant must provide a prescreening video audition recording into the UCSB Graduate Application of at least four pieces, one in each of the following languages: Italian, French, German, and English, either arias or art songs (no musical theater or non-classical pieces, please) that is due December 1. Based on the recorded audition, the applicant may be asked to attend a live audition. The program, to be performed by memory, must include 2 arias and 6 art songs (2 French, 2 Italian, and 2 German). The candidate must provide a copy of his/her music for the accompanist if invited for a live audition. Repertory list and programs of concerts performed are required documentation.
The DMA applicant must provide a prescreening video audition recording into the UCSB Gradaute Application with at least 60 minutes of music that is due December 1 and a live audition (if invited) is required. The live audition is a full-length recital program to be performed from memory. Repertoire is left to the discretion of the candidate. The candidate must provide a copy of his/her music for the accompanist if invited for a live audition. Repertory list and programs of concerts performed are required documentation.
A prescreening video recording via online links (e.g. to YouTube or equivalent postings) is required for applicants to the MM, MM/DMA, and DMA in the keyboard and piano accompanying emphases. The recordings must contain a minimum of three contrasting works from different historical periods. They must include a complete sonata and a virtuosic work from any historical period. Separate links to separate works and/or movements of a multi-movement work are acceptable. The links to the video files must be entered on a single .docx or .pdf file and uploaded as a Prescreening Links item to the Documents section of the UCSB online application for consideration for a live audition. Prescreening recordings are reviewed by the keyboard faculty. If invited for a live audition based on the prescreening recording, scheduling will be done through the keyboard faculty. For any questions regarding repertoire for prescreening recordings or live audition or any requests for substitute repertoire, please contact the relevant keyboard faculty (view the Faculty By Area Directory).
A live audition (upon invitation) is preferred for MM applicants, though not mandatory. A live audition (upon invitation) is mandatory for MM/DMA and DMA applicants, in addition to the prescreening recording.
Please bring to the audition:
Minimum of three contrasting works from different historical periods. Must include a complete sonata and a virtuosic work from any historical period.
A public recital, one hour in length, comparable in scope to a full recital. (Collaborative Piano: Consult faculty for repertoire recommendations.)
Entrance Auditions
Please bring to the audition:
Piano Solo: A complete sonata or major virtuosic work from any historical period.
Art Song: Four contrasting songs from different historical periods, or a major song cycle.
Chamber Music: One complete instrumental sonata or other major work from any historical period.
Sight Reading
Applicants to the MM, MM/DMA and the DMA are required to upload a prescreen video recording into the UCSB Gradaute Application (instructions above). The content of the recording should be at least 30 minutes to include contrasting movements of solo Bach, select movements of a Concerto and Sonata. You may upload a recent recital or studio recording - but it should be live and without edits. If successful, the candidate may then be invited to give an in person audition.
Prescreening recordings are reviewed by the relevant faculty member in the strings area that is due December 1. If invited for a live audition based on the prescreening recording, scheduling will be done through the appropriate studio professor. For any questions regarding repertoire for prescreening recordings or live audition or any requests for substitute repertoire, please contact the individual faculty for your area for approval (view the Faculty By Area Directory).
Live audition (upon invitation) is preferred, though not mandatory, for MM candidates. For MM/DMA and DMA applicants, a live audition (upon invitation) is mandatory.
The MM live audition will be approximately 20-30 minutes and should include at least two contrasting movements of solo Bach, a complete sonata and one movement from a concerto. The MM/DMA live audition will be approximately 30-45 minutes and should include a complete solo work by Bach, a complete sonata and at least one movement from a concerto. You can substitute the complete sonata with a complete concerto and add any other work of your choosing to fill out your program. The DMA live audition will require you to perform an entire recital approximately lasting 60 minutes. The repertoire for this recital could include a complete sonata or similar type work, a complete concerto or work similar for instrument with orchestra and a complete solo work by Bach. You may add any other repertoire at your discretion as long as the audition is close to 60 minutes in length.
If candidates are interested in the Young Artists String Quartet or Young Artists Piano Quartet program, please include an example of chamber music as part of your prescreening audition. This can be any form of chamber music where you can be heard prominently.
See specific requirements below.
NO APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED FOR FLUTE AT THIS TIME.
A 30-minute prescreening audio or video recording, uploaded into the UCSB Graduate Application, is required and/or a live audition. Please contact the studio professor for more information (view the Faculty By Area Directory).
Specific Oboe Audition Repertoire suggestions.
See specific requirements below.
Prominent solos from the following:
No prescreen audition is required. A live audition includes a standard concerto or sonata and four commonly requested orchestral excerpts of your choice. Please contact the studio professor for more information (view the Faculty By Area Directory).
DMA Brass Emphasis (French Horn only)
No prescreen audition is required.
Prominent solos from the following: