Many of the degrees in performance require a prescreen audition. Please check requirements for specific programs or instruments, below. 

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).

Some applicants are required to do a live audition.  These live auditions may take place during scheduled audition days or scheduled between the applicant and the faculty member.

Choral Conducting

Contact:  Dr. Nicole Lamartine, Sorensen Director of Choral Music  lamartine@ucsb.edu

A prescreen recording via online links OR live online interview/demonstration is mandatory for all MM, DMA and MM/DMA candidates. Live auditions (upon invitation) will be conducted as permitted by state guidelines during the pandemic. 

Prescreening Recording OR Interview/Demonstration

A prescreen video consists of 1) a live performance (10-15 minutes) and 2) rehearsal (15-45 minutes), recorded during the past 12 months; preferably, the performance recording should include a minimum of two contrasting works from different historical periods, and the rehearsal recording should contain both teaching and rehearsal segments with two contrasting selections.  Provide a complete list of the candidate’s choral repertoire, with specifications as to whether the works were performed or studied only. Upload the links into the documents section of your online application. 

In the absence of viable video footage due to Covid-19, the candidate should schedule a live interview/demonstration with Dr. Lamartine.  In addition, provide a complete list of the candidate’s choral repertoire, with specifications as to whether the works were performed or studied only. Upload the links into the documents section of your online application. 

Prescreen materials are due Dec. 1.

Live Audition

Following review of the candidates’ files, qualifying students may be invited to a live audition with the UCSB Chamber Choir. The 30-45 minute audition will include vocal preparation, rehearsal of one work currently in the repertoire of the ensemble, and introduction of a new piece.  Repertoire is chosen by the conducting faculty at UCSB. A rehearsal pianist may be provided. This will be followed by an interview/skills test with the conducting faculty.

Keyboard

Prescreening Recording

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 Directory here). 

Live Audition

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:

  1. Audition Program

  2. A list of repertoire studied and performed during the last two years

Keyboard MM Audition Requirements:

Minimum of three contrasting works from different historical periods. Must include a complete sonata and a virtuosic work from any historical period.

Keyboard (including Collaborative Piano) DMA Audition Requirements:

A public recital, one hour in length, comparable in scope to a full recital. (Collaborative Piano: Consult faculty for repertoire recommendations.)

Piano Accompanying MM Audition Requirements

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

Strings

Prescreening Recording

Applicants to the MM, MM/DMA and the DMA are required to upload a prescreen video recording into the UCSB Graduate 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 Directory here). 

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.

Live Audition

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.

Strings MM Audition Requirements

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.

Strings DMA Audition Requirements

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.

Voice

*The voice audition days for the 2021-22 admissions cycle will be scheduled soon.  You will be contacted by Professor Brecher if you have been invited for a live audition.

Voice MM Audition Requirements

The MM voice applicant must provide a prescreening video audition recording into the UCSB Gradaute 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.

Voice DMA Audition Requirements

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.

Graduate Voice Program Flyer (PDF)

Bassoon, Clarinet, Oboe (MM only offered)

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 Directory here). 

Specific Oboe Audition Repertoire suggestions can be found here.

Flute (MM only offered)

A prescreening audio or video recording, uploaded into the UCSB Graduate Application is required, containing 10 minutes of standard repertoire of your choice, with accompaniment. The recording is due December 15. The live audition (if invited) must include 30 minutes of standard repertoire.  Please contact Professor Jill Felber with questions regarding repertoire or live audition scheduling.

French Horn

French Horn MM Audition Requirements

Applicants may audition in person, which is preferred, or submit a video. Solo of your choice.
Orchestra excerpts:

  • Beethoven, Symphony No. 3, Second horn in Eb, 3rd movement, Trio section from beginning (mm 169) to mm 202
  • Brahms, Symphony No. 1, First horn in E, 2nd movement, mm 91 - 105 (or from E to F)
  • Mozart, Symphony No. 40 K.550, First horn in G, 3rd movement, Trio mm 61 to 84
  • Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5, First horn, 1st movement, Large numbers 17 to 21

French Horn DMA Audition Requirements

Please contact Dr. Steven Gross for audition material.

Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba (MM only offered)

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 Directory here).