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Graduate Preliminary Video, Testing, Interview, and Audition
Notes
APPLICATION TIME LINE
November through February: applications processed, audition/interview confirmation letters mailed by Hartt Admissions following review of application or preliminary video where applicable
March: most decisions on acceptance and financial awards made
March 15: decision letters and scholarship awards are mailed
April 15: tuition deposit deadline
SCHEDULING AN AUDITION:
Applicants will select their preferred audition/interview dates on the Hartt Supplemental Application. Both the University of Hartford and Hartt Supplemental Applications must be submitted before an audition/interview will be scheduled. Hartt Admissions will mail an Audition/Interview Confirmation Letter to the applicant confirming the audition date and schedule.
PRELIMINARY VIDEOS for all Music Education, Conducting, DMA, and AD applicants
Preliminary recordings are due with the application by the application deadline.
Preliminary Teaching Video for Music Education Applicants:
Music Education applicants whose application requirements include a video (DVD or VHS format) of their teaching must submit the video by the application deadline. The video should present 30 minutes of teaching some musical principle(s) in a classroom setting, demonstrating interaction between the teacher and the students.
Preliminary Conducting Video for Orchestral/Instrumental Conducting Applicants:
Applicants for graduate programs in instrumental/orchestral conducting will submit application materials and prepare a short preliminary video (20 minute maximum, DVD or VHS format), containing two or three sections of contrasting material. The camera should be positioned to be facing the conductor. It is recommended that the student also submit an audio recording, of approximately the same length, demonstrating additional conducting experience. If possible, a segment should be included showing the applicant conducting one movement of a substantial work. Enclosed with the video should be a cover letter indicating the applicant's intended program and major, and a written statement expressing the reasons for interest in the chosen career and major. Once the preliminary video is reviewed, applicants may be contacted with an invitation to audition in person on an arranged date.
Preliminary Conducting Video for Choral Conducting Applicants:
Applicants for the Master of Music, Master of Music Education, or Doctor of Musical Arts programs in Choral Conducting will submit application materials and prepare a short preliminary video (30 minutes total, DVD or VHS format), containing 15 minutes of the applicant conducting in performance as well as 15 minutes of rehearsal conducting. The camera should be positioned to be facing the conductor during a performance and appropriately placed at the rehearsal to show clearly the conductor as well as some view of the group if possible. It is recommended that the student also submit an additional unedited audio recording of approximately the same length as the video. The recording should demonstrate additional conducting experience in a variety of styles and/or situations. Enclosed with the video should be a cover letter indicating the applicant's intended program and major, educational expectations and eventual career goals. Once the preliminary video is reviewed, applicants may be contacted with an invitation to audition in person on a date to be arranged.
Preliminary Audition Recording for Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma candidates:
Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma applicants in performance must submit with their completed application a preliminary recording (CD; DVD or VHS format required for vocal applicants and preferred for string applicants) on or before the application deadline. All recordings must contain music of contrasting styles and periods within a time frame of 20 to 30 minutes maximum. Confirmation of your audition date will follow a positive review of the preliminary audition recording.
Further Preliminary Audition Video Requirements for Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma String Applicants:
Violin, Viola and 'Cello:
- One movement of a major concerto
- Two movements of unaccompanied Bach
- One additional piece, caprice, or a showpiece
- One movement of a sonata
One of the above selections must be classical and another must be a 20th or 21st century work. The concerto, showpiece, and unaccompanied works must be performed from memory.
Double Bass:
- One movement of a concerto (memorized)
- Two (2) contrasting movements of unaccompanied Bach OR a substantial 20th or 21st century unaccompanied work
- One movement of a sonata OR a showpiece (show piece to be memorized)
One of the above selections must be a 20th or 21st century work
- Three (3) standard orchestra excerpts - (a list will be provided upon request)
GRADUATE TESTING
Master of Music and Graduate Professional Diploma Testing:
Master of Music and Graduate Professional Diploma applicants who audition on campus will complete the 45-minute listening based Music Aptitude Profile (MAP) test. The MAP test measures innate tonal and rhythmic skills.
Doctoral Proficiency Testing:
Doctor of Musical Arts and Doctor of Philosophy applicants will take the music theory and music history essay tests prior to decision on their application. These essays will be given on the same day as the audition.
INTERVIEWS and SCORE/PAPER REQUIREMENTS
Composition
Submit copies of no more than three samples of your work in score and/or CD form. [Please note:CD-Rs in AIFF format are acceptable, but applicants should NOT send MP3 files on disc.] An interview (phone is acceptable, but in-person preferred) with a faculty member in the composition department is required. Compositions will not be returned.
Music Education
All applicants in Music Education must interview in person with a music education faculty member and meet with the Graduate Studies Director. The interview will include singing a prepared patriotic song and a test of singing that involves a capella echo singing 24 tonal patterns and 8 rhythmic patterns of varying difficulty.
Music History
Applicants will interview with a music history faculty member.
Scholarship and Research Emphasis
Submit a research paper at least two weeks in advance of the interview date selected. The paper will not be returned. Applicants in music history--scholarship and research emphasis are required to interview with a faculty member in the music history department.
Performance Practice Emphasis
Submit a research paper at least two weeks in advance of the interview date selected. The paper will not be returned. Applicants in music history--performance practice emphasis are required to interview with a faculty member in the music history department. All music history--performance practice emphasis applicants are required to audition on a classical instrument or voice.
Music Theory
Applicants are required to interview with a Hartt music theory faculty member on a scheduled audition day. The interview provides an opportunity for the applicant to discuss the program and a career in music theory. During the interview, the applicant will be asked to verbally analyze the melody, harmony, and form of an excerpt from the Beethoven piano sonatas. The interview also allows the faculty member to evaluate the applicant’s background and training in music theory. At least two weeks prior to the scheduled interview date, applicants are to submit two research papers. Both papers must be on music, one of which must be an analysis paper. The papers will not be returned.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Instrumental Performance
Your playing time with the committee will be 20 minutes for Master of Music and Graduate Professional Diploma candidates, 30 minutes for Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma candidates. Sight-reading and scales may be included. Please note details for your specific area included in the following pages (listed alphabetically). All Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma candidates must audition with piano accompaniment where appropriate. If applicants are unable to bring their own accompanist to the audition, please contact The Hartt School Admissions Office at (860) 768-4465 with a list of audition pieces and movements at least three weeks before the audition date to receive local pianists' names and contact information. If you wish to be considered for a Performance 20/20 Chamber Music scholarship, please consult the specific audition requirements in addition to those listed below.
Bassoon
- Two contrasting etudes from the Milde Concert Studies
- Mozart Concerto in Bb K.191, complete
- One complete additional solo work - either a concerto, sonata, or work for bassoon alone, transcriptions included
- Three orchestral excerpts
Cello
Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts, non-performance major:
- Three (3) pieces or movements of contrasting styles.
Applicants may bring their own pianist or audition without accompaniment.
Master of Music in Performance and Graduate Professional Diploma in Performance:
All M.M. or G.P.D string performance applicants must audition with piano accompaniment for at least one work. If applicants are unable to bring their own pianist to their audition, they should contact Hartt Admissions at (860) 768-4465 at least three weeks before their audition date to receive local pianists' names and contact information.
- One movement of unaccompanied Bach from memory
- One movement of a concerto (or a showpiece) from memory
- Another work or movement in a contrasting style
- A selection of choice (this selection could be an additional movement from one of the first three selections, or a completely different piece)
- One of the above selections must be a 20th or 21st century work.
Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance and Artist Diploma:
All Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma candidates must audition with piano accompaniment where appropriate. If applicants are unable to bring their own accompanist to the audition, please contact The Hartt School Admissions Office at (860) 768-4465 at least three weeks before the audition date to receive local pianists' names and contact information.
- A complete concerto and two movements of unaccompanied Bach, or one movement of a concerto and a complete unaccompanied work by Bach
- An additional piece, caprice, or a showpiece
- One or two movements of a sonata
- One of the above selections must be classical and another must be a 20th or 21st century work.
- The concerto, showpiece and unaccompanied works must be performed from memory.
Clarinet
Master of Music and Graduate Professional Diploma:
- By memory, the first movement of any standard concerto (such as those by Mozart, Weber or Spohr), or the Debussy Premiere Rapsodie, or Rossini Introduction, Theme and Variations
- A fast movement from a standard concerto comparable to those of Mozart and Weber
- A second contrasting work
- Two contrasting etudes selected from Rose, Cavallini (Caprices), Jeanjean, Polatschek Advanced Studies, Rose 32 Etudes, or Uhl 48 Etudes
- Three contrasting orchestral excerpts
Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma:
- By memory, the first movement of any standard concerto (such as those by Mozart, Weber or Spohr), or the Debussy Premiere Rapsodie, or Rossini Introduction, Theme and Variations
- A fast movement of a standard concerto comparable to those of Mozart and Weber
- A sonata (all movements) selected from the following: Bernstein, Brahms, Hindemith, Horowitz (Sonatina), Martinu (Sonatina), Poulenc, Reger, Weber (Grand Duo Concertante)
- Two contrasting etudes selected from Cavallini (Caprices), Jeanjean 18 Etudes, Polatschek Advanced Studies, Rose 32 Etudes, or Uhl 48 Etudes
- Three contrasting orchestral excerpts
- One selection of unaccompanied solo repertoire (all movements) such as Berio Sequenza, Martino A Set for Clarinet, Miklos Rozsa Sonatina, William O. Smith Five Pieces, Stravinsky Three Pieces, Sutermeister Capriccio, Tomasi Sonatine Attique, or work of comparable difficulty
Double Bass
Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts, non-performance major:
- Three (3) pieces or movements of contrasting styles.
Applicants may bring their own pianist or audition without accompaniment.
Master of Music in Performance and Graduate Professional Diploma in Performance:
All M.M. or G.P.D string performance applicants must audition with piano accompaniment for at least one work. If applicants are unable to bring their own pianist to their audition, they should contact Hartt Admissions at (860) 768-4465 at least three weeks before their audition date to receive local pianists' names and contact information.
- One unaccompanied work or movement (from any period)
- Another work or movement in a contrasting style
- One of the above selections must be a 20th or 21st century work.
- Three standard orchestra excerpts
Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance and Artist Diploma:
All Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma candidates must audition with piano accompaniment where appropriate. If applicants are unable to bring their own accompanist to the audition, please contact The Hartt School Admissions Office at (860) 768-4465 at least three weeks before the audition date to receive local pianists' names and contact information.
- A complete concerto (from memory)
- 2 contrasting movements of unaccompanied Bach OR a substantial 20th or 21st century unaccompanied work.
- one or two movements from a sonata OR a showpiece (the showpiece to be played from memory)
- One of the above selections must be a 20th or 21st century work.
- 5 standard orchestra excerpts – (a list will be provided upon request)
Euphonium
- An étude such as Bordogni, Charlier, Kopprasch, or similar
- Any standard solo
- Standard excerpts (orchestral or wind ensemble repertoire)
Flute
Master of Music and Graduate Professional Diploma:
- Mozart Concerto in G or D Major, 1st and 2nd movement
- J. S. Bach: any sonata, 2 contrasting movements
- Dutilleux Sonatine or similar solo
- Varese Density 21.5 or similar unaccompanied solo
Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma:
- Mozart: Concerto in G or D Major, 1st and 2nd movement
- J. S. Bach: any sonata, 2 contrasting movements
- Schubert Variations or similar solo
- Lieberman Sonata or similar solo
- Berio Sequenza #1 or similar unaccompanied solo
Please contact flute instructor Janet Arms (Janarms@aol.com) with questions or for additional information.
Guitar
The Graduate Program at The Hartt School is a highly-developed performance-based program. We look for and accept students with well-developed technical, musical, interpretative, and practice skills, who show a commitment to high performance standards and a desire to pursue either a college teaching/performing career or a solo/chamber music career. The following requirements are offered as a guide to preparing for the audition.
Master of Music and Graduate Professional Diploma:
Audition: Thirty minutes of solo repertoire played from memory is required. While we occasionally accept students who do not possess the following repertoire, it is more an exception than the norm.
- A major Baroque Suite. J.S. Bach and S.L. Weiss are the most frequently performed composers.
- A major 20th century work. Composers frequently represented include: Brouwer, Martin, Britten, Dodgson, etc.
- A major work by one of the following: Sor, Giulliani, Coste, Mertz, Regondi or any Spanish or Latin American composer.
Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma:
The Doctoral and Artist Diploma programs are The Hartt School's highest levels of musical training. As such, the Guitar Department requires not only well-developed technical and interpretative skills but also a high level of musicianship and artistic ability.
Audition: The audition is based on a recital program (approximately sixty minutes in length), submitted by the candidate with the doctoral application. The audition lasts approximately thirty minutes. During that time the committee will ask the candidate to play selections from the submitted program. The submitted program should contain a major Bach suite, preferably one of the lute suites; Prelude, Fugue, and Allegro; or Chaconne. In addition, a major twentieth-century work and works from the Classical, Romantic, and 20th century Segovia repertoire are encouraged.
Harp
- Two contrasting etudes demonstrating different technical skills
- A composition from the Baroque, Classical or Contemporary periods
- A composition, of the level of difficulty of Au Matin by Marcel Tournier or Fantaisie on a Theme of Haydn by Marcel Grandjany, of the Romantic or Impressionist style
Harpsichord
- A prelude and fugue, or toccata of J. S. Bach
- A work by Couperin or his school
- A contrasting work
Horn
- A movement from a Strauss or Mozart concerto
- A movement from a 20th or 21st century work
- A Kopprasch, Gallay, Kling or Reynolds etude
- 5 orchestral excerpts from standard repertoire
Miami String Quartet Graduate Ensemble Residency
Every two years, the Miami String Quartet selects an advanced string quartet for admission to a special fellowship program leading towards a Graduate Professional Diploma in Chamber Music. The residency offers intensive chamber music studies with the members of the Miami String Quartet and other Hartt faculty as well as special coachings with visiting artists and numerous performance opportunities. In addition, the fellowship quartet members receive individual weekly lessons with other members of the Hartt faculty. They may also enroll in additional academic courses if desired. To ensure that the selected quartet has an opportunity for intensive study and practice, each member receives a financial aid package comprised of a talent award and an assistantship. Assistantship duties include playing in the Hartt Orchestra for one program each semester as well as preparing and performing chamber music with other advanced Hartt students each semester. The scholarship and assistantship, if accepted, equal full tuition. Each quartet member also receives a modest yearly stipend determined after auditions. The Graduate Quartet, depending on teaching experience, may qualify for coaching, outreach, or teaching activities in the Hartt Community Division for additional income.
Only pre-formed string quartets may apply. In addition to the graduate application forms, the quartet must complete the Quartet Program Cover Form, available through the Hartt Admissions Office, and send a quartet performance resume. Two copies of a recorded audition must be submitted with the applications and cover form. The recording should contain 20-30 minutes of playing including at least three contrasting movements representing at least two different styles. Whenever possible, a live audition for members of the Miami String Quartet and/or other Hartt faculty members will be arranged.
Oboe
- Two contrasting movements from a major concerto in the standard repertoire.
- Two contrasting etudes showing the applicant’s level of technical and lyrical abilities.
- Two excerpts from the orchestral repertoire.
Organ
- A prelude and fugue, or similar composition of J. S. Bach
- A major romantic work
- A work in contrasting style by a 20th or 21st century composer
Percussion
- Snare Drum: [1] prepared solo or étude; [2] Demonstrate orchestral long roll; [3] sight-reading
- Mallet Keyboard Instruments: [1] prepared solo and/or étude; [2] Demonstrate scales; [3] Sight-reading
- Timpani: [1] prepared solo or étude, and/or orchestral excerpts; [2] Demonstrate tuning ability
- Orchestral Excerpts: recommended
- Prepared drum-set demonstrations or solos; hand-drumming demonstrations; and multiple-percussion solos or studies are not required, but may be presented.
Piano Performance
Master of Music and Graduate Professional Diploma:
- A Prelude & Fugue by Bach or a larger scale work by Bach containing a fugue
- A complete Classical Sonata (excluding Beethoven Op. 14, 49, 79)
- A large-scale Romantic work
- An Impressionistic or post-1900 work
Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma:
The audition repertoire should consist of a complete recital to include the following:
- A large-scale work by Bach or a Prelude and Fugue containing a 4 or 5 voice fugue
- A major Classical sonata
- A major Romantic work
- A major 20th century work
- An etude of virtuosity
Piano Performance with Accompanying Emphasis (Master of Music only)
Accompanying applicants should prepare two solo pieces from the standard repertoire (memorization optional) and two collaborative pieces from the standard repertoire. Please give at least one month notice of your selected collaborative pieces. Please call the Admissions Office (860) 768-4465 to make arrangements for the collaborative instrumentalist.
Saxophone
Graduate saxophone applicants should prepare a program that includes a variety of solo repertoire. The auditioning faculty will ask to hear representative samples from each work. A CD of recent performances, such as a senior recital, may be submitted in advance of the audition for additional evaluation. Please contact saxophone instructor Carrie Koffman (Koffman@hartford.edu) with questions or for additional information.
Trombone
- An advanced Bordogni (Rochut) étude
- A contrasting étude from Kahila or Bitsch
- Standard sonata (e.g. Hindemith, Castérède, Stevens)
- Concerto or other virtuoso solo piece
- Standard orchestral excerpts
Trumpet
- An étude from Arban, Brandt, Charlier or Wurm
- Arutunian: Concerto; Hindemith: Sonata; or comparable work
- Orchestral excerpts
Tuba
Each of the following:
- One Bordogni melodic study
- One Kopprasch technical etude
- Excerpts: Wagner, “Meistersinger” Overture (Letter J to the end) and Ride of the Valkyries; solo from Stravinsky’s Petrushka; solo from Berlioz’s Hungarian March
- Performance majors must also play either the Vaughan Williams Concerto or Penderecki Capriccio in their entirety.
- Education majors must play the Vaughan Williams Concerto, mvts 1 & 2
Viola and Violin
Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts, non-performance major:
- Three (3) pieces or movements of contrasting styles.
Applicants may bring their own pianist or audition without accompaniment.
Master of Music in Performance, Master of Music in Performance with Suzuki Pedagogy Emphasis, and Graduate Professional Diploma in Performance:
All M.M. or G.P.D string performance applicants must audition with piano accompaniment for at least one work. If applicants are unable to bring their own pianist to their audition, they should contact Hartt Admissions at (860) 768-4465 at least three weeks before their audition date to receive local pianists' names and contact information.
- One movement of unaccompanied Bach from memory
- One movement of a concerto (or a showpiece) from memory
- Another work or movement in a contrasting style
- A selection of choice (this selection could be an additional movement from one of the first three selections, or a completely different piece)
- One of the above selections must be a 20th or 21st century work.
Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance and Artist Diploma:
All Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma candidates must audition with piano accompaniment where appropriate. If applicants are unable to bring their own accompanist to the audition, please contact The Hartt School Admissions Office at (860) 768-4465 at least three weeks before the audition date to receive local pianists' names and contact information.
- A complete concerto and two movements of unaccompanied Bach, or one movement of a concerto and a complete unaccompanied work by Bach
- An additional piece, caprice, or a showpiece
- One or two movements of a sonata
- One of the above selections must be classical and another must be a 20th or 21st century work.
- The concerto, showpiece and unaccompanied works must be performed from memory.
Vocal Performance
Accompanists are provided for all graduate vocal auditions. An original copy of the audition music is preferred.
Master of Music and Graduate Professional Diploma:
Applicants must prepare five (5) selections encompassing four (4) languages and three (3) stylistic periods. At least three (3) selections should be from recital song repertoire. Italian and English must be presented. An operatic or oratorio aria should be included as part of the audition repertoire. Please note that while acceptances will be made based on a taped audition, scholarship will not be awarded to vocal applicants auditioning by tape.
Doctor of Musical Arts, Artist Diploma:
All applicants must prepare a full-length recital (approximately 45 minutes of music), incorporating songs and/or concert arias from at least three (3) stylistic periods in at least four (4) languages. In addition to the recital program, the audition should include an opera aria and an oratorio aria. Italian, French, German, and English must be presented. Complete translations and program notes should be provided (5 copies). The committee will select from each grouping on the recital program and the arias. |
