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 you require an accompanist for your audition , you may bring your own or request a Hartt accompanist. There is a $50 fee for a Hartt accompanist, which includes one 30-minute rehearsal (on the day of the audition) and the audition. You must notify Hartt Admissions at 860.768.4465 at least three (3) weeks prior to your audition if you will need a Hartt accompanist and of your repertoire.
Bassoon
- Two contrasting etudes from the Milde Concert Studies
- Mozart Concerto in Bb K.191 (complete)
- A single movement from a contrasting concerto
- A 20th-century sonata (or a piece for bassoon alone, e.g. Osborne Rhapsody )
- 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 you require an accompanist for your audition, you may bring your own or request a Hartt accompanist. There is a $50 fee for a Hartt accompanist, which includes one 30-minute rehearsal (on the day of the audition) and the audition. You must notify Hartt Admissions at (860) 768-4465 at least three (3) weeks prior to your audition if you will need a Hartt accompanist and of your repertoire.
- 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 you require an accompanist for your audition, you may bring your own or request a Hartt accompanist. There is a $50 fee for a Hartt accompanist, which includes one 30-minute rehearsal (on the day of the audition) and the audition. You must notify Hartt Admissions at (860) 768-4465 at least three (3) weeks prior to your audition if you will need a Hartt accompanist and of your repertoire.
- 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.
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
- 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.
Clarinet
Master of Music and Graduate Professional Diploma
- 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
- 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 you require an accompanist for your audition, you may bring your own or request a Hartt accompanist. There is a $50 fee for a Hartt accompanist, which includes one 30-minute rehearsal (on the day of the audition) and the audition. You must notify Hartt Admissions at (860) 768-4465 at least three (3) weeks prior to your audition if you will need a Hartt accompanist and of your repertoire.
- 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 M.M. or G.P.D string performance applicants must audition with piano accompaniment for at least one work. If you require an accompanist for your audition, you may bring your own or request a Hartt accompanist. There is a $50 fee for a Hartt accompanist, which includes one 30-minute rehearsal (on the day of the audition) and the audition. You must notify Hartt Admissions at (860) 768-4465 at least three (3) weeks prior to your audition if you will need a Hartt accompanist and of your repertoire.
- 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)
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
- 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 (showpiece 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)
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
- 20th century Sonata for flute and piano
- Late 20th or 21st century solo flute piece showing some extended technique
Prepare appropriate excerpts from the following works:
- Saint Saens, Carnival of the Animals
- Ravel, Daphnis and Chloe
- Beethoven, Leonore
- Stravinsky, Firebird
Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma
- Mozart: Concerto in G or D Major, 1st and 2nd movement
- J. S. Bach: Sonata in B minor, E minor, or Partita in A minor
- Two 20th century sonatas of contrasting style
- Berio Sequenza #1 or similar unaccompanied solo exhibiting a command of extended technique
- Six orchestral excerpts
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.
Graduate Guitarists wishing to be considered of Performance 20/20
Include a DVD of a live performance of the the first or third movements of either Piazzolla's History of the Tango, or Tedesco's Sonatina for Flute and Guitar
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
Oboe
- A major concerto or sonata from 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
- Two contrasting etudes showing the applicant's level of technical and musical advancement.
- One standard solo selected from, or compable to, works by: Arutunian, Haydn, Hummel, Hindemith, or Kennan.
- A representative number of standard orchestral excerpts.
- Graduate applicants are encouraged to play material more advanced than the undergraduate requirements.
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
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 you require an accompanist for your audition , you may bring your own or request a Hartt accompanist. There is a $50 fee for a Hartt accompanist, which includes one 30-minute rehearsal (on the day of the audition) and the audition. You must notify Hartt Admissions at (860) 768-4465 at least three (3) weeks prior to your audition if you will need a Hartt accompanist and of your repertoire.
- Two movements of unaccompanied Bach (minimum one 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 written after 1918.
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 you require an accompanist for your audition, you may bring your own or request a Hartt accompanist. There is a $50 fee for a Hartt accompanist, which includes one 30-minute rehearsal (on the day of the audition) and the audition. You must notify Hartt Admissions at (860) 768-4465 at least three (3) weeks prior to your audition if you will need a Hartt accompanist and of your repertoire.
- 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 written after 1918
- The concerto, showpiece and unaccompanied works must be performed from memory.
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
- 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.
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 you require an accompanist for your audition, you may bring your own or request a Hartt accompanist. There is a $50 fee for a Hartt accompanist, which includes one 30-minute rehearsal (on the day of the audition) and the audition. You must notify Hartt Admissions at (860) 768-4465 at least three (3) weeks prior to your audition if you will need a Hartt accompanist and of your repertoire.
- 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 you require an accompanist for your audition, you may bring your own or request a Hartt accompanist. There is a $50 fee for a Hartt accompanist, which includes one 30-minute rehearsal (on the day of the audition) and the audition. You must notify Hartt Admissions at (860) 768-4465 at least three (3) weeks prior to your audition if you will need a Hartt accompanist and of your repertoire.
- 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.
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
- 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.
Vocal Performance
Accompanists are provided for all graduate vocal auditions. An original copy of the audition music is preferred.
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.