Audition Requirements

This page lists the audition requirements for each program. For full application instructions refer to the undergraduate admissions or graduate admissions page.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Brass

French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba

One movement from a concerto.
Two contrasting étude.
3 to 5 excerpts, if the student has them.

Percussion

Drums / Mallet Instrument

Snare drum solo work and rudiments.
A solo on a mallet instrument (usually Marimba) plus all scales.
A Timpani solo and tuning exercises.

Piano

Piano / Keyboard

All major and minor scales and arpeggios in four octaves, hands together.
Two pieces in contrasting styles, chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or 20th Century eras. (Single movements of sonatas are acceptable, but the movement chosen, or each piece chosen, must be presented and prepared in their entirety, not partially).
Sight-reading.

Strings

Cello / Viola / Violin	One movement of a major concerto, OR sonata, contemporary work, or showpiece. Two contrasting movements of Solo Bach (Six Suites for Solo Violoncello).
Double Bass	Major or minor scale and arpeggio, two octaves, of the applicant’s choice. Two contrasting movements of a baroque sonata, or the first movement of a standard concerto, and an additional contrasting movement or work. One etude on the level of Bille, Simandl, Storch-Hrabe, or Sturm. One orchestral excerpt of the applicant’s choice.
Guitar	A technical study or composition by Sor, Aguado, or Carcassi. A work from the Renaissance or Baroque period. A solo twentieth-century composition.

Voice

All voice types

Applicants must prepare two of the following:
One Italian Art Song (Preferred).
One English Art Song OR musical theater selection.
One traditional folk song.
Important: Commercial music (“pop music”) will NOT be considered.

Woodwind

Flute	• Mozart Concerto Gm or Dm: 1st and 2nd movement expositions or Another standard concerto of your choice. • A contrasting piece of standard repertoire, of your choice. Recommended: a standard piece, such as from the French Book Chaminade Gaubert – Fantasie Gaubert – Nocturne and Allegro Scherzando Faure Fantasie Taffanel “Andante Pastoral and Scherzetino” Ganne Hue Fantasy is also acceptable. • An etude • Optional: one or two standard orchestral excerpts
Bassoon / Clarinet	One movement from concerto. Two contrasting étude.
Oboe	One movement from concerto. One other contrasting piece. One étude.
Saxophone	• Two contrasting movements (fast/slow) of works from the saxophone repertoire. Examples: Sonatas by Creston, Heiden, Lunde, Jacobi, Maurice, Maslanka, Decruck, Descenclos, Schulhoff, Milhaud, Husa, or Concerti by Glazunov, Creston, Ibert, Larsson, Martin, Dubois, Erickson, Tomasi, Villa Lobos. Transcriptions of standard classical or baroque repertoire are permissible, at least one original work for saxophone is encouraged. • All Major Scales and Chromatic Scale.

Bachelor of Music in Music Education

The Bachelor of Music with Music Education prepares students for New York State Initial Teacher Certification in Music PreK-12. This program (coordinated with the School of Education) provides a solid, structured musical education and a firm foundation in music pedagogy for students preparing to teach in public or private schools. These students complete the college liberal arts studies, the basic music curriculum, and education and music education classes. Taking the Music Qualifying Exam is required for this program.

Audition Requirements

All undergraduate music applicants are required to take the Music Placement Exam on the day of the audition. Applications are considered in the following areas:

Brass

French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba

One movement from a concerto.
Two contrasting étude.
3 to 5 excerpts, if the student has them.

Percussion

Drums / Mallet Instrument

Snare drum solo work and rudiments.
A solo on a mallet instrument (usually Marimba) plus all scales.
A Timpani solo and tuning exercises.

Piano

Piano / Keyboard

All major and minor scales and arpeggios in four octaves, hands together.
Two pieces in contrasting styles, chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or 20th Century eras. (Single movements of sonatas are acceptable, but the movement chosen, or each piece chosen, must be presented and prepared in their entirety, not partially).
Sight-reading.

Strings

Cello / Viola / Violin	One movement of a major concerto, OR sonata, contemporary work, or showpiece. Two contrasting movements of Solo Bach (Six Suites for Solo Violoncello).
Double Bass	Major or minor scale and arpeggio, two octaves, of the applicant’s choice. Two contrasting movements of a baroque sonata, or the first movement of a standard concerto, and an additional contrasting movement or work. One etude on the level of Bille, Simandl, Storch-Hrabe, or Sturm. One orchestral excerpt of the applicant’s choice.
Guitar	A technical study or composition by Sor, Aguado, or Carcassi. A work from the Renaissance or Baroque period. A solo twentieth-century composition.

Voice

All voice types

Applicants must prepare two of the following:
One Italian Art Song (Preferred).
One English Art Song OR musical theater selection.
One traditional folk song.
Important: Commercial music (“pop music”) will NOT be considered.

Woodwind

Flute	• Mozart Concerto Gm or Dm: 1st and 2nd movement expositions or Another standard concerto of your choice. • A contrasting piece of standard repertoire, of your choice. Recommended: a standard piece, such as from the French Book Chaminade Gaubert – Fantasie Gaubert – Nocturne and Allegro Scherzando Faure Fantasie Taffanel “Andante Pastoral and Scherzetino” Ganne Hue Fantasy is also acceptable. • An etude • Optional: one or two standard orchestral excerpts
Bassoon / Clarinet	One movement from concerto. Two contrasting étude.
Oboe	One movement from concerto. One other contrasting piece. One étude.
Saxophone	• Two contrasting movements (fast/slow) of works from the saxophone repertoire. Examples: Sonatas by Creston, Heiden, Lunde, Jacobi, Maurice, Maslanka, Decruck, Descenclos, Schulhoff, Milhaud, Husa, or Concerti by Glazunov, Creston, Ibert, Larsson, Martin, Dubois, Erickson, Tomasi, Villa Lobos. Transcriptions of standard classical or baroque repertoire are permissible, at least one original work for saxophone is encouraged. • All Major Scales and Chromatic Scale.

Bachelor of Music in Performance

Admission to this professional performance program is by competitive audition for qualified instrumentalists and singers. The program is planned to equal the training available in a conservatory course of study. It includes private instruction in the major instrument, ensemble requirements, and a senior recital, in addition to the required music curriculum and a modified academic sequence. In addition to auditions, taking the Music Qualifying Exam is required for this program.

Audition Requirements

All undergraduate music applicants are required to take the Music Placement Exam on the day of the audition. Applications are considered in the following areas:

Brass

French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba

One movement from a concerto.
Two contrasting étude.
3 to 5 excerpts, if the student has them.

Percussion

Drums / Mallet Instrument

Snare drum solo work and rudiments.
A solo on a mallet instrument (usually Marimba) plus all scales.
A Timpani solo and tuning exercises.

Piano

Piano / Keyboard

All major and minor scales and arpeggios in four octaves, hands together.
Two pieces in contrasting styles, chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or 20th Century eras. (Single movements of sonatas are acceptable, but the movement chosen, or each piece chosen, must be presented and prepared in their entirety, not partially).
Sight-reading.

Strings

Cello / Viola / Violin	One movement of a major concerto, OR sonata, contemporary work, or showpiece. Two contrasting movements of Solo Bach (Six Suites for Solo Violoncello).
Double Bass	Major or minor scale and arpeggio, two octaves, of the applicant’s choice. Two contrasting movements of a baroque sonata, or the first movement of a standard concerto, and an additional contrasting movement or work. One etude on the level of Bille, Simandl, Storch-Hrabe, or Sturm. One orchestral excerpt of the applicant’s choice.
Guitar	A technical study or composition by Sor, Aguado, or Carcassi. A work from the Renaissance or Baroque period. A solo twentieth-century composition.

Voice

All voice types

Applicants must prepare two of the following:
One Italian Art Song (Preferred).
One English Art Song OR musical theater selection.
One traditional folk song.
Important: Commercial music (“pop music”) will NOT be considered.

Woodwind

Flute	• Mozart Gm or Dm Concerto: 1st and 2nd movement expositions • A piece from the French School, such as Chaminade Hue – Fantasie Gaubert – Fantasie Gaubert – Nocturne and Allegro Scherzando Faure Fantasie Taffanel “Andante Pastoral and Scherzetino” Ganne • A contrasting piece of your choice • Three standard orchestral excerpts • Optional – an etude
Bassoon / Clarinet	One movement from concerto. Two contrasting étude.
Oboe	One movement from concerto. One other contrasting piece. One étude.
Saxophone	• Two contrasting movements (fast/slow) of works from the saxophone repertoire. Examples: Sonatas by Creston, Heiden, Lunde, Jacobi, Maurice, Maslanka, Decruck, Descenclos, Schulhoff, Milhaud, Husa, or Concerti by Glazunov, Creston, Ibert, Larsson, Martin, Dubois, Erickson, Tomasi, Villa Lobos. Transcriptions of standard classical or baroque repertoire are permissible, at least one original work for saxophone is encouraged. • All Major Scales and Chromatic Scale.

Bachelor of Music in Performance with Initial Certificate in Music Education (Five-Year Program)

This program is for students who have been accepted into the Bachelor of Music program but also wish to pursue teacher certification. Students follow the standard Bachelor of Music curriculum for the first two years, including the college liberal arts requirements. Beginning in their junior year, they add the music education sequence and education courses required for certification. Typically, this requires at least one additional year of study to meet all requirements, including student teaching. The fifth-year will be part of the advanced certificate program following the student’s graduation with the Bachelor of Music degree. This program will automatically admit students to the advanced certificate program upon their Bachelor of Music graduation. Taking performance auditions and Music Qualifying Exam are required for this program.

Audition Requirements

All undergraduate music applicants are required to take the Music Placement Exam on the day of the audition. Applications are considered in the following areas:

Brass

French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba

One movement from a concerto.
Two contrasting étude.
Three to five excerpts, if the student has them.

Piano

Piano / Keyboard

A Prelude and Fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier, or another major of J.S. Bach..
A sonata by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart.
A Romantic work.
A Twentieth-Centry Composition (optional)

Harpsicord

Representative works from major areas of literature
- A major work of J.S. Bach
- A Baroque work
- A work from the early Classical or Twentieth-Century repertoire.

Organ

Three substantial works from different style periods:
- A work from the Nineteenth or Twentieth-Century repertoire
- A work of the applicant’s choice
Applicant should bear in mind the character of the Maynard-Walker Memorial Organ.

Percussion

Snare drum solo and rudiments
A solo on a mallet instrument (usually Marimba) plus scales
A Timpani solo and tuning exercises.

String

Cello / Violin / Viola	One movement of a major concerto Two contrasting movements of Solo Bach One movement of a sonata, contemporary work, or a showpiece.
Bass	Major or minor scale and arpeggio, three octaves, of the applicant’s choice. Two contrasting movements of baroque sonata, or the first movement of a standard concerto, and an additional contrasting movement or work. One etude on the level of Bille, Simandl, Storch-Hrabe, or Sturm. One orchestral excerpt of the applicant’s choice.
Classical Guitar	A technical study of a composition by Sor, Aguado, or Carcassi A work from the Renaissance or Baroque Period. A solo Twentieth-Century composition

Voice

One Italian Art song and one American or British Art song.
No opera arias will be accepted
If the above requirements are not included in the applications repertoire, they will not be granted an audition. Exceptions can be made for German or French Art song.

Woodwind

Flute

• Mozart Gm or Dm Concerto: 1st and 2nd movement expositions
• A piece from the French School, such as
Chaminade
Hue – Fantasie
Gaubert – Fantasie
Gaubert – Nocturne and Allegro Scherzando
Faure Fantasie
Taffanel “Andante Pastoral and Scherzetino”
Ganne
• A contrasting piece of your choice
• Three standard orchestral excerpts
• Optional – an etude

Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon,

One movement from a concerto
Two constrating etudes
Three to five excerpts.

Saxophone

• Two contrasting movements (fast/slow) of works from the saxophone repertoire.

Examples: Sonatas by Creston, Heiden, Lunde, Jacobi, Maurice, Maslanka, Decruck, Descenclos, Schulhoff, Milhaud, Husa, or Concerti by Glazunov, Creston, Ibert, Larsson, Martin, Dubois, Erickson, Tomasi, Villa Lobos.

Transcriptions of standard classical or baroque repertoire are permissible, at least one original work for saxophone is encouraged.

• All Major Scales and Chromatic Scale.

Master of Music in Classical Performance

Brass

French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba

Major and minor scales.
Two contrasting movements from one or more concertos.
One contemporary work accompanied or unaccompanied.
Two contrasting études.
Three to five excerpts.

Piano

Piano / Keyboard

A Prelude and Fugue or comparable work by J.S. Bach.
A sonata by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, or Schubert.
Any large keyboard work of Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, or Schumann.
A Twentieth-Century Composition.

Harpsicord

Representative works from major areas of literature
- A major work of J.S. Bach.
- A Baroque work.
- A work from the early Classical or Twentieth-Century repertoire.

Organ

Three substantial works from different style periods:
- A work of J.S. Bach.
- A work from the Nineteenth or Twentieth-Century repertoire.
- A work of the applicant’s choice
  - Applicant should bear in mind the character of the Maynard-Walker Memorial Organ.

Percussion

Snare drum solo.
Two and four-mallet solos.
A Timpani solo.

Strings

Cello / Violin / Viola	Two movements of a major concerto. Two contrasting movements of Solo Bach. One movement of a sonata. One contemporary work, or showpiece.
Bass	Three contrasting works of different style periods, which must include either a complete concerto or a sonata. Doctoral and Professional Studies Audition Requirements. Four complete, contrasting recital works, including the Twentieth or Twenty-First Century. Three significant orchestral excerpts.
Classical Guitar	Representative selections from major areas of the literature: A major work of J.S. Bach. A Twentieth-Century work. A selection of the applicant’s choice.

Voice

Three art songs in contrasting style and language (Italian, German, French, and/or English; English songs should not be a translation).
Three arias in contrasting style and language (Italian, German, French, and/or English).

Woodwind

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone

One complete concerto.
One contemporary work accompanied or unaccompanied.
Two contrasting etudes.
Three to five excerpts

Master of Music in Conducting

Conducting students will submit a video audition as part of the application process. In some circumstances,students may be invited to a live audition. If so, students will be contacted with details of the repertoire and requirements.

Master of Music in Jazz Studies

Prescreening & Audition Requirements

Audition Prescreening: Provide three (3) videos of yourself performing (one composition per video). Three standards are preferred, but we will accept one original composition if you choose. These videos should demonstrate your ability to play in a jazz style with a rhythm section. Each tune should demonstrate your ability to improvise over chord structures. Please submit the links to the videos on the GetAcceptd platform.
Live audition: If you pass the Acceptd prescreening, you will be invited to a live audition. For your live audition, prepare three compositions: one ballad, one medium tempo composition, and one up-tempo example of rhythm changes. In addition, you are responsible for knowing some commonly played jazz standards (scroll down for our recommended list). You may be asked to play any of these songs from memory.
Pianists and guitarists should prepare the ballad as a solo piece.
Bassists should be prepared to play the melody of their songs as well as create basslines and solos in a variety of styles over chord changes.
Drummers should be familiar with most jazz standards and should be prepared to play time for at least three choruses behind a soloist and to play at least two solos choruses of trading fours, eights, and/or soloing unaccompanied within each audition piece including a ballad to demonstrate their ability to perform with brushes.
Singers should be prepared to sing three compositions (One ballad, one medium swing composition, and another song in any style of your choice). You may bring sheet music in your key for the rhythm section if you like. You will also be asked to improvise over changes.
All applicants should be prepared to sight read music at some point during the audition.
A rhythm section will be provided for you to play with at the audition.
After you audition on your instrument, you will be given a short theory test.
Students who are unable to attend Queens College for the audition can request a virtual audition. However, in-person auditions are preferred and may be prioritized over students who only audition via the internet.

Up Tempo Standards	Medium Tempo Standards
Cherokee	Green Dolphin Street
Confirmation	Bye Bye Blackbird
Donna Lee	There Is No Greater Love
I’ll Remember April	All The Things You Are
Giant Steps	Alone Together
Stablemates	Days of Wine and Roses
The Way You Look Tonight	It Could Happen to You
The Song Is You	Milestones (Old)
Oleo	Out of Nowhere
Four	Like Someone in Love
Anthropology	Along Came Betty
Blues (in any key)	Blues (in any key)

Ballads	Miscellaneous Rhythmic Feels
You Don’t Know What Love is	Nica’s Dream – (Afro-Cuban & Swing in 4/4)
Tenderly	Windows – (Waltz in 3/4)
Star Dust	Bluesette – (Waltz in 3/4)
Laura	Blue Bossa – (Bossa-Nova in 4/4)
Prelude to a Kiss	Footprints – (Waltz in 3/4)
Old Folks	St. Thomas – (Calypso in 4/4)
Misty	The Girl from Ipanema – (Bossa-Nova in 4/4)
I Can’t Get Started	Spain – (Samba in 4/4)
Soul Eyes	One Note Samba (Bossa-Nova in 4/4)
Body And Soul	Star Eyes – (Bossa-Nova & Swing in 4/4)
Embraceable You	A Night In Tunisia – (Afro-Cuban & Swing in 4/4)
Blues (in any key)	Blues (in any feel)

Advanced Certificate in Classical Performance

Brass

French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba

Major and minor scales.
Two contrasting movements from one or more concertos.
One contemporary work accompanied or unaccompanied.
Two contrasting études.
Three to five excerpts.

Piano

Piano / Keyboard

A Prelude and Fugue or comparable work by J.S. Bach.
A sonata by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, or Schubert.
Any large keyboard work of Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, or Schumann.
A Twentieth-Century Composition.

Harpsicord

Representative works from major areas of literature
- A major work of J.S. Bach.
- A Baroque work.
- A work from the early Classical or Twentieth-Century repertoire.

Organ

Three substantial works from different style periods:
- A work of J.S. Bach.
- A work from the Nineteenth or Twentieth-Century repertoire.
- A work of the applicant’s choice
  - Applicant should bear in mind the character of the Maynard-Walker Memorial Organ.

Percussion

Snare drum solo.
Two and four-mallet solos.
A Timpani solo.

Strings

Cello / Violin / Viola	Two movements of a major concerto. Two contrasting movements of Solo Bach. One movement of a sonata. One contemporary work, or showpiece.
Bass	Three contrasting works of different style periods, which must include either a complete concerto or a sonata. Doctoral and Professional Studies Audition Requirements. Four complete, contrasting recital works, including the Twentieth or Twenty-First Century. Three significant orchestral excerpts.
Classical Guitar	Representative selections from major areas of the literature: A major work of J.S. Bach. A Twentieth-Century work. A selection of the applicant’s choice.

Voice

Three art songs in contrasting style and language (Italian, German, French, and/or English; English songs should not be a translation).
Three arias in contrasting style and language (Italian, German, French, and/or English).

Woodwind

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone

One complete concerto.
One contemporary work accompanied or unaccompanied.
Two contrasting etudes.
Three to five excerpts

Advanced Diploma in Classical Performance

Brass

French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba

Major and minor scales.
Two contrasting movements from one or more concertos.
One contemporary work accompanied or unaccompanied.
Two contrasting études.
Three to five excerpts.

Piano

Piano / Keyboard

A Prelude and Fugue or comparable work by J.S. Bach.
A sonata by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, or Schubert.
Any large keyboard work of Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, or Schumann.
A Twentieth-Century Composition.

Harpsicord

Representative works from major areas of literature
- A major work of J.S. Bach.
- A Baroque work.
- A work from the early Classical or Twentieth-Century repertoire.

Organ

Three substantial works from different style periods:
- A work of J.S. Bach.
- A work from the Nineteenth or Twentieth-Century repertoire.
- A work of the applicant’s choice
  - Applicant should bear in mind the character of the Maynard-Walker Memorial Organ.

Percussion

Snare drum solo.
Two and four-mallet solos.
A Timpani solo.

Strings

Cello / Violin / Viola	Two movements of a major concerto. Two contrasting movements of Solo Bach. One movement of a sonata. One contemporary work, or showpiece.
Bass	Three contrasting works of different style periods, which must include either a complete concerto or a sonata. Doctoral and Professional Studies Audition Requirements. Four complete, contrasting recital works, including the Twentieth or Twenty-First Century. Three significant orchestral excerpts.
Classical Guitar	Representative selections from major areas of the literature: A major work of J.S. Bach. A Twentieth-Century work. A selection of the applicant’s choice.

Voice

Three art songs in contrasting style and language (Italian, German, French, and/or English; English songs should not be a translation).
Three arias in contrasting style and language (Italian, German, French, and/or English).

Woodwind

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone

One complete concerto.
One contemporary work accompanied or unaccompanied.
Two contrasting etudes.
Three to five excerpts

Placement Examination

The Placement Examination is required of all students who wish to take music major courses. The examination includes a written test in rudiments, melodic dictation, general knowledge of music and individual examinations in sight-singing and keyboard skills, and a brief test in voice or an instrument. There is a more advanced test in music theory for students with previous training or schooling. The more advanced test includes figured bass realization, melody harmonization, species counterpoint, and keyboard harmony.

These tests are given solely to determine the student’s level of preparation. The results are not recorded in the permanent record but are used to determine the proper course and section assignments in theory, ear training, music history, and major ensemble. The examination is scheduled in March and August for Fall registration and in January for Spring registration.

Audition Registration Deadline:

The deadline is a week prior to the audition date based on the instrument. For example, if voice auditions are on February 25; the GetAcceptd application deadline will be February 18.

Hours and Location

Music Building, Room 203
Queens College, CUNY
65-30 Kissena Blvd
Queens, NY 11367
(Tel) 718-997-3800
acsm@qc.cuny.edu

Office Hours
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Remote)

Schedule an Appointment

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