Strings Audition Requirements

For entrance into the TCU School of Music and scholarship consideration, students are encouraged to audition in person before the TCU string faculty. All applicants applying for a music minor or non-major study in strings must audition.  A pre-screening video(s) is required for all applicants.

Learn more about the string program at TCU.

 

Violin (BM, BME, BA)

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

• Repertoire can be chosen from the planned live audition repertoire listed below, or it can include different selections.
• It is not necessary to send complete concerto movements, although a significant portion (exposition, exposition/development, or exposition/cadenza, for example) is recommended.
• For the other selections, contrast in styles is most helpful.

Audition Repertoire

• First or last movement of a standard concerto, with cadenza if applicable
• One movement of unaccompanied Bach
• One other contrasting selection

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

NORDAN YOUNG ARTIST AWARD

Nordan auditions require a live audition. To be considered for the Nordan prescreening process, you will need to prepare repertoire as explained below. 

Nordan Prescreening Repertoire

• Repertoire can be chosen from the planned live audition repertoire listed below, or it can include different selections.
• It is not necessary to send complete concerto movements, although a significant portion (exposition, exposition/development, or exposition/cadenza, for example) is recommended.
• For the other selections, contrast in styles is most helpful.

Nordan Live Audition Repertoire

You will need to prepare repertoire chosen from:

• Three pieces representative of the Baroque, Classic, Romantic or 20th century periods (concertos may be selected).

Learn more about the Nordan Young Artist Award program.

For questions regarding specific violin audition repertoire, contact Dr. Elisabeth Adkins at e.adkins@tcu.edu.

 

Viola (BM, BME, BA)

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

• A fast movement of a concerto.
• Two contrasting movements from a work for viola solo or two contrasting etudes or caprices.

Audition Repertoire

• A fast movement of a concerto.
• Two contrasting movements from a work for viola solo or two contrasting etudes or caprices.

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

NORDAN YOUNG ARTIST AWARD

Nordan auditions require a live audition. To be considered for the Nordan prescreening process, you will need to prepare repertoire as explained below. 

Nordan Prescreening Video Repertoire

• Repertoire can be chosen from the planned live audition repertoire listed below, or it can include different selections.
• It is not necessary to send complete concerto movements, although a significant portion (exposition, exposition/development, or exposition/cadenza, for example) is recommended.
• For the other selections, contrast in styles is most helpful.

Nordan Live Audition Repertoire

• Three pieces representative of the Baroque, Classic, Romantic or 20th century periods (concertos may be selected).

Learn more about the Nordan Young Artist Award program.

Please contact Dr. Misha Galaganov at m.galaganov@tcu.edu with questions regarding repertoire selections and substitutions.

 

Cello (BM, BME, BA)

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

• A Prelude from any Suite by J. S. Bach.
• A work showing virtuosity, such as an etude, a caprice, or a showpiece
• The first movement of a concerto

Audition Repertoire

• A Prelude from any Suite by J. S. Bach.
• A work showing virtuosity, such as an etude, a caprice, or a showpiece
• The first movement of a concerto

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

NORDAN YOUNG ARTIST AWARD

Nordan auditions require a live audition. The above prescreening and audition repertoire guidelines also apply for the Nordan Award Auditions.

Learn more about the Nordan Young Artist Award program.

For cello audition repertoire questions, or to schedule a visit of the cello studio, write Dr. Jesús Castro-Balbi at j.castro-balbi@tcu.edu.

 

Double Bass (BM, BME, BA)

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening video Repertoire

• One movement from a standard sonata or concerto or comparable works for the standard double bass solo repertoire.

Audition Repertoire

• One movement from a standard sonata or concerto or comparable works for the standard double bass solo repertoire.
• Two orchestra excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire.

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

NORDAN YOUNG ARTIST AWARD

Nordan auditions require a live audition. To be considered for the Nordan prescreening process, you will need to prepare repertoire as explained below. 

Nordan Prescreening Video Repertoire

• Two pieces representative of the Baroque, Classic, or Romantic (concertos may be selected).

Nordan Live Audition Repertoire

• Three pieces representative of the Baroque, Classic, Romantic or 20th century periods (concertos may be selected).

Learn more about the Nordan Young Artist Award program.

For any additional questions for BM, BME, BA, and Nordan, please contact Professor Yuan Lu at y.lu@tcu.edu regarding repertoire selections and substitutions.

 

Guitar (BM, BME, BA)

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

A performance from memory of three works from contrasting musical style periods, including:

• Etudes by Aguado, Carcassi, Guiliani or Sor (Segovia edition).
• Works by Milan, Bach, Tarrega, Villa Lobos, and Brouwer (not etude).

Audition repertoire

A performance from memory of three works from contrasting musical style periods, including:

• Etudes by Aguado, Carcassi, Guiliani or Sor (Segovia edition).
• Works by Milan, Bach, Tarrega, Villa Lobos, and Brouwer (not etude).

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

NORDAN YOUNG ARTIST AWARD

Nordan auditions require a live audition. To be considered for the Nordan prescreening process, you will need to prepare repertoire as explained below. 

Nordan Prescreening Video Repertoire:

• Two pieces representative of the Baroque, Classic, or Romantic (concertos may be selected).

Nordan Live Audition Repertoire:

• Three pieces representative of the Baroque, Classic, Romantic or 20th century periods (concertos may be selected).

Learn more about the Nordan Young Artist Award program.

Please contact Mr. Chip Christ at g.christ@tcu.edu with questions about audition repertoire or substitutions.

 

Harp (BM, BME, BA)

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round. Applicants applying for a music minor or non-major study in strings must audition. 

Prescreening Video Repertoire

• Three solo works of differing styles from standard harp literature, including but not limited to works of Grandjany, Salzedo, Renie, Hasselmans and Tournier that best represent the student’s current level of performance.
• Selections should demonstrate technical proficiency and musicianship. Memorization is encouraged but not required.
• A major cadenza from orchestral repertoire (such as Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Flowers, Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol or Britten Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra) may be substituted for one of the solos.

Audition Repertoire

• Three solo works of differing styles from standard harp literature, including but not limited to works of Grandjany, Salzedo, Renie, Hasselmans and Tournier that best represent the student’s current level of performance.
• Selections should demonstrate technical proficiency and musicianship. Memorization is encouraged but not required.
• A major cadenza from orchestral repertoire (such as Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Flowers, Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol or Britten Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra) may be substituted for one of the solos.

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

NORDAN YOUNG ARTIST AWARD

Nordan Auditions require a live audition. To be considered for the Nordan prescreening process, you will need to prepare repertoire as explained below. 

Nordan Prescreening Video Repertoire:

• Two contrasting pieces representative of standard advanced solo harp literature. (A concerto movement plus a solo piece may be selected).
• Music must be performed from memory.

Nordan Live Audition Repertoire:

• Three contrasting pieces representative of standard advanced solo harp literature. (A concerto movement plus two solo pieces may be selected).
• Music must be performed from memory.

Learn more about the Nordan Young Artist Award program.

For questions regarding specific harp audition repertoire contact Dr. Laura Logan Brandenburg at l.logan@tcu.edu.

 

A pre-screening video(s) is required for all applicants.

Learn more about the string program at TCU.

Violin

 

Viola

 

Cello

 

Double Bass

 

Guitar (MM)

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

A performance from memory of three works from contrasting musical style periods, including as follows:

• Etudes by Aguado, Carcassi, Guiliani, or Sor (Segovia edition)
• Works by Milan, Bach, Tarrega, Villa Lobos, and Brouwer (not etude).

Audition Repertoire

A performance from memory of three works from contrasting musical style periods, including as follows:

• Etudes by Aguado, Carcassi, Guiliani, or Sor (Segovia edition)
• Works by Milan, Bach, Tarrega, Villa Lobos, and Brouwer (not etude).

Live auditions are recommended or via video if you cannot attend the live general audition dates. In the case of a video audition, you will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

Please contact Mr. Chip Christ at g.christ@tcu.edu with questions about audition repertoire or substitutions.

 

Harp (MM)

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

• Two solo works of contrasting styles from standard harp literature, including but not limited to works of Grandjany, Salzedo, Renie and Tournier that best represent the student’s current level of performance. Selections should demonstrate technical proficiency and musicianship. Memorization is required.
• One movement of a standard solo harp concerto, such as Gliere, Ginastera, Boieldieu, or Debussy, performed from memory, or a single movement work, such as Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro or Pierne’s Concertstuck.

Audition Repertoire

• Two solo works of contrasting styles from standard harp literature, including but not limited to works of Grandjany, Salzedo, Renie and Tournier that best represent the student’s current level of performance. Selections should demonstrate technical proficiency and musicianship. Memorization is required.
• One movement of a standard solo harp concerto, such as Gliere, Ginastera, Boieldieu, or Debussy, performed from memory, or a single movement work, such as Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro or Pierne’s Concertstuck

Live auditions are recommended or via video if you cannot attend the live general audition dates. In the case of a video audition, you will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round. For questions regarding specific harp audition repertoire contact Dr. Laura Logan Brandenburg at l.logan@tcu.edu.

For entrance into the TCU School of Music Artist Diploma program, applicants are encouraged to audition in person before the TCU string faculty. A pre-screening video(s) is required for all applicants.

Learn more about the string program at TCU.

 

Violin

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

• First or last movement of a standard concerto, with cadenza if applicable
• One movement of unaccompanied Bach
• One other contrasting selection

Audition Repertoire

• First or last movement of a standard concerto, with cadenza if applicable
• One movement of unaccompanied Bach
• One other contrasting selection

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

For questions regarding specific violin audition repertoire, contact Dr. Elisabeth Adkins at e.adkins@tcu.edu.

 

Viola

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

• A fast movement of a concerto.
• Two contrasting movements from a work for viola solo or two contrasting etudes or caprices.

Audition Repertoire

• A fast movement of a concerto.
• Two contrasting movements from a work for viola solo or two contrasting etudes or caprices.

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

Please contact Dr. Misha Galaganov at m.galaganov@tcu.edu with questions regarding repertoire selections and substitutions.

 

Cello

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

• A Prelude and a dance from Suites 3, 4, 5, or 6 by J. S. Bach
• A work showing virtuosity, such as an etude, a caprice, or a showpiece
• The first movement of a concerto

Audition Repertoire

• A Prelude from any Suite by J. S. Bach
• A work showing virtuosity, such as an etude, a caprice, or a showpiece
• The first movement of a concerto
• A work by a composer from the state or country in which you attend(ed) high school

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

For cello auditions questions, or to schedule a visit of the cello studio, write Dr. Jesús Castro-Balbi atj.castro-balbi@tcu.edu.

 

Double Bass

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

• One movement from a standard sonata or concerto or comparable works for the standard double bass solo repertoire.

Audition Repertoire

• One movement from a standard sonata or concerto or comparable works for the standard double bass solo repertoire.
• A movement from the Bach cello suites or a virtuoso piece of your choiceli>
• Three orchestra excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

If alternate audition repertoire is desired, please contact Professor Yuan Lu at y.lu@tcu.edu or call (817) 257-4465 for approval.

 

Guitar

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

A performance from memory of three works from contrasting musical style periods, including as follows:

• Etudes by Aguado, Carcassi, Guiliani, or Sor (Segovia edition)
• Works by Milan, Bach, Tarrega, or Brouwerli

Audition  Repertoire

A performance from memory of three works from contrasting musical style periods, including as follows:

• Etudes by Aguado, Carcassi, Guiliani, or Sor (Segovia edition)
• Works by Milan, Bach, Tarrega, or Brouwerli

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

Please contact Mr. Chip Christ at g.christ@tcu.edu to request details about audition requirements.

 

Harp

A prescreening video is required of all applicants. You will be notified if you advance to the audition round.

Prescreening Video Repertoire

• Two solo works of contrasting styles from standard harp literature, including but not limited to works of Grandjany, Salzedo, Renie and Tournier that best represent the student’s current level of performance. Selections should demonstrate technical proficiency and musicianship. Memorization is required.li>
• One movement of a standard solo harp concerto, such as Gliere, Ginastera, Boieldieu, or Debussy, performed from memory, or a single movement work, such as Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro or Pierne’s Concertstuck.

Audition Repertoire

• Two solo works of contrasting styles from standard harp literature, including but not limited to works of Grandjany, Salzedo, Renie and Tournier that best represent the student’s current level of performance. Selections should demonstrate technical proficiency and musicianship. Memorization is required.li>
• One movement of a standard solo harp concerto, such as Gliere, Ginastera, Boieldieu, or Debussy, performed from memory, or a single movement work, such as Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro or Pierne’s Concertstuck.

Live auditions are recommended. If you cannot attend one of the live general audition dates, you may submit video audition recordings. You will have the option to upload videos different from those you submitted for the prescreening round.

For questions regarding specific harp audition repertoire contact Dr. Laura Logan Brandenburg at l.logan@tcu.edu.