Collaborative Piano Audition Requirements for DMA

Applicants must submit prescreening video recordings representing both instrumental and vocal collaboration, as well as solo piano performance. All duo selections must be performed with the instrumental and vocal partners. Unedited video recordings with high-quality audio are required at this stage.

Instrumental Collaboration

• One complete major instrumental sonata or other substantial duo work, or at least two substantial movements from major instrumental works for different instruments (e.g., a first movement of a violin sonata and a slow movement from a wind sonata, etc.).
• Repertoire should demonstrate a level of technical and musical accomplishment appropriate for doctoral study.

Vocal Collaboration

• Three contrasting art songs representing a variety of styles and languages.

Solo Piano

• One solo piano work or substantial movement of approximately 5–10 minutes, performed from memory.

Applicants must also submit a comprehensive collaborative repertoire list, organized by instrumental and vocal repertoire. Concerto/orchestral reductions and opera/oratorio repertoire should be identified where applicable.

Selections from the prescreening may also be used for the live audition.

Candidates invited to a live audition should prepare the following repertoire. Because of the limited length of the audition (approximately 45 minutes, including the interview), the faculty will select works, movements, or portions of works to be heard during the audition.

Instrumental Collaboration
Prepare:

• One complete major instrumental sonata or other substantial duo work, and
• Two substantial contrasting movements from a second major instrumental work.

The selections should demonstrate breadth of style and the applicant’s experience as an instrumental collaborator. Repertoire involving different instruments is welcome but not required.

Vocal Collaboration
Prepare:

• Six contrasting art songs representing a variety of styles and languages.

The selections should demonstrate breadth of repertoire and experience in vocal collaboration. The faculty will select songs from the submitted repertoire to be heard during the audition.

Orchestral Reduction 
Prepare:

• One substantial movement or excerpt from a standard instrumental concerto, operatic work, or other orchestral reduction.

Solo Piano 
Prepare:

• One solo piano work or substantial movement of approximately 5–10 minutes, performed from memory.

The solo selection may be the same work submitted for the prescreening.

Assigned Work 

Candidates will receive a collaborative work or excerpt approximately 48 hours before the live audition and will prepare it for performance at the audition.

TCU will provide the collaborative partner for the assigned work at the live audition.

The assigned work component is intended to evaluate the candidate’s ability to prepare unfamiliar repertoire efficiently and thoughtfully in a short period of time, simulating common scenarios of professional collaborative pianists.

Interview 

The live audition will include an interview with the piano faculty addressing the candidate’s musical and professional background, collaborative repertoire and experience, goals for doctoral study, and professional interests.

Collaborative Piano DMA candidates who advance to the live audition round are required to perform with at least one instrumental or vocal partner. Candidates are strongly encouraged to perform with both an instrumentalist and a vocalist when possible, as this allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of collaborative skills across different repertoire.

Candidates should make every effort to secure their own partners for the audition. Applicants for whom securing or bringing partners presents a significant logistical or financial hardship should contact m.bukhman@tcu as early as possible. TCU will make reasonable efforts to assist with identifying and arranging local partners when needed.

Breadth of collaborative experience will also be evaluated through the prescreening recordings, submitted repertoire list, and interview.