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Undergraduate Double-Degree Program

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must submit a prescreening recording along with their conservatory application by January 1. Prescreening and final audition requirements can be found below. Prescreening recordings may be submitted online as either audio or video.

SPRING 2025 AUDITION DATES

Auditions for the Undergraduate Double Degree Program will be held on the following dates:

All final auditions are by invitation only, and shortlisted applicants will receive an invitation to either schedule an audition or submit new recordings by mid-January.

Live In-Person Auditions

Friday, February 7
Percussion

Sunday, February 9
Cello, Double Bass, Viola

Sunday, February 16
Bassoon, Clarinet, Composition, Flute, Tuba, Violin, Voice

Sunday, February 23
Harp, Horn, Oboe, Piano, Trombone, Violin

Thursday, February 27
Trumpet

Friday, February 28
Voice
Live Remote (Zoom) Auditions

Monday, February 17
Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Composition, Double Bass, Flute, Horn, Piano, Percussion, Trombone, Tuba, Viola, Violin, Voice

Sunday, February 23
Harp, Oboe

Thursday, February 27
Trumpet
Recorded Auditions

All applicants who choose to submit a final audition recording will receive instructions for how to upload your new videos to the applicant portal. Only video recordings will be accepted for the final round, and applicants must include all required final audition repertoire. Final audition video recordings are due on Friday, February 7.

Equal consideration will be given to applicants who choose to submit a recorded audition and applicants who choose to schedule a live in-person or live-remote audition.

Live Remote (Zoom) Auditions

Q: Do I need to perform with an accompanist?
A: No. We do not require any instrumental audition to be performed with an accompanist.

Q: I am a pianist. What can I do if I do not have access to a high quality piano?
A: We will not exclude anyone auditioning due to the quality of their instrument. Upright pianos, slightly out of tune pianos, and keyboards with weighted keys are acceptable.

Q: I do not have access to any high quality recording equipment. Is this a problem?
A: While external microphones do enhance the sound quality of recordings, you do not need any high quality recording equipment for your pre-screening or final audition recordings. The audition committee will certainly accept recordings made on your mobile device or laptop, as long as you can be clearly seen and heard.

Q: What if I do not have a stable internet connection or a quiet space to hold my audition?
A: If you are concerned about the stability of your internet connection or household interruptions, you may submit a recorded final audition in conjunction with a virtual interview with faculty via Zoom. If you do opt to perform a live-remote audition and your internet connection is unstable, this is okay--we understand that this is a risk and there will be no penalty.

Q: What should I wear?
A: We recommend wearing clothes that are comfortable to play in and that are also appropriate for a conservatory audition, i.e. a nice shirt and pants/skirt or dress. There is no need for formal concert attire.

Q: When will I be notified about my pre-screening results?
A: Pre-screening recordings will be reviewed during the first two weeks of January. You should expect to hear from the Conservatory admissions office by mid-January with your pre-screening results. You will be able to schedule your final audition with our faculty at this time, as well.

Q: Will I still have the chance to meet with faculty and have trial lessons?
A: Yes! We highly encourage meeting with a faculty member. Please contact us at conservatoryadmission@bard.edu to set up a meeting.

Undergraduate Voice Specific FAQ’s:
Q: Do I need to record my pre-screening and final audition recordings with accompaniment?
A: It is preferred that all pre-screening and final audition recordings include accompaniment. Acceptable accompaniment options include:

In-person accompanist with proper social distancing protocols
A high-quality piano accompaniment app
Pre-recorded accompaniment tracks, ideally from a pianist you have worked with previously
Self-accompaniment at the piano

You know yourself and your situation best--please choose the option that works best for you. There is no penalty should it not be possible to record your audition with accompaniment.

Percussion

These are our typical audition requirements, but we welcome anyone to audition with this or similar types of repertoire - or anything that best represents you as a player. Please reach out to the Conservatory Admissions office (conservatoryadmission@bard.edu) to discuss your plans for audition - we will make auditions work for everyone who wants to apply!

Prescreening Repertoire:

Marimba: Mallet solo (5-12 minutes)
Timpani: An étude of choice. The following are recommended: Elliott Carter Eight Pieces for Solo Timpani, Richard Hochrainer Etuden Für Timpani, Jacques Delecluse Vingt Etudes
Snare Drum: An étude of choice. The following are recommended: Cirone Portraits in Rhythm, Delecluse Douze Etudes, Smith Publications' The Noble Snare Collection
Something Else (optional): Send us something else that makes you a unique musician. Possibilities could include orchestra excerpts, steel drum playing, multiple percussion solo, drumset, even another instrument

Final Audition Repertoire:

Marimba:
- Four mallet solo (5-12 minutes in length)
- Two mallet solo (transcription of J.S. Bach or other substantial work)
- Two mallet sight-reading may be asked at live audition
Timpani:
- An étude of choice. The following are recommended: Elliott Carter Eight Pieces for Solo Timpani, Richard Hochrainer Etuden Für Timpani, Jacques Delecluse Vingt Etudes
- Interval knowledge and basic tuning may be examined
Snare Drum:
- An étude of choice. The following are recommended: Cirone Portraits in Rhythm, Delecluse Douze Etudes, Smith Publications' The Noble Snare Collection
- Sight-reading may be asked
Chamber Music:
- Candidate will be asked to sight-read an excerpt from the chamber music repertoire with members of the percussion faculty. Music and instruments will be provided
Something Else (optional): Please feel welcome to bring in something else that makes you a unique musician. Possibilities could include orchestra excerpts, steel drum playing, multiple percussion solo, drumset, even another instrument.