Conservatory Entrance Audition Requirements

MERIT STRING ORCHESTRA

Repertoire: Sonata, 2nd movement by Marcello and an additional piece of student’s choice. (Memorization is strongly encouraged)

Scales: metronome ♩=60 (Separate and slurred up to 4 per bow)

• C major – three octaves
• D major – two octaves
• F major, 3^rd position – two octaves
• G major, 4^th position – two octaves
• C, D, F, or G melodic minor – two octaves

(Scales must be memorized)

Sight-reading

• Must be able to fluidly sight read melody line in 1st-4th position that contains some accidentals.
• Must be able to accurately count and sight read a simple melodic line with dotted rhythms, 8th and 16th notes. 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Repertoire: Rondo from Concerto No. 2 in D major by Jean Baptiste Breval and an additional piece of student’s choice. (Memorization is strongly encouraged)

Scales: C, D, F, and G major – three octaves, metronome ♩=60, up to 8 notes per bow.

• C, D, F, and G melodic minor – three octaves, metronome ♩=60, up to 8 notes per bow.

(Scales must be memorized)

Sight-reading

• Must be able to fluidly sight read melody line in 1st through thumb position that contains accidentals. 
• Must be able to accurately count and sight read a simple melodic line with dotted rhythms, 8th and 16th, triplets, 3 against 2, and syncopated rhythms. 
• Must be able to fluidly sight read a melodic line in tenor clef 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC RETURNING STUDENTS

New for 19/20: all current Merit Philharmonic students planning to return to Merit Philharmonic for the 2019/2020 academic year.

String students should prepare:

• a solo piece of their choice.
• orchestral excerpts for their instrument (will be emailed)

Excerpts for each instrument will be available via Google Drive.  The link will be emailed no later than March 15^th, please check with your Program Director or Manager if you have any questions.

MERIT STRING ORCHESTRA

Repertoire: Paganini Moto Perpetuo (Memorization is strongly encouraged)

Scales:

• 2 octave B-flat, C, F, and G Major ♩=120
• 2 octave F minor

(Scales must be memorized)

Sight-reading

• Must be able to fluidly sight read melody line in that contains some accidentals and shifting.   
• Must be able to accurately count and sight read a simple melodic line with dotted rhythms, 8th and 16th notes. 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Repertoire:

• Solo piece or etude of the student’s choice
• Brahms Academic Festival Overture 
• Glinka Ruslan and Ludmilla

Scales:

• 2 octave B-flat, C, D, E-flat, F, and G Major, metronome ♩=120
• 2 octave B, C, and F minor

(Scales must be memorized)

Sight-reading       

• Must be able to fluidly sight read melody line in multiple positions that contains accidentals. 
• Must be able to accurately count and sight read a melodic line with dotted rhythms, 8th and 16th, triplets, 3 against 2, and syncopated rhythms. 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC RETURNING STUDENTS

New for 19/20: all current Merit Philharmonic students planning to return to Merit Philharmonic for the 2019/2020 academic year.

String students should prepare:

• a solo piece of their choice.
• orchestral excerpts for their instrument (will be emailed)

Excerpts for each instrument will be available via Google Drive.  The link will be emailed no later than March 15^th, please check with your Program Director or Manager if you have any questions.

MERIT STRING ORCHESTRA

Repertoire: Concerto in D Minor, First Movement by Antonio Vivaldi and an additional piece of student’s choice at Suzuki book 4 level or higher. (Memorization is strongly encouraged)

Scales: metronome ♩=60 (Separate and slurred up to 4 per bow)

• C major – three octaves
• D major – two octaves
• F major, 3^rd position – two octaves
• G major, 3^rd position – two octaves
• C, D, F, or G melodic minor – two octaves

(Scales must be memorized)

Sight-reading

• Must be able to fluidly sight read melody line in 1st-3rd position that contains some accidentals.   
• Must be able to accurately count and sight read a simple melodic line with dotted rhythms, 8th and 16th notes. 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Repertoire: Concerto in C Minor, First Movement by Johann Christian Bach and an additional piece of student’s choice at Suzuki book 6 level or higher. (Memorization is strongly encouraged)

Scales: metronome ♩=60 (Slurs up to 8 per bow, separate up to 6 per beat, martele up to 2 per beat, spiccato 4 per note, hooked bows, mix of slur and separate bow strokes)

• C, D, F, and G major – three octaves
• C, D, F, and G melodic minor – three octaves

(Scales must be memorized)

Sight-reading

• Must be able to fluidly sight read 1st – 7th position that contains some accidentals.   
• Must be able to accurately count and sight read a simple melodic line with dotted rhythms, 8th and 16th, triplets, 3 against 2, and syncopated rhythms.   
• Must be able to fluidly sight read a melodic line in treble clef. 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC RETURNING STUDENTS

New for 19/20: all current Merit Philharmonic students planning to return to Merit Philharmonic for the 2019/2020 academic year.

String students should prepare:

• a solo piece of their choice.
• orchestral excerpts for their instrument (will be emailed)

Excerpts for each instrument will be available via Google Drive.  The link will be emailed no later than March 15^th, please check with your Program Director or Manager if you have any questions.

MERIT STRING ORCHESTRA

Repertoire: Concerto in A Minor, First Movement by Antonio Vivaldi and an additional piece of student’s choice at Suzuki book 4 level or higher. (Memorization is strongly encouraged)

Scales: metronome ♩=60 (Separate and slurred up to 4 per bow)

• G major scale and arpeggio – three octaves
• A major scale and arpeggio – three octaves
• C major scale and arpeggio in 3^rd position – two octaves
  D major and arpeggio in 3^rd position – two octaves
  G, A, C, or D melodic minor scale and arpeggio – two octaves

(Scales must be memorized)

Sight-reading

• Must be able to fluidly sight read melody line in 1st-3rd position that contains some accidentals.   
• Must be able to accurately count and sight read a simple melodic line with dotted rhythms, 8th and 16th notes. 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Repertoire: Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, First Movement by Johann Sebastian Bach and an additional piece of student’s choice at Suzuki book 6 level or higher. (Memorization is strongly encouraged)

Scales: metronome ♩=60 (Slurs up to 8 per bow, separate up to 6 per beat, martele up to 2 per beat, spiccato 4 per note, hooked bows, mix of slur and separate bow strokes)

G major, G melodic minor, A major, A melodic minor, C major, C melodic minor, D major, D melodic minor – ALL SCALES three octaves

(Scales must be memorized)

Sight-reading

• Must be able to fluidly sight read 1st – 7th position that contains some accidentals.  
• Must be able to accurately count and sight read a simple melodic line with dotted rhythms, 8th and 16th, triplets, 3 against 2, and syncopated rhythms.   

MERIT PHILHARMONIC RETURNING STUDENTS

New for 19/20: all current Merit Philharmonic students planning to return to Merit Philharmonic for the 2019/2020 academic year.

String students should prepare:

• a solo piece of their choice.
• orchestral excerpts for their instrument (will be emailed)

Excerpts for each instrument will be available via Google Drive.  The link will be emailed no later than March 15^th, please check with your Program Director or Manager if you have any questions.

CONCERT BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1, Etude 2

Scales: Scale Sheet

Sight-reading

SYMPHONIC BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1, Etude 2

Scales: Scale Sheet

Sight-reading

WIND SYMPHONY

All current Wind Symphony students MUST re-audition to keep their spot in this ensemble.  

Repertoire: Students are strongly recommended to prepare the 2019-20 ILMEA etudes. If this is not feasible, students may also choose from one of the following solos:

• WA. Mozart – Movement 3 from Concerto for Bassoon in B flat Major (K 191)
• G. Pierné- Concert Piece, Op. 35  
• E. Bourdeau- Premiere Solo  
• P. Hindemith – Movement 1 or 2 from Sonata
• G. P. Telemann – Movement 1, 2 or 4 from Sonata in F minor for Bassoon and Piano
• Students may also present an alternate solo of comparable difficulty. 

Scales: ILMEA Scale Sheet  – Lines 5 – 12 

Sight-reading 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Students auditioning for Wind Symphony may also audition for the Merit Philharmonic. These auditions will also take place on May 4 & May 11 so students will need to sign up for two audition time slots in order to audition for Merit Philharmonic. Students MUST audition for and be accepted into Wind Symphony in order to be considered for Merit Philharmonic.

• Master Excerpt List
• Required Excerpts: Excerpt

CONCERT BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1, Etude 2

Scales: Scale sheet

Sight-reading

SYMPHONIC BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1, Etude 2

Scales:  Scale Sheet

Sight-reading

WIND SYMPHONY

All current Wind Symphony students MUST re-audition to keep their spot in this ensemble.  

Repertoire: Students are strongly recommended to prepare the 2019-20 ILMEA etudes.If this is not feasible, students may also choose from one of the following solos: 

• C. M. von Weber – Concertino in E-flat Major, Op. 26(beginning through Variation 1)
• W. A. Mozart – Movement 1 (exposition) fromConcerto in A Major (K.622)  
• I. Stravinsky – Any two movements from Three Pieces 
• Students may also present an alternate solo of comparable difficulty. 

Scales: ILMEA Scale Sheet  – Lines 5 – 12 

Sight-reading 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Students auditioning for Wind Symphony may also audition for the Merit Philharmonic. These auditions will also take place on May 4 & May 11 so students will need to sign up for two audition time slots in order to audition for Merit Philharmonic. Students MUST audition for and be accepted into Wind Symphony in order to be considered for Merit Philharmonic.

• Master Excerpt List
• Required Excerpts: Excerpt

CONCERT BAND

Required Etudes: Etudes 1 and 2

Scales: Scale Sheet

Sight-reading

SYMPHONIC BAND

Required Etudes:  Etudes 1 and 2

Scales:  Scale Sheet

Sight-reading

WIND SYMPHONY

All current Wind Symphony students MUST re-audition to keep their spot in this ensemble.  

Repertoire: Students are strongly recommended to prepare the 2019-20 ILMEA etudes. If this is not feasible, students may also choose from one of the following solos: 

• W. A. Mozart – Movement 1 from either Concerto in G Major (K 313) or Concerto in D Major (K314)
• A. Vivaldi – Movement 1 from “IlGardellino” Concerto (RV 428)
• C. Griffes- Poem  
• G. Faure -Fantasie
• G. Enesco – Cantabile et Presto
• P. Hindemith – Sonata
• Students may also present an alternate solo of comparable difficulty. 

Scales: ILMEA Scale Sheet  – Lines 5 – 12 

Sight-reading 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Students auditioning for Wind Symphony may also audition for the Merit Philharmonic. These auditions will also take place on May 4 & May 11 so students will need to sign up for two audition time slots in order to audition for Merit Philharmonic. Students MUST audition for and be accepted into Wind Symphony in order to be considered for Merit Philharmonic.

• Master Excerpt List
• Required Excerpts: Excerpt

CONCERT BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1, Etude 2

Scales: Scale Sheet

Sight-reading

SYMPHONIC BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1, Etude 2

Scales: Scale Sheet

Sight-reading

WIND SYMPHONY

All current Wind Symphony students MUST re-audition to keep their spot in this ensemble.  

Repertoire: Students are strongly recommended to prepare the 2019-20 ILMEA etudes.If that is not feasible, students may also choose from one of the following solos: 

• G.P. Telemann – Sonata in F Minor   
• A. Guilmant- Morceau Symphonique   
• J.S.Bach – Suite for Unaccompanied Cello  
• A. Capuzzi- Andante and Rondo   
• E. Ewazen- Concerto for Euphonium  
• A. Pryor -Blue Bells of Scotland
• V. Williams -6Studies in English Folk Song  
• M. Ellerby- Concerto For Euphonium  
• Students may also present an alternate solo of comparable difficulty. 

Scales: ILMEA Scale Sheet  – Lines 5 – 12 

Sight-reading 

CONCERT BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1, Etude 2

Scales: Scale sheet

Sight-reading

SYMPHONIC BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1, Etude 2

Scales:  Scale sheet

Sight-reading

WIND SYMPHONY

All current Wind Symphony students MUST re-audition to keep their spot in this ensemble.  

Repertoire: Students are strongly recommended to prepare the 2019-20 ILMEA etudes.If that is not feasible, students may also choose from one of the following solos: 

• W. A. Mozart – Any Concerto, first or last movement
• Glazunov – Reverie 
• C. Saint-Saens – Morceau de Concert
• F. Strauss – Concerto
• F. Strauss –Nocturno
• R. Strauss – Concerto No. 1
• Students may also present an alternate solo of comparable difficulty. 

Scales: ILMEA Scale Sheet  – Lines 5 – 12 

Sight-reading 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Students auditioning for Wind Symphony may also audition for the Merit Philharmonic. These auditions will also take place on May 4 & May 11 so students will need to sign up for two audition time slots in order to audition for Merit Philharmonic. Students MUST audition for and be accepted into Wind Symphony in order to be considered for Merit Philharmonic.

• Master Excerpt List
• Required Excerpts: Excerpt

CONCERT BAND

Required Etudes:  Etudes 1 & 2

Scales: Scale sheet

Sight-reading

SYMPHONIC BAND

Required Etudes: Etudes 1 & 2

Scales:  Scale sheet

Sight-reading

WIND SYMPHONY

All current Wind Symphony students MUST re-audition to keep their spot in this ensemble.  

Repertoire: Students are strongly recommended to prepare the 2019-20 ILMEA etudes.If this is not feasible, students may also choose from one of the following solos: 

• W. A. Mozart – Movement 1 or 3 from Concerto for Oboe (K 314)
• B. Britten – Movement of your choice from Six Metamorphoses after Ovid
• P. Hindemith – Movement 1 from Sonata for Oboe
• F. J. Haydn – Movement 1 from Concerto for Oboe
• W. A. Mozart – Movement 1 from Oboe Quartet (K 370)
• Students may also present an alternate solo of comparable difficulty. 

Scales: ILMEA Scale Sheet  – Lines 5 – 12 

Sight-reading 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Students auditioning for Wind Symphony may also audition for the Merit Philharmonic. These auditions will also take place on May 4 & May 11 so students will need to sign up for two audition time slots in order to audition for Merit Philharmonic. Students MUST audition for and be accepted into Wind Symphony in order to be considered for Merit Philharmonic.

• Master Excerpt List
• Required Excerpts: Excerpt

CONCERT BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1 (mallets), Etude 2 (snare)

• play each repeat section piano

Scales: C, F, B-flat, E-flat, G major scales

Rudiments: Long buzz roll at forte and piano

Sight-reading

SYMPHONIC BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1 (marimbas), Etude 2 (snare)

Scales: All 12 Major scales

Rudiments: Long buzz roll at forte and piano; Long double stroke roll at forte and piano

Sight-reading

WIND SYMPHONY

All current Wind Symphony students MUST re-audition to keep their spot in this ensemble.  

Required Etudes: Students are strongly recommended to prepare the 2019-20 ILMEA etudes. for snare drum, Timpani, AND keyboard. If that is not feasible, students may also choose a solo piece for each of comparable difficulty.

Scales: All Scales 

Rudiments: Open and closed rolls at all dynamics  

Sight-reading 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Students auditioning for Wind Symphony may also audition for the Merit Philharmonic. These auditions will also take place on May 4 & May 11 so students will need to sign up for two audition time slots in order to audition for Merit Philharmonic. Students MUST audition for and be accepted into Wind Symphony in order to be considered for Merit Philharmonic.

• Master Excerpt List
• Required Excerpts: Excerpt

CONCERT BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1, Etude 2

Scales: Alto Sax Scale sheet, Tenor Sax Scale sheet

Sight-reading

SYMPHONIC BAND

Required Etudes:  Etudes 1 & 2

Scales:  Saxophone Scale Sheet

Sight-reading

WIND SYMPHONY

All current Wind Symphony students MUST re-audition to keep their spot in this ensemble.  

Repertoire: Students are strongly recommended to prepare the 2019-20 ILMEA etudes. If this is not feasible, students may also choose from one of the following solos: 

• Alto Saxophone 
  • • Eugene Bozza – Aria 
    • John Eccles – Sonata 
    • Jeanine Rueff – Chanson et Passepied 
    • Robert Schumann – Three Romances 
    • Andre Jolivet – Fantasie-Impromptu 
    • Bernhard Heiden – Sonata 
    • Paule Maurice – Tableaux de Provence 
    • Alexandre Glazunov – Concerto 
    • Students may also present an alternate solo of comparable difficulty.
• Tenor Saxophone 
  • • Claude Debussy – Beaux Soir  
    • Morton Gould – Diversions  
    • Walter Hartley – Poem  
    • Heitor Villa-Lobos – Fantasia  
    • Denis Bedard – Fantasie  
    • Students may also present an alternate solo of comparable difficulty. 

Scales: Scale Sheet *Students may also be asked for minor scales

Sight-reading 

CONCERT BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1, Etude 2

Scales: Scale Sheet

Sight-reading

SYMPHONIC BAND

Required Etudes:

• Trombone Etude 1, Trombone Etude 2
• Bass Trombone Etude 1, Bass Trombone Etude 2

Scales:

• Tenor Trombone Scale sheet, Bass Trombone Scale sheet

Sight-reading

WIND SYMPHONY

All current Wind Symphony students MUST re-audition to keep their spot in this ensemble.  

Repertoire: Students are strongly recommended to prepare the 2019-20 ILMEA etudes. If that is not feasible, students may also choose from one of the following solos: 

• Tenor Trombone 
  • • Guilmant – Morceau Symphonique  
    • L.E.Larsson – Concertino    
    • L. Grondahl- Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra   
    • Students may also present an alternate solo of comparable difficulty. 
• Bass Trombone 
  • • J.E.Galliard Sonata No. 1 from Six Sonatas  
    • Lebedev – Concerto No. 1  J. 
    • E. Sachse- Bass Trombone Concerto  
    • Students may also present an alternate solo of comparable difficulty. 

Scales: ILMEA Scale Sheet  – Lines 5 – 12 

Sight-reading 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Students auditioning for Wind Symphony may also audition for the Merit Philharmonic. These auditions will also take place on May 4 & May 11 so students will need to sign up for two audition time slots in order to audition for Merit Philharmonic. Students MUST audition for and be accepted into Wind Symphony in order to be considered for Merit Philharmonic.

• Master Excerpt List
• Required Excerpt:
  • Trombone Excerpt
  • Bass Trombone Excerpt

CONCERT BAND

Required Etudes: Etudes 1 & 2

Scales: Scale sheets

Sight-reading

SYMPHONIC BAND

Required Etudes: Etude

Scales:  Scale sheet

Sight-reading

WIND SYMPHONY

All current Wind Symphony students MUST re-audition to keep their spot in this ensemble.  

Repertoire: Students should prepare the provided Trumpet Etudes

Scales: Scale Sheet *Students may be asked to play minor scales

Sight-reading 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Students auditioning for Wind Symphony may also audition for the Merit Philharmonic. These auditions will also take place on May 4 & May 11 so students will need to sign up for two audition time slots in order to audition for Merit Philharmonic. Students MUST audition for and be accepted into Wind Symphony in order to be considered for Merit Philharmonic.

• Master Excerpt List
• Required Excerpts: Excerpts

CONCERT BAND

Required Etudes: Etude 1, Etude 2

Scales: Scale sheet

Sight-reading

SYMPHONIC BAND

Required Etudes:  Etudes

Scales:  Scale sheet

Sight-reading

WIND SYMPHONY

All current Wind Symphony students MUST re-audition to keep their spot in this ensemble.  

Repertoire: Students are strongly recommended to prepare the 2019-20 ILMEA etudes. If that is not feasible, students may also choose from one of the following solos: 

• V. Williams – Concerto For Tuba
• E. Gregson – Tuba Concerto
• P. Hindemith – Sonate
• M. Ellerby – Concerto for Tuba
• D. Haddad – Suite for Tuba
• V. Persichetti – Serenade No. 12
• M. Arnold – Fantasy
• A. Capuzzi – Andante and Rondo 
• Students may also present an alternate solo of comparable difficulty. 

Scales: ILMEA Scale Sheet  – Lines 5 – 12 

Sight-reading 

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Students auditioning for Wind Symphony may also audition for the Merit Philharmonic. These auditions will also take place on May 4 & May 11 so students will need to sign up for two audition time slots in order to audition for Merit Philharmonic. Students MUST audition for and be accepted into Wind Symphony in order to be considered for Merit Philharmonic.

• Master Excerpt List
• Required Excerpts: Excerpts

Scales: All 12 Major Scales, 1 octave, in eighth notes at ♩= 60 

Repertoire: “There Will Never Be Another You” and “Billie’s Bounce” 

Bassists should be prepared to play the melody to both repertoire selections. They should also be prepared to walk a bass line and improvise over the chord progression.  Accompaniment will be provided. 

Sight Reading: Students will be asked to sight-read a brief excerpt from an ensemble piece. 

Repertoire: “There Will Never Be Another You”  and “Billie’s Bounce” 

Drummers should be prepared to play time and improvise on both repertoire selections.  Accompaniment will be provided. 

Drummers may be asked to demonstrate Latin, Bossa Nova, Funk and other styles in addition to Swing. 

Sight Reading: Students will be asked to sight-read a brief excerpt from an ensemble piece. 

Scales: All 12 Major Scales, 2 octaves in eighth notes at ♩= 70 

Repertoire: “There Will Never Be Another You” and “Billie’s Bounce” 

Guitarists should be prepared to play the melody to both repertoire selections. They should also be prepared to comp (play chords) and improvise over the chord progression.  Accompaniment will be provided. 

Sight Reading: Students will be asked to sight-read a brief excerpt from an ensemble piece. 

Scales: All 12 Major Scales, 2 octaves in the right hand with Major7 Chord (root, third, fifth and seventh of the scale) in the left hand, in eighth notes at ♩= 70 

Repertoire: “There Will Never Be Another You” and “Billie’s Bounce” 

Pianists should be prepared to play the melody to both repertoire selections. They should also be prepared to comp (play chords) and improvise over the chord progression.  Accompaniment will be provided. 

Sight Reading: Students will be asked to sight-read a brief excerpt from an ensemble piece. 

Students may audition on alto or tenor saxophone. 

Scales: All 12 Major Scales, 2 octaves in eighth notes at ♩= 70 

Repertoire: 

• Alto Saxophone – “There Will Never Be Another You” and “Billie’s Bounce” 
• Tenor Saxophone – “There Will Never Be Another You” and “Billie’s Bounce” 

Students should be prepared to play the melody to both repertoire selections. They should also be prepared to improvise over the chord progression.  Accompaniment will be provided. 

Sight Reading: Students will be asked to sight-read a brief excerpt from an ensemble piece. 

Scales: All 12 Major Scales, 2 octaves in eighth notes at ♩= 70 

Repertoire: “There Will Never Be Another You”  and “Billie’s Bounce” 

Students should be prepared to play the melody to both repertoire selections. They should also be prepared to improvise over the chord progression.  Accompaniment will be provided. 

Sight Reading: Students will be asked to sight-read a brief excerpt from an ensemble piece. 

Scales: All 12 Major Scales, 2 octaves in eighth notes at ♩= 70 

Repertoire: “There Will Never Be Another You” and “Billie’s Bounce” 

Students should be prepared to play the melody to both repertoire selections. They should also be prepared to improvise over the chord progression.  Accompaniment will be provided. 

Sight Reading: Students will be asked to sight-read a brief excerpt from an ensemble piece. 

Scales: All 12 Major Scales, 2 octaves in eighth notes at ♩= 70 

Repertoire: “There Will Never Be Another You” and “Billie’s Bounce” 

Vibraphonists should be prepared to play the melody to both repertoire selections. They should also be prepared to comp (play chords) and improvise over the chord progression.  Accompaniment will be provided. 

Sight Reading: Students will be asked to sight-read a brief excerpt from an ensemble piece. 

The entrance exam includes four components: performance of solo piano repertoire; performance of piano duet; scales; sight-reading 

Repertoire:  

• New students to the Conservatory: Prepare two contrasting pieces from the categories below. NOTE: at least one selection should represent Baroque or Classical period. (Memorization is encouraged.) 
• Current Conservatory piano students: Prepare one piece from the categories below.  (Memorization is encouraged.) 

Please see repertoire examples below OR choose a piece of comparable difficulty.  

Baroque 

• J.S. Bach–Any two-part Invention from 15 Inventions, BWV 772-786 
• Little Fugue in C -minor (two-part), BWV 961 

Classical 

• M. Clementi – any First or Third movement of Sonatina from op. 36 No.2 – No.6(exception: Sonatina No. 1 in C major)
• F. Kuhlau– any First or Third movement of Sonatina from op. 20 or op. 55 
• J. L.Dussek – Sonatina in G maj, Op. 20 No 1 
• J. Haydn – first movements of Sonatinas in Gmaj, Hob XVI:8, or in Fmaj, Hob:9 

Romantic 

• E. Grieg – from Lyric Pieces: Valse op. 12 No. 2, Folk song Op.12 No5 
• P. Tchaikovsky – from Album for the Young: Mazurka, Polka 
• F. Chopin. Mazurka in Cmaj, Op. 67 No3 (posth)

20th/21st Century 

• S. Prokofiev – from Music for Children op. 65: Morning, Promenade, A little story, March
• D. Kabalevsky – Sonatina, Op. 27 No. 18
• B. Bartok – evening in the Country

Piano Duet: The required composition for piano duet will be posted online 4 weeks before the audition.  Please learn both parts: primo and secondo. 

• Junior Duet 1 (primo and secondo)
• Junior Duet 2 (primo and secondo)

Scales: B-flat major and G minor (harmonic), D-major and B minor (harmonic), E–flat major and C minor (harmonic). All scales are in parallel motion, four octaves, performed in eighth notes, metronome ♩=120. Any one or two scales will be asked at the audition. (Scales must be memorized.) 

Sight-reading: compositions will be provided by the audition panel and may include key signatures up to 3 sharps and 3 flats (approximate level of the Bastien Sight-reading Level 4 book) 

The entrance exam includes four components: performance of solo piano repertoire; performance of piano duet; scales; sight-reading 

Repertoire:  

• New students to the Conservatory: Prepare two contrasting pieces from the categories below. NOTE: at least one selection should represent Baroque or Classical period.  (Memorization is encouraged.) 
• Current TfC Junior Division piano students hoping to advance to the Senior Division: Prepare two contrasting pieces from the categories below. NOTE: at least one selection should represent Baroque or Classical period.  (Memorization is encouraged.) 
• Current TfC Senior Division piano students: Prepare one piece from the categories below.  (Memorization is encouraged.) 

Please see repertoire examples below OR choose a piece of comparable difficulty.  

 Baroque 

• J.S. Bach– Any prelude and fugue from the Well Tempered Clavier Vol 1 and 2 (exception – Prelude and Fugue in C maj, Vol 1, BWV 846) 

Classical 

• First or Third movement of a sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven 

Romantic 

• Any composition by Schumann, Chopin, Liszt or Brahms, Rachmaninoff similar to the level of Chopin Nocturne in E minor, Op. 72, No.1, or more advanced. 

20th/21st century  

Any composition by a 20th-21st-century composer similar or more advanced compare to the examples listed below: 

• D. Shostakovich –any Prelude and Fugue 
• A. Copland – Cat and Mouse
• S. Prokofiev – Montagues and Capulets, Op. 75, No.6
• S. Barber – Excursions, Op. 20,No.1

Piano Duet: The required composition for piano duet will be posted online 4 weeks before the audition.  Please learn both parts: primo and secondo.

• Senior Duet 1 (primo and secondo)
• Senior Duet 2 (primo and secondo) 

Scales: All major and harmonic minor scales up to 5 sharps and 5 flats in parallel motion, four octaves, performed in sixteenth notes, metronome ♩=96. (Scales must be memorized.) 

Sight-reading – compositions will be provided by the audition panel and may include key signatures up to 4 sharps or 4 flats, possibly in polyphonic setting. 

Note: Merit encourages students to perform at their best during auditions while still pushing themselves to advance when appropriate.  Students who prepare and perform the Senior Division requirements but are not accepted into the Senior Division will still be considered for placement into the Junior Division (though acceptance to either division is not guaranteed regardless of your repertoire choice).  Please consult with your teacher to determine which division requirements best fit your current skill level and which would allow you to present your strongest audition. 

VOICE

Students who successfully audition into the Voice program will be placed in a Merit choral ensemble.

Please prepare the following:

Repertoire: Auditioning voice students must present two pieces that follow the below guidelines:

1. Art song – English or foreign language
2. American Songbook/Jazz
3. Musical Theatre
4. Pop/Contemporary
5. Selected part from a choral piece

(Note: All selections must be memorized, and an accompanist will be provided for the audition. Please bring three copies of your music for the audition panel.)

Scales: Major scale in any key. (Scales can be sung on solfege or on a neutral syllable.)

Sight-reading

RETURNING VOICE STUDENTS

All Voice students must re-audition each year to maintain their place in the program.

Please prepare the following:

Repertoire: One solo piece in any style

(Note: All selections must be memorized, and an accompanist will be provided for the audition. Please bring three copies of your music for the audition panel.)

Sight-reading

Art song examples

Let Us Dance, Let Us Sing, Purcell
The Mermaid’s Song, Haydn
The Crucifixion, Barber
Vittoria, mio core, Carissimi
Caro mio ben, Giordani
Das Veilchen, Mozart
Rastlose Liebe, Schubert

American Songbook examples

Fly Me to the Moon, Bart Howard
Misty, Erroll Garner
All of Me, Marks & Simon
Summertime, George Gershwin
What a Difference a Day Makes, Adams & Grever
Our Love is Here to Stay, Ira and George Gershwin
Blue Skies, Irving Berlin

Blues Examples

Route 66, Bobby Troup
Ain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do, Grainger and Robbins
Stormy Monday, T-bone Walker
Further On Up the Road, Jo Medwick
Blue Monk, Thelonius Monk

Repertoire: Two contrasting pieces from Royal Conservatory Method Level 1. (Students may perform the pieces provided or play pieces of an equivalent level.)

Scales: Royal Conservatory Level 1 scales, chords, and arpeggios at or beyond tempos indicated. (Scales must be memorized. Memorization for arpeggios is not required.)

Chords: Perform any of the chords on the chord chart provided from memory.

Sight-reading: Perform any of the 6 rhythm exercises as well as a melody provided at the time of the audition.

Repertoire: Two contrasting pieces from Royal Conservatory Method Level 4. (Students may perform the pieces provided or play pieces of an equivalent level.)

Optional for students with a jazz background: prepare one song featuring comping and improvisation

Scales: Royal Conservatory Level 4 scales, chords, and arpeggios at or beyond tempos indicated (Scales must be memorized. Memorization for arpeggios is not required.)

Sight-reading