Piano Audition Requirements
All applicants will submit the following application materials based on their desired degree program. For specific audition requirements, please scroll down.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
- Complete the UNC Undergraduate Application
- After submitting your application, upload and complete the following School of Music
Checklist Items in your Bear App Portal
- Supplementary Music Application
- Audition and Interview Scheduling
- Musical Experience
- Contact information for 2 music recommenders
- Statement of Goals - a brief statement about your career aspirations. Please upload a .pdf document.
- Video Audition (if you've selected "Video and Virtual Audition" in the Supplementary
Music Application)
- PLEASE NOTE: all audition videos must be upload to the portfolio section of your portal at the same time. After saving your submission, you will no longer have access to the portfolio. If at any time you need to edit your portfolio contents, please email pva@unco.edu.
- Supplementary Music Application
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
- Complete all Graduate School Application Requirements for your degree program and the UNC Application.
- After submitting your application, upload and complete the following School of Music
Checklist Items in your Graduate School Admissions Portal:
- School of Music Form - Includes scheduling a live audition or a synchronous interview with video audition, uploading audition videos (if applicable), musical experience, and past teachers.
- Resume - a complete listing of your performing and work experience. Please upload a .pdf document.
- Statement of Goals - a brief statement about your career aspirations. Please upload a .pdf document.
- Assistantship Letter of Experience (optional but strongly recommended) - a brief statement about your teaching or professional experience as it relates to music. Please upload a .pdf document.
Note: Accompanists are not required, but the applicant may provide one.
All applicants may choose to audition in-person or through video submission. All applicants who audition via video submission will need to schedule an interview during our Virtual Interview Day on Jan. 21st, 2023.
Piano
Audition Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees
- Prepare three contrasting works selected from three different style-periods listed
below:
- Baroque
- Classical
- Romantic
- 20th Century/Contemporary
- For the BM all three works must be prepared from memory. BME and BA applicants must have at least one of the three works prepared from memory.
- Requests for exceptions must be made in writing to the contact written below.
Audition Video
- Each audition piece, including multi-movement and cyclic works, must be recorded in one continuous, unedited take.
- Video recording should be made with a camera in a single, fixed location so that the camera angle is consistent. The camera should be focused on the performer, who must to be visible at all times. If possible, please angle the camera so that the performer's face, fingers, and feet are all visible.
- If at all possible, please set up the camera to the right of the pianist, limit background noise, and make sure the performance space is well lit. The entire keyboard should be visible.
- Recordings of each piece must be unedited and should be uploaded to YouTube. The YouTube link(s) should then be added to your application on Slate.
Audition Requirements for Master of Music, Doctor of Arts, and Graduate Performance Certificate
- Total audition repertoire should be at least 45 minutes in length
- Prepare at least three contrasting works selected from three different style-periods
listed below:
- Baroque
- Classical
- Romantic
- 20th Century/Contemporary
- One large-scale, or multi-movement work should be prepared in its entirety.
- All music must be prepared from memory.
- Requests for exceptions must be made in writing to the contact written below, at least three weeks before the audition date.
Audition Video
- Each audition piece, including multi-movement and cyclic works, must be recorded in one continuous, unedited take.
- Video recording should be made with a camera in a single, fixed location so that the camera view is consistent. The camera should be focused on the performer, who must to be visible at all times. If possible, please angle the camera so that the performer's face, fingers and feet are all visible.
- If at all possible, please set up the camera to the right of the pianists, limit background noise, and make sure the performance space is well lit. The entire keyboard should be visible.
- Recordings of each piece must be unedited and should be uploaded to YouTube. The YouTube link(s) should then added to your application on Slate.
Synchronous Interview
- Graduate applicants who would like to be considered for a graduate assistantship will be expected to sight-read during the synchronous interview with the piano faculty. For this reason, the applicants will need to have a working instrument (piano or keyboard) available during the interview.
Contact:
Lei Weng at Lei.Weng@unco.edu
