Music scholarship and admission auditions 2023-2024

Scholarship auditions at Oregon State are open to all interested students, although funds are primarily awarded to those seeking to major or minor in music. In addition, the auditions are for students interested in gaining admission to the Bachelor of Music degree program.

Start your OSU Acceptd Application

Scholarship awards are based on performance ability, experience, academics, and financial need. Music scholarships require an application and an audition, as well as a commitment to participate in music.

Other scholarship opportunities are available through the university. It is to your advantage to apply early admission to the university in order to be eligible and considered other scholarships. more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Applying for Admission to the Bachelor of Music program and Music Scholarship Consideration

Students wishing to join the Bachelor of Music degree program or be considered a music scholarship should follow the following steps.

  • Apply admission to Oregon State University. No action can be taken regarding admission or scholarship decisions until the applicant has been admitted to the university.

  • Apply for admission to the Bachelor of Music program and/or music consideration through Acceptd.  There is a $35 nonrefundable fee to submit an Acceptd application to Oregon State University music. This is in addition to the general university admissions application fee. Music application fee waivers are available applicants that qualify.  Visit Acceptd to learn about their fee wavier policy.

  • Audition live Oregon State University faculty. 2024 auditions have been scheduled for February 25 and March 2, 2024.  You may elect to audition in person or virtually.

The music scholarship audition will consist of:

  • A performance of up to 10 minutes of solo literature on your instrument or voice. A collaborative pianist will be provided for voice auditions.  Include at two works/songs of contrasting musical styles. Jazz players will be required to demonstrate classical music ability.
  •  You may also demonstrate your ability on a secondary instrument, but the main criteria scholarship awards will be based on your primary instrument performance.
  •  An interview about your background and aspirations.
  • A short sight-reading exercise.

 

Music Area Faculty Coordinators

We welcome your interest in music at Oregon State University. If you have questions regarding our programs, the scholarship audition procedure, or any other matter, please feel free to contact one of our area directors.

 

Suggested Repertoire and Area Specific Instructions

General Requirements-Vocalists

You should prepare two contrasting songs.  One song in a language different than English is encouraged, but not required. The second selection may be in a different style, such as musical theater. A collaborative pianist will be provided, although if you prefer, you may bring your own accompanist.  Use of backing tracks is not preferred.  Please bring sheet music for the collaborative pianist.  The sight singing exercise will be of simple melodies, and you may use the system of your choice, such as solfège or numbers. 

General Requirements-Pianists

Prepare two contrasting pieces from this list or something similar. New age, contemporary, or pop music are not acceptable substitutes.

  • A Bach Prelude and Fugue from the Well- Tempered Clavier or a Two/Three Part Invention (or equivalent)
  • One movement from a Sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven (or equivalent)
  • Either a 19th century or 20th century piano work

 

General Requirements-Instrumentalists

You should perform two contrasting styles (one slow and lyrical, the other faster and technical). In addition, you will be asked to play scales up to 5 sharps and 5 flats. Percussionists auditioning on snare drum will be asked to play rudiments. 

Below are suggestions of pieces appropriate college-level music auditions. You may select from this list or choose another piece at the same level as those listed here. If you have specific questions about which piece you should perform, please consult with your band director or feel free to contact the OSU studio teacher on your instrument.

Flute

J.S. Bach

Sonata in E Major

J.S. Bach

Sonata in E minor

W.A. Mozart

Concerto in G Major

W.A. Mozart

Concerto in D Major

Howard Hanson

Serenade

Claude Debussy

Syrinx

Eric Ewazen

Night in New Orleans

Francis Poulenc

Un Joueur de Flute

Clarinet

W.A. Mozart

Concerto in A Major

C.M. von Weber

Concerto in F minor

C.M. von Weber

Concertino Clarinet

Francis Poulenc

Sonata Clarinet

Rose

32 Etudes (choose 2 contrasting styles)

Rose

40 Etudes (choose 2 contrasting styles)

Oboe

G.F. Handel

Six Partitas

Marcello

Concerto

Schumann

Three Romances

W.A. Mozart

Concerto

Bassoon

Saint-Saens

Concerto in B-flat

W.A. Mozart

Concerto Bassoon

Hummel

Concerto Bassoon

Any Saxophones

Bozza, Eugene

“Improvisation et Caprice”

Ferling, Wilhelm

“48 Famous Studies” (any slow/fast pair)

Alto or Baritone Saxophone

Bach, J.S./arr. Mule, M.

“Sonata” No. 4 (flute)

Benson, Warren

“Concertino” (Aeolian Song)

Creston, Paul

“Sonata”

d'Indy, Vincent

“Choral Varié”

Glazunov, Alexander

“Concerto”

Ibert, Jacques

“Concertino da Camera”

Lantier, Pierre

“Sicilienne”

Rueff, Jeanine

“Chanson et Passepied”

Tomasi, Henri

“Ballade”

Soprano or Tenor Saxophone

Bach, J.S.

“Sonata” in G minor

Clerisse, Robert

“Reverie”

Massenet, Jules/arr. Davis, S.

“Meditation from Thaïs”

Villa-Lobos, Heitor

“Fantasia”

Tenor Saxophone

Bach, J.S./arr. Mule, M.

“Suite in C, Bourrée”

Duckworth, William

“A Ballad in Time and Space”

Lacour, Guy

“Piece Concertante”

Schmidt, William

“Sonatina”

Singelée, J.B.

“Solo de Concert”, op. 83

Baritone Saxophone

Bozza, Eugene

“Divertissement”

Singelée, J.B.

“Allegro Spiritoso”

Tchaikovsky, P.

“Impromptu”

Walters, Harold

“Forty Fathoms”

Trumpet

Arban

Complete Conservatory Method

Hummel

Concerto in Eb or E

Haydn

Concerto in Eb

Halsey Stevens

Sonata

Brandt

Technical Studies

Charlier

Etudes Trumpet

Horn

W.A. Mozart

Concertos 1,2,3,4

Strauss

Concerto No. 1 or 2

Schumann

Adagio and Allegro

Gliere

Concerto

Trombone

Guilmant

Moreceau Symphonique

Barat

Andante and Allegro

Jacob

Concerto Trombone

Melodius Etudes Book 1

Choose 1 (one)

Euphonium

Barat

Introduction and Dance

Bellstedt

Napoli

Guilmant

Morceau Symphonique

Saint-Saens

Morceau du Concours

Panofka 24 Progressive Vocalises Trombone

Choose 2 (two) contrasting styles

Tyrell 40 Progressive Studies Trombone

Choose 2 (two) contrasting styles

Tuba

Advanced Studies BBb Bass

Jacobs

Concone Solfeggi Tuba

Vivaldi

Sonata No. 3

J.S. Bach

Air and Bourree

G.F. Handel

Larghetto and Allegro

Choose 2 (two) Contrasting Styles

  

Percussion

Snare

Cirone - Etudes from Portraits in Rhythm

Snare

Delecluse - Etudes from Douze Etudes

Mallet

Any 2 or 4 mallet solo

Mallet

Any etude from Goldenberg Modern School Xylophone, Marimba and Vibraphone

Timpani

Etude from Goodman Modern Method Timpani

Violin

Haydn

Concerto (1 movement)

Kabalevsky

Concerto (1 movement)

Mozart

Concerto (1 movement)

Mendelssohn

Concerto (1 movement)

J.S. Bach

Any Solo Sonata or Partita

Cello

Haydn

Sonata in C Major

Haydn

Sonata in G Major

J.S. Bach

Cello Suites

Saint-Saens

Concerto

Faure

Elegy

Double Bass

Marcello

Sonata in E minor

Corelli

Sonata in D minor

Vivaldi

Sonata No.3 in A minor

Capuzzi

Concerto in D Major

Guitar

Please prepare 1 (one) song or piece of music demonstrating your ability to read music on the guitar: pop, classical or jazz. Contact Dr. O'Connor if you have questions.

Mudarra

Fantasias

John Dowland

Fantasies or Gailliards

J.S. Bach

Dance Movements or Preludes from Cello Suites

S.L. Weiss

Dance Movements Preludes (lute sonatas)

Fernando Sor

Estudios, Op. 60

Fernando Sor

Boije, Op. 35

Francisco Tarrega

Lagrima

Francisco Tarrega

Adelita

Francisco Tarrega

Romanza

Leo Brouwer

Estudios Sencillos