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.
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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.
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Audition live Oregon State University faculty. 2024 auditions have been scheduled for February 24 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.
- Dr. Robert Brudvig – Orchestral Activities, Strings, Percussion & Coordinator of Music
- Dr. Jason Fick – Music Technology
- Dr. Nick Larson - Vocal Studies
- Dr. Erik Leung - Bands
- Elizabeth Moss - Piano Studies
- Dr. Cameron O'Connor – Guitar
- Dr. Dana Reason – Contemporary Music Industry
- Dr. Steven Zielke - Choral Studies & Scholarship Coordinator
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 |