Strings Audition Requirements

Double Bass

Bachelor of Music (Performance & Diploma of Music

  1. Technical requirements:
    Demonstrate different bowings in any two octave scale of the applicant’s choice, one study which demonstrates technical ability.
  2. Prepared program:
    • A fast and slow movement from a baroque sonata, for example, Corelli, Eccles or Vivaldi.

    • Two short pieces, including one 20th century work.

Bachelor of Music (Music Education)/Bachelor of Music Studies/Combined Degrees

  1. Technical requirements:
    • Demonstrate different bowings in any two octave scale of the applicant’s choice.
  2. Prepared program:
    • Two studies, for example, Bottesini 24 Exercises, No. 6, 13, 15 or 17, or Simandl 30 Etudes, No. 11 or 15.

    • Two contrasting pieces, including one 20th century work.

Guitar

Bachelor of Music (Performance) & Diploma of Music

  1. Technical requirements:
    • All major and melodic minor scales and arpeggios in three octaves with all standard right-hand fingerings.

    • Two contrasting studies, for example: Villa Lobos (any); Sor 12, 16 or 20 (Segovia); Dodgson 4 or 10.
  2. Prepared program:
    • Three contrasting pieces, including one 20th century work.

Bachelor of Music (Music Education)/Bachelor of Music Studies/Combined Degrees

  1. Technical requirements:
    • All three octave scales and arpeggios up to G with all standard right hand fingerings.
  2. Prepared program:
    • Two studies, for example, Brouwer, Books 2, 3 or 4 (any); Sor, 6, 7, 10, 11 or 13 (Segovia); Dodgson 1

    • Two contrasting pieces from the standard repertoire

Harp

Bachelor of Music (Performance) & Diploma of Music

  1. Technical requirements:
    Major and minor keys over four octaves including common chords, dominant sevenths and their inversions performed as:
    • Scales (both hands)

    • Arpeggios (both hands)

    • Extended arpeggios

    • Flat, broken chords (both hands)

    • One study such as ‘Mirage’ - Modern Study of the Harp by Carlos Salzedo (Schirmer 1948), ‘Premiere Etude’ - Exercises et Etudes no.36 by (Ed) La Riviere Alphonse Leduc (or equivalent)
  2. Prepared program:
    Two solos of contrasting style such as Bach - ‘Bourree’, Corelli - Gigue’, Salzedo - ‘Quietude’, Thomas - ‘A Native’s Farewell’, Ibert - ‘Scherzetto’, Salzedo -‘Gavotte’ from ‘Suite of Eight Dances’, Britten - ‘Interlude’ from ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ or other of an equivalent standard Harp

Bachelor of Music (Music Education)/Bachelor of Music Studies/Combined Degrees

  1. Technical requirements:
    Major keys over three octaves including common chords, dominant sevenths and their inversions performed as:
    • Scales (both hands)

    • Arpeggios (both hands)

    • Flat, broken chords (both hands)

    • One study such as ‘Premiere Etude’ Exercises et ‘Etudes no.36’ by (Ed) La Riviere Alphonse Leduc (or equivalent)
  2. Prepared program:
    One solo such as Salzedo - ‘Quietude’, Thomas - ‘A Native’s Farewell’, Salzedo - ‘Gavotte’ from Suite of Eight Dances, Britten - ‘Interlude’ from A Ceremony of Carols or equivalent standard

Lute

Contact the Chair of the Strings Unit for audition requirements.

Violin, Viola, Violoncello

Bachelor of Music (Performance)

  1. Technical requirements:
    • Applicants should prepare scales, arpeggios (including dominant and diminished) and standard double stops (3rds, 6ths, 8ves) for at least one key of their choice from a scales system according to their current level of individual technical proficiency and background.

    • The applicant may be asked to demonstrate different bowings in any three octave scale of their choice.

    • One study to demonstrate technical ability, for example:
      • Violin - Kreutzer, Fiorillo, Rode, Dont Opus 35 or any more difficult study

      • Viola - as above or a study by Campagnoli

      • Violoncello - Piatti, Popper or Grutzmacher
  2. Prepared program:
    • Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo work

    • A fast and a slow movement from a concerto in the standard repertoire

    • One short 20th century work (either a piece, or a movement of a sonata)

Bachelor of Music (Music Education)/Bachelor of Music Studies/Combined Degrees

  1. Technical requirements:
    • Two octave scales and arpeggios (including dominant and diminished arpeggios

    • One three octave scale and arpeggio of the candidate’s choice

    • One brief exercise to demonstrate double stopping or alternatively a scale in double stops of the candidate’s choice.
      Examples of different bowings will be required
  2. Prepared program:
    • Two etudes, for example, Mazas, Dancla or Kreutzer.

    • Two contrasting movements from any baroque, classical or romantic sonata.

Contact Goetz Richter, Chair of String Unit for further information on audition requirements.
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