All candidates for music graduate degrees in areas other than music
performance are required to demonstrate in person to a faculty
auditioning committee a minimum level of music performance ability
equivalent to the end of the fourth year for B.M.E. or B.S. students in
that area. A faculty member in the student’s major area shall be a voting
member of the examination committee.
Students wishing to take this examination in Piano may schedule the exam
during the Piano Department’s regular hearing times. The Piano
department typically conducts hearings on Monday evenings, in Recital
Hall. A list of hearing dates is posted outside the office of the Piano
Department Chair (MU212). The signup sheet for a particular date is
available at the same location the week prior to that date. Students
should sign up on or before the Thursday prior to the examination.
It is the student’s responsibility to inform their own department of the
scheduled exam, so that a faculty member in that department can be
present for the exam.
Students should prepare two or three substantial movements or pieces from
distinct stylistic periods. An example of minimally acceptable
repertoire would be:
An Allegro (first or last movement) of a Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven
Sonata
A Chopin Nocturne
A Debussy Prelude
Other repertoire may be acceptable—it is advisable to contact the
department chair by email to determine whether the intended repertoire is
appropriate.
It is recommended that students memorize their performance material.
While memorization is not required, to perform at least part of the
program from memory will reflect positively upon the performance.
