Saxophone Audition Requirements

Following are the requirements for saxophonists auditioning for the Indiana University School of Music.  These are organized according the degree for which you are auditioning.  If you have any questions, please contact either Professor Otis Murphy (omurphy@indiana.edu) or Professor Thomas Walsh (tpwalsh@indiana.edu).

Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance (classical saxophone)

(1) Scales:  Chromatic, Major, Minor (harmonic, melodic), Arpeggios (major, minor)
played full range

(2) Etudes:  One lyrical and one technical etude

(3) Repertoire:  One selection from the standard repertoire such as a work by Creston, Glazounov, Heiden, Ibert, Maurice, etc.

The audition lasts 10 minutes.
           

Bachelor of Music Education (BME)
Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (BSOF)

(1) Scales:  Chromatic, Major, Minor (harmonic, melodic), Arpeggios (major, minor) played full range

(2) Repertoire:  Two contrasting movements (lyrical and technical) from standard works.  An etude may be substituted for one of the movements.

The audition lasts 10 minutes.

 NOTE: Students auditioning for the Bachelor of Music Education degree must also participate in an interview with the Music Education faculty.
 

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies
BSOF with emphasis in Jazz Studies

(1) Scales:  Chromatic, Major, Minor (harmonic, melodic), Arpeggios (major, minor) played full range

(2) Repertoire:  Two contrasting movements (lyrical and technical) from standard works.  An etude may be substituted for one of the movements.

(3) Jazz:  Improvise on a blues and a standard tune, sight reading.

The audition lasts 10 minutes.

NOTE:  Students auditioning for jazz studies will play two auditions—one for the saxophone faculty and one for the jazz faculty.  Check the Jazz Department audition requirements as well.
 

Master of Music in Saxophone Performance (classical)           

(1) Scales:  Chromatic, Major, Minor (harmonic, melodic), Diminished, Whole-Tone, Arpeggios (major, minor, diminished-seventh, augmented)

(2) Repertoire:  At least two major works of contrasting style, including at least one selection from the standard repertoire such as works by Creston, Debussy, Glazounov, Heiden, Ibert, Muczynski, etc.

The audition lasts 20 minutes.
 

Doctor of Music in Saxophone Performance (classical)

(1) Scales:  Chromatic, Major, Minor (harmonic, melodic), Diminished, Whole-Tone, Arpeggios (major, minor, diminished-seventh, augmented)

(2) Repertoire:  At least three major works of contrasting style, including at least one selection from the standard repertoire such as works by Creston, Debussy, Glazounov, Heiden, Ibert, Muczynski, etc.

The audition lasts 30 minutes.