Audition Info

Audition dates for students wishing to enter the program in the Fall of 2025:

For most up-to-date information, please visit: https://vpa.uncg.edu/music/apply/preparation-for-auditions/

November 30, 2024
January 25, 2025 (DMA: January 24) 
February 8, 2025 (DMA: February 7)
February 22, 2025 (DMA: February 21)

For Information about undergraduate programs, click here

To request an audition, or to apply to UNCG, click here

DEGREES IN SAXOPHONE PERFORMANCE OR MUSIC EDUCATION

Suggested Audition Materials

Undergraduate Level

Technique - Prepare all major and harmonic minor scales through the full range of the instrument
Etudes - Prepare two contrasting etudes from Ferling 48 Studies or Voxman Selected Studies
Solo literature - Prepare a solo piece demonstrating excellent technique, tone, and musicianship. 
Examples of appropriate works are as follows:

Creston - Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano
Glazounov - Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra
Maurice - Tableaux de Provence
Rueff - Chanson et Passpied
Teal - Solos for the Alto Saxophone Player

*NOTE* By far the most important part of your audition is the solo literature!

Masters Level 
Please prepare 15 minutes of music of graduate level difficulty demonstrating excellent technique, tone, and musicianship, plus at least two orchestral excerpts. Saxophonists currently in the program are playing pieces such as the following.

Denisov - Sonata
Desenclos - Prelude, Cadence et Finale
Harbison - San Antonio
Ibert - Concertino de Camera
Lauba - Neuf Etudes
Maslanka - Sonata
Swerts - Klonos
Villa-Lobos - Fantasia

DMA Candidates 
Must present a pre-audition recording of a recent performance. If invited for a live audition, DMA candidates will prepare and perform 30 minutes of music demonstrating graduate-level difficulty, in a range of styles. A pianist will be provided if needed for a small fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How large is the classical saxophone studio? We currently have 22 classical saxophone majors - 15 undergraduate, 3 Masters, and 4 Doctoral students. In addition, the jazz program generally has 6 jazz saxophone majors.

How many students usually audition? In 2011-12 about 45 saxophonists auditioned. We expect about 35 students to audition in 2015-16.

How many students will be accepted into the program? This also varies from year to year, but generally we will accept 3-4 undergraduate and 2-3 graduate students each year.

How long are auditions? Typically an audition lasts 15 minutes for undergraduates. About 10 minutes of that is performing, and we reserve 5 minutes to answer questions (or ask them). Masters auditions average about 20 minutes.

What should I play for my audition? Anything from the lists above or the Suggested Repertoire List. We want to hear you perform technical passages cleanly, with good time and rhythm, a developed tone and correct intonation. Most of all, we want to hear music! If you are in doubt as to whether or not you are playing an acceptable piece, please contact me directly.

Can I study Jazz? Yes, and you don't need to audition into the jazz program to do this - most jazz classes are open to all music students.

If I want to be a jazz major do I need to do a classical audition? No, you only need to perform an audition for the jazz faculty!