Harp Audition Information

All undergraduate applicants must apply to the University of Colorado and complete a College of Music Admission Application. Applications may be obtained online through the Admissions section. Undergraduate auditions will not be scheduled until both applications have been received. Graduate students need only complete the graduate application.

For information on applying for our ensembles, visit the Ensembles section.

Audition requirements

Please prepare the following repertoire for harp auditions:

  • Two contrasting pieces
  • One orchestral excerpt

If you choose to submit a recorded audition, then you may submit either one unedited file or multiple files (unedited within each file). Please visit the recorded audition guidelines for specific information on submitting a recording. 

Degree sheets

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Strings department

Graduate harp applicant requirements

Pre-screening recording



A pre-screening recording is required for all graduate string applicants. All applicants are required to submit their pre-screening recordings online to the Graduate Application by Dec. 1.

Repertoire requirements

  • Two contrasting pieces
  • One orchestra excerpt

Live auditions

The live audition requirements are the same as listed above. 

Recorded auditions



Live auditions are strongly preferred. A recorded audition (live performance or studio recording) may be submitted in place of a live audition. Please see the Recorded audition guidelines for information on submitting a recording.

A live audition is required to qualify for Teaching Assistantships. Applicants unable to travel for a live audition should contact their respective faculty member directly. Requirements for a recorded audition are identical to a live audition. Editing within a movement is prohibited. Any indication of editing may disqualify the candidate from admission. The recording (audio/video) must be in a digital format with high quality audio.

Please note that while recorded auditions will be given full consideration, the best demonstration of your musical ability is through a live audition.

Graduate degree sheets 

Harp studio     
Strings department

Note: The Artist Diploma in orchestral performance is offered for violin, viola, cello, double bass and harp.

Pre-screening recording



A pre-screening recording is required for all graduate string applicants. All applicants are required to submit their pre-screening recordings online to the Graduate Application by Dec. 1.

Repertoire requirements

Violin

  • A movement of a concerto: Beethoven, Romantic or 20th Century
  • Two contrasting movements of a Bach sonata or partita
  • A 20th or 21st century work of applicant's choice, post 1950
  • Additional piece of applicant's choice (such as a show piece)
  • 4 excerpts from the list below:
    • Don Juan (first page)
    • Mozart 39 (1st mvt, m.26 - C; 4th mvt, opening to B)
    • Mendelssohn Scherzo (opening to E)
    • Prokofiev Classical Symphony (1st mvt, opening to H; 4th mvt, opening to D)
    • Schumann 2, Scherzo (opening to m.54)
    • Brahms Symphony 4 (1st mvt ,m.392-end; 3rd mvt, up to C)
    • Copland Symphony 3 (4th mvt., m.89-93)
    • Mahler 5th (1st mvt, #7 to #11)

Viola

  • A movement of a 20th century concerto
  • Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite, sonata or partita
  • A movement of a sonata
  • Additional piece of applicant’s choice, post 1980
  • 4 excerpts from the list below:
    • Beethoven 3 (3rd mvt, beginning to letter B)
    • Beethoven 5 (2nd mvt m. 1-10, 49-59, and 98-106)
    • Berlioz Roman Carnival (reh.1-4)
    • Brahms Haydn (Variations V and VII)
    • Mendelssohn Scherzo (beginning to letter D)
    • Mozart 35 (1st mvt, beginning to measure 66; 4th mvt, m. 134-181)
    • Ravel Daphnis and Chloe (reh. 158-166 and 212-218)
    • Strauss Don Juan (beginning to letter D)
    • Tchaikovsky 6 (1st mvt, m.19-88)

Cello

  • A movement of a Classical or Romantic concerto
  • Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite
  • A 20th or 21st century work of applicant's choice
  • 4 excerpts from the list below:
    • Strauss: Don Juan (first page)
    • Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (first page)
    • Mendelssohn Scherzo
    • Mozart 35 (mvt IV)
    • Beethoven 5 (mvt II)
    • Beethoven 5 (mvt III)
    • Verdi Requiem (Offertorio)
    • Debussy (La Mer)

Double Bass

  • One movement of solo work by Bach
  • Two contrasting movements from a concerto
  • All excerpts from the list below:
    • One movement from Bach Cello Suite and Concerto 1st movement
    • Bach 2nd Orchestral Suite (Double and Badinerie)
    • Mozart 35 (1st mvt, opening to measure 66; 4th mvt, measure 134 to the end)
    • Beethoven 5 (3rd mvt, Scherzo and Trio)
    • Beethoven 9 (4th mvt, recitative and March)
    • Brahms 1 (1st mvt, Letter E to mm.189; 2nd mvt, measure 46 to 60)
    • Strauss Heldenleben (#9 to 6 after #12, 2 before #61 to #70, #77 to #78)

Harp

  • Choose one:
    • Handel: Concerto in Bb, 1st movement
    • Mozart: Harp and Flute Concerto, 1st movement
  • Choose one:
    • Ravel: Introduction and Allegro
    • Debussy: Danse sacreé et Danse profane
       
  • Choose four (4) excerpts from the following:
    • Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra
      • mvt 1: M 157-198
      • mvt 3: M 63-71
      • mvt 4: M 42-58
    • Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique 
      • mvt 2
    • Mahler: Symphony No. 5, Adagietto
      • Beg. - 2
    • Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermor
    • Ravel: Tzigane 
      • 4 - 5
    • Strauss: Don Juan
      • D - N
    • Verdi: Overture to La forza del destino

IMPORTANT: When filling out the university application, violin applicants should request in the “Statement of Purpose” their preference for the violin professor with whom they would like to study

Live auditions

The live audition requirements are the same as listed above. In the live audition, memorization of works such as the concerto and Bach is required.

Recorded auditions



Live auditions are strongly preferred. A recorded audition (live performance or studio recording) may be submitted in place of a live audition. Please visit the Recorded Audition Guidelines for information on submitting a recording.

A live audition is required to qualify for Teaching Assistantships. Applicants unable to travel for a live audition should contact their respective faculty member directly. Requirements for a recorded audition are identical to a live audition. Editing within a movement is prohibited. Any indication of editing may disqualify the candidate from admission. The recording (audio/video) must be in a digital format with high quality audio.

Please note that while recorded auditions will be given full consideration, the best demonstration of your musical ability is through a live audition.

Degree sheet