Saxophone audition information

All graduate saxophone applicants will be pre-screened through a recording/video round. Please submit an audio or video recording online to the graduate application on or before Dec. 1. This recording should be no longer than 20 minutes in length and include two to three contrasting selections that best represent your artistic abilities and values. 

 

Students invited to the in-person auditions will be notified of their acceptance to the auditions by mid/late December. 

Please prepare at least three contrasting works for the 20-minute live audition that best showcase your artistic abilities and values and include at least one female-identifying/gender diverse composer and/or composer of color. In addition to your playing, please be prepared to discuss your repertoire decisions and career aspirations. All students who wish to be considered for the fall 2025 MM/AD Teaching Assistantship position must also complete an interview. The interviews are expected to occur on the day preceding the scheduled auditions, along with a trial lesson provided by Assistant Professor of Saxophone Nathan Mertens. 

Note: Piano accompaniment is not required for the live audition. 

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. 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.  

 

 

Saxophone studio     Woodwinds department