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Audition Information

Requirements for the Music Arts Supplement

The Music Arts Supplement is required for students applying to the Music (BA) or Music Education (BS) major, and for those wishing to be considered for performing arts scholarships. The Music Arts Supplement is a separate component of your Case Western Reserve University application. It is reviewed directly to the Department of Music through the applicant status portal.

How to Submit Your Audition

After you submit your university application, you will receive login credentials for the applicant portal. Use this portal to complete the Music Arts Supplement—which includes the music questionnaire and audition videos—and to track your application status.

If you do not receive access to the applicant portal within a few days of submitting your application, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Before You Begin

Applicant Portal

Audition Preparation

  • Choose repertoire that shows who you are as a musician and highlights your artistic strengths.
  • You are welcome to include works by underrepresented composers or other works that connect to your cultural background, gender identity, or personal expression.
  • Explore our Preparing Your Audition guide for helpful tips on repertoire selection, performance expectations, and getting ready for your recording or live audition.

Preparing Your Audition

Purpose of the Supplement

Your submitted materials will be reviewed by the Department of Music to determine:

All auditions must meet the specified requirements for your primary instrument or voice.

Students who successfully pass the Music Arts Supplement are eligible to declare a Music (BA) major, regardless of the intended major listed on their initial university application.

Audition Requirements by Primary Instrument or Voice

Piano

  • Three works representing different musical periods
  • All works must be memorized

Examples of acceptable repertoire:

  • Baroque Period
    • Bach: Prelude and/or Fugue, Inventions, Sinfonias
    • Movements from suites by Bach, Couperin, or Rameau
    • A Scarlatti sonata
  • Classical Period
    • A movement of a classical sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven
    • Other representative solo work from the classical period
  • Romantic, Impressionist, or Contemporary Period
    • Works by composers such as Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, Ravel, Bartók, Prokofiev, or other comparable selections

Organ

  • Two selections from the standard organ literature in contrasting styles or periods
  • Demonstrate musical and technical skills
  • Memorization not required
  • These applicants may include a partial audition on the piano (requirements above)

Violin and Viola

  • 1 (three-octave) major scale 
  • 1 (three-octave) melodic minor scale 
  • One movement of a standard concerto or other representative solo work
  • Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work (by any composer) of a similar nature. The two movements should demonstrate different musical characteristics or styles.
  • Memorization not required
  • Optional: One additional selection of your choice

Cello

  • 1 (two-octave) major scale 
  • 1 (two-octave) melodic minor scale 
  • Two contrasting works or movements from concerto, sonata, or similar repertoire
  • One or two movements from the Bach Cello Suites or comparable work
  • Memorization not required
  • Optional: One additional selection of your choice

Double Bass

  • 1 (two-octave) major scale 
  • 1 (two-octave) melodic minor scale 
  • Two contrasting works or movements from concerto, sonata, or similar repertoire
  • Memorization not required
  • Optional: One additional selection of your choice

Woodwinds and Brass

  • 1 (two-octave) major scale
  • 1 (two-octave) chromatic scale
  • Three works or movements of contrasting styles demonstrating technique, range, tone, articulation, and musicianship
  • Memorization not required
  • Saxophone: Applicants may audition on alto, tenor, or baritone saxophone
  • Clarinet: Applicants may audition on B-flat soprano or bass clarinet. BA and BS music degrees require a primary focus on the B-flat clarinet.
  • Multiple Instruments (optional): One solo or orchestral excerpt of your choice on a secondary instrument (e.g., primary oboe and secondary English horn)

Percussion

Perform on all three instruments:

  • Snare Drum: Solo or etude (Cirone, Delecluse, Peters, Pratt, Wilcoxon, etc.)
  • Mallets: 2- and 4-mallet solo (marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone)
  • Timpani: Solo or etude (Carroll, Delecluse, Freise, Goodman, etc.)
  • Drum Set (optional): Two selections in contrasting jazz styles, moods, tempos 
  • Memorization not required
  • On-campus applicants: Please provide your own mallets and sticks

Drum Set

  • Two selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos (may include blues, rhythm changes) with improvisation
  • A medium-tempo or ballad selection with brushes
  • Memorization not required
  • Optional: Another work of your choice (pop, rock, Bebop, jazz, funk, etc.)

Guitar

Classical

  • Two contrasting works (one slow, one showing technical skill)
  • Two major and minor scales and arpeggios of your choice
  • Memorization not required
  • Optional: Another work from any style or an original composition

Jazz or Popular Music

  • Two contrasting works (pop, rock, folk, bebop, jazz, funk, etc.)
  • Demonstrate major and minor pentatonic scales
  • Memorization not required
  • Optional: Another work from existing popular repertoire or an original composition
  • Note: Originals accepted; if other musicians are present, applicant must be clearly featured and audio must be live (no digital enhancement). Studio recordings may be uploaded as supplemental material (not a substitute for audition).

Harp

  • Two solos works of contrasting style (preferably memorized) 
  • Level III Warm-Up from On Playing the Harp by Yolanda Kondonassis
  • One standard orchestral excerpt of your choice

Historical Performance Practice 

(Baroque Flute, Oboe, Violin, Cello, Viola da Gamba, Harpsichord, Fortepiano, Lute, Recorder)

  • Three works spanning appropriate periods (e.g., two or three contrasting suite/sonata movements, recitative & aria)
  • Solo or small ensemble; applicant must be featured and clearly visible
  • Memorization not required
  • Note: Candidates will be evaluated by Historical Performance Practice faculty on their command of various national idioms, ornamentation styles, and other aspects of historical performance, as well as the overall level of artistry, and academic potential.

Voice

Classical Styles

  • Three contrasting vocal solos (art songs, 17th–20th c. works, folk songs)
  • At least one selection in a foreign language
  • Strongly encouraged to memorize
  • Perform with keyboard accompaniment; live pianist (preferred) or recorded pianist (accepted)
  • No digital enhancement, added effects, or overdubbing

Popular Styles

  • Three contrasting vocal solos (pop, rock, jazz, musical theater)
  • Strongly encouraged to memorize
  • Perform with keyboard accompaniment; you may self-accompany (guitar or piano) or use recorded tracks as appropriate
  • Optional: Studio recordings or live performances may be submitted as supplemental material
  • Sound amplification permitted, but no digital enhancement, added effects or overdubbing allowed

Note for Pre-College Applicants: The vocal instrument at this stage is typically still developing. Audition selections will be evaluated primarily on vocal freedom, pleasantness and naturalness of tone, healthy production technique, and expressive musicianship. Choose repertoire that is comfortably within your technical abilities. Previous musical experiences—such as choral singing or other group/solo performances—are highly beneficial, and prior study on an instrument (especially piano) or vocal coaching is encouraged.