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
- Review our Undergraduate Application Procedures.
- Remember: your Music Arts Supplement is due 15 days after the university application deadline.
- Complete the supplement through your 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 pieces 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.
Undergraduate Music Major Expectations
Students entering the music program are expected to bring a foundation of fundamental musical skills that will support their growth and success in our curriculum, offered in collaboration with the Cleveland Institute of Music.
As an incoming student, you should feel comfortable with:
- Reading music in treble and/or bass clef.
- Identifying key signatures.
- Performing major and minor scales.
- Matching pitches vocally with those played on the piano.
- Demonstrating performance skills, such as:
- Technical proficiency
- Tone quality
- An understanding of musical style and interpretation
Don’t worry if you’re still strengthening some of these areas—our program is designed to help you continue developing your skills. These foundations will help you make the most of the academic, performance, and ensemble opportunities available in the program.
Purpose of the Supplement
Your submitted materials will be reviewed by the Department of Music to determine:
- Eligibility for the Music (BA) or Music Education (BS) major.
- Consideration for performance-based scholarships, including the Performing Arts Scholarship and Arts Achievement Award.
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 pieces 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 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
Violin and Viola
- 1 (three-octave) major scale
- 1 (three-octave) melodic minor scale
- Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work
- One movement of a standard concerto or other representative solo work
- Memorization not required
- Optional: One additional piece of your choice
Cello
- 1 (two-octave) major scale
- 1 (two-octave) melodic minor scale
- Two contrasting movements (or pieces) from concerto, sonata, or similar repertoire
- One or two movements from the Bach Cello Suites or comparable work
- Memorization not required
- Optional: One additional piece of your choice
Double Bass
- 1 (two-octave) major scale
- 1 (two-octave) melodic minor scale
- Two contrasting movements (or pieces) from concerto, sonata, or similar repertoire
- Memorization not required
- Optional: One additional piece of your choice
Woodwinds and Brass
- 1 (two-octave) major scale
- 1 (two-octave) chromatic scale
- Three pieces/movements of contrasting styles demonstrating technique, range, tone, articulation, and musicianship
- Optional: Up to three orchestral excerpts
- Memorization not required
- Saxophones: Audition may be on alto, tenor, or baritone
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.)
- Optional: Drum set – two selections in contrasting jazz styles, moods, tempos
- Memorization not required
- On-campus applicants: 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 piece of your choice (pop, rock, Bebop, jazz, funk, etc.)
Guitar
Classical
- Two contrasting pieces (one slow, one showing technical skill)
- Two major and minor scales and arpeggios of your choice
- Memorization not required
- Optional: Another piece from any style or an original composition
Jazz or Popular Music
- Two contrasting pieces (pop, rock, folk, bebop, jazz, funk, etc.)
- Demonstrate major and minor pentatonic scales
- Memorization not required
- Optional: Another piece 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 repertoire
- Must perform with keyboard accompaniment (live pianist preferred; recorded pianist accepted)
- No digital enhancement or overdubbing
Popular Styles
- Three contrasting vocal solos (pop/rock, jazz, musical theater)
- Strongly encouraged to memorize
- Perform with accompaniment as appropriate; may self-accompany
- Optional: Studio recordings or live performances may be submitted as supplemental material
- Sound amplification permitted, but no digital enhancement 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.