Undergraduate applicants living within 300 miles of San Francisco must audition in person at the Conservatory. All others, except for voice as described below, may audition at the Conservatory, at a regional audition site, or by DVD or videotape recorded in American standard NTSC format and submitted by the application deadline. Percussion applicants may not audition regionally without permission from the Office of Admission.
Graduate applicants living in North America (US, Canada, Mexico) may not submit a videotaped audition, but must audition at either a regional site (except for voice, percussion, conducting and chamber music, as described below), or at the Conservatory. Applicants living outside North American may submit a DVD or videotape recorded in American standard NTSC format.
All voice applicants residing in North America, whether undergraduate or graduate, must audition at the Conservatory, if invited after the prescreening round (described in details below). Those living outside of North America and who do NOT wish to audition at SFCM may submit a DVD or videotape, clearly identified as described below. Applicants to the Postgraduate Diploma in Vocal performance must audition in person at the Conservatory, regardless of where they reside, and must submit a prescreening CD. If invited to the audition in San Francisco, a piano accompanist will be provided for voice applicants who audition at the Conservatory. There is a $25 fee for this service, which will be charged once the prescreening round is over and invitations a have been distributed.
All chamber music applicants must audition in person at the Conservatory on the scheduled audition date, regardless of where they reside, and will be expected to prepare the solo audition requirements as well as the chamber music requirements.
Applicants for the Professional Studies Diploma must audition in person at the Conservatory, regardless of where they reside, and will be expected to perform a piece of their choice in addition to the graduate audition repertoire.
Audition DVDs and Videotapes for undergraduate applicants and for graduate applicants living outside of North America (except voice, conducting and chamber music as described above) are due by the application deadline and must be clearly marked with the applicant's name, address, instrument, repertoire and composer, and a signature indicating that the recording is a performance by the applicant. DVDs and Videotapes must be professionally recorded in American standard NTSC format. Recordings will not be returned, nor will we convert DVDs or videotapes recorded in other formats.
Bassoon
Undergraduate: Major, minor, and chromatic scales; Telemann Sonata in F minor; Milde Scale Studies or Weissenborn Advanced Studies, or other works of equivalent difficulty.
Graduate: Three works chosen from the following: Mozart concerti, Vivaldi concerti, Hummel Concerto, Bach cello suites, Saint-Saëns Sonata, or other works of equivalent difficulty; orchestral excerpts.
Chamber Music (graduate only)
Candidates must audition in person at the Conservatory on the scheduled audition date. On the morning of the audition, applicants must play the graduate solo audition as described below for their instrument. Based on the outcome of this audition, some applicants will be selected to play a chamber music audition with members of the chamber music faculty in the afternoon. The applicant must be prepared to perform two movements (total) from the following choices:
- Mozart: Viola Quintet in C Major, KV 515, Allegro and/or Andante
- Schubert: Piano Trio in E flat, Allegro and/or Andante con moto
- Schumann: Piano Quartet in E flat, Andante Cantabile
Qualified applicants who cannot be placed in either the chamber music degree or certificate programs will automatically be considered for admission as an instrumental major at the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music or Professional Studies level as appropriate. Each program includes intensive and excellent training in chamber music.
Clarinet
Undergraduate: An étude of the candidate's choice from either Rose 32 Études for Clarinet or Baermann Method for Clarinet, Second Division; one of the following: Mozart Concerto in A Major, Karl Stamitz Concerto in B-flat Major, Weber Concertino Op. 26.
Graduate: One étude from Uhl, Sigel, or Jeanjean; orchestral excerpts; two works chosen from the following: Debussy Premiere Rhapsody, Stravinsky Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet, Copland Concerto, Nielsen Concerto Op. 57, or Berg Four Pieces for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 5.
Composition
1) Three or more scores in various media that show evidence of original musical thought and fundamentals of compositional technique. Tape compositions are acceptable, but applicants must also show competence in traditional notation in the scores submitted. Computer-generated scores should be checked for correct transpositions, appropriate accidentals, and normal spellings. Scores are due by December 1.
2) Demonstrated ability at the piano. It is strongly recommended that this be done at a live audition, either at the Conservatory or at one of the regional audition sites. One complete piece should be performed from three of the following periods: baroque, classical, romantic, and twentieth century. In addition, the applicant is encouraged to perform at least one composition that is their own. Should piano not be the candidate's 'primary' instrument, the applicant is encouraged to play repertoire on their primary instrument IN ADDITION to the piano requirements.
The composition department reserves the right to pre-screen all submitted scores and to invite only those applicants who pass the pre-screening process to attend the live or regional piano audition/interview. If you are eligible to submit a taped audition in lieu of attending a live one, piano tapes are due with your scores on December 1.
Conducting (graduate only)
1) An unedited video recording of the applicant conducting a group in rehearsal for at least 30 minutes, due by December 1. A full orchestra is not necessary. Applicants may include a concert performance in addition to the 30 minutes of rehearsal, but this is not required. All videos must be clearly labeled with the applicant's name, the name of the ensemble and pieces rehearsed. Standard American VHS (NTSC) or DVD (Region 1) format is required.
2) Based on the tape and other submitted admission materials, applicants will be invited to audition in person at the Conservatory in February. On the audition day, applicants will be tested in musicianship, score reading, figured bass and keyboard harmonization of a melody, and will conduct the Conservatory orchestra. Applicants should be prepared to conduct the orchestra in all movements of the following: Beethoven, Third Symphony (Eroica); and Elgar, Enigma Variations.
Double Bass
Undergraduate: Major and minor scales in two octaves or an étude of choice; one movement from a Baroque or Classical sonata, concerto or one-movement piece; one movement or a one-movement piece from the Romantic or contemporary repertoire.
Graduate: One concerto or virtuoso piece; two contrasting movements from either a sonata or multi-movement work from the Romantic or contemporary repertoire, or two contrasting movements of a Bach cello suite.
Flute
Undergraduate: One work from each category (does not need to be memorized): 1) Any of the sonatas of J.S. Bach or Mozart concerti in G or D. 2) Sonatas: Hindemith, Piston, Martinu, or Poulenc, or a sonata of equivalent difficulty. 3) Pieces: Chaminade Concertino, Fauré Fantasie, Enesco Cantabile and Presto, or a piece of equivalent difficulty.
Graduate: One work from each category (does not need to be memorized): 1) Concerti: Mozart D Major (with cadenzas), Ibert, Nielsen, or comparable. 2) Sonatas: Martinu, Reynolds, Prokofiev, Gaubert, or comparable. 3) Orchestral excerpts.
Fortepiano (See
Historical Keyboards)
Guitar
One work from each of the following categories: a transcription of a work written before 1750; a Classical or Romantic work (including the Segovia repertoire) written for guitar; a 20th-century work written for guitar.
Harp
Undergraduate: One étude for harp; two compositions of intermediate or advanced difficulty from different periods.
Graduate: Evidence of solo performances and orchestral participation must be shown; Ravel Introduction et Allegro, Handel Concerto in B-flat (entire work), or comparable works.
Harpsichord
Undergraduate: 1) Bach French suite or prelude and fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier, 2) A Work of the French School (Chambonnieres, Louis Couperin, D'Angelebert, Rameau or Francois Couperin) and 3) One Scarlatti sonata)
Graduate: 1) a work of the English virginal school or a toccata of Frescobaldi or Froberger, 2) A major work of J.S. Bach (examples: and English Suite or Partita, Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, Italian Concerto, Overture in B Minor or another large work) and 3) An Ordre of Francois Couperin or a suite of Rameau
Historical Keyboards (Professional Studies Diploma Only)
The Professional Studies Diploma in Historical Keyboards is a degree program combining the study of harpsichord, fortepiano and continuo playing.
1) One major work for harpsichord and 2) One movement on the fortepiano from a sonata of Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven.
Horn
Undergraduate: Major, minor, and chromatic scales; first movement, Mozart Concerto No. 2, 3 or 4; first movement, Strauss Concerto No. 1; three contrasting orchestral excerpts (for example: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5, Beethoven Symphony No. 3 and Strauss Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche).
Graduate: Strauss Concerto No. 1 or comparable work; a 20th-century work for horn alone; selected orchestral excerpts.
Oboe
Undergraduate: One selection from Barret's 40 Progressive Melodies; one étude from Barret's 15 Grand Studies; one movement from a standard Baroque or Classical concert piece; one movement from a standard Romantic or contemporary concert piece.
Graduate: In addition to the undergraduate requirements, graduate applicants should be prepared to perform two contrasting orchestral excerpts of their choice.
Organ
Undergraduate: Applicants must either play the requirements for admission to the Piano major or show organ proficiency by performing works from the Bach Little Organ Book and Eight Short Preludes and Fugues or other standard organ repertoire.
Graduate: One work from each category: 1) A Bach work from the mature master period. 2) A major French work. 3) A work by an American composer. 4) One work in advanced style written after 1960.
Percussion
Undergraduate: Demonstrate ability to perform on two, or preferably all, of the following: timpani, snare drum, mallets. The following methods are suggested: Goodman Modern Method for Timpani, Podemski Standard Snare Drum Method, Goldenberg Modern School for Xylophone.
Graduate: Selections from each of the following categories:
- Mallets: Gordon Stout Mexican Dances or Van Geem Passacaglia-Improvisation or Bach lute suite;
- Snare Drum: Delecluse études pour Caisse Claire;
- Timpani: Elliott Carter Eight Solo Pieces for Four Timpani (applicant's choice).
Graduate timpani: See "Timpani" below
Piano
Undergraduate: A complete work from each of the following periods: Baroque (a Prelude and Fugue from the W.T.C. or a fugal movement from a Suite); Classical (a complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert); Romantic (a work from the 19th century); and contemporary (a work from the 20th or 21st century).
Graduate: A major work of Bach (partita, toccata, suite, etc.); an entire Classical sonata; a Romantic work equal in difficulty to a Chopin ballade or scherzo; a 20th-century work equal in difficulty to the Copland Variations or the Bartók Suite Op. 14.
Piano Accompanying (graduate only)
A major solo work (refer to graduate piano requirements); a major instrumental sonata (Beethoven violin or cello sonata, Brahms violin sonata, etc.); a vocal group of four songs and/or arias, sight-reading. Applicants must provide their own instrumentalist and vocalist for the audition or request them in advance by contacting the Office of Admission when submitting the application and at least three weeks before the audition. Applicants auditioning at a regional site MUST provide their own soloists.
Timpani (graduate only)
In
addition to the repertoire requirements for the graduate Percussion audition, Timpani applicants should prepare: an advanced-level timpani solo (one movement) or advanced etude; the complete Beethoven Symphonies; the complete Brahms Symphonies; and Stravinsky Rite of Spring. Applicants should be prepared to sight read.
Please note: If you plan to perform a piece that requires playing on the "butts" of the timpani mallets (back-end of the timpani mallet) please have a suitable alternative: moleskin or felt on the butt-end of the mallet. We will not allow anyone to play with butt-ends of mallets on our timpani heads. Any piece that involves "playing on the timpani bowl" will also not be allowed.
Trombone-Tenor
Undergraduate: Études from J. Rochut Melodious Études, Book 1; solo of choice; and excerpts from the symphonic repertoire.
Graduate: Solo (concerto or solo piece of applicant's choice) and orchestral excerpts selected from the following: Berlioz Rakoczy March, second trombone part; Mahler Symphony No. 3, 14-17 and 33-34; Mozart Requiem, Tuba Mirum; Ravel Bolero; Rossini Overture to La Gazza Ladra; Schumann Symphony No. 3; Wagner Ride of the Valkyries.
Trombone-Bass
Undergraduate: Études from J. Rochut Melodious Études, Book 1; solo of choice; excerpts from the symphonic repertoire.
Graduate: The Sarabande from Bach's Suite No. 5 for Cello (or solo piece of applicant's choice) and orchestral excerpts selected from the following: Haydn The Creation, No. 26; Kodály Háry János Suite, fourth movement; Rossini Overture to La Gazza Ladra; Schumann Symphony No. 3, fourth movement; Strauss Ein Heldenleben; Wagner Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla; Wagner Overture to Tannhäuser.
Trumpet
Undergraduate: Scales; two études from Arban's Characteristic Studies and/or Bousquet's Celebrated Studies; two contrasting movements from Haydn and/or Hummel; (optional) sonata or concerto movement of applicant's choice or two or three orchestral excerpts.
Graduate: Solo (Haydn Concerto, first and second movements, or a concerto or solo piece of applicant's choice) and orchestral excerpts selected from the following: Mahler Symphony No. 5; Mussorgsky-Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition; Ravel Piano Concerto in G; Respighi Pines of Rome; Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, first movement; Strauss Don Juan, lyric solo; Stravinsky Petrouchka, 1947.
Tuba
Undergraduate: One étude; a legato study (such as Rochut); solo literature; orchestral excerpts.
Graduate: Solo (Vaughan Williams Concerto for Bass Tuba, first movement, or piece of your choice) and orchestral excerpts such as: Berlioz Rakoczy March; Berlioz Symphonie fantastique; Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis; Strauss Till Eulenspiegel; Stravinsky Petrouchka; Wagner Overture to Die Meistersinger or Ride of the Valkyries.
Viola
Undergraduate: Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite, sonata, or partita; one movement from a standard concerto; one work of the applicant's choice.
Graduate: Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite, sonata, or partita; one movement of a concerto (with cadenza, as applicable); one movement of a sonata. One of the latter must be a 20th-century piece.
Violin
Undergraduate: Bach solo violin sonatas and partitas (two contrasting movements); movement of a standard concerto; two études; one composition of the applicant's choice (optional).
Graduate: Two contrasting movements of a Bach sonata or partita; one Paganini caprice or brilliant concert piece; one complete Romantic or contemporary concerto; one movement of a Mozart concerto (optional).
Violoncello
Undergraduate: One movement from a standard concerto; two contrasting movements from a Bach suite; one short work from the 20th-century repertoire.
Graduate: Two contrasting movements of a Bach cello suite; one movement of a sonata and one movement of a concerto, one of which must be from the 20th century.
Voice
Starting in September 2007 for all Fall 2008 applicants, SFCM requires prescreening CD's for most applicants. Details are listed below per level. All submitted CD's and DVD's must clearly list the applicant's name, degree program applied to and repertoire performed, including composer. No submitted CD's or DVD's will be returned. Applicants invited to audition in San Francisco may bring their own accompanists or use one provided by the Conservatory for a $25 fee.
Undergraduate: All undergraduate voice applicants who live in North America, or who live outside of North America and wish to audition live in San Francisco, must first submit a prescreening CD (audio only) by the application deadline. The recording must include all the required repertoire below (poem excluded). The recording does not need to be professionally produced but should present the applicant's vocal talents as clearly as possible. Those undergraduate applicants that live outside of North America and who do not wish to audition live in San Francisco must submit a DVD (video required). The recording must include the required audition repertoire AND poem and must be submitted before by the application deadline.
Repertoire: An Italian aria or song such as those found in the Anthology of Italian Song of the 17th and 18th Centuries; two songs in English (not a translation); a piece chosen by the applicant; a reading of a short poem in English chosen by the applicant. This reading does not need to be memorized.
Additionally, at the faculty's discretion, applicants may be asked to sight read a very short musical passage.
Graduate: All graduate voice applicants who live in North America, or who live outside of North America and wish to audition live in San Francisco, must first submit a prescreening CD (audio only) by the application deadline. The recording must include all the required repertoire below (poem excluded). The recording does not need to be professionally produced but should present the applicant's vocal talents as clearly as possible. Those graduate applicants who live outside of North America and who do not wish to audition live in San Francisco must submit a DVD (video required). The recording must include the required audition repertoire AND poem and must be submitted before by the application deadline.
Repertoire: Two opera arias in contrasting styles; three art songs in contrasting styles in three different languages, one of which must be English. The arias and songs must include pieces in German, French and Italian; a piece chosen by the applicant; a reading of a short poem in English chosen by the applicant. This reading does not need to be memorized.
Additionally, at the faculty's discretion, applicants may be asked to sight read a very short musical passage.
Post-Graduate: All postgraduate voice applicants must first submit a prescreening CD (audio only) by the application deadline. The recording must include all the required repertoire below (poem excluded). The recording does not need to be professionally produced but should present the applicant's vocal talents as clearly as possible. Those graduate applicants who live outside of North America and who do not wish to audition live in San Francisco must submit a DVD (video required). The recording must include the required audition repertoire AND poem and must be submitted before by the application deadline.
Repertoire: Three opera arias in contrasting styles; three art songs in contrasting styles in three different languages, one of which must be English. The arias and songs must include pieces in German, French and Italian; a piece chosen by the applicant; a reading of a short poem in English chosen by the applicant. This reading does not need to be memorized.
Additionally, at the faculty's discretion, applicants may be asked to sight read a very short musical passage.
