Chamber Music Auditions

Welcome, chamber music students!

Below are the audition requirements for the Strings & Piano Chamber Music area. For complete application and audition details - including audition dates - please visit our Application & Auditions page.

Please note that audition requirements are updated each September for the upcoming application cycle.

All applicants accepted to final auditions must audition live in San Francisco.

Pre-Screening Requirements

All String and Piano Chamber Music applicants are required to submit unedited audiovisual recordings fulfilling the prescreening requirements listed below with the application. Applicants will be informed if they have been invited to an audition or have been denied in prescreening.

Current and former SFCM students must also submit prescreening recordings. It is not waived.

If denied for this program, an applicant may be invited to be considered for the Master of Music or Professional Studies Certificate in Instrumental Performance programs which do include extensive training in chamber music. Those applicants will be notified of this invite with the prescreening decision.

Candidates must submit audiovisual prescreening recordings with the following solo repertoire.

Chamber Piano

All repertoire should be performed from memory.

One first movement of a Beethoven Sonata
One étude of virtuosity from one of the following composers: Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Liszt, or Debussy

Chamber Strings

The Bach and concerto repertoire should be performed from memory.

Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite, sonata, or partita
One first movement of a concerto, with cadenza where applicable
One movement of a duo sonata with piano

Connect with Us First

Preformed string and/or piano chamber groups interested in applying should email nccyl@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@ylppa before beginning the application process to ensure requirements are clear.

Preformed string and/or piano chamber groups that are not a quartet may still be eligible to participate in this program. Please email the nccyl@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@ylppa for confirmation.

Each member of the preformed group must submit a separate application for admission.

Prescreening Material

Candidates who wish to apply as a preformed string quartet must submit an audiovisual recording of the group performing two contrasting movements of chamber repertoire.
Each member of the group should also submit a separate application for String and Piano Chamber Music.
Please upload a biography of the chamber group to each application.

Students must submit an additional essays within their application detailing their career goals and skills specific to chamber music. These essays should not exceed 200 words.

Final Audition Requirements

All final auditions for the Strings & Piano Chamber program will be held on-campus in San Francisco. Recorded or virtual auditions for this program are not permitted at the final audition stage.

Piano

All solo repertoire should be performed from memory.

One first movement of a Beethoven Sonata
One étude of virtuosity from one of the following composers: Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Liszt, or Debussy
Beethoven Piano Trio in E-flat, Op. 1, No. 1, Allegro (i)
Dvorak Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81, Allegro ma non tanto (i)