Hayes School of Music

Woodwinds

  1. Home
  2. Woodwinds

 

Bassoon Audition Requirements

Please contact Dr. David Wells, Assistant Professor of Bassoon by email at wellsda2@appstate.edu or by phone (828-262-6460) with any questions.

Repertoire

Two selections of your choice that demonstrate your present level of performance and that together showcase both your lyrical/expressive playing and your technical ability. These may either be two movements from solo repertoire (sonatas, concertos, etc.) or one movement paired with an etude.

The below repertoire lists are suggestions, not comprehensive lists. If you have questions regarding repertoire choices, please contact Dr. Wells.

Suggested solo repertoire:

  • Adrienne Albert: Serenade for Solo Bassoon (available from the composer)

  • Jenni Brandon: Colored Stones

  • Adolphus Hailstork: Bassoon Set

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Concerto in B-flat , K. 191

  • William Grant Still: Songs for Bassoon and Piano, arr. Alexa Still

  • Antonio Vivaldi: any of his 37 bassoon concertos

  • Carl Maria von Weber: Concerto in F Major, op. 75

  • Jacqueline Wilson: Dance Suite (available from the composer)

  • This year’s NC All-State Honors Band audition solo (accessible here)


Suggested etudes:

  • Ludwig Milde: 25 Studies in Scales and Chords, op. 24

  • Julius Weissenborn: Complete Method for Bassoon

Technique Requirements

  • Chromatic scale – beginning on low B-flat through your entire range

  • Major scales and arpeggios

    • Music Performance Applicants: all major scales

    • Music Education, Music Therapy, Composition/Theory, and Music Industry Studies applicants: major scales through 4 flats and 4 sharps

  • Each student will be asked to sight-read a short musical excerpt.

 

Clarinet Audition Requirements

Please contact Dr. Soo Goh, Assistant Professor of Clarinet by email at gohsk@appstate.edu or by phone (828-262-6134) with any questions.


Music Education, Composition/Theory, Music Therapy, and Music Industry Studies Major

Repertoire
Bb clarinet

Bass clarinet
Applicants who wish to focus on the bass clarinet during their studies at Appalachian State University will also prepare their audition repertoire on the Bb clarinet. Even if you choose to emphasize the bass clarinet during your studies, you will still be required to study and perform on the Bb clarinet in addition to the bass clarinet. A strong musical fundamental on the Bb clarinet is transferable to the bass clarinet and will serve you well. Furthermore, fluency on both instruments open doors for more performing opportunities and is also critical for future educators.

Technique Requirements

  • Major scales up to 4-flats (Ab major) and 4-sharps (E major), at least two octaves.
  • Chromatic scale - minimum 3 octaves starting on low E, up to as high as you can comfortably go, ascending and descending.
  • Tempo for scales - at a comfortable tempo that you can perform evenly and accurately
  • Each student will be asked to sight-read a short musical excerpt.


Music Performance Major

Repertoire
Bb clarinet

Bass clarinet
Music performance applicants who wish to focus on the bass clarinet during their studies at Appalachian State University will also prepare their audition repertoire on the Bb clarinet. Even if you choose to emphasize the bass clarinet during your studies, you will still be required to study and perform on the Bb clarinet in addition to the bass clarinet. A bass clarinetist is frequently expected to play the Bb clarinet when it comes to gigs. Fluency on both instruments is critical to be a successful performer in our field.

Technique Requirements

  • All major and melodic minor scales and arpeggios - any form of your choice
  • Chromatic scale - minimum 3 octaves starting on low E, up to as high as you can comfortably go, ascending and descending.
  • Tempo - at a comfortable tempo that you can perform evenly and accurately
  • Each student will be asked to sight-read a short musical excerpt.


Saxophone Audition Requirements

Please contact Dr. Scott Kallestad, Professor of Saxophone by email at kallestadsd@appstate.edu, by office phone (828) 262-8025, or cell phone (828) 719-0852 with any questions.

Repertoire
Saxophone applicants should prepare a solo that will showcase the performer’s lyrical/expressive ability, and their faster/technical skills. Your selection may include lyrical and technical sections from one solo, two separate movements from a single piece, or contrasting movements from two different pieces. Be sure to choose music that is appropriate to your musical and technical skill levels.

Examples of suggested solo repertoire difficulty level (but not limited to):

  • Bencriscutto, Frank:   Serenade (all)

  • Creston, Paul:   Sonata (slow and fast excerpts)
  • Glazunov, Alexander: Concerto in Eb for Alto Saxophone (slow and fast excerpts)
  • Heiden, Bernhard:   Diversion (all)
  • Heiden, Bernhard: Sonata, third movement
  • Jolivet, Andre:   Fantaisie-Impromptu (all)
  • Lunde, Lawson:   Sonata (slow and fast excerpts)
  • Maurice, Paule: Tableaux de Provence, at least one fast and one slow movement

If you have questions regarding repertoire choices or would like help in choosing a solo, please contact Dr. Kallestad.

Technique Requirements
The applicant will be expected to perform major scales and arpeggios, a chromatic scale demonstrating their full range, and to sight-read appropriate literature. A brief evaluation of Aural Skills will also take place during the saxophone audition.


Flute Audition Requirements

Please contact Dr. Nancy Schneeloch-Bingham, Professor of Flute by email at schneelochna@appstate.edu or by phone (828-262-6447) with any questions.


Music Education, Composition/Theory, Music Therapy, and Music Industry Studies Majors

Repertoire
Solo demonstrating slower/lyrical and faster/technical playing: two movements from the same piece or contrasting movements from two different pieces. If you have questions about appropriate pieces or would like help choosing your piece, please contact Dr. Nancy Schneeloch-Bingham

e.g. Sonatas by Telemann, Handel or other pieces from solo compilation books:
Solos for Flute (ed. Peck), 24 Short Concert Pieces (ed. Cavally)

Technique Requirements

  • All Major scales and arpeggios and a three-octave chromatic scale
  • Each student will be asked to sight-read a short musical excerpt.


Music Performance

Repertoire
Solo demonstrating slower/lyrical and faster/technical playing: two movements from the same piece or contrasting movements from two different pieces. If you have questions about appropriate pieces or would like help choosing your piece, please contact Dr. Nancy Schneeloch-Bingham

e.g. Bach: Sonatas, Mozart: Concerto in D or, selections from solo compilation book: Flute Music by French Composers (ed. Moyse)

Technique Requirements

  • All major scales and arpeggios and a three-octave chromatic scale. Harmonic minor scales through 4 flats and sharps.
  • Each student will be asked to sight-read a short musical excerpt.


Oboe Audition Requirements

Please contact Dr. Alicia Chapman, Associate Professor of Oboe by email at chapmanam@appstate.edu or by phone (828-262-4898) with any questions.

Repertoire

Two solos of your choice:  from a sonata, concerto, or other soloist repertoire.  You may also choose a solo movement paired with an etude. The music literature that you choose should demonstrate your present level of performance and reflect contrasts in musical styles, expressions, and tempi. 

Suggested solo repertoire (but not limited to):

  • Cimarosa Concerto, 1st and 2nd mvts.
  • Marcello Concerto, 1st or 3rd mvts.
  • Britten, from Six Metamorphoses - no. 1: Pan or no. 3: Niobi
  • Hindemith Sonata, 1st mvt.
  • Vaughan Williams Concerto, 1st mvt.
  • An etude from the Prestini Raccolta di Studi, or from the Ferling 48 Etudes volume

Technique Requirements

  • Chromatic scale – beginning on low Bb through your entire range
  • Major scales and arpeggios through 5-flats and 5-sharps
  • Each student will be asked to sight-read a short musical excerpt.


(updated July 2024)