Audition requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Performance - Orchestral Instruments (Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion)

Note: Applicants must demonstrate proper embouchure technique and produce a characteristic tone appropriate to their instrument. The Conservatory strongly recommends performing the audition with piano accompaniment whenever applicable.

For all woodwind and brass instruments, applicants are required to perform major and minor scales and their corresponding arpeggios using a variety of articulations.

Woodwinds

Flute

Applicants must prepare:

1. Two contrasting études by Joachim Andersen, Op. 37 or Op. 41, or by Ernesto Köhler, Op. 33, No. 2.
2. Three works with piano accompaniment representing the Baroque, Classical or Romantic, and French School repertoire.
3. Major and minor scales
4. Sight-reading.

Oboe

Applicants must prepare:

1. Major and minor scales and arpeggios.
2. The first ten melodies from the Barret Method.
3. One Baroque work by Handel, Albinoni, or Telemann.
4. Sight-reading.

Clarinet

Applicants must prepare:

1. Major and minor scales and arpeggios.
2. Two études from Selected Studies by H. Voxman.
3. One standard classical work for clarinet with piano accompaniment.
4. Sight-reading.

Bassoon

Applicants must prepare:

1. Major and minor scales and arpeggios.
2. One exercise from the Weissenborn Method or Milde Scale Studies.
3. One standard classical work for bassoon.
4. Sight-reading.

Saxophone

Applicants must prepare:

1. Major and minor scales and arpeggios.
2. Two works or excerpts of approximately first-year collegiate difficulty (Rascher Collection or equivalent). Acceptable selections include études from Selected Studies (Rubank), Larry Teal, Voxman Concert and Contest Collection, or equivalent repertoire. Applicants should bring an additional copy for the audition committee.
3. Sight-reading.

Brass

Trumpet

Applicants must prepare:

1. Major and minor scales and arpeggios in all keys, performed both legato and staccato.
2. One selection with piano accompaniment from J. B. Arban's 12 Celebrated Fantasies, choosing one of the following:
   • No. 3 – Fantaisie Brillante (Introduction, Theme, Variations I & II)
   • No. 5 – Variations on The Beautiful Snow (Theme, Variations I & II)
   
   to. #3 FantasíaBrillante (Intro, Theme, Var. I and II)
   b. #5 Variations on The Beautiful Snow (Theme, Var. I and II)
   • One intermediate-level étude demonstrating both legato and staccato technique.
   • Sight-reading.

French Horn

Applicants must prepare:

1. Major and minor scales and arpeggios in all keys
2. Intermediate-level exercises from the method book currently being studied that demonstrate the applicant's technical level.
3. Sight-reading.

Trombone

Applicants must prepare:

1. Major and minor scales and arpeggios
2. Melodic Study no. 6 by Joannes Rochut. (Fischer)
3. Arban's Method: Brilliant Fantasy Introduction (Fischer or Encore)
4. Sight-reading.

Bass Trombone

Applicants must prepare:

1. Scales and arpeggios in all major and minor keys
2. Melodic Study no. 6 by Joannes Rochut (one octave below where it is written)
3. Two contrasting movements of any baroque sonata
4. Sight-reading.

Tuba

Applicants must prepare:

1. Major and minor scales and arpeggios in all keys, performed both legato and staccato.
2. Perform a piano piece with contrasting movements
3. A study containing staccato and legato passages of medium difficulty in correct style
4. Sight-reading.

Euphonium

Applicants must prepare:

1. Minor and major scales and arpeggios in all keys, staccato and legato
2. Perform a piano work with contrasting movements, choosing from: Bach, JS–Air from Suite, no. 3 (Kendor); Barat, JE–Introduction and Dance(Southern),Voxman–Selected Studies (Rubank)
3. One study to choose from the following: Fink, Reginald–Studies in Legatto, (Carl Fisher) Nr. 30; Rochut, Johannes-Melodius Etudes for Trombone, Nr.4; Arban's, JB Method for Trombone and Baritone Horn: Characteristic Studies. (Carl Fischer or Encore)
4. Sight-reading.

Percussion

The audition must be submitted in one or more of the following categories:

Snare Drum and/or Drums

1. Demonstration of the Orchestral and Rudimental drum roll with dynamics
2. Presentation of the 40 rudiments with dynamics with metronome marking between 60 to 120 quarter notes and from slow to fast (al lib.)
3. Solos and/or studies by J. Delacluse, A. Cirone, J. Pratt or their equivalents
4. Orchestral repertoire and/or its equivalent
5. Sight reading

Mallet-Keyboard Instruments

1. Solos and/or studies by M. Goldberg, A. Cirone, M. Peters, or equivalent.
2. Major and minor scales with their arpeggios at two (2) octaves with two mallets. Scales and arpeggios in metronome mark from 60 to 120 the quarter note
3. Orchestra repertoire and/or its equivalent
4. Sight reading

Timpani

1. Solos and/or studies by S. Goodman, M. Peters and/or their equivalent
2. Orchestra repertoire and/or its equivalent
3. Tuning / intervals: 3rd, 4th, 5th at 8v

Multiple percussion

1. A single minimum of two instruments

Important: Successfully passing the audition does not guarantee admission to the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. Admission is contingent upon meeting all admission requirements, satisfying the minimum academic requirements, and the availability of space in the selected academic program. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available openings, a waiting list will be established. Applicants placed on the waiting list will be notified of their ranking by postal mail. Placement on the waiting list does not guarantee admission for the academic year in which the application was submitted. Applicants who are not offered admission due to limited enrollment must submit a new application and complete the audition process again for a future academic year.