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Selecting an Audition Date Before Applying

Regular in-person audition dates are offered in January and February each year for admission the following school year. Check the Auditions & Admissions page for the currently offered dates, plus information about virtual auditions.

If you audition after our regularly scheduled audition dates, you may not be able to compete for certain scholarship opportunities, and some programs you want may be filled to capacity. Also, the audition process is competitive -- if you should choose to arrange your audition before these dates, a decision on your acceptance may or may not be delayed until after students have been heard on the regular dates. In certain circumstances, auditions may be scheduled at other times by direct arrangement with our faculty prior to submitting your audition request and at the faculty member's discretion.

If you are admitted as a Music major or Minor you will automatically be considered for any School of Music scholarships or grants for which you are eligible. For other financial aid, including merit scholarships, grants, work-study, loans, etc., see the UK Office of Student Financial Aid.

International students: Visit UK’s International Admission Information page.

Transfer students: If you would like to be considered for a scholarship at the University of Kentucky School of Music, you must obtain a letter of release from your current institution. 

Alltech Competition: Invitations to audition in the Alltech competition are made based on your UK admissions auditions. All students are considered for the competition when they audition for admission.

Step 1 For New Incoming Students

Apply to the University of Kentucky.

When you select “Music Major” in your UK Admissions Application, you will be classified as “Pre-Music” pending the results of your audition. Your audition registration is included in your application to UK. Try to apply for UK admission and music audition prior to February 1. Acceptance into School of Music programs is contingent upon acceptance by the UK Office of Undergraduate Admissions. An audition is REQUIRED for prospective students pursuing the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree, Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree, Bachelor of Arts in Music degree, or Minor in Music Performance.

Step 1 For Current Students & Transfer Students Changing or Declaring a Music Major

Register for an audition via the School of Music Audition/Exam Request form.

The audition will determine your acceptance into the School of Music programs. An audition is REQUIRED for prospective students pursuing the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree, Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree, Bachelor of Arts in Music degree, or Minor in Music Performance.

Step 2 Prepare For and Complete Your Audition

After you've carefully read the instructions and registered for an audition, it's time to prepare for your audition.

  • You will receive an email confirming your audition date and time a week or two before your chosen date if you register early, or soon after if you register late.
  • A professional accompanist is provided by the School for voice auditions only and voice applicants may not bring their own accompanist. Other auditions are performed without accompaniment.
  • Please do not bring extra copies of your music, only a prepared binder for the pianist at voice auditions is necessary. Please ensure that all your music is correctly labeled and in its designated place.

Certain programs have repertoire requirements that must be demonstrated at your audition. If you have any questions about repertoire or the specific audition process, please feel free to contact the area or division coordinator related to your instrument or study.

Brass - Trumpet Repertoire

Students wishing to gain admittance into undergraduate programs with a concentration in Trumpet should be prepared to present the following material in an audition:

  • Two contrasting works that demonstrate your ability technically and musically. One of these can be your All-State or District solo.
  • Major and Chromatic Scales as requested.
  • Possible Sight Reading.
  • Any additional material that you feel exemplifies your musicianship and versatility (i.e. excerpts, jazz, etc.)

Brass - Trombone Repertoire

Undergraduate (BM, BMME, BA, Music Minor)

  • Two Contrasting Selections (etude, solo, etc)
  • Major Scales

Brass - Tuba/Euphonium Repertoire

For Undergraduate auditions, please prepare two contrasting works. These can be etudes or contrasting movements/sections from a solo work. Scales up to four sharps, four flats, and sight reading may be asked. 

Recommended Studies - Tuba

  • Marco Bordogni : 43 Bel Canto Studies
  • Concone/Shoemaker Legato Etudes for tuba/bass trombone
  • Clarke Technical Studies
  • Reginald Fink Studies in Legato
  • Vladislav Blazehvich: 70 Tuba Studies Vol I
  • Vladislav Blazehvich: 70 Tuba Studies Vol II
  • C. Kopprash 60 Selected Studies for Tuba
  • H.W. Tyrell 40 Advanced Studies for Tuba
  • Phil Snedecor Low Etudes for Tuba Vol I
  • Phil Snedecor Low(er) Etudes for Tuba Vol II
  • The Brass Gym
  • Michael Davis 20 Minute Warm Up
  • Full Range Major/Minor Scales & Arpeggios

Recommended Excerpts - Tuba

  • Stars & Stripes-Sousa
  • Toccata Marziale-Vaughan Williams
  • The Planets-Holst
  • Ein Heldenleben-Strauss
  • Ride of the Valkyries-Wagner
  • Die Meistersinger Overture-Wagner
  • Ein Faust Overture-Wagner
  • Symphony No. 5-Prokofiev
  • Hungarian March-Berlioz
  • Symphony No. 1-Mahler
  • Symphony No. 5-Mahler
  • Pertroushka-Stravinsky
  • Fountains of Rome-Resphigi
  • Symphonic Metamorphosis-Hindemith
  • Symphony Fantastique-Berlioz

Recommended Solos - Tuba

  • Fantasy for Solo Tuba-Malcolm Arnold
  • Air & Bouree-Arr. William Bell
  • Introduction & Dance-J.E. Barat
  • Andante and Rondo-Capuzzi
  • Sonata No. 1-Marcello Arr. Little
  • Sketches for Tuba & Piano-Martin McFarland
  • Sonata for Tuba-Thomas Beversdorf
  • Concerto for Tuba-Edward Gregson
  • Sonata for Tuba-Walter Hartley
  • Sonata fur Tuba und Klavier-Paul Hindemith
  • Concerto in One Movement-Lebedev
  • Serenade No. 12-Persechetti
  • Impromptus-Robert Muczynski

Recommended Studies - Euphonium

  • Rochut Melodius Etudes
  • Concone/Shoemaker Legato Etudes for Trombone
  • Clarke Technical Studies
  • Bousquet 36 Celebrated Studies for Baritone or Trombone
  • Steven Mead New Concert Studies Vol. I
  • Reginald Fink Studies in Legato
  • Vladislav Blazehvich: 70 Tuba Studies Vol I (low register training)
  • C. Kopprash 60 Selected Studies for Trombone Book 1
  • C. Kopprasch 60 Selected Studies for Trombone Book II
  • Voxman Selected Studies for Baritone
  • H.W. Tyrell 40 Progressive Studies for Trombone
  • The Brass Gym
  • Michael Davis 20 Minute Warm Up
  • Full Range Major/Minor Scales & Arpeggios
  • Clef Studies (treble, bass, tenor) Blazevich, Fink etc.

Recommended Excerpts - Euphonium

  • Stars & Stripes-Sousa
  • Colonial Song-Grainger
  • Molly on the Shore-Grainger
  • When Jesus Wept-Shuman
  • Festive Overture-Shostakovich/Hunsberger
  • Toccata Marziale-Vaughan Williams
  • Second Suite in F-Holst
  • The Planets-Holst
  • Bydlo-Mussorgsky/Ravel
  • Theme and Variations-Shoenberg
  • Roman Carnival Overture-Berlioz/Godfrey III
  • Pinapple Poll-Sullivan/Mackerras
  • Ein Heldenleben-Strauss
  • Don Quixote--Strauss

Recommended Solos - Euphonium

  • Rhapsody for Euphonium-James Curnow
  • Beautiful Colorado-DeLuca
  • A Walk in the Woods-Jiro Censhu
  • Fantasy Variations-Ito Yasuhide
  • Sonata for Euphonium and Piano-Eric Ewazen
  • Concert Piece-P.V. De La Nux
  • Andante and Rondo-Capuzzi
  • Bassoon Concerto-W.A. Mozart
  • Mirror Lake-Edward Montgomery
  • Sonata for Unaccompanied Euphonium-Clinard
  • Fantasy-Philip Sparke
  • Lyric Suite-Donald White
  • Variations for Ophicleide-Kummer
  • Fantasy Pieces for Euphonium-Derek Bourgeois
  • The Green Hill-Bert Appermont

Brass - Horn Repertoire

Please prepare:

  • Two contrasting works that demonstrate lyrical and technical ability (At least one solo work is required, the second piece can be another solo or etude)
  • Major scales up to four sharps and flats
  • Possible Sight Reading

Piano accompaniment is not required.

Keyboards Repertoire

Prepare at least 15 minutes of music, two or three pieces of contrasting styles, preferably memorized. Also review and be prepared to play any scales or other technical material you have studied. You will also be asked to sight-read some unfamiliar piano scores.

Please contact either Irina Voro or Jacob Coleman with any questions you may have.

Percussion Repertoire

The following list serves only as a guide in choosing appropriate audition material for incoming undergraduate students. Although this list serves only as a suggestion, please choose literature that is similar in style, depth, and breadth. You are encouraged to go beyond the scope of All-State audition music. The purpose of an audition is to demonstrate your talents and ability to prepare. Choose repertoire you can perform at a high level of musical and technical proficiency rather than simply trying to impress with the literature you select.

Prospective music majors and minors should demonstrate ability in three (3) core percussion areas: Mallet Keyboard, Snare Drum, and Timpani. Since time constraints of the audition process limit the total interview time, students may choose to submit additional video links that includes other performance areas. Please note that students must play from original scores of their selected music – no duplicated copies will be allowed. If a personal audition is not possible, you may submit a video link audition (audio recordings will not be acceptable for auditions). However, only live auditions can be considered for a music scholarship unless special arrangements are made with the student and director of percussion studies.

Please bring a resume, audition repertoire list, and copies of your prepared materials to your audition.

Mallet Keyboard

  • Technical demonstration and/or theoretical understanding of all major and minor scales and arpeggios - two octaves.
  • Any four-mallet marimba or vibraphone solo.
    • This can be any standard solo work or study to demonstrate musicianship. (“Three Preludes” Ney Rosauro; “Rhythm Song” Paul Smadbeck; “Michi” Keiko Abe; “Land” Takatsugu Muramatsu; Impressions on Wood, Julie Davila; Mirror from Another, David Friedman; or similar).
  • Any two-mallet marimba or vibraphone solo.
    • This can be any solo, concerto, rag, or etude that demonstrates technical and musical abilities with two mallets. (Two, Gene Koshinski; “Log Cabin Blues” George Hamilton Green, Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone, Morris Goldenberg; Masterpieces for Marimba, Thomas McMillan; Sonatas & Partitas for Violin by J.S. Bach; or similar).
  • Sight Reading (two mallets).

Snare Drum

  • A solo or etude in concert style.
    • Examples include: Portraits in Rhythm, Anthony Cirone; Advanced Snare Drum Studies, Mitchell Peters, Douze Études or Keiskleiriana 1, Jacques Delécluse; or similar.
  • A solo or etude in rudimental style.
    • Examples include: 14 Modern Contest Solos, John S. Pratt; Rudimental Cookbook, Edward Freytag, The Blue Book, David Ratliff; Modern Rudimental Swing Solos for the Advanced Drummer, Charley Wilcoxon; or similar.
  • Sight Reading (concert style).

Timpani

  • A standard work or etude to demonstrate musicianship and technical ability.
    • A Movement from Four Pieces for Timpani, John Bergamo; Six Concert Pieces for Solo Timpani, William Cahn; The Solo Timpanist, Vic Firth; or similar.
  • Sight Reading and demonstrated ability to tune multiple drums from a single given pitch.

OPTIONAL: Areas for Video Submission

  • Multiple-percussion
    • A standard work or study to demonstrate musicianship such as “Tork” or “Engine Room” by James Campbell, a movement from the French Suite, William Kraft, a solo from The Blue Book, Vol. 2, David Ratliff; or similar
  • Drum Set
    • Demonstrate jazz, rock, Latin, Afro-Cuban, Asian, and/or other musical styles. Display time keeping and solo fills in each style.
  • World Percussion
    • Steel pan, hand percussion, frame drum performance, or any other instrument not listed above.

Strings Repertoire

Applicants should prepare 2 or 3 contrasting works, preferably including a movement of a standard concerto and a movement of unaccompanied Bach. The audition will last about 15-20 minutes, and may include major and minor scales and sight-reading.

Voice Repertoire

Auditions will be in the Singletary Center for the Arts Recital Hall. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled time. Please prepare your printed music in a binder for the pianist (the pianist will be provided for you).

Audition Requirements:

  1. Please prepare (at least) two vocal selections which are varied in style/language and display a range of technical facility.
  2. You will start with one piece and the Vocal/Choral faculty may choose from one of your other selections to be heard.
  3. For Performance and Music Education majors you will also be asked to sight sing and show rhythm and tonal memory skills.

For any questions concerning the audition itself or about scheduling, contact Michael Preacely.

Due to the number of auditionees on audition weekends, we are not able to schedule individual lessons, however, if you are interested in a certain teacher, contact that teacher to schedule a time that you can meet later in the semester.

Michael Preacely
Coordinator of Vocal Auditions
michael.preacely@uky.edu

Woodwinds - Bassoon Repertoire

  • Three octave chromatic scale, slurred, as fast as you can accurately play.
  • Three octave B major scale, tongued, as fast as you can accurately play.
  • One fast movement, and one slow movement from a work of your choice. For example, the two movements could come from a Galliard Sonata.

Woodwinds - Clarinet Repertoire

  • 3 octave chromatic scale starting on low E (both slurred and legato articulation)
  • Major scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D, A, E
  • One fast etude, and one slow etude from either the Rose 32 Studies for Clarinet, or the Rose 40 Studies for the Clarinet
  • One solo of your choice from the standard solo clarinet repertoire (Mozart, Weber, Stravinsky, Devienne, etc.)

Woodwinds - Flute Repertoire

  • All major scales, 2 octaves; chromatic scale, full range; tempi should be as fast as can be comfortably and accurately played
  • Two contrasting works of your choice (etudes or solos); ideally, repertoire should be from NFA Graded Repertoire Level “H” or higher (ie, Bach/Handel Sonatas, Mozart Concerti, Hindemith Sonata, or works from the Flute Music by French Composers collection); see nfaonline.org for more repertoire suggestions
  • Sightreading

Woodwinds - Oboe Repertoire

  • All major and minor scales
  • Chromatic scale (low B-flat to high F)
  • Two contrasting works (or movements) of your choosing to demonstrate the full range of your technical and lyrical ability.
  • Sight-reading
  • Those auditioning for the BM in Oboe Performance should also prepare a fast Ferling Etude. 

Woodwinds - Saxophone Repertoire

Please contact Professor Miles Osland for details at miles.osland@uky.edu.

Music Education Auditions

For music education majors at UK, even though preparation for teaching is a primary goal, it is equally important that all students are expected to be well-trained musicians. In most cases, there is minimal difference between the performance and academic expectations for music education majors and those who are classified as performance majors.

Please prepare for your audition according to the repertoire listed for your instrument/voice of choice.

As your scheduled audition date approaches, you will receive a reminder email with details on where to go and how to check in. If you are auditioning at a time other than on one of our listed audition days, please consult with the faculty member who has scheduled your audition.

For those who would like to warm up before their audition, practice rooms are available in the Fine Arts Building. UK School of Music student guides will be provided to you during the Audition Orientation to take you to these rooms and to your audition location. Auditions may be heard by a single instrumental faculty member, or by several faculty in a division depending on a variety of factors.

After you complete your audition, you will receive notification by mail from the School of Music after all prospective students in your area of specialty have been heard. Auditions are typically completed in early March, with notices being sent a few weeks after.

FAQs

Is there a separate application form for School of Music admission?

Not for new incoming undergraduates. Your application to UK includes your audition request.

For current students who have already been accepted to and attended UK, use the separate form linked above to request an audition.

Where can I park?

Most “E” lots are unregulated on Saturdays, but you should read the restrictions posted at the entrance to any parking lot. Be prepared to park a block or more from your audition venue. The Singletary Center has a drop-off entrance on Rose Street. For the Fine Arts building, use the lower level entrance on Patterson Drive. Parking structure #5 is close to our facilities. Although you will have to pay to park here it may be easier than trying to find an available spot. Allow plenty of time to find parking. Visitor parking information and maps are available from UK Transportation Services.

I'm coming from out of town. Where should I stay in Lexington?

Please see the UK Visitors Center for information.

Can I get a campus tour while I'm there?

Information sessions and campus tours should be arranged through the UK Visitors Center, and College of Fine Arts tours can be arranged through our Visit Us page.

When will I know if I will be offered a Music scholarship?

You will hear from us about your acceptance into the School of Music before you hear about scholarships. Scholarships are competitive, so we need to have heard all prospective students before making final decisions. For new students, scholarship decisions will be made by no later than April 15.

Who can I contact for more information?

For information about specific music programs at UK, contact the faculty in charge of your area of interest.

To confirm or change an audition time or date: Contact the person who sent your assignment. Do NOT submit a second audition request through our form.

How do I sign up to perform in a music ensemble?

Most ensembles are open to all UK students regardless of Major or Minor, and we encourage you to join! Ensemble audition signup sheets are posted beginning the week before classes each semester in the Fine Arts Building. Please check the bulletin boards or contact the faculty in charge of each ensemble for more details.