Viola Audition Information
All undergraduate applicants must apply to the University of Colorado and complete a College of Music Admission Application. Applications may be obtained online through the Admissions section. Undergraduate auditions will not be scheduled until both applications have been received. Graduate students need only complete the graduate application.
For information on applying for our ensembles, visit the Ensembles section.
Audition requirements
Please prepare the repertoire listed below for viola auditions. Including works by female composers and BIPOC composers is encouraged.
- One movement from a viola concerto
- One movement from a Bach Solo Suite
- One work or movement from a piece of your choosing
If you choose to submit a recorded audition, you should include the repertoire listed above. You may submit multiple clips, but they should be unedited. You may use any equipment at your disposal, including smartphones, but please make every attempt to submit the highest quality video possible. The camera should be positioned so that both hands and full range of bowing can be visible. Please see the recorded audition guidelines for information on submitting a recordin. If you choose to also do a live in person or live virtual audition, please be prepared to perform the repertoire listed above. While we may move to an interview format, all students should be prepared to play.
Degree sheets
Graduate viola applicant requirements
Pre-screening recording
A pre-screening recording is required for all graduate string applicants. All applicants are required to submit their pre-screening recordings online to the Graduate application by Dec. 1. Pre-screening materials should remain the same throughout the audition process. If you have any questions about substitutions, please contact Professor Eckert at Erika.Eckert@colorado.edu.
Repertoire requirements
Master’s of Music
- One movement of a 20th century concerto
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite
- Additional piece of applicant's choice
Doctor of Musical Arts
- A movement of a 20th century concerto
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite, sonata or partita
- A movement of a sonata
- Additional piece of applicant’s choice, post 1980
Live auditions
In the live audition, memorization of works such as the concerto and Bach is required.
Recorded auditions
Live auditions are strongly preferred. A recorded audition (live performance or studio recording) may be submitted in place of a live audition. Please see the Recorded audition guidelines for information on submitting a recording.
A live audition is required to qualify for Teaching Assistantships. Applicants unable to travel for a live audition should contact their respective faculty member directly. Requirements for a recorded audition are identical to a live audition. Editing within a movement is prohibited. Any indication of editing may disqualify the candidate from admission. The recording (audio/video) must be in a digital format with high quality audio.
Please note that while recorded auditions will be given full consideration, the best demonstration of your musical ability is through a live audition.
Graduate degree sheets
Program overview
The College of Music at CU Boulder offers an Artist Diploma in string quartet performance for one string quartet to work intensively with members of the renowned Takács Quartet and other members of the string faculty. Applications will be open to 1) preformed string quartets and also 2) individuals who apply for ‘Artist Diploma string quartet performance’ who would like to be considered for placement in a new graduate string quartet formed by the Takács Quartet. The next application will be available in Fall 2023 for entry in Fall 2024. The Takács Graduate Quartet Residency is a two-year position generously funded by the Starling Foundation and Takács Society. While participating in the program, the graduate quartet will play recitals, perform in master classes, receive regular coaching and collaborate with other instrumentalists and composers. A generous travel budget provides the quartet with support for competitions and concert opportunities outside of Boulder.
Eligibility for each member of the quartet
Minimum requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Application timelines + requirements
Dec. 1, 2023: Online application materials due
- Application information:
- For preformed quartets: each member of the quartet should submit an application to the Artist Diploma in string quartet performance
- For individuals: Please apply for the Artist Diploma in string quartet performance to be considered for placement in a newly formed graduate quartet
- Pre-screening video requirements (submitted with online application via Slate)
- For preformed quartet: Three contrasting movements from different works that represent your quartet’s interests, values and overall mission
- For Individuals: A movement of a concerto, two contrasting movements of a Bach sonata or partita, a 20th or 21st century work of applicant's choice, and an additional piece of the applicant's choice
- Resumé (submitted with the online application)
- Preformed groups: please include a Quartet Resumé
- For Individuals: please include a professional resumé
Mid-January: Pre-screening notifications/live audition invitations will be sent
January-March TBD: Live audition/interview with Takács Quartet members will be scheduled
For questions about application requirements and deadlines, contact Harumi Rhodes.
Note: The Artist Diploma in solo instrumental performance is offered for violin, viola, cello, double bass and guitar.
Pre-screening recording
A pre-screening recording is required for all graduate string applicants. All applicants are required to submit their pre-screening recordings online to the Graduate application by Dec. 1.
Repertoire requirements
Violin
- A movement of a concerto: Beethoven, Romantic or 20th Century
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach sonata or partita
- A 20th or 21st century work of applicant's choice, post 1950
- Additional piece of applicant's choice (such as a show piece)
Viola
- A movement of a 20th century concerto
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite, sonata or partita
- A movement of a sonata
- Additional piece of applicant’s choice, post 1980
Cello
- A movement of a Classical or Romantic concerto
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite
- A 20th or 21st century work of applicant's choice
Double Bass
- One movement of solo work by Bach
- Two contrasting movements from a concerto
- All excerpts from the list below:
- One movement from Bach Cello Suite and Concerto 1st movement
- Bach 2nd Orchestral Suite (Double and Badinerie)
- Mozart 35 (1st mvt, opening to measure 66; 4th mvt, measure 134 to the end)
- Beethoven 5 (3rd mvt, Scherzo and Trio)
- Beethoven 9 (4th mvt, recitative and March)
- Brahms 1 (1st mvt, Letter E to mm.189; 2nd mvt, measure 46 to 60)
- Strauss Heldenleben (#9 to 6 after #12, 2 before #61 to #70, #77 to #78)
Guitar
- Two contrasting movements from a single work of J.S. Bach
- Two contrasting movements from a sonata, suite or similar multi-movement work (Sor, Ponce, José, Castelnuove-Tedesco, Berkeley, Ginastera, Henze, Brouwer, Tippett, etc.) OR a substantial set of variations (19th century, Ponce, Britten, etc.)
- A substantial piece of the applicant’s choice
IMPORTANT: When filling out the university application, violin applicants should request in the “Statement of Purpose” their preference for the violin professor with whom they would like to study
Live auditions
The live audition requirements are the same as listed above. In the live audition, memorization of works such as the concerto and Bach is required.
Recorded auditions
Live auditions are strongly preferred. A recorded audition (live performance or studio recording) may be submitted in place of a live audition. Please check out the recorded audition guidelines for more information.
A live audition is required to qualify for Teaching Assistantships. Applicants unable to travel for a live audition should contact their respective faculty member directly. Requirements for a recorded audition are identical to a live audition. Editing within a movement is prohibited. Any indication of editing may disqualify the candidate from admission. The recording (audio/video) must be in a digital format with high quality audio.
Please note that while recorded auditions will be given full consideration, the best demonstration of your musical ability is through a live audition.
Degree sheet
Note: applications are not accepted for Artist Diploma in chamber music performance for double bass, harp and guitar.
Repertoire requirements
Violin
- A movement of a concerto: Beethoven, Romantic or 20th Century
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach sonata or partita
- A 20th or 21st century work of applicant's choice, post 1950
- Additional piece of applicant's choice (such as a show piece)
- Chamber music repertoire list and full resume (please submit with application materials)
Viola
- A movement of a 20th century concerto
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite, sonata or partita
- A movement of a sonata
- Additional piece of applicant’s choice, post 1980
- Chamber music repertoire list and full resume (please submit with application materials)
Cello
- A movement of a Classical or Romantic concerto
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite
- A 20th or 21st century work of applicant's choice
Chamber music repertoire list and full resume (please submit with application materials)
Degree sheet
Note: The Artist Diploma in orchestral performance is offered for violin, viola, cello, double bass and harp.
Pre-screening recording
A pre-screening recording is required for all graduate string applicants. All applicants are required to submit their pre-screening recordings online to the Graduate application by Dec. 1.
Repertoire requirements
Violin
- A movement of a concerto: Beethoven, Romantic or 20th Century
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach sonata or partita
- A 20th or 21st century work of applicant's choice, post 1950
- Additional piece of applicant's choice (such as a show piece)
- 4 excerpts from the list below:
- Don Juan (first page)
- Mozart 39 (1st mvt, m.26 - C; 4th mvt, opening to B)
- Mendelssohn Scherzo (opening to E)
- Prokofiev Classical Symphony (1st mvt, opening to H; 4th mvt, opening to D)
- Schumann 2, Scherzo (opening to m.54)
- Brahms Symphony 4 (1st mvt ,m.392-end; 3rd mvt, up to C)
- Copland Symphony 3 (4th mvt., m.89-93)
- Mahler 5th (1st mvt, #7 to #11)
Viola
- A movement of a 20th century concerto
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite, sonata or partita
- A movement of a sonata
- Additional piece of applicant’s choice, post 1980
- 4 excerpts from the list below:
- Beethoven 3 (3rd mvt, beginning to letter B)
- Beethoven 5 (2nd mvt m. 1-10, 49-59, and 98-106)
- Berlioz Roman Carnival (reh.1-4)
- Brahms Haydn (Variations V and VII)
- Mendelssohn Scherzo (beginning to letter D)
- Mozart 35 (1st mvt, beginning to measure 66; 4th mvt, m. 134-181)
- Ravel Daphnis and Chloe (reh. 158-166 and 212-218)
- Strauss Don Juan (beginning to letter D)
- Tchaikovsky 6 (1st mvt, m.19-88)
Cello
- A movement of a Classical or Romantic concerto
- Two contrasting movements of a Bach solo suite
- A 20th or 21st century work of applicant's choice
- 4 excerpts from the list below:
- Strauss: Don Juan (first page)
- Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (first page)
- Mendelssohn Scherzo
- Mozart 35 (mvt IV)
- Beethoven 5 (mvt II)
- Beethoven 5 (mvt III)
- Verdi Requiem (Offertorio)
- Debussy (La Mer)
Double Bass
- One movement of solo work by Bach
- Two contrasting movements from a concerto
- All excerpts from the list below:
- One movement from Bach Cello Suite and Concerto 1st movement
- Bach 2nd Orchestral Suite (Double and Badinerie)
- Mozart 35 (1st mvt, opening to measure 66; 4th mvt, measure 134 to the end)
- Beethoven 5 (3rd mvt, Scherzo and Trio)
- Beethoven 9 (4th mvt, recitative and March)
- Brahms 1 (1st mvt, Letter E to mm.189; 2nd mvt, measure 46 to 60)
- Strauss Heldenleben (#9 to 6 after #12, 2 before #61 to #70, #77 to #78)
Harp
- Choose one:
- Handel: Concerto in Bb, 1st movement
- Mozart: Harp and Flute Concerto, 1st movement
- Choose one:
- Ravel: Introduction and Allegro
- Debussy: Danse sacreé et Danse profane
- Choose four (4) excerpts from the following:
- Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra
- mvt 1: M 157-198
- mvt 3: M 63-71
- mvt 4: M 42-58
- Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
- mvt 2
- Mahler: Symphony No. 5, Adagietto
- Beg. - 2
- Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermor
- Ravel: Tzigane
- 4 - 5
- Strauss: Don Juan
- D - N
- Verdi: Overture to La forza del destino
- Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra
IMPORTANT: When filling out the university application, violin applicants should request in the “Statement of Purpose” their preference for the violin professor with whom they would like to study
Live auditions
The live audition requirements are the same as listed above. In the live audition, memorization of works such as the concerto and Bach is required.
Recorded auditions
Live auditions are strongly preferred. A recorded audition (live performance or studio recording) may be submitted in place of a live audition. Please check out the recorded audition guidelines for more information.
A live audition is required to qualify for Teaching Assistantships. Applicants unable to travel for a live audition should contact their respective faculty member directly. Requirements for a recorded audition are identical to a live audition. Editing within a movement is prohibited. Any indication of editing may disqualify the candidate from admission. The recording (audio/video) must be in a digital format with high quality audio.
Please note that while recorded auditions will be given full consideration, the best demonstration of your musical ability is through a live audition.