Sample Audition Repertoire: Strings | Queen's University School of Music

Strings

Violin

D Major scale, 3-octaves. Tempo and bowing are candidate's choice.

Three pieces, one from each of the following categories:

1. One movement from any one of the Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin by J.S. Bach.

2. One movement from Mozart Concerto #3, 4 or 5. While a Mozart concerto is preferred, a movement from a romantic concerto at the RCM Grade 8 level or higher may be substituted.

3. A work of candidate's choice, from a musical period not represented in the first two selections. Must be at RCM Grade 8 level or higher. Some examples include:

Dovorak, A.: Sonatina in G Major, op. 100
Kreisler, F.: Sicilienne and Rigaudon in the Style of Francoeur
Wieniawski, H.: Mazurka "Obertass" op. 19 no. 1
Debussy, C.: La fille aux cheveux de lin

Teachers preparing students for an audition should use discretion and make appropriate choices that best reflect the candidate's level, achievement and strengths.

There will also be a sight-reading component to the audition.

Viola

Prepare three contrasting pieces or movements from standard repertoire at a minimum RCM Grade 8 level.

Technique

One three-octave scale and arpeggio of your choice.

Study

One Etude or Caprice of your choice (eg. Kreutzer, Campagnoli, Rode)

Two of the following pieces or movements:

One movement from a standard Concerto or Sonata (Handel, J.C. Bach, Hummel)
One movement from the Solo Suites for Violoncello by J.S. Bach
Own Choice from the 19th or 20th Century

This is a guide only. Teachers preparing students for an audition should use discretion and make appropriate choices that best reflect the candidate's level, achievement and strengths.

There will also be a sight-reading component to the audition.

Cello

Prepare three contrasting pieces or movements from standard repertoire at a minimum RCM Grade 8 level.

Possible repertoire:

One or two movements from the Solo Suites or Viola DaGamba Sonatas by J.S. Bach or the Six Sonatas by Vivaldi
A movement from one of the Beethoven Cello Sonatas
A movement from a Concerto (Klengel, Haydn, Saint Saens, Lalo, etc.)
Own choice from the 19th or 20th Century

This is a guide only. Teachers preparing students for an audition should use discretion and make appropriate choices that best reflect the candidate's level, achievement and strengths.

There will also be a sight-reading component to the audition.

Double Bass

Prepare three contrasting pieces or movements from standard repertoire at a minimum RCM Grade 8 level.

Select one sonata and one etude (two contrasting movements, one fast and one slow). Possible repertoire:

Marcello, B.: Six Sonatas for Double Bass and Piano (originally violoncello)
Vivaldi, I.: Five Sonatas for Double Bass and Piano (originally violoncello)
Simandl: 30 Etudes for Double Bass

This is a guide only. Teachers preparing students for an audition should use discretion and make appropriate choices that best reflect the candidate's level, achievement and strengths.

There will also be a sight-reading component to the audition.

Classical Guitar

Prepare three contrasting pieces or movements (one of which may be a study) from standard repertoire.

Suggested repertoire:

Bach, J.S.: Prelude in D major, BWV 1007, Prelude in D minor, BWV 999, Any one movement of similar difficulty from a Lute Suite
Dowland, John: Queen's Elizabeth's Galliard, Any Galliard or Fantasia of similar difficulty
Guiliani, Mauro: Adagio from the Sonata in C major, Op. 15
Lobos, Villa: Prelude 1, 3 or 4
Mangoré, Barrios: Julia Florida, Andante Religioso from 'La Catedral'
Sor, Fernando: Any one of Etudes 10-20 from the Twenty Selected Studies by André Segovia

This is a guide only. Teachers preparing students for an audition should use discretion and make appropriate choices that best reflect the candidate's level, achievement and strengths.

There will also be a sight-reading component to the audition.