School of Music

One of the first and most distinguished centers of classical music training in the American west, Brigham Young University has trained musicians to play in orchestras for over a century. With around ninety majors, the String Division comprises a significant portion of the enrollment in the School of Music. String studies at BYU offer students the opportunity to study with world renowned musicians and teachers, as well as performing in BYU's highly acclaimed ensembles. Through chamber music, performing ensembles, and studio and masterclass combinations, the students bond together in the joint pursuit of excellence on their instruments.

• BYU Orchestras

• Chamber Music

  The study and performing of chamber music is an important component in the curriculum of the string major. Strong emphasis and personal coaching in this art form is given to each string major.

• Recitals

  Every undergraduate major is expected to perform two recitals, a junior recital and a senior recital, to qualify for graduation. Graduate students have one required recital. In addition, opportunities abound to perform on a regular basis to hone performance skills, assist fellow classmates, and serve the community.

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All School of Music applicants must audition on their chosen instrument. To audition, complete a Music Admission/Scholarship Application and submit a letter of recommendation from a qualified music teacher online. Once the audition materials have been submitted to the School of Music, the student may either schedule a time to perform a live audition at BYU, or submit a DVD/VHS videotape.

It may not be possible to hear all the music prepared for a live audition. Representative samples or sections of audition pieces will be heard. Only those auditioning are allowed in the audition studio.

Admission Application & Audition Dates, Fall Semester 2012

Click here to apply.

Questions? E-mail us at music@byu.edu or call the School of Music at 801-422-8903.

Graduate applicants: Please contact Claudine Bigelow at 801-422-1315 or Claudine_Bigelow@byu.edu.

Audition Requirements

Memorization is encouraged, but not required.

1. A movement from solo Bach, Sonata, or Partita.
2. A slow movement from a sonata or concerto, or a slow piece that demonstrates tone quality and vibrato.
3. A fast movement from a concerto that demonstrates technical ability (such as those by Mozart 3, 4, or 5, Lalo, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Barber, Sibelius, Paganini, Wieniawski, etc.
4. Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 and the 3-octave scale attached to this document.

Download as PDF

All School of Music applicants must audition on their chosen instrument. To audition, complete a Music Admission/Scholarship Application and submit a letter of recommendation from a qualified music teacher online. Once the audition materials have been submitted to the School of Music, the student may either schedule a time to perform a live audition at BYU, or submit a DVD/VHS videotape or CD/ cassette audiotape.

It may not be possible to hear all the music prepared for a live audition. Representative samples or sections of audition pieces will be heard. Only those auditioning are allowed in the audition studio.

Admission Application & Audition Dates, Fall Semester 2012

Click here to apply.

Questions? E-mail us at music@byu.edu or call the School of Music at 801-422-8903.

Graduate applicants: Please contact Claudine Bigelow at 801-422-1315 or Claudine_Bigelow@byu.edu.

Audition Requirements

Selections must be memorized.

Technique

Scales: Any two scales, one in major and one in minor, covering three octaves, in sixteenth notes at a tempo of a  = 96 m.m. or faster. Demonstrate slurred, detache, spiccato, and sautille bowings.

1. Arpeggios in a major and minor key other than those selected for the scales, played at the same tempo as the scales, three octaves, with slurred and spiccato bowings.

Repertoire

1. A movement from solo Bach Suite or a Telemann Fantasie.
2. A slow movement from a sonata, concerto, or a slow piece that demonstrates tone quality.
3. A fast movement from a concerto that demonstrates technical ability (such as those by Stamitz, Hindemith, Bartok, etc).

Download as PDF

All School of Music applicants must audition on their chosen instrument. To audition, complete a Music Admission/Scholarship Application and submit a letter of recommendation from a qualified music teacher online. Once the audition materials have been submitted to the School of Music, the student may either schedule a time to perform a live audition at BYU, or submit a DVD/VHS videotape or CD/ cassette audiotape.

It may not be possible to hear all the music prepared for a live audition. Representative samples or sections of audition pieces will be heard. Only those auditioning are allowed in the audition studio. For live auditions, piano accompaniment is not required.

Admission Application & Audition Dates, Fall Semester 2012

Click here to apply.

Questions? E-mail us at music@byu.edu or call the School of Music at 801-422-8903.

Graduate applicants: Please contact Julie Bevan at 801-422-2187 or Julie.bevan@byu.edu.

Audition Requirements

Technique

1. Any two scales, one major and one minor, four octaves. Prepare to play the major scale spiccato with sixteenth notes at a tempo of  = 72 m.m. or faster. Play the minor scale with eighth notes slurred at a tempo of a  = 72 m.m.
2. Arpeggio in a major key in four octaves, three notes to a bow.

Repertoire

1. One movement of a standard concerto. This should be memorized.
2. One movement of a sonata or piece for cello and piano. This music should be from a period other than that of the concerto.
3. Two contrasting movements from the cello suites of J. S. Bach. For example: Prelude and Courante, Sarabande and Gigue.

Download as PDF

All School of Music applicants must audition on their chosen instrument. To audition, complete a Music Admission/Scholarship Application and submit a letter of recommendation from a qualified music teacher online. Once the audition materials have been submitted to the School of Music, the student may either schedule a time to perform a live audition at BYU, or submit a DVD/VHS videotape or CD/ cassette audiotape.

It may not be possible to hear all the music prepared for a live audition. Representative samples or sections of audition pieces will be heard. Only those auditioning are allowed in the audition studio.

Admission Application & Audition Dates, Fall Semester 2012

Click here to apply.

Questions? E-mail us at music@byu.edu or call the School of Music at 801-422-8903.

Graduate applicants: Please contact Claudine Bigelow at 801-422-1315 or Claudine_Bigelow@byu.edu.

Audition Requirements

Technique

1. Major scales, two octaves, played in quarter-notes at 100/bpm. Select two of the following keys: B, B, C, D, or E.

Repertoire

1. Two pieces of contrasting tempo and style. They may be movements from the same sonata or concerto, or different pieces all together. They should display technical proficiency up to the octave harmonic on the G string.
2. Two excerpts from the standard orchestral literature, for example, from symphonies by Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, or others.
3. For students interested in Jazz Studies, be able to demonstrate the following:
   • Play major scales, jazz scales and modes.
   • Demonstrate an ability to play in the current swing, Latin, and rock idioms.
   • Play a bass line from a chord lead sheet (like those found in The Real Book or other similar publications).
   • Sight-reading (for live auditions only).

Download as PDF

All School of Music applicants must audition with their chosen instrument or voice. To audition, complete a Music Admission/ Scholarship Application and submit a letter of recommendation from a qualified music teacher online. Once the audition materials have been submitted to the School of Music, the student may either schedule a time to perform a live audition at BYU, or submit a DVD/VHS videotape or CD/cassette audiotape.

It may not be possible to hear all the music prepared for a live audition. Representative samples or sections of audition pieces will be heard. Only those auditioning are allowed in the audition studio.

Admission Application & Audition Dates, Fall Semester 2012

Click here to apply.

Questions? E-mail us at music@byu.edu or call the School of Music at 801-422-8903.

Graduate applicants: Please contact April Clayton at 801-422-1315 or April_Clayton@byu.edu.

Audition Requirements

Technique

1. One technical study from Bochsa, Renie, Lariviére, Pozzoli, Salzedo's Daily Dozen, or equivalent.

Repertoire

1. Two memorized selections representing different styles and periods of composition. Choose repertoire that demonstrates current highest level of technical ability and musicianship.

Download as PDF

All School of Music applicants must audition on their chosen instrument. To audition, complete a Music Admission/Scholarship Application and submit a letter of recommendation from a qualified music teacher online. Once the audition materials have been submitted to the School of Music, the student may either schedule a time to perform a live audition at BYU, or submit a DVD/VHS videotape or CD/cassette audiotape.

It may not be possible to hear all the music prepared for a live audition. Representative samples or sections of audition pieces will be heard. Only those auditioning are allowed in the audition studio.

Admission Application & Audition Dates, Fall Semester 2012

Click here to apply.

Questions? E-mail us at music@byu.edu or call the School of Music at 801-422-8903.

Graduate applicants: Please contact Claudine Bigelow at 801-422-1315 or Claudine_Bigelow@byu.edu.

Audition Requirements

Classical/Contemporary Guitar Repertoire

1. A movement from one of the lute suites by J. S. Bach.
2. One of the Preludes by Villa-Lobos.
3. A movement or entire piece (five minutes maximum) from the Segovia repertoire: Castelnuovo - Tedesco; Moreno - Torroba; Ponce; Tansman; Turina, etc.

Jazz Studies Guitar Repertoire

1. For students interested in Jazz Studies be prepared to:
   • Play major and jazz scales and modes.
   • Demonstrate an ability to play in the current swing, Latin, and rock idioms.
   • Demonstrate an ability to "comp" with the rhythm section.
   • Sight-reading (for live auditions only).

Mailing Address:

School of Music
C-550 HFAC
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602

Phone:

(801) 422-8903

E-mail:

music_receptionist@byu.edu

• Summerfest
• BYU School of Music YouTube Channel
• BYUtv - An Evening with the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra