Graduate Auditions
The following dress code is encouraged for your audition.
Women - Dress, Dress shoes (character shoes are acceptable), or a skirt and blouse, or slacks and a blouse, both with dress shoes.
Men - Slacks, Belt, Dress Shoes, colored socks that match your belt, button down shirt, tie, and a jacket is optional.
Audition Requirements
The performance audition is only required for prospective graduate students electing the Applied Studies Concentration of the Master of Music Education degree. The Research and Pedagogy Concentrations do not require a performance audition.
All incoming students, regardless of background, must take theory and ear training placement exams. The results of these exams determine the level you will enter. Click here to view the placement levels...
Graduate Brass
Your audition should display a level of development in embouchure, articulation, range, tone, flexibility and musicality that generally allows you to start with repertoire comparable to that listed here. Piano accompaniment is not required for brass auditions.
Graduate Composition
Submit a portfolio of at least three substantial works in varied instrumental and vocal media. Electroacoustic works are welcome. Portfolio should be submitted directly to Dr. Andrey Kasparov.
Graduate Keyboard
Graduate Piano
Solo recital program of 30 minutes, representing at least three contrasting styles. Memorization is required, except in compositions that involve advanced contemporary techniques.
Graduate Organ
Your audition program should include 15 minutes of music comparable to the following:
- Some pre-Bach.
- A work by Bach.
- A later work.
- You may be asked to sight read a hymn or to provide a simple analysis of an organ score during the audition.
Graduate Percussion
The following is a list of audition requirements and repertoire recommendations. Prepare these works or works of comparable difficulty. The audition will last approximately 15 minutes. Should you have questions, contact Prof. David Walker for more information.
Graduate Strings
Graduate Voice
An accompanist will be provided, upon request. There is no fee for the accompanist, but you must send copies of the music to the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music at least one week before your audition. You can FAX your music to: 757-683-5056, or email to music@odu.edu All selections must be presented with accompaniment. Recorded accompaniment is not permitted, nor is singing a capella. Students are expected to dress appropriately.
- Women: Dresses, skirts or dress pants and blouses
- Men: Dress slacks and buttoned-down shirt, dress shoes, tie and jacket optional
Applicants are required to sing, from memory, five contrasting vocal selections from the classical genre, covering at least three of the four standard languages: English, Italian, French, and German; one selection must be in English. Please direct questions about appropriate repertoire to Dr. Brian Nedvin.
Graduate Woodwinds
Orchestral Conducting
- A sample video (approximately 10 minutes) of your conducting in either a rehearsal or performance setting in front of a live ensemble (full or chamber orchestra is preferable, although a string or laboratory orchestra is acceptable). Repertoire should be standard classical repertoire but can be of any period, preferably including examples of contrasting styles. Excerpts are allowable.
- An interview with Dr. Kim to discuss long-term goals as well as to assess understanding of theory/formal structure and basic score reading ability on the piano (advanced piano proficiency is a plus but NOT a requirement).
Ad Hoc Auditions
If you are unable to attend one of the scheduled audition dates offered by the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music, but wish to come to Old Dominion University for a live audition, it may be possible to arrange an ad hoc audition with faculty from your performance area on another date. Ad hoc audition requests are made directly to the faculty. Once the faculty has granted the ad hoc audition, submit the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music application with the Ad Hoc Audition section completed. Note that faculty members are not obligated to grant ad hoc auditions. All F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music application materials must be received at least one week prior to the ad hoc audition date.
Recorded Auditions
Those who are unable to visit the campus for a live audition may upload a recorded video audition as part of the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music application. Scholarship consideration is prioritized to applicants who perform on-campus auditions instead of recorded auditions. Audition recordings must conform to the same audition requirements as an on-campus audition unless otherwise noted. Contact Graduate Program Director Dr. Douglas Owens for recorded audition submission instructions.
