Information for prospective orchestral performance students applying to Manhattan School of Music.
Listed below are the audition prescreening procedures and repertoire for applicants to the orchestral performance program, separated by instrument. The audition repertoire below meets the requirements for all Master of Music and Professional Studies programs in orchestral performance at Manhattan School of Music. All orchestral performance applicants must audition live in New York City. All applicants are also required to interview.
Applicants for the Graduate Program in Orchestral Performance are required to interview, pending audition advancement, with MSM’s Director of Instrumental Ensembles. The applicant will be contacted to schedule the interview following the audition. In this interview, the student should discuss her/his interest in the Program as well as orchestral and leadership experiences. Presentation, communication and organizational skills are important factors which show the serious commitment to the Orchestral Performance Program. It is encouraged for applicants to be prepared to demonstrate these qualities. The interview will be approximately 10 minutes in duration.
Applicants who wish to be considered for both the classical performance and the orchestral performance programs in Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, and Clarinet must submit two separate applications and should expect separate prescreening/audition requirements and procedures. For all other instruments, an application submitted to the orchestral performance program will ensure automatic consideration for both the orchestral and classical programs. For more information about Manhattan School of Music’s classical performance programs, please click here.
All Orchestral Double Bass applicants are required to submit a video recording for prescreening purposes in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition in New York City. The recording must include all of the repertoire as listed below. Prescreening recordings must be uploaded directly to your application. It is not required that the format be a professional or studio recording, but the sound quality must be as good as possible.
Solo Works
Excerpts (Select one excerpt from group A, one from group B)
Group A (choose one)
Group B (choose one)
Excerpts (Select three excerpts from group A, two from group B)
There is no prescreening requirement for this instrument.
Master’s (MM) & Professional Studies (PS)
Excerpts
All Orchestral Cello applicants are required to submit a video recording for prescreening purposes in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition in New York City. The recording must include all of the repertoire as listed below. Prescreening recordings must be uploaded directly to your application. It is not required that the format be a professional or studio recording, but the sound quality must be as good as possible.
All Orchestral Clarinet applicants are required to submit a video recording for prescreening purposes in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition in New York City. The recording must include all of the repertoire as listed below. Prescreening recordings must be uploaded directly to your application. It is not required that the format be a professional or studio recording, but the sound quality must be as good as possible.
For the 2020-2021 application cycle, all applicants may record their prescreening videos without piano accompaniment. Recording with accompaniment is also acceptable if it is safe to do so.
All Orchestral Flute applicants are required to submit a video recording for prescreening purposes in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition in New York City. The recording must include all of the repertoire as listed below. Prescreening recordings must be uploaded directly to your application. It is not required that the format be a professional or studio recording, but the sound quality must be as good as possible.
Solo Work
Technique
All of the above technique requirements should be prepared in all major and harmonic minor keys, over three octaves, and with various articulations.
Excerpts (prepare all)
All Orchestral Percussion applicants are required to submit a video recording for prescreening purposes in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition in New York City. The recording must include all of the repertoire as listed below. Prescreening recordings must be uploaded directly to your application. It is not required that the format be a professional or studio recording, but the sound quality must be as good as possible.
Snare Drum
Marimba
Xylophone
Tambourine
Timpani
Must be live. Recorded auditions not accepted.
Glockenspiel
Cymbals
All Orchestral Violin applicants are required to submit a video recording for prescreening purposes in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition in New York City. The recording must include all of the repertoire as listed below. Prescreening recordings must be uploaded directly to your application. It is not required that the format be a professional or studio recording, but the sound quality must be as good as possible.
Solo Works:
917-493-4436 admissions@msmnyc.edu
130 Claremont Avenue New York, New York 10027 212-749-2802
This site uses cookies to improve user experience. By continuing, you agree to our updated policy. To find out more, visit our cookie & information use policy.