Music
Viola Audition Requirements
For New Viola Students
In order to study Viola at CWU, you must first audition for the music faculty. This step is required to complete your acceptance into the CWU Department of Music program. This audition gives us an opportunity to hear the level you have achieved in your musical skills and it gives you the opportunity to discuss your development with collegiate instructors. Performance entrance standards may be found at the bottom of the page. For more details about the admissions process pleas visit our Music Program Auditions & Admissions page.
For Viola Students Pursuing a Performance Degree
If you would like to audition for admission to the BM in Performance, we would like you to come prepared to complete the requirements section below. We recommend you select a solo that best demonstrates your current skills. It is desirable to choose a piece that is competitive at the district or (preferably) state contest level, emphasizing both musical and technical capabilities. If you have any questions about audition repertoire, please contact the music office at 509-963-1216.
Requirements:- One 3 octave scale played legato and spiccato
- One prelude or two contrasting dance movements of a Bach suite
- One additional concert piece that demonstrates the student’s highest level of technical and musical achievement on their instrument such as the following, or an equivalent work:
- Concerti: Teleman G major, Accolay (transcribed from violin), Vivaldi D major (transcribed), J.C. Bach/Casadesus, Handel , Hoffmeister, Hummel Fantasie, Rolla
- Concertino, Stamitz, David. or Unaccompanied: Bach G major Suite, Hindemith Meditation, Reger Suite No. 1 (first movement).
For Viola Students Pursuing a Music Ed. or Composition Degree
In general, there is no difference in the expectations of performance level for any music major, but those who wish to major in music education, but may feel under-prepared or insecure about their current performance skills, may choose a piece of music that demonstrates either musical or technical skills.
Requirements:- One 3-octave scale.
- One movement of a concerto, sonata or concert piece that demonstrates highest level of technical and musical achievement on their instrument.
Admissions Audition Registration
Before you can audition you must register for an audition time. Please visit our Music Program Auditions & Admissions page for further information.
For more information about viola auditions, please contact Dr. Michelle Rahn.
Ensemble Audition Requirements
For New and Returning Viola Students wishing to play in a large ensemble. Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band auditions take place during the first week of each new quarter. Fall auditions have specific materials for all who intend to play in a large ensemble. For the schedule, and further details, please visit our Ensemble Auditions page. Auditions for Winter and/or Spring will be announced as needed. Check our Audition Excerpts page for specific viola excerpts.
Contact Dr. Caolie for more information.
Entrance Standards, Viola
To begin your studies at the 364 level in the Viola Studio at CWU you must demonstrate proficiency on your instrument in an audition or placement lesson based upon the guidelines below. Students not meeting these standard may be placed in the 164 or 264 level based upon the discretion of the auditioning faculty.
"The man who think he can and the man who thinks he can't are both right"
- Henry Ford
Junior Level
To pass into the 364 level the student must:
- Learn and memorize 3 octave major and minor scales in all keys at a fluent tempo. Learn and memorize the 3 octave arpeggio series (major, minor, vi, IV, iv, diminished 7, dominant 7) in all keys.
- Study/Learn Kreutzer etudes 2–28 or similar etudes or exercises of equal or greater difficulty by Campangoli, Dont, Paganini, Rhode, Sevcik, Shradiek, etc.
- A student entering the 364 level should be comfortable playing concert repertoire with technical accuracy (as defined by tempo, rhythm, intonation, articulation, and tone quality) and expressive maturity (as defined by phrasing, appropriate stylistic considerations, expressive imagination, projection, poise, and communicative power) such as the examples below:
- Viola and Orchestra
- Bloch Suite Hebraique
- Berlioz Harold in Italy
- Bowen Concerto
- Britten Lachrymae
- Bruch Romanze
- Bruch Concerto for Viola and Clarinet
- Hoffmeister Concerto in D
- Martinu Rhapsody-Concerto
- Mozart Sinfonia Concertante
- Solo or accompanied Viola
- Bach Suites IV–VI
- C.P.E. Bach Solfeggiett
- Beach Sonata
- Beethoven Notturno
- Bowen Phantasy
- Bowen Sonata No.1 & 2
- Brahms Sonatensatz
- any Brahms Sonata (Op. 120, No. 1 & 2, Op. 78 [transcribed]
- R. Fuchs Sonata
- any Hindemith Sonata
- Martinu Sonata
- Mendelssohn Sonata
- Penderecki Cadenza for Solo Viola
- Shostakovich Sonata
- Telemann Fantasias 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12
- Vaughan-Williams Romance
- Viola and Orchestra
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