Trombone audition information

All undergraduate applicants must apply to the University of Colorado and complete a College of Music Admission Application. Applications may be obtained online through the Admissions section. Undergraduate auditions will not be scheduled until both applications have been received. Graduate students need only complete the graduate application.

For information on applying for our ensembles, visit the Ensembles section.

Undergraduate application instructions听

Graduate application instructions听.

Audition requirements

Trombone

  1. Major sacles in 2 octaves
  2. Two contrasting etudes to be selected from Bordogni, Blazhevich, Fink, Kopprasch, etc. One etude should demonstrate technical ability and the other should demonstrate lyrical and expressive qualities. A technical and lyrical standard orchestral excerpt may be substituted for required etudes. Applicants who are interested in the Jazz Emphasis should submit a jazz etude or improvisation.
  3. Solo or single movement of student鈥檚 choice, to be selected from:
    叠补谤补迟鈥Andante et Allegro
    叠濒补锄丑别惫颈肠丑鈥Concert Piece No. 5
    骋谤辞苍诲补丑濒鈥Concerto (mvt. 1)
    骋耻颈濒尘补苍迟鈥Morceau Symphonique
    The above list demonstrates the performance level expected for undergraduate study; other works of similar difficulty may be substituted. Applicants are encouraged to include works by under-represented, diverse composers as appropriate.

Bass trombone

  1. Major scales in 2 octaves
  2. Two contrasting etudes to be selected from Bordogni, Blazhevich, Fink, Kopprasch, etc. One etude should demonstrate technical ability听and the other should demonstrate lyrical and expressive qualities. A technical and lyrical standard orchestral excerpt may be substituted for required etudes. Applicants who are interested in the Jazz Emphasis should submit a jazz etude or improvisation.
  3. Solo or single movement of student鈥檚 choice, to be selected from:
    骋补濒濒颈补谤诲鈥Six Sonatas (contrasting movements from one sonata)
    闯补肠辞产鈥Cameos (selected movements)
    尝别产别诲别惫鈥Concerto in One Movement
    惭补谤肠别濒濒辞鈥Sonatas (contrasting movements from one sonata)
    惭肠颁补谤迟测鈥Sonata
    The above list demonstrates the performance level expected for undergraduate study; other works of similar difficulty may be substituted. Applicants are encouraged to include works by under-represented, diverse composers.

Piano accompaniment is optional.

Applicants may choose to audition in-person or remotely. To audition remotely, applicants must complete both听of听the following:

  1. Submit a recording
  2. Register for a Zoom interview with faculty.

More information about the audition process and recording specifications can be found .

Essay prompt听

A short music essay is required with your application. Upload the essay on your status page. Please choose one of the following prompts:听

  • Tell us why you would like to be a music major, describe your most powerful musical experience鈥痑nd list your future goals as a musician. Comment on your musical background and share anything else you would like us to know.
  • 鈥淢usic lets you rediscover your humanity, and your connection to humanity.鈥 -Hans Zimmer. In what ways do you believe music can or should connect people across difference?

Degree sheets

Trombone studio听听听听听

Brass + percussion听

Graduate trombone audition requirements

A pre-screening recording is required for all graduate trombone applicants.

Pre-screening repertoire

10-15 minutes of music (solo, excerpts听and/or etudes). Pre-screening material can be from the live audition lists, or material of equivalent difficulty.

Live auditions

Tenor trombone

  • Solo work(s)
  • Two contrasting etudes from the trombone literature (Bordogni, Blazhevich, Kopprash, etc.)
  • Three contrasting orchestral excerpts
  • Sight reading
  • DMA candidates should be prepared to perform 30 minutes of music.

The following list demonstrates the performance level expected for graduate study.听Other works of similar difficulty may be substituted. Applicants are encouraged to select repertoire from under-represented composers as appropriate.

  1. Barfield鈥揜ed Sky
  2. Bernofsky鈥揟wo Latin Dances
  3. 叠辞锄锄补鈥揃补濒濒补诲别
  4. 颁补蝉迟别谤别诲别鈥揝辞苍补迟颈苍别
  5. 贰飞补锄别苍鈥揝辞苍补迟补
  6. 骋谤辞苍诲补丑濒鈥揅辞苍肠别谤迟辞
  7. 闯补肠辞产鈥揅辞苍肠别谤迟辞
  8. Mills鈥揜ed Dragonfly
  9. Peaslee鈥揂rrows of Time
  10. Ropartz鈥揚iece in E-flat minor

Orchestral excerpts: Please select three excerpts from the following list:

  1. Mozart鈥揟uba Mirum from Requiem
  2. Berlioz鈥揌ungarian March
  3. Wagner鈥揜ide of the Valkyries
  4. 搁补惫别濒鈥揃辞濒别谤辞
  5. Rossini鈥揕a gazza ladra
  6. Rossini鈥揥illiam Tell
  7. Saint鈥揝aens鈥揝ymphony No. 3 (organ)
  8. Mahler鈥揝ymphony No. 3
  9. Brahms鈥揝ymphony No. 1 or No. 4

Optional material: Please feel free to include other material that demonstrates your performance abilities鈥搄azz, contrasting etudes, unaccompanied literature, etc.

Bass trombone

  • Solo work(s)
  • Two contrasting etudes from the trombone literature (Bordogni, Blazhevich, Kopprash, etc.)
  • Three contrasting orchestral excerpts
  • Sight reading
  • DMA candidates should be prepared to perform 30 minutes of music.

The following list demonstrates the performance level expected for graduate study (other works of similar difficulty may be substituted).

  1. Bozza鈥揘ew Orleans
  2. Candillari鈥揈xtremely Close
  3. Casterede鈥揊antasie Concertante
  4. Defaye/Knaub鈥揇eux Danses
  5. Koetsier鈥揂llegro Maestoso
  6. Lebedev鈥揅oncerto in One Movement
  7. 惭颈濒濒蝉鈥揅补迟丑补谤蝉颈蝉
  8. 厂辫颈濒濒尘补苍鈥揅辞苍肠别谤迟辞
  9. White鈥揟etra Ergon
  10. Wilborn鈥揓azz Triptych

鈥∣rchestral Excerpts: Please select three from the following list:

  1. Beethoven鈥揝ymphony No. 9
  2. Haydn鈥揟he Creation
  3. Berlioz鈥揌ungarian March
  4. Wagner鈥揜ide of the Valkyries
  5. Wagner鈥揈ntry of the Gods into Valhalla
  6. Schumann鈥揝ymphony No. 3 (Rhenish)
  7. Respighi鈥揊ountains of Rome
  8. Rossini鈥揥illiam Tell

Optional material: Please feel free to include other material that demonstrates your performance abilities鈥搄azz, contrasting etudes, unaccompanied literature etc.

Recorded auditions

Live auditions are strongly preferred. A recorded audition (live performance or studio recording) may be submitted in place of a live audition. Please see the recorded audition guidelines for information on submitting a recording.

A live audition is required to qualify for Teaching Assistantships. Applicants unable to travel for a live audition should contact their respective faculty member directly. Requirements for a recorded audition are identical to a live audition. Editing within a movement is prohibited. Any indication of editing may disqualify the candidate from admission. The recording (audio/video) must be in a digital format with high quality audio. 鈥≒lease note that while recorded auditions will be given full consideration, the best demonstration of your musical ability is through a live audition.

Artist Diploma auditions

For information on auditioning on trombone or bass trombone for the Artist Diploma program, see the documents below:

Graduate degree sheets

Trombone studio听听听听听
Brass + percussion page听

Applications for Artist Diploma in solo instrumental performance are only accepted in percussion (marimba/vibraphone), strings (violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, harp),听jazz and woodwinds (bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone).听

Artist Diploma in solo instrumental performance听

Applications for Artist Diploma in chamber music performance are only accepted in strings (violin, viola, cello, bass).鈥

Applications for Artist Diploma in orchestral performance are only accepted in brass (trumpet, trombone, horn, tuba), strings (violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, harp) and woodwinds (bassoon, clarinet, oboe).

Artist Diploma in orchestral performance听