Audition

Audition Information

Spring performance applicants will audition by uploading video recordings to their online application. Composition applicants will submit scores and recordings via the online application, then participate in a live virtual interview in November 2023.

Early Action Fall performance applicants will audition by uploading video recordings to their online application. Composition applicants will submit scores and recordings via the online application, then participate in a live virtual interview in December 2023.

Regular Action Fall performance applicants may choose to attend live auditions in February. However, we strongly encourage you to audition by video recording. We would rather you feel confident in the recordings you prepare, then join us on campus for a Longy Visit Day. We’ll curate a day full of exciting activities, where you can explore our historic buildings, engage meaningfully with our community, and see how Longy is changing the face of conservatory education. Composition applicants will submit scores and recordings via the online application, then participate in a live virtual interview in February 2024.

Live Audition Dates

Applicants who are applying Regular Action have the choice to attend live auditions. However, live auditions can be stressful and costly. It is our promise that applicants who audition by video recording are not disadvantaged in the admissions process. If you can’t join us at live auditions, you are welcome on campus for a Longy Visit Day.

2024 Live Audition Dates

  • Brass and Woodwinds: February 10, 2024
  • Collaborative Piano: February 11, 2024
  • Historical Performance: February 12, 2024
  • Jazz and Contemporary Music: February 9, 2024
  • Piano: February 11 and 12, 2024
  • Strings: February 11 and 12, 2024
  • Vocal Studies: February 9 and 10, 2024

Longy Visit Days

  • Sunday, March 24, 2024
  • Saturday, March 30, 2024
Repertoire Requirements

Brass

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma Applicants

Please prepare 15 minutes of music that best represents your artistic interests, focus, and profile. There are no repertoire limitations. Accompaniment is not required for instrumental auditions. Those auditioning by video recording can upload files individually by piece or as a single continuous file.

Chamber Music

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma Applicants

Please prepare 15 minutes of music that best represents your artistic interests, focus, and profile. There are no repertoire limitations. Accompaniment is not required for instrumental auditions. Those auditioning by video recording can upload files individually by piece or as a single continuous file.

Collaborative Piano

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma Applicants

Please prepare 15 minutes of music that best represents your artistic interests, focus, and profile. The repertoire should feature at least one instrumentalist and one singer, not necessarily at the same time, and one piece for solo piano. There are no specific repertoire limitations. Those auditioning by video recording can upload files individually by piece or as a single continuous file.

Collaborative piano repertoire does not need to be played from memory.

Composition

Master of Music and Graduate Diploma in Composition Applicants

Please submit three scores for various media that best represent your artistic interests, focus, and profile. Recordings of performed works are encouraged, but not required. Please submit materials through the online application, not by mail.

Historical Performance

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma Applicants

Please prepare 15 minutes of music that best represents your artistic interests, focus, and profile. All repertoire before the year 1800 is permissible. Singers are encouraged to perform works in multiple languages. Those auditioning by video recording can upload files individually by piece or as a single continuous file.

Historical Performance Voice applicants are required to perform with accompaniment. Instrumentalists are not required to perform with accompaniment.

Jazz and Contemporary Music

Master of Music, Graduate Performance Diploma, and Graduate Diploma in Composition Applicants

Performance Concentration
Please prepare 15 minutes of music that best represents your artistic interests, focus, and profile. Applicants should perform from memory and demonstrate improvisation. Those auditioning by video recording can upload files individually by piece or as a single continuous file.

Composition Concentration
Please submit scores three scores that best represent your artistic interests, focus, and profile. There are no specific limitations, but each piece should contain elements of traditional or contemporary jazz technique and elements of improvisation. Recordings of each piece should be uploaded along with the scores to the online application.

Composition applicants are not required to audition on their primary instrument.

Master of Music in Music Education

Video recordings required for applicants to the MM/ME (In-Person) program.

Please prepare 10 minutes of video that demonstrates your music teaching and/or your artistic interest, focus, and profile. The MM/ME program welcomes musicians of all backgrounds (classical, jazz, folk, world, etc.) and there are no repertoire limitations. Your audition portfolio should be focused on your primary instrument or concentration, and we encourage you to include video examples of your teaching background to supplement your application (optional). Video recordings can be uploaded individually or as a single file.

Organ

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma Applicants

Please prepare 15 minutes of music that best represents your artistic interests, focus, and profile. There are no repertoire limitations. Those auditioning by video recording can upload files individually by piece or as a single continuous file.

Piano

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma Applicants

Please prepare 15 minutes of music (at least three contrasting pieces) that best represents your artistic interests, focus, and profile. There are no repertoire limitations. Those auditioning by video recording can upload files individually by piece or as a single continuous file.

Strings

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma Applicants

Please prepare 15 minutes of music that best represents your artistic interests, focus, and profile. There are no repertoire limitations. Accompaniment is not required for instrumental auditions. Those auditioning by video recording can upload files individually by piece or as a single continuous file.

Vocal Studies

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma Applicants

Please prepare 15 minutes of music that best represents your artistic interests, focus, and profile. There are no specific repertoire limitations, but applicants should demonstrate proficiency in multiple languages. Those auditioning by video recording can upload files individually by piece or as a single continuous file.

Vocal Studies applicants should perform with piano accompaniment unless the piece requires acapella singing.

Woodwinds

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma Applicants

Please prepare 15 minutes of music that best represents your artistic interests, focus, and profile. There are no repertoire limitations. Accompaniment is not required for instrumental auditions. Those auditioning by video recording can upload files individually by piece or as a single continuous file.