Applied Lesson Requirements by Degree

The Department of Music offers Applied Lessons at the lower division (100-level) and at the upper division (300-level). Students audition for acceptance into 300-level applied lessons. 300-level status is granted by Applied Faculty at the time of the Initial Audition to the school (for transfers only) or during the Jury exam of a 100-level audition. Students must fulfill the minimum requisite number of semesters at each level pertaining to their degree as listed below:

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC

MUS 150: 1 credit/1 hour lesson is required for 8 semesters. MUS 350: 1 credit/1 hour optional.

Note: B.A. students planning to use a recital as their Capstone (MUS 339) component must have attained and be concurrently enrolled in 350-level applied music in the semester of the Capstone project. It is highly encouraged that the student be enrolled in 350-level applied lesson as well, in the semester preceding the project.

BACHELOR OF MUSIC EDUCATION (INSTRUMENTAL OR VOCAL)

MUS 151: 1 credit/1 hour lesson is required for 4 semesters. MUS 351: 1 credit/1 hour is required for 4 semesters. Total of 8 semesters/8 hours.

Note: B.M. Education majors must attempt to gain 300-level status by the Jury of their fourth semester at the 100 level. If the student does not pass into 300-level, the student must continue to take 100 level lessons and audition again the next semester. Additionally, a Junior Level Assessment Jury is required by the Music Education faculty, and taken at the time the Education major attempts 300-level status. The Junior Assessment consists of: performance of 351-level Jury repertoire from Applied Lessons, Scales, Sight-Singing, Basic Conducting, Personal Educational Philosophy, Disposition, and G.P.A. in all music courses.

BACHELOR OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE (INSTRUMENTAL OR VOCAL)

MUS 152: 2 credit/1 hour lesson is required for 4 semesters. MUS 352: 2 credit/1 hour is required for 4 semesters. Total of 8 semester/16 hours.

Note: B.M. Performance majors must attempt to gain 300-level status by the Jury of their fourth semester at the 100 level. If the student does not pass into 300-level, the student must continue to take 100 level lessons and audition again the next semester. Applied lessons for the Performance major prepare for and culminate in the performance of a Junior (MUS 340) and Senior (MUS 341) Recital.

MASTER OF ARTS IN APPLIED PEDAGOGY (INSTRUMENTAL OR VOCAL)

MUS 452: 2 credit/1 hour lesson is required for four semesters. Total 4 semesters/8 hours

Requirements for Instrumental Applied Lessons for Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion/Piano/Strings 

All instrumentalists involved in the Music program at Northeastern Illinois University must meet certain requirements in applied lessons throughout their Music degree program. This includes the undergraduate and graduate programs for degrees sought in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Music Performance, and Master of Arts in Applied Pedagogy. Students are required to audition for entrance into the department on a primary instrument, and are expected to meet certain requirements throughout the 100 level. Students audition for acceptance into 300 level applied lessons. The following is a list of minimum requirements for all levels of applied study, including graduate (400) level.

Flute

INITIAL AUDITION

A solo at the level of Handel Flute Sonata op. 1. or harder. Etude at the level of E. Kohler op. 33 or harder. One major and one minor scale.

100 LEVEL

Work on well known flute solos by Gluck, Bizet, J.S. Bach, Devienne, Kennan, and Bloch. Etudes of progressing difficulty, i.e.; Anderdson op. 37 - op. 21. Work on orchestral excerpts of progressive difficulty, and scales and arpeggios in all keys.

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

Performance of a slow and a fast movement from any of the Mozart concerti or J.S. Bach flute sonatas. Performance of a major orchestral solo excerpt, such as Beethoven Symphony No. 3, finale or Leornore No. 3 overture. Applicant will also be asked to sight read.

300 LEVEL

Gain substantial mastery over both Mozart concerti (G & D) and at least three J.S. Bach sonatas. One major twentieth century sonata, i.e.; Hindemith, Copeland, etc.. Other important solos, especially French romantic solos, including Faure, St. Saens. Extensive work on orchestral excerpts.

400 Level

Complete Bach sonatas, Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto, concerti by Ibert and/or Nielson. French Baroque repertoire and additional twentieth century repertory including works by Hanson, Kennan, Boulez, etc. Etudes on the level of Anderson op. 63, and the major orchestral excerpts.

Clarinet

Initial Audition

The following repertoire is a suggestion. Applicants are welcome to perform anything, preferably with piano accompanment, that is similar in level. Any two contrasting etudes (or excerpts from etudes) from Cyrille Rose’s 32 Etudes for Clarinet. These are available with piano accompaniment through Carl Fisher, revised and edited by Melvin Warner. Two-octave major scales in all keys.

100 Level

Typical repertoire at the 100-level includes Five Bagatelles by Finzi, Concerto in B-flat by Stamitz, Concertino op. 11 by Weber, Aria by Bozza, Four Church Sonatas by Mozart, Adagio and Tarantella by Cavallini, Sonata for Clarinet and Piano by Saint Saens, Solo de Concours by Rabaud, Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano by Malcom Arnold

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

Technical Requirements from Memory:

  • Major Scales, tonic to tonic in various articulations
  • Major Thirds in all keys
  • Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic Minor Scales
  • Mastery of one of the following selections or repertoire of a similar scope that has been approved by applied teacher:
  • Concerto in F Minor, op. 5 by Crusell, Concerto in A Major, K 622 by Mozart, or
  • Concerto in F Minor, op. 73 by Weber

300 LEVEL

Typical repertoire at the 300-level includes:

Theme and Variations by Rossini, Solo de Concours by Messeger, Fantasy Piece, op. 73 by Schumann, Grand Duo Concertant by Weber, Hillandale Waltzes by Babin, Sonatina by Horovitz, Sonata for Clarinet by Poulenc, or Concerto no. 2 by Weber.

400 LEVEL

Applicants for the graduate school should be able to play all major scales, all forms of minor scales, and major thirds from memory. Typical repertoire choices at this level include the following, or something similar in scope. Concerto in A Major, K622 by Mozart, Concerto No. 2 in Eb by Weber, or Premiere Rhapsodie by Debussy.

Saxophone

INITIAL AUDITION

Major and natural minor scales up to four sharps and four flats, slurred and tongued, one octave. Performance of any selection, classical or jazz.

100 LEVEL

Material covered will include all scales and triads, including modal and dominant scales and chords. Etudes of the level of Marcel Mule, Jean Marie Londeix, or the 48 Etudes of Ferling. Solos: Benson - Aeolian Song, Bozza – Aria, Eccles – Sonata, Heiden – Diversion, Milhaud – Scaramouche, Schumann - Three Romances, Tomasi - Ballade

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

Any technical material from the 100 level study, a complete solo, and an etude.

300 LEVEL

All scales in diatonic fourths, and fifths. All arpeggios and diatonic seventh chords. Altissimo register. Etudes on the level of Lyon 32 Etudes, Karg-Elert 25 Caprices, and the Douze Etudes by Bozza. Solos such as Creston Sonata, Glazounov Concerto, Ibert Concertino de Camera, Bach - Partita in A Minor for solo flute, Bonneau - Caprice en Forme de Valse, Dubois – Concerto, Demersseman - Fantasie sur un theme original, Maurice - Tableau de Provence, Muczynski – Sonata, Schulhoff - Hot Sonate

400 LEVEL

Students will be expected to perform solos at the level of Concerto by Dahl, Prelude, Cadence et Finale, Descenclos, Elegie et Rondeau by Husa and Sonata by Rueff.

French Horn

INITIAL AUDITION

Entering students should be able to perform an etude at the level of Kopprasch Book 1, Rubank Advanced Method Book and one movement from any Mozart concerto. Student should have a knowledge of some major scales and ensemble experience.

100 LEVEL

Students will be expected to perform etudes from Kopprasch 60 studies, Maxine-Alphonse Books 3 and 4, and legato etudes of Cancone and Shoemaker. Solos should be at the level of Mozart concertos 1 and 3, or Saint Saens Morceau de Concert. Begin study of orchestral excerpts with Brahms and Beethoven.

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

Students must perform one of the solos listed above and three or four major orchestral excerpts. Also, all major and minor scales

300 LEVEL

Materials at level of Maxime-Alphones Book 5 and Pottag 335 Studies for French Horn (book 2). Solos should include Mozart concertos 2 and 4, Strauss first concerto and the Hindemith sonatas. Continue orchestral studies including Strauss and Wagner.

400 LEVEL

Study will include Pottag 335 studies and Barboteu studies. Solos to include Strauss Concerto #2, Gliere Concerto and Schumann Adagio and Allegro. Chamber works to include Brahms Horn Trio, Mozart Quintet, Britten Serenade. Continue excerpt work with Mahler symphonies and Stravinsky.

Trumpet

INITIAL AUDITION

For music majors who wish to specialize in the trumpet, the initial audition will consist of major scales, chromatic scale from low C to demonstrate range, a prepared lyrical etude/solo/orchestral excerpt  on the level of a Concone, Arban (theme) or off-stage II. Mvt. from Respighi Pines of Rome etc. and a technical etude/solo/excerpt on the level of Clarke, Arban (Variations or Characteristic Study). Sight-reading will be included.

100 LEVEL

Students will study a variety of etude books including those by: Brandt, Bosquet, Clarke, Kopprasch, Goldman, Werner, Arban, Laurent, Petit, and Vizzutti. All major and minor scales and arpeggios. Solo study may include works by Barat, Balay, Goedicke, Presser, and Clarke. The major concertos of Haydn andHummel will be introduced. Transposition will be studied as a prelude to orchestral excerpts. Jazz standards will begin to be memorized.

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

Entry into 300 level lessons will be determined by the students ability to perform representative material from the above list, including all major and minor scales, a movement from a major concerto, and sight reading.

300 LEVEL

Etude study will continue with the books by Charlier, Bitsch, and Smith. Solo repertoire will include Concertino by Bozza, Kennan Sonata, Peeters Sonata, and Suite by Presser. The student will cover all of the major orchestral excerpts, jazz transcriptions, and performance on different keyed trumpets.

400 LEVEL

Students at the 400 level will focus on the advanced solo literature including Tomasi, Enesco, Bozza, Chaynes, Jolivet, and Molter. Extensive orchestral excerpt study to include works of Bach, Mahler, Stravinsky, Strauss, and Wagner. Students wishing to study jazz will work on the transcriptions of Miles Davis, Clifford Brown etc., along with various jazz method books.

 

Trombone

INITIAL AUDITION

Trombone students applying for admission into the music program should be prepared to demonstrate a good sense of tone quality and slide technique suitable to perform selections from Voxman’s Concert and Contest Collection for Trombone.

100 LEVEL

Students will study material such as the Bordogni-Rochut Melodius Etudes and the Kopprasch etude books. Solo material will highlight the standard literature including Blazhevich, Davison, and Gregson. All major and minor scales. Begin study of orchestral works.

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

Demonstration of a high level of performance of representative materials from the 100 level study.

300 LEVEL 

Continued etude study focusing on orchestral and jazz oriented materials. Solo literature will include works such as Morceau Symphonique by Guilmant and the Rimsky-Korsakov Concerto for Trombone. Jazz methods and transcriptions will also be studied.

400 LEVEL

Study at this level will focus on advanced orchestral, solo and jazz literature. Works will Include compositions by Tomasi, Creston, Berio, and Albrechtsberger.

 

Euphonium

INITIAL AUDITION

Euphonium students applying for admission into the music program should be prepared to demonstrate a good sense of tone quality and valve technique suitable to perform selections from Voxman’s Concert and Contest Collection for Baritone/Euphonium.

100 LEVEL

Students will study material such as the Bordogni-Rochut Melodious Etudes and the Kopprasch etude books. Solo material will highlight the standard literature including Rhapsody for Euphonium by James Curnow and Holst’s Second Suite in F, arr. Dave Werden. All major and minor scales. Begin study of orchestral works.

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

Demonstration of a high level of performance of representative materials from the 100 level study.

300 LEVEL

Continued etude study focusing on wind ensemble and orchestral oriented materials. Solo literature will include works such as Mortceau Symphonique by Guilmant, Six Studies in English Folksong, by Vaughan-Williams, and Variations by Jerry Owen.

400 LEVEL

Study at this level will focus on advanced wind ensemble, orchestral, and solo literature. Works will include compositions by Casterede, Vaughan-Williams, and Horovitz.

 

Tuba

INITIAL AUDITION

Applicants for admission into the music program should prepare pieces through which they can exhibit good technique and a sense of phrasing. Appropriate pieces might be Etudes by Blazevich, Kopprash or Bordogni, and solos such as Air and Boureé, Bach; Suite for Tuba, Haddad or other pieces of a similar calibre.

100 LEVEL

Students at the 100 level will be expected to perform music including Sonatas by Marcello, Telemann and Capuzzi and all major and minor scales.

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

Auditions for 300 level study should prepare two pieces of music by either Hindemith, Gaillard, Saint-Saens, or music of a similar calibre. And all major and minor scales.

300 LEVEL

Students at the 300 level will study the standard orchestral Repertoire including works by Wagner, Tchaikovsky Strauss and Prokofief, and also the Concerto by Vaughn-Williams.

400 LEVEL

Students at the 400 level will study Orchestral Repertoire of Mahler, Bruckner and Stravinsky and also repertoire of standard chamber music, including works by Wilder, Arnold and Ewald.

 

Percussion

INITIAL AUDITION

Student must audition on three instruments. Students are required to perform the following:

1. Any of the 26 Rudiments

2. Snare drum solo (Rudimental or Orchestral style, ex. "Portraits in Rhythm" by Anthony Cirone)

3. Marimba Scales - Major and Natural Minor in key of C, F, Bb, Eb, G, and D

4. Marimba, Xylophone or Vibe solo 2 or 4 mallets Grade 3 or above

5. Timpani solo Grade 3 or above (ex. "The Solo Timpanist" by Vic Firth

6. Drum set:

a. swing

b. bossa nova

c. trading fours

100 LEVEL

Students are required to perform the following:

1. All 26 Rudiments (slow-fast-slow)

2. All 12 Major, Natural, Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales. 16th at quarter note=92 and Arpeggios

3. Orchestral Style Snare Drum Etude at Grade 4 or above

4. A 2 mallet solo, Grade 4 or above

5. A 4 mallet solo, Grade 3 or above

6. Timpani Etudes (Firth, Hochrainer, Goodman)

7. Demonstrate Proficiency on Drum set in these styles:

a. swing

b. bossa nova

c. samba

d. funk

e. brushes

8. Sight reading on mallets and snare drum

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

Representative material chosen from the above requirements.

300 LEVEL

Students are required to perform the following:

1. Xylophone excerpts:

     a. Porgy and Bess

     b. Polka from Golden Age Ballet - Shostakovich

     c. Colas Breugnon - Kabalevsky

2. Snare drum excerpts:

     a. Scheherazade

     b. Schuman's 3rd Symphony

3. Four Mallet solo Grade 4 or above

4. Timpani solo Grade 4 or above

5. Vibes solo Grade 4 or above

6. Bells excerpt, The Magic Flute - Mozart

7. Multiple percussion solo

400 LEVEL

Students will emphasize their area of specialty. Performance requirements will include the following:

a. Orchestral - Extensive excerpt proficiency including auxiliary instruments.

b. Contemporary percussion - Grade 5 and above solos on mallets, timpani, and multiple percussion.

c. Drum set - Proficiency in all styles and soloing in all styles. Extensive research of history including transcriptions.

d. Hand Percussion - Proficiency on congas, bongos, tabla, pandero, etc.

 

Piano

INITIAL AUDITION

At least two contrasting pieces, ie. such as Bach 2-part invention or Prelude and Fugue and thefirst movement of a Mozart Sonata K. 283 or harder.

100 LEVEL

Work on a variety of styles and eras, ie. Bach Well Tempered Clavier/French Suites/Partitas, Mozart/Beethoven/Schubert/Haydn sonata, Chopin/Liszt/Brahms character pieces, Debussy Preludes, Ravel Sonatine, Rachmaninoff preludes. Technique: All major/minor scales (unison) chords, arpeggios.

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

One complete classical sonata by Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, or Beethoven and a Prelude and Fugue from Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier. Technique: All major/minor scales (unison,3rd/6th/10th), chords, arpeggios.

300 LEVEL

Gain substantial mastery over Mozart/Beethoven/Schubert/Haydn piano sonatas, Chopin/Liszt/Brahms large scale works, Bach suites, etc. One movement of a major piano concerto. Technique: Continual refining and facility over required technique plus at least one concert etudes such as Chopin/Liszt/Rachmaninoff.

400 LEVEL

Complete Bach suites/Prelude and Fugues, complete classical sonatas, complete large scale romantic works, complete work from the early 20th century, and one work from the past 50-75 years. Technique: Continual refining and facility over required technique, additional double thirds/sixths, plus at least one concert etude such as Chopin/Liszt/Rachmaninoff.

 

Violin

INITIAL AUDITION

A concerto at the level of Bach Concerto No.1 in a minor or more difficult. An etude at the level of Mazas op.36 or more difficult. Three octave major scales in two keys.

100 LEVEL

Study of works such as Mozart Concerto No. 3 in G Major and the Bruch Concerto in g minor. Etudes and technical studies including Schradieck School of Violin Techniques and Kruetzer 42 Studies. Scales and arpeggios in all keys.

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

Performance of concerto at an equivalent level to Barber concerto, Mendelssohn concerto, Mozart Concerto No.5. Study of Bach Unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas. All three octave scales, arpeggios and octaves.

300 LEVEL

Study of concerti such as Wieniawski op.22 and Lalo Symfonie Espagnole op.21. Continued studies of Bach sonatas and partitas. Beginning study of the most frequently requested orchestral excerpts. Sonatas of Brahms, Franck. Scales, arpeggios, thirds, sixths and octaves in all keys.

400 LEVEL

Study of concerti of Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, Sibelius and Brahms. Continued study of orchestral excerpts including a mock audition experience. Excerpts include Strauss Don Juan, Mendelssohn Scherzo, Schumann Scherzo and Brahms Symphony No. 1. The etudes of Dont and Rode.

 

Viola

INITIAL AUDITION

Two different three-octaves Major Scales: Galamian, Ivan. Scale System for Viola, Arranged and Edited by Karen Olson, or Flesch, Carl. Scale System for Viola, Arranged by Charlotte Karman. An etude in the level of: Kreutzer, Rudolph: 42 Etudes (transcribed for viola by L Pagels) or Palaschko: 12 Etudes, Op. 55. A movement from a concerto in the level of Telemann Concert in G.

100 Level

Technique: All three Octaves Scales and Arpeggios (Galamian or Flesch), Schradieck – School of Violin Technique (transcribed for viola) Etudes: Kreutzer, Palaschko,

Repertoire: Introduction to Bach: Six suites for unaccompanied cello (Transcribed for viola), Bruch: Romanze Op. 85, Concertos in the level of Hoffmeister in D, Stamiz in D.

300 Level

Technique: All three Octaves Scales and Arpeggios (Galamian or Flesch). Double stops: Galamian (Scale System Vol 2). Etudes: Kreutzer, Palaschko Op. 36, Rolla Esercizio ed Arpeggi, Rode, 20 Caprices for Violin (Transcribed for viola), Campagnoli 41 Caprices Op. 22. All Bach Cello Suites.

Repertoire: Enesco (Concertpiece), Vieuxtemps (Capriccio for Solo Viola), Schumann (Marchenbilder), Rebecca Clarke (Sonata), Hindemith (Sonata Op. 11 in F Major), Mozart (Sinfonia Concertante), Berlioz (Harold in Italy). Chamber Music, Orchestra Repertoire.

400 Level

Technique: All scales and double stops.

Etudes and Caprices: Kreutzer, Palaschko, Rode, Dont, Paganini, Hoffmeister, Rolla. Bach Cello Suites and Violin Sonatas and Partitas for Solo violin (transcribed for viola)

Repertoire: Brahms Viola Sonatas, Hindemith Sonatas, Schubert Arpeggione, Bartok Viola Concerto, Walton Concerto, Paganini La Campanella, various showpieces by Sarasate, Wieniawski, Bloch, etc. Chamber Music and orchestra Repertoire.

 

Cello

INITIAL AUDITION

Three octave major scales in two keys. Etudes such as Duport or Popper. Solo piece with contrasting movements.

100 LEVEL

Study of works such as Baroque sonatas, concerti by Vivaldi, Goltermann, Bocherini, or Saint-Saens. Etudes and technical studies by Such, Dotzauer, Deak, Popper. Scales and arpeggios in all keys.

AUDITION INTO 300 LEVEL

Performance of at least two movements from 100 level solo studies and advanced etude. All major and minor scales.

300 LEVEL

Study of works such as Suites I, II, and II by Bach, Concerti by Haydn (C major), Saint-Saens, Boccherini, Elgar, Lalo; Sonatas by Martinu, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, Prokofiev.

400 LEVEL

Study of such works as Bach Suites IV, V, or VI, sonatas by Valentine, Francouer, Brahms (F Major), Beethoven (nos. 3, 4, or 5), Franck. Concerti by Dvorak, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Block, Shostakovich. Twentieth century works such as the sonatas of Crumb, Carter, Hindemith, or Bartok.

 

String Bass

Initial Audition

Ability to identify and play one major and one minor scale, major and minor triads on string bass and/or electric bass guitar. Ability to identify basic rhythms and note names in written music in bass and/or treble clefs.

100 LEVEL

Commence enhancing tone production skills, (arco and pizzicato). Acquire ability to perform three octave major and minor scales. Study and prepare requisite orchestral excerpts in progressive difficulty. Requisite string bass soli, (ie, Marcello, Eccles, Telemann, Vivaldi).

Requisite etudes from Simandl and Reid (jazz).

Audition into 300 Level

Performance of a slow and a fast movement from any requisite 100 level String Bass repertoire. Performance of a major orchestral solo excerpt, such as Beethoven Symphony No. 3, or Mozart Symphony 40. Applicant will also be asked to perform two, three octave major and minor scales and corresponding arpeggios.

300 Level

Gain substantial mastery in reading music, three octave modes and altered scales, and corresponding arpeggios. Extensive work on requisite orchestral excerpts, etudes (ie. Simandl, Bille, Petracci) and soli (ie., major concerti, unaccompanied Bach Cello Suites).

400 Level

Extensive work in broken arpeggios (groups of three/four). One contemporary solo and one contemporary etude, in addition to one complete major concerto and/or unaccompanied Bach Cello Suite. Continued requisite orchestral excerpt studies.

 

Guitar

Initial Audition

Recommended repertoire includes solo classical guitar pieces at a technical and musical level similar to Carcassi's études (Op. 60) or Tarrega's miniatures. Sight reading and scale study will be evaluated.

100 Level

Scales in C major, G major, D major, E major, E minor, and A minor (edited by Segovia, memorized), Carcassi études 2, 4, 7, 8, and 19. Repertoire includes pieces by Sor, Giuliani, Mertz, Tarrega, Villa-Lobos, and Brouwer.

300 Level Audition

All major and melodic minor scales (edited by Segovia, memorized), Giuliani’s 120 arpeggios, five selected études by Carcassi, five selected études by Brouwer, one by Villa-Lobos, and one by Sor (Segovia edition). All études must performed from memory. Recommended repertoire includes a movement from Bach’s BWV 995-1012 and a contrasting work approved by the instructor.

300 Level

Transcriptions of renaissance lute works by Dowland and da Milano, baroque guitar pieces by Sanz, Logy, and de Murcia, 19th century concert works by Sor, Giuliani, Coste, and Mertz, advanced etudes by Villa-Lobos, repertoire composed for Segovia, and harmonic minor scales in all keys.

400 Level

Study and performance of a complete suite, partita, or sonata by Bach, a 19th century concert work, and a 20th century/contemporary work. Master's students are also advised to study a guitar concerto.