Applicants to the Curtis Institute of Music must audition in person. Video and/or audio recordings are not considered in place of a live audition at Curtis, except as noted for screened departments. Applicants to the composition department have original compositions examined by that department; finalists interview in Philadelphia. Applicants who wish to be double majors must audition separately for each major department and must be admitted by each faculty.
Auditions are scheduled at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia on specific dates for each department at the convenience of the faculty. (The schedule is below.) Curtis is unable to honor requests for changes in the scheduled audition dates.
The filing of an application does not oblige the Curtis Institute of Music to grant an audition.
Applicants should add chris.hodges@curtis.edu to their approved senders’ list to ensure receipt of Curtis admissions e-mails. In early January applicants are notified by e-mail that their applications have been received. By late January those who are granted an audition receive an e-mail announcing their audition date. The audition calendar is posted on the Curtis website in January.
Applicants should be aware that auditions may be videotaped and recorded (for panel review only).
Auditions for admission beginning with the 2018–19 school year will take place in February and March 2018. Audition dates for various disciplines will be added as they are scheduled, with all dates confirmed no later than January 2, 2018. There will be no auditions in 2018 for clarinet and tuba. Auditions are closed to the public.
BASSOON |
3/3 |
BASS TROMBONE |
3/5 |
CELLO |
2/18-19 (finals 2/19) |
CLARINET |
No 2018 Auditions |
COMPOSITION |
3/6 |
CONDUCTING |
3/16 |
DOUBLE BASS |
2/3-4 |
FLUTE |
3/3 |
GUITAR |
3/2 |
HARP |
3/10 |
HORN |
3/5 |
OBOE |
3/2-3 (finals 3/3) |
OPERA |
3/23-25 (finals 3/25) |
ORGAN |
2/17, 3/1 |
PERCUSSION |
2/24-25 |
PIANO |
3/17-19 (finals 3/19) |
QUARTET RESIDENCY |
TBA |
TROMBONE |
3/5 |
TRUMPET |
3/5 |
TUBA |
No 2018 Auditions |
VIOLA |
3/2-3 (finals 3/3) |
VIOLIN |
3/19-21 (finals 3/21) |
VOICE |
3/21-22 (finals 3/22) |
Some departments permit latitude in the selection of works to be presented, while others require specific repertoire:
Composition applicants will submit no more than three original scores (and an additional $100 screening fee) with their applications. Submission of accompanying recordings is strongly recommended.
A personal interview in Philadelphia will be required for candidates considered as finalists.
Conducting applications are accepted for the post-baccalaureate diploma program only. Applicants must submit a screening video with the application to be considered for the live auditions. Applicants will be notified in January of their live audition status.
Screening Recording
Applicants must submit a high-quality audio-visual recording by December 11, 2017 as follows:
Live Audition
All Conducting Fellow applicants selected for a live audition must demonstrate their knowledge of score analysis, harmony, counterpoint, score reading, and aural maturity in a 45-minute private session with members of the Curtis Musical Studies faculty as well as a 30-minute group session consisting of a series of dictations.
Applicants selected as finalists will move on to the conducting round of the audition.
Audition Repertoire
Applicants will play works selected from categories A through E. Everything except the chamber piece is to be played from memory.
A. Two of the following études by different composers:
B. One of the following complete pieces:
C. One of the following complete pieces:
D. One of the following concertos (first movement only; accompanist provided):
E. One of the following chamber pieces (chamber partner provided):
Piano
Applicants will play from memory:
No substitutions for the above repertoire will be allowed.
Organ
Applicants will play from memory:
Organ applicants will also be asked to sight-read. A modern composition will be sent to each auditionee one month prior to auditions and will be performed (optional: from memory) at the audition.
The organ in Field Concert Hall is an Aeolian-Skinner, 5 manuals, 116 ranks. See detailed specification .
All string applicants must be prepared to play all major and minor scales and arpeggios in fluent tempo.
Violin
Applicants must submit a screening video with the application to be considered for the live auditions. Applicants will be notified in January of their live audition status.
Screening Repertoire
Applicants should submit a video (recorded in 2017) of the following. Movements may be individual recordings, but each movement should be one uninterrupted recording; please include at least one slow-tempo movement:
Live Audition Repertoire
All string applicants must be prepared to play all major and minor scales and arpeggios in fluent tempo. Applicants will play from memory:
Viola
All string applicants must be prepared to play all major and minor scales and arpeggios in fluent tempo. Applicants will play:
Everything except selection #4 is to be played from memory.
Cello
All string applicants must be prepared to play all major and minor scales and arpeggios in fluent tempo. Applicants will play:
Everything except the Beethoven or Brahms is to be played from memory.
Double Bass
Applicants must submit a screening video with the application to be considered for the live auditions. Applicants will be notified in January of their live audition status.
Screening Repertoire
Applicants should prepare a five- to ten-minute video recording of a work or works that best exhibits their skills. The choice should be similar to, but not limited to the Double Bass live audition repertoire.
Live Audition Repertoire
Applicants will play from memory:
Harp
Before applying, all applicants should submit their proposed audition repertoire to the admissions office (admissions@curtis.edu) for faculty approval.
Applicants will play from memory:
All works should be performed from memory with the exception of the orchestra excerpts or special approval. All works should be prepared in their entirety; no single movements. Applicants will be accepted for audition depending on the level of their audition program.
All auditioning harpists may use Curtis harps to practice (48 hours prior to the audition only) and audition. Available harps:
Applicants will demonstrate familiarity with all major and minor scales and arpeggios, and will be expected to demonstrate sight-reading ability with material chosen by the instructor.
Flute
Applicants must submit a screening video with the application to be considered for the live auditions. Applicants will be notified in January of their live audition status.
*Curtis no longer accepts flute applicants for the Post Baccalaureate program.
Screening Repertoire
Applicants should prepare a video recording of (at least) one movement from each of three contrasting pieces. Works with piano (or other instrumental) accompaniment should be performed with piano accompaniment.
Live Audition Repertoire
All applicants should possess a good ear and a sense of rhythm and tone. They will demonstrate familiarity with all major and minor scales and arpeggios. Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate sight-reading ability with material chosen by the instructor. Applicants will play:
Oboe
All applicants should possess a good ear and a sense of rhythm and tone. They will demonstrate familiarity with all major and minor scales and arpeggios. Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate sight-reading ability with material chosen by the instructor. Applicants will play:
Applicants must also be able to read an orchestral excerpt, and they may be given a written examination concerning their general knowledge of music. In honor of the seventh director of the Curtis Institute of Music, each year one new or current oboe student will be named the John de Lancie Scholar.
Clarinet
Applicants must submit a screening video with the application to be considered for the live auditions. Applicants will be notified in January of their live audition status.
All applicants should possess a good ear and a sense of rhythm and tone. They will demonstrate familiarity with all major and minor scales and arpeggios. Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate sight-reading ability with material chosen by the instructor.
Screening Repertoire
Live Audition Repertoire
Applicants will play:
Bassoon
Applicants must submit a screening video with the application to be considered for the live auditions. Applicants will be notified in January of their live audition status.
All applicants should possess a good ear and a sense of rhythm and tone. They will demonstrate familiarity with all major and minor scales and arpeggios. Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate sight-reading ability with material chosen by the instructor.
Screening Repertoire
Live Audition Repertoire
Applicants will play from memory:
In addition to fulfilling the specific requirements below, applicants should possess physical aptitude for the chosen instrument, a good ear, a sense of rhythm, and the ability to read at sight.
Trumpet
Applicants must submit a screening video with the application to be considered for the live auditions. Applicants will be notified in January of their live audition status.
Screening Repertoire
Applicants should prepare a video recording of 10 to 15 minutes in length, containing the following:
Live Audition Repertoire
Applicants will play:
Applicants must display at least rudimentary knowledge of transposition.
Horn
Applicants must submit a screening video with the application to be considered for the live auditions. Applicants will be notified in January of their live audition status.
Screening Repertoire
Applicants should prepare video recordings of the following. Each work should be one uninterrupted recording.
Live Audition Repertoire
Applicants will read an orchestral excerpt and demonstrate familiarity with all major and minor scales and arpeggios. In addition, applicants will play:
Trombone
Auditions will be held for tenor trombone and/or bass trombone, depending on the opening. Applicants must submit a screening video with the application to be considered for the live auditions. Applicants will be notified in January of their live audition status.
Tenor Trombone Screening Repertoire
Applicants should prepare video recordings (unaccompanied) of the following. Each work should be one uninterrupted recording.
Live Audition Repertoire (Bass and Tenor Trombone)
Applicants will play:
Applicants may be asked to play all major and minor scales and to read at sight in alto, tenor, and bass clefs.
Tuba
Applicants will play:
The applicant may be asked to play all major and minor scales and to read additional orchestral excerpts at sight. It is strongly recommended that the applicant be proficient on both contrabass and bass tuba.
Applicants should demonstrate a knowledge of the fundamental techniques of percussion and timpani. They will be examined on timpani pitch recognition and technical skills such as rolls. They should be prepared to perform:
Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate their ability to sight-read. Applicants must possess a good ear and be able to sing and recognize all intervals.
Voice (Bachelor of Music and Diploma Programs)
Voice applicants must be at least 18 years old as of September 1 of the year of acceptance. All applicants in Voice are required to submit a screening recording with application materials by Monday, December 11, 2017.
The following format types are accepted:
Total portfolio size needs to be under 900MB, with a maximum file size of 500 MB. Please upload each piece as its own file.
Screening Repertoire
The three repertoire selections for the screening should include accompaniment and should show contrast in musical styles and tempos. Please make certain the recording is of good quality, as the granting of a live audition will depend upon this. Applicants will be notified of decisions regarding live auditions by mid-January.
Live Audition Repertoire
Singers who audition live will be asked to perform up to four selections from memory, showing the character and quality of voice and musicianship:
Though an accompanist is provided, voice applicants may supply their own accompanist if they prefer. A short test of musical theory and sight-singing may be asked of the applicants in the final round of auditions.
Opera (Master of Music and Professional Studies Certificate Programs)
All applicants in Opera are required to submit a screening recording with application material by Monday, December 11, 2017.
The following format types are accepted:
Total portfolio size needs to be under 900MB, with a maximum file size of 500 MB. Please upload each piece as its own file.
Screening Repertoire
The three repertoire selections for screening should include accompaniment and should show contrast in musical styles and tempos. Please make certain the recording is of good quality, as the granting of a live audition will depend upon this.
Applicants will be notified of decisions regarding live auditions by mid-January.
Live Audition Repertoire
Vocalists who audition live will be asked to perform from memory:
Though an accompanist is provided, opera applicants may supply their own accompanist if they prefer. A short test of musical theory and sight singing may be asked of the applicants in the final round of auditions.
No substitutions or exceptions to the stated audition requirements will be permitted. In addition to the stated requirements, applicants may be asked to show their sight-reading ability. A knowledge of piano and music theory is desirable.
While the choice of composition is important, audition performance carries the greater weight. The final admission decision rests upon the evidence of talent shown rather than upon the degree of proficiency already attained. Admission is limited to those whose inherent musical gift shows promise of development to a point of exceptional professional quality.
In major departments with more than one instructor, student placement is determined by the consensus of the faculty of that department.
Students auditioning for the Curtis Institute of Music are not permitted to stay overnight as a guest of a Lenfest Hall resident. Curtis encourages auditionees to find local accommodations. Some hotels in the vicinity of Curtis provide special discount rates should you need accommodations during your visit to Philadelphia. Please mention the Curtis Institute of Music when making your reservations. If you mention “college campus visit rate” when making your reservation, you may receive a discounted rate.
Curtis will provide an accompanist for auditions in cello, guitar, flute, opera, viola, violin, and voice. All other auditions are played without piano.
The applicant must supply Curtis’s accompanist with the appropriate piano scores at the time of audition. If no music is provided, it is up to the discretion of the audition committee whether the audition will be heard. Photocopied music is not acceptable in place of a score.
No pre-audition rehearsal with Curtis’s accompanist is permitted.
Applicants may warm up for 30 minutes in an assigned practice room before their auditions. If an applicant is late for the scheduled audition, the audition committee will decide whether or not to hear the audition. The committee is not obliged to hear all the music that an applicant may have prepared, nor to give an audition evaluation.
Audition fee: $150 ($50 for screened departments), payable once the applicant is notified of the audition date
This fee must be paid before the applicant is permitted to audition.
For non-screened departments, the $150 audition fee is in addition to the $150 application fee. For screened departments, the $50 audition fee is in addition to the $250 application/screening fee.