Each audition recording should include scales unless otherwise noted. Sight-reading will take place during the faculty interview portion. To submit a recording, students must apply first through the regular Gettysburg College application process. Students will then be able to upload their recordings to their application portal. For individual instrument requirements, please see below.
Violin
All degree areas:
(Scales not required)
- One movement of a concerto, preferably from memory.
- One unaccompanied solo piece from any time period.
- One etude.
Viola
All degree areas:
(Scales not required)
- One movement of a concerto, preferably from memory.
- One unaccompanied solo piece from any time period.
- One etude.
Cello
All degree areas:
Technique: All major scales slurring 2 or 4, arpeggios slurring 3 or 6.
Bachelor of Music in Performance
First or last movement of a standard cello concerto, such as Haydn, Saint-Saens,Elgar or Lalo, preferably from memory.
Contrasting movements of Bach, Six Suites for Solo Cello.
One standard etude by Popper, Duport, Piatti, Lee (book II),or Dotzauer (Book II or above)
Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music Education, and Music Minor
Two contrasting solos demonstrating two different musical styles. At least one solo should utilize upper-position and/or thumb position techniques
String Bass
Bachelor of Music in Performance
Major scales: 2-3 octave (appropriate to your skill level), slurring groups of 4.
Etude of choice: Storch Hrabe, Sturm, Simandl (Book 2, 30 Etudes or Gradus), Rossi or etude of similar skill level.
1st movement of a standard concerto: Dragonetti, Dittersdorf, Capuzzi, Koussevitsky, Vanhal or Bottesini.
A contrasting solo of choice: A movement from Bach solo cello suites or other selection (either accompanied or unaccompanied) that demonstrates your technical capabilities.
Memorization is not required.
Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music Education, and Music Minor
- Major scales: 2-3 octave (appropriate to your skill level), slurring groups of 4.
- Two contrasting solo pieces of choice demonstrating different styles.
Guitar
Bachelor of Music in Performance
- 2 and 3 octave major scales and arpeggios
- An etude by Fernando Sor, Matteo Carcassi, Francisco Tarrega, or equivalent
- A solo work from the 17th or 18th century
- A solo work from the 19th or 20th century
Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music Education, and Minor
- 2 octave major scales and arpeggios
- One Etude and one solo work from the Royal Conservatory Classical Guitar Series 2018 edition, vols. 4-7, or equivalent
Harp
(Scales not required)
Bachelor of Music in Performance
- Perform one etude from “Etudes of Medium Difficulty” by Pozzolli, any selection from number 20 up
- Perform three compositions which demonstrate contrasting styles
- Memorization encouraged but not required
Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music Education, and Music Minor
- Perform one etude from “Etudes of Medium Difficulty” by Pozzolli, number 1, 2, or 5
- Perform two compositions or movements which demonstrate contrasting styles
- Memorization encouraged but not required
Suggested Repertoire and Specific Technique Requirements
Bachelor of Music in Performance
- G.F. Handel, Concerto for Harp (any pedal harp arrangement)
- Tournier,, “Au Matin”
- Grandjany, “Fantaisie sur un Theme de Haydn”
Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music Education, and Music Minor
- Grandjany, “Petite Suite”
- Salzedo, “Suite of Eight Dances”
- Ed., LeDentu , “Variations on a Theme of Mozart”
Meetings and private lessons
To schedule a meeting or private lesson with a faculty member, please contact us at auditions@gettysburg.edu or 717-337-6100. For all other inquiries regarding the music program and audition requirements, please contact Dr. Amanda Heim at aheim@gettysburg.edu or 717-337-6146.