Thank you for your interest in piano study at the University of Arizona School of Music!
You will find information on the application and audition process for the B.A., B.M., M.M., and D.M.A. degrees in piano on this page.
Spring 2025 Audition Dates:
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Pre-Screening Deadline (for M.M. and D.M.A. Applicants)
December 1, 2024
Audition Formats:
1. Live in-person at the University of Arizona School of Music
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Saturday, March 1, 2025
2. Live online via Zoom
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Saturday, March 1, 2025
3. Via recorded media (upload to your Acceptd Application)
Submission deadline: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Please note that applicants to M.M. and D.M.A. programs must also submit pre-screening materials by December 1, 2024.
Instructions for pre-recorded auditions: Your audition recording must be an unedited, single-camera video recording of your full audition program recorded in one take. Submit one video link to your pre-recorded audition (deadline TBA).
All applicants, and especially graduate applicants, are encourage to audition live (in-person or online) to receive best consideration for TA and scholarship awards.
Application Instructions:
Undergraduate applications (B.A. and B.M.) involve three steps:
1. Application to the University of Arizona
2. Application to the School of Music
3. A live or pre-recorded audition
Please visit this webpage for instructions and links: https://music.arizona.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/undergraduate/
Undergraduate auditions should be scheduled through our Undergraduate Advisor and Admissions Coordinator, David Boulton.
Please visit the following link for more information about auditions: http://music.arizona.edu/admissions/auditions/
Click here to contact Dr. Daniel Linder with questions regarding undergraduate study in piano
Graduate applications (M.M. and D.M.A.) involve three steps:
1. Application to the University of Arizona Graduate College
2. Application to the School of Music
3. A live or pre-recorded audition (and pre-screening for D.M.A. applicants: see below for more information).
More information on the graduate application process can be found here: http://music.arizona.edu/admissions/applications/graduate
Click here to contact Dr. Daniel Linder with questions regarding graduate study in piano.
Pre-Screening for all M.M and D.M.A. Applicants in Piano:
Procedure and Deadlines:
We require pre-screening auditions for M.M. and D.M.A. applicants via Acceptd. Applicants who pass the pre-screening phase will be invited to audition live (in-person or online via Zoom).
If you are not requesting a live audition there is not a pre-screening requirement, but understand that you will be at a significant disadvantage for TA consideration. A video interview is required in addition to the TOEFL result for international graduate applicants who do not hold a degree from a university in an English-speaking country and who are submitting a pre-recorded audition.
Deadline for pre-screening submission TBA.
Pre-screening requirements:
1. Recorded Audition
Pre-screening auditions should be video recordings from the past year, and should include two contrasting works. They need not be the same as the proposed live audition repertoire.
Applicants for the MM. or D.M.A. in piano performance should submit recordings of two solo works (a concerto performance is acceptable for one of the works).
Applicants for the M.M. in piano accompanying or the D.M.A. in piano, collaborative emphasis should submit:
(1) a movement of an instrumental sonata OR two art songs
(2) a solo piano work.
2. Writing Sample
All graduate applicants in piano must submit a recent academic writing sample (i.e. a term paper from a piano literature, music history, or music theory course).
Scholarships and TA Awards:
Scholarships: All students who submit an application are automatically considered for scholarship funding.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships: The School of Music has a limited number of GTA positions, generally in class piano teaching and in opera accompanying. GTAs cover approximately 75% of tuition and provide a stipend that generally covers the remaining 25%. GTAs are awarded for students entering in Fall semester only.
A live audition is highly recommended for best consideration for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship.
Strong communication skills in English are required for the class piano GTAs as well as a minimum score of 24 TOEFL IBT Speaking Section or a score of 44 on the University of Arizona CESL’s CEPT Full Academic Test. International students who hold a Master’s degree from an institution in an English-speaking country do not need to submit English Proficiency scores for admission to the program, however these scores are required to be awarded a GTA. Please visit the UA Graduate College website for more information.
To be considered for the opera GTA, students will need to demonstrate experience with opera accompanying.
Audition Repertoire Guidelines:
Please note that we encourage inventive and creative programming. If your proposed program differs from our recommendations below (e.g. all 20th/21st Century), please check in advance when scheduling your audition. In auditions we hope to make an accurate assessment of each candidate’s potential in a relatively short amount of time; please choose repertoire that will help us to make that assessment.
B.A. in Music, B.M. in Music Education, and B.M. in Composition, piano emphasis:
- two contrasting pieces
- memorization is preferred, but not required
B.M. in Piano Performance:
- one Baroque work (e.g. a suite by J.S. Bach or a prelude and fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Handel Suite, pair of Scarlatti Sonatas)
- one movement of a Classical sonata or a set of variations by Mozart, Haydn, or Beethoven
- one Romantic work
- one work written after 1900
- memorization is required, with the exception of works written after 1945
M.M. and D.M.A. in Piano Performance:
- Prepare a 45-minute program demonstrating a variety of styles and techniques.
- Inclusion of at least one work from the 18th Century and one from the 20th/21st Century will help us evaluate your potential as a degree candidate; an etude of virtuosity is highly recommended, as well.
- Memorization is required, with the exception of works written after 1945.
M.M. and D.M.A in Collaborative Piano:
- one complete instrumental sonata
- a selection of works for voice and piano in two languages
- a solo work that is representative of your abilities
- sight-reading will be included at collaborative piano auditions
Harpsichord and Organ Auditions:
Click here to contact Dr. Pamela Decker for information about harpsichord and organ auditions.
Secondary/Non-Major Piano:
The School of Music offers limited opportunities for students in other degree programs (both undergraduate and graduate) to continue piano study.
The declaration of a Minor in Music will be necessary for consideration for private studio instruction. Group classes are available to students without a minor or major in music.
Auditions are held each fall and spring to determine placement. Possible placements include group piano classes as well as private lessons for more advanced students, depending upon skill level and instructor availability.
Please be prepared to demonstrate your skills in playing and sight-reading as accurately as possible. Reading facility in treble and bass clefs is necessary for individual instruction. Other factors that affect placement include variety and breadth of demonstrated repertoire, knowledge of rudiments of music (including scales), and the ability to play from memory.
Contact Dr. Daniel Linder for more information and to schedule a placement audition if you are interested in group piano or studio instruction.