Audition Information for Strings

string auditions

Choosing your repertoire:

  • Playing that is physically well set up, and repertoire that is fully in technical control, and expressively performed, is much preferable to selections that present technical challenges that cannot yet be met consistently, and so may well obscure the quality of musical interpretation.
  • Normally, students auditioning for university study present repertoire at the Conservatory Grade 8 level or beyond.

Accompaniment:

  • An accompanist is required. Please contact the Admissions Officer for more information.

Violin

     Repertoire:
  • two different pieces or movements of pieces of contrasting tempos that demonstrate your current level of technique, and your ability to give a musically and stylistically coherent interpretation.
     Technique:
  • 3-octave major and minor scales G to D, 12 notes to a bow, quarter note=60
  • 3-octave major, minor, diminished and dominant 7 arpeggios, G to D, 9 (12 for diminished and dominant 7) notes to a bow, quarter note=60

Here is a sample of what students anticipating to enter the Performance Degree after the first common year should aim to be familiar with:

Viola

     Repertoire:
  • two different pieces or movements of pieces of contrasting tempos that demonstrate your current level of technique, and your ability to give a musically and stylistically coherent interpretation
     Etudes:
  • one etude of choice
     Technique:
  • 3-octave major and minor scales C to G, eighth-note triplets, 3 to a bow, quarter note=60
  • 3-octave major, minor, diminished and dominant 7 arpeggios, G to D, eighth-note triplets, 3 to a bow, quarter note=60 

Cello

     Repertoire:
  • two different pieces or movements of pieces of contrasting tempos that demonstrate your current level of technique, and your ability to give a musically and stylistically coherent interpretation.
     Etudes:
  • one etude of choice
     Technique:
  • 3-octave major and minor scales in all keys, eighth-note triplets, 3 to a bow, quarter note=60
  • 3-octave major and minor arpeggios in all keys, eighth-note triplets, 3 to a bow, quarter note=60

Bass

     Repertoire:
  • two pieces (or movements) or etudes of contrasting tempos, that demonstrate your current level of technique, and your ability to give a musically and stylistically coherent interpretation.
     Technique:
  • all major scales, one (or if possible two) octaves lying below thumb position, one quarter note per bow at M.M. = 60.
  • Movements from the sonatas of Vivaldi or Marcello (as transcribed from the original setting for 'cello), and/or etudes from Simandl "30 etudes" or Bille E.R. 263, are ideal audition material for basic undergraduate admission.
  • An applicant intending to major in Performance after the Common First Year would likely be more advanced, able to present in the audition a concerto movement (for example, Capuzzi, Cimador, Pichl, Dragonetti), and all major and minor scales, faster (multiple notes to a bow), and extending an additional octave into thumb position.

String Bank

Western's String Bank is a collection of more than 40 fine Italian, French and English instruments and bows. These are available for loan to select violin, viola, cello and bass students in Music Performance, and are maintained by our resident experts.

String Faculty

Contact Us

Need more information about applying to Western Music? We're here to help!

Odilla Van Delinder
Admissions Assistant
519-661-2044
ovandeli@uwo.ca