Music
-
Application Deadlines
*Spring Application General Deadline: October 13, 2023
Portfolio Submission General Deadline: October 20, 2023*Classical and Jazz Programs only
Fall Application Priority Deadline: December 1, 2023**
Portfolio Submission Priority Deadline: December 8, 2023**The priority deadline will provide notice of callback audition status sooner. All final admission decisions to the program will be given regardless of initial deadline submitted.
Fall Application General Deadline: January 1, 2024
Portfolio Submission General Deadline: January 8, 2024Notes:
-
- Early Action is not available for fall entry Conservatory of Music Programs
- Undergraduate: $62 non-refundable pre-screening fee
- Graduate: $142 application fee (includes pre-screening fee)
-
Register for a Mini Open House
How to Apply for Admission
The application deadline is January 1.
Your application for admission must be submitted before beginning the audition process. Purchase College accepts both the SUNY and Common Applications. Contact admissions@purchase.edu for further information about the application process.
For further information about performing arts campus tours on Wednesdays and open houses contact admissions@purchase.edu.
You must submit your prescreening materials by January 8.
For a complete list of prescreening audition requirements, continue reading this page.
If you are an instrumentalist, we need to see video of you performing.
If you wish to audition for more than one program, you must submit a separate prescreening audition and fee for each program.
Please continue reading this page for second round audition details and specific dates for your audition, if live.
If you have any questions specifically about the music auditions, please email music@purchase.edu.
All live auditions take place on campus in the Music Building in mid-February.
How to Submit Audition Materials
All pre-screening audition materials must be submitted in your Application Portal.
Once your pre-screening audition materials are uploaded, completed, and processed, they will be evaluated by the Conservatory of Music faculty.
Fall 2024 Applicants
Fall 2024 applicants will be notified by email of the results of their pre-screening auditions by early February.
To qualify, all fall 2024 applicants must first apply to Purchase College. Then, they must submit all required pre-screening audition materials, along with the audition fee in their Application Portal.
Spring 2024 Applicants
Spring 2024 applicants will be notified of the results of their application by early December.
There are no second-round auditions conducted for spring applicants. If you are applying for spring, please go directly to the Final Audition section for your specific instrument or program below and follow the requirements listed.
Minor in Music
Are you interested in pursuing our Minor in Music? Students must be enrolled at Purchase College to apply. For more information, visit our Minor in Music page.
Internal Transfer
If you are current Purchase College student and want to audition for a Conservatory of Music program, you need to contact the Music Department directly. Please do not apply through the SUNY or Common Application.
Videos: Prescreening Audition Tips
Audition Requirements
Please review the specific audition requirements for your division below:
Classical
Undergraduate
Prescreening Audition
Please submit two selections in contrasting styles from the list below.
Live Auditions - In-Person Auditions
For those selected for a second-round audition, the audition will take place on February 20.
Please prepare any selections from the following:
- One movement of a concerto from the standard repertory or comparable work.
- One movement from the Bach Unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas.
- A third contrasting work of your choice (can be an ètude, a contemporary work, a showpiece, or a movement of a sonata).
Graduate
Prescreening Audition
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the list below.
Live Auditions - In-Person Auditions
For those selected for a second-round audition, the audition will take place on February 20th.
Please prepare any selections from the following:
- Two contrasting movements of a concerto from the standard repertory.
- Two contrasting movements from the Bach Unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas.
- A third contrasting work of your choice (an ètude, a contemporary work, a showpiece, or a movement of a sonata).
Undergraduate
Prescreening Audition
Please submit two selections in contrasting styles from the list below.
Live Audition - In-Person Auditions
For those selected for a second-round audition, the audition will take place on February 20.
Please prepare any selections from the following:
- One movement of a concerto from the standard repertory (such as Hindemith, Bartok, Walton, Stamitz, Hoffmeister, etc.).
- One movement of a Suite for Unaccompanied Cello by J.S. Bach.
- Two contrasting movements from a concerto or sonata from a period other than the Baroque.
Graduate
Prescreening Audition
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the list below.
Live Audition - In-Person Auditions
For those selected for a second-round audition, the audition will take place on February 20th.
Please prepare any selections from the following:
- Two contrasting movements from a Suite for Unaccompanied Cello by J.S Bach.
- Two movements from a concerto for sonata or equivalent, such as Hindemith’s Der Schwanendreher, Bloch’s Suite, concerto by Bartok and Walton, and sonatas by Brahms and Hindemith.
Undergraduate
Prescreening Audition
Please submit two selections in contrasting styles from the list below.
- One movement of a concerto from the standard repertory (if a slow movement is prepared, you must prepare another contrasting movement).
- One Bach movement which must be a Prelude or two dance movements (such as Sarabande and Gigue or another contrasting combination).
- A third contrasting work (can be an ètude, a contemporary work, a showpiece, or a movement of a sonata).
Live Auditions - In-Person Auditions
For those selected for a second-round audition, the audition will take place on February 20.
Please prepare all selections in contrasting styles from the list below:
- One movement of a concerto from the standard repertory (if a slow movement is prepared, you must prepare another contrasting movement).
- One Bach movement which must be a Prelude or two dance movements (such as Sarabande and Gigue or another contrasting combination).
- A third contrasting work (can be an ètude, a contemporary work, a showpiece, or a movement of a sonata).
Here are some resources for finding audition repertoire by diverse composers:
Graduate
Prescreening Audition
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the list below.
- One movement of a concerto from the standard repertory (if a slow movement is prepared, you must prepare another contrasting movement).
- One Bach movement which must be a Prelude or two dance movements (such as Sarabande and Gigue or another contrasting combination).
- A third contrasting work (can be an ètude, a contemporary work, a showpiece, or a movement of a sonata).
Live Auditions - In-Person Auditions
For those selected for a second-round audition, the audition will take place on February 20.
Please see below for audition repertoire requirements.
Please prepare all selections from the following:
- Two contrasting movements of a concerto from the standard repertory.
- Two contrasting movements from the Bach Unaccompanied Suites.
- A third contrasting work of your choice (an ètude, a contemporary work, a showpiece, or a movement of a sonata).
Here are some resources for finding audition repertoire by diverse composers:
Undergraduate
Prescreening Audition
Please submit the following:
- One major and one minor two-octave scale and arpeggio.
- A solo of your choice.
Audition - In-Person Audition
For those selected for a second-round audition, the audition will take place on February 20
Your audition should be 12-15 minutes in length and should include representative samples from all required repertoire. Please prepare selections from the following:
- One major and one minor two-octave scale and arpeggio.
- A solo of your choice.
- Two contrasting orchestral excerpts.
Graduate
Prescreening Audition
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the list below.
Audition Video
For those selected for a second round audition, the audition will take place on February 20.
Your video should be 12-15 minutes in length and should include representative samples from all required repertoire. Please prepare selections from the following:
- Three-octave scales and arpeggios.
- Two contrasting solos of applicant’s choice.
- Three contrasting orchestral excerpts.
Please note that we do not offer classical saxophone.
Live Auditions will be held on February 20.
Undergraduate
Flute
Prescreening Audition
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the list below:
- A movement from a baroque sonata or classical concerto
- A 19th- or 20th-century piece
- An orchestral excerpt of your choice
Live Audition - In-Person Auditions
For students who pass the prescreening audition, second-round auditions will take place on February 20.
Please prepare all pieces from the list below:
- Two contrasting selections/movements from the concerto/sonata literature (Ex. Mozart concerto, Bach sonata, etc.)
- A 19th- or 20th-century piece (Ex. Dutilleux, Sonatine, Prokofiev Sonata, etc.)
- Two excerpts from the orchestral repertoire.
Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon
Prescreening Audition
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the list below.
- Two contrasting movements from a major concerto in the standard repertoire.
- Two contrasting etudes showing the applicant’s level of technical and lyrical abilities.
- Two excerpts from the orchestral repertoire.
Live Audition - In-Person Auditions
For students who pass the prescreening audition, second round auditions will be February 20.
Please prepare all pieces from the list below:
- Two contrasting selections/movements from the concerto/sonata literature (Ex. Mozart concerto, Bach sonata, etc.)
- A 19th- or 20th-century piece (Ex. Dutilleux, Sonatine, Prokofiev Sonata, etc.)
- Two excerpts from the orchestral repertoire.
Graduate
Flute
Prescreening Audition
Please submit selections from the list below:
- A movement from a baroque sonata or classical concerto
- A 19th- or 20th-century piece
- An orchestral excerpt of your choice
Live Audition - In-Person Auditions
For students who pass the prescreening audition, second round auditions will take place February 20.
Please prepare all pieces from the list below:
- Two contrasting selections/movements from the concerto/sonata literature (Ex. Mozart concerto, Bach sonata, etc.)
- A 19th- or 20th-century piece (Ex. Dutilleux, Sonatine, Prokofiev Sonata, etc.)
- Two excerpts from the orchestral repertoire.
Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon
Prescreening Audition
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the list below:
- Two contrasting movements from a major concerto in the standard repertoire
- Two contrasting etudes showing the applicant’s level of technical and lyrical abilities.
- Two excerpts from the orchestral repertoire.
Live Audition - In-Person Auditions
For students who pass the prescreening audition, second round auditions will take place February 20.
Please prepare all pieces from the list below:
- Two contrasting movements from a major concerto in the standard repertoire
- Two contrasting etudes showing the applicant’s level of technical and lyrical abilities.
- Two excerpts from the orchestral repertoire.
Undergraduate
Horn, tenor trombone, bass trombone, trumpet: audition on Bb and C trumpets only, tuba: audition on Eb, CC, or BBb only.
Prescreening Audition
Please prepare the following pieces:
- Two contrasting ètudes.
- Two contrasting movements from the solo repertoire.
Live Audition - In-Person
For those selected for a second-round audition, the audition will take place on February 20.
Please prepare the following selections:
- Two contrasting ètudes.
- Two contrasting movements from the solo repertoire.
- Sight-reading taken from the standard orchestral repertoire.
Graduate
Horn; tenor trombone; bass trombone; trumpet, must audition on Bb and C trumpets, and can choose the additional option of performing on D, Eb, and/or piccolo trumpets; tuba: addition on F, Eb, CC, or BBb tubas.
Prescreening Audition
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the list below.
Live Audition - In-Person
For those selected for a second round audition, the audition will take place on February 20.
Please prepare all pieces.
- Two advanced, contrasting pieces, one of which must be an original work from the 20th-/21st-century repertoire. Performance of at least one piece from memory is desirable.
- Advanced sight reading taken from orchestral repertoire. Excerpts will include: Transposition for trumpet and horn; reading of alto or tenor clefs for trombone.
Undergraduate
Prescreening Audition
Please submit two selections from the list below.
Live Audition - In-Person Auditions
Live auditions will take place in-person on February 25. Please prepare all three selections from the list below:
- Snare drum: One ètude of your choice from Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm or equivalent
- Marimba: One 2-mallet or 4-mallet ètude or solo
- Timpani: One ètude of your choice from Goodman’s Modern Method for Timpani or equivalent
For the live audition, all applicants must provide percussion faculty with two copies of all audition pieces.
Graduate
Prescreening Audition
Please submit two contrasting selections from the five “required” selections listed below.
Live Audition - In-Person Auditions
Live auditions will take place in-person on February 25. Please prepare all five required selections.
Required
- Snare drum: One ètude from Delecluse’s Douze Etudes or equivalent
- 4 Mallets: One 4-mallet solo from the standard solo repertoire
- 2 Mallets: One 2-mallet movement from J.S. Bach Six Suites for Solo Cello or Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin (no repeats)
- Timpani: One solo from the standard repertoire
- Orchestral Excerpts: One standard orchestral excerpt on each of the following: Snare Drum, Xylophone, and Timpani
Optional
- Multiple percussion solo: For the prescreening audition, in addition to submitting two of the above required selections, you may submit a work from the standard solo repertoire.
For the live audition, all applicants must provide percussion faculty with two copies of all audition pieces
Undergraduate and Graduate
Prescreening Audition
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the list below.
Second Round Audition
If you have received confirmation that you passed the prescreening please read below:
For students who pass the prescreening audition, second round auditions will take place February 25.
Please prepare all pieces. All compositions must be performed from memory.
- A prelude and fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier or another work of Bach containing a fugue
- One sonata by Mozart, Beethoven (including Op. 49 and Op. 79), Haydn, or Schubert. (Single movement for the pre-screening audition, full sonata for the live audition)
- A major composition by a 19th-century composer.
- A composition by a representative 20th-century composer.
Undergraduate
Prescreening Audition
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the classical guitar repertoire.
Live Auditions - In-Person Auditions
For those selected for a second-round audition, the audition will take place on February 24.
Please prepare three works of contrasting style (Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, and/or contemporary) from the classical guitar repertoire. You will also be asked to sight-read.
Graduate
Prescreening Audition
For those selected for a second-round audition, the audition will take place on February 24.
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the list below.
Live Auditions - In-Person Auditions
Please prepare:
- A Bach suite, violin sonata/partita, or a work from Bach’s lute music.
- A major work from the Classical or Romantic period.
- A 20th-century work.
Undergraduate
Prescreening Audition
Please submit two pieces in contrasting styles from the standard harp repertoire.
Live Audition - In-Person Audition
For those selected for a second round audition, the audition will take place on February 22.
Please prepare:
- One Pozzoli étude.
- Two contrasting works or movements from the standard harp repertoire.
You will be asked to sight-read at your live audition.
Graduate
Prescreening Audition
Please select two pieces in contrasting styles from the list below.
Live Audition - In-Person Audition
For those selected for a second round audition, the audition will take place on February 22.
Please prepare all pieces. All compositions must be performed from memory.
- Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp (1st movement, no cadenza)
- One contemporary or 19th-century work from the standard harp repertoire on the level of Hindemith’s Sonata or Faure’s Impromptu
- 1st harp part from Symphone Fantastique/Berloiz, and one cadenza from Young Person’s/ Britten or Lucia/Donizetti, or Swan Lake/ Tchaikowsky
Undergraduate
Prescreening Audition
Recording should not exceed 15 minutes in length and should include the following songs which should be in contrasting styles. One must be from the 20th-century repertoire:
- One Italian art song.
- One German or French art song
- One song in English (not a translation)
Audition - In-Person
Only those applicants who pass the prescreening audition will be contacted for an audition which will take place on one of these days; February 20, February 23, or February 25.
You may perform your prescreening materials for live audition or you may perform other repertoire of your choosing. There will be an accompanist available in the audition, or you may bring your own accompanist.
Graduate
Prescreening Audition
Your recording should not exceed 15 minutes in length and should include the following songs. The songs should be in contrasting styles, and one must be from the 20th-century repertoire:
- Four art songs: one Italian, one French, one German, one English
- One standard aria from an opera, the rest may be art songs. If aria is in one of the above required languages, you may eliminate that language from your art song requirement.
Audition In-Person
Only those applicants who pass the prescreening audition will be contacted for an audition which will take place on one of these days; February 20, February 23, or February 25.
You may perform your prescreening materials for live audition or you may perform other repertoire of your choosing. There will be an accompanist available in the audition, or you may bring your own accompanist.
Undergraduate and Graduate
Prescreening Audition
Please submit two original scores (required) and recordings (if available), one of which must have been written within the last two years.
Live Audition
For those selected for a second-round audition, live auditions will take place on February 20 and 21.
Please bring three pieces as described below.
- Applicants should present three original works notated conventionally, if appropriate, and recorded or performed live.
- The composition interview/live audition entails a brief ear training exam (interval recognition, chords, pitch matching, and scales), a discussion on general theoretical and/or historical topics and a demonstration of basic instrument proficiency. Students must prepare one short work on their solo instrument of choice.
Jazz Studies
Undergraduate and Graduate
Pre-Screening Audition (must be uploaded in video format)*
*For fall applicants only. If you are applying for spring, please go directly to the Final Audition section below and follow the requirements listed there.
Prescreening video recordings must include one performances in each of the following styles. The total length of your materials should not exceed 10 minutes:
- One Blues
- One Songbook Standard or Jazz Standard
- One Ballad
Special instructions for various disciplines:
- Singers need not improvise a solo.
- Double-bassists should include one chorus of walking bass lines in addition to the melody and improvised solo. (Note: a major concentration in electric bass guitar is not offered. Please audition on acoustic bass only.)
- Drummers should play brushes and sticks in the context of a trio or a small jazz combo. Please trade fours, eights, or choruses on either the medium or up-tempo swing tune.
Final Audition - Live Audition
*For fall applicants only: Only those applicants who pass the prescreening audition will be invited to live auditions on February 25. Piano auditions will take place on February 24.
Live auditions will perform for 15 minutes with a house band composed of students currently enrolled in the Jazz Studies program.
Choose one song from each of the three categories below for your live audition:
- Blues: Billie’s Bounce (F Blues), Blue Monk (Bb Blues), Isotope, or Equinox (C Minor Blues)
- Ballad: Body and Soul, Isfahan, or Stella by Starlight
- Medium: Rhythm-a-ning, There will Never Be Another You, or Alone Together
Special instructions for various disciplines:
- Singers need not improvise a solo, and should sing in the keys of their choice for each of the above selections.
- Pianists and guitarists should include at least one half chorus of comping (perhaps for the bass solo) in addition to the melody and improvised solo.
- Drummers should play brushes and sticks in the context of a trio or a small Jazz combo. Please trade fours, eights, or choruses on either the medium or up-tempo swing tune.
Music and Technology
Here are a few videos to help students better understand the difference between Studio Composition and Studio Production.
- Music and Technology Program Differences
- Studio Composition Portfolio Info
- Studio Production Portfolio Info
Undergraduate
Prescreening Audition
- Submit 2-3 samples of your music accompanied by a statement clearly describing your role in the writing and recording process for each piece.
- Submit a professional resume explaining your experience writing and/or performing music, your professional training (lessons, etc.), and anything else you feel is relevant to your application. This can be uploaded as an additional media item.
- If possible, please submit scores, lead sheets, and lyric sheets (if applicable).
- Submit a cover letter stating why you would like to attend Purchase College for studio composition, as well as your career goals.
Note: The statement, charts, resume, and cover letter may be combined into one document and uploaded as an additional media item.
Applicants are expected to have basic music theory skills, including sight reading and the ability to hear and sing back intervals and chords.
Live Auditions via Zoom
For those selected for a second round audition, the audition will take place via live Zoom audition on either February 23th, February 24th, and March 3.
- Applicants with a successful prescreen audition will be invited to a live Zoom audition.
- Please prepare 1-2 original pieces for the live Zoom online audition. You may play a pre-recorded track or demo of your compositions, or you may perform your music live (or a mix of the two). You may present the same pieces from your prescreening or present new pieces.
- If your composition is pre-recorded, you can play it back via Zoom, or you can choose from one of your application portal submissions.
- If possible, please have scores, lead sheets, lyric sheets (if applicable), and any pre-recorded tracks of your compositions available for faculty to review during the live Zoom online audition.
- The live Zoom online audition will also include an interview with the studio composition faculty discussing your experience, goals for the program, and music theory knowledge.
Note: Only those who are selected for a live Zoom audition will be considered for admission. You must attend the live Zoom audition to be considered for the program.
Graduate
Prescreening Audition
For those selected for a second-round audition, the audition will take place via live Zoom audition on February 22nd (AM) only.
- Submit 2-3 samples of your music accompanied by a statement clearly describing your role in the writing and recording process for each piece. These statements can be combined into one document and uploaded as an additional media item.
- Also submit a professional resume explaining your experience writing and/or performing music, your professional training (lessons, etc.) and anything else you feel is relevant to your application. This can be uploaded as an additional media item.
Applicants are expected to have basic music theory skills, including sight reading and the ability to hear and sing back intervals and chords.
Live Audition - Zoom
Please prepare the following:
- Due to limited time, only one or two original works to be either recorded and played back or performed live. Works should demonstrate technical and aesthetic abilities in composition, as well as in the areas of performance and production where applicable. Please also provide conventionally notated scores if available.
- A resume of musical and/or professional accomplishments to date.
Here are a few videos to better understand the difference between Studio Composition and Studio Production.
- Music and Technology Program Differences
- Studio Composition Portfolio Info
- Studio Production Portfolio Info
Undergraduate
Prescreening Audition
- Your submission must contain three selections equaling not more than 15 minutes of music, and it must display your skill and ability in microphone placement, instrument recording, vocal recording, sound processing, and mixing. Materials must also display your musical aesthetics and a producer, and must be engineered and produced by you. Selections do not have to be original compositions. Any recording format may be used.
- Upload a chart detailing all aspects of each production including room size (if applicable), microphones used, recording device used, and any other pertinent data.
- Submit a resume with an educational background including training in production, engineering, music theory, and instrument instruction, if any. The resume must also include experience in the field if any.
- Submit a cover letter stating why you would like to attend Purchase College for studio production as well as your career goals.
Note: the charts, resume, and, the cover letter may be combined into one document and uploaded as an additional media item.
Live Zoom Audition
Applicants with a successful prescreening audition will be invited to a live Zoom audition/interview which will take place on either February 20 or 21 or 28. The live Zoom audition is an interview with the studio production faculty where applicants discuss their experience, their goals for the program, and receive further testing in studio production, studio engineering, and music theory.
You will not be asked to play your instrument as part of your Studio Production audition/interview. You do not need to bring or prepare anything specific beyond being able to speak to the topics listed above.
Only those who are selected for a live audition/interview will be considered for admission.