Audition Requirements for Piano
Applicants may audition live or upload a video performance (by YouTube, Google Drive, or other means) of 15 minutes duration for undergraduates, and 20-25 minutes for graduates. Each work may be recorded separately but must be unedited. The audition program must be completely memorized and consist of at least three contrasting works of sufficient complexity from three different style periods. Email the selected repertoire to Dr. Laura Spitzer ahead of time for approval. Suggested works include:
- Baroque: Graduate: A suite or prelude and fugue by J.S. Bach, or a sonata by Domenico Scarlatti. Undergraduates may play a two-part invention or part of a Bach suite.
- Classical: Graduates: a sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert. Undergraduates may play a single movement of a sonata or a sonatina by Beethoven, Mozart, Clementi, or Kuhlau.
- Romantic: Graduates: a substantial work displaying some virtuosity by Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Brahms, or Mendelssohn. Undergraduates may select smaller or less virtuosic works such as Chopin preludes, Liszt Consolations, or Sinding’s Rustle of Spring.
- 20th-21st Century: Graduates: A work of some complexity by Ravel, Debussy, Prokofiev, Khachaturian, Shostakovich, Barber, Bartók, Ginastera, Muczynski, etc. Undergraduates may select smaller works such as pieces from Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, Shostakovich’s Fantastic Dances, or Muczynski’s Six Preludes.
Applicants (in person or by Zoom) will also be asked to sight read, and play major and minor scales, preferably in a four-octave range. Auditions may be scheduled at any time of the year, at a mutually convenient time for the student and the audition jury.
NEW! Curriculum Development in Collaborative Piano
NMSU Department of Music is delighted to announce the launch of the Collaborative Piano curriculum. In addition to new courses that began in Fall 2024, the Master of Music with concentration in Collaborative Piano is anticipated to start as early as Summer 2025 upon the university process and approval.
Students with Master of Music with Collaborative Piano concentration will study both instrumental and vocal collaborative piano in depth. Led by Dr. Yoshiko Arahata, the comprehensive collaborative piano training at NMSU is designed to prepare students to be versatile and creative pianists and artists. The focus of the study includes not only the Eurocentric classical music repertoire but also contemporary and world music, jazz, musical theater, and collaboration with dance and theater in congruent with the wide array of collaborative piano needs and possibilities in today's vibrant music professions.
Each student will be thoroughly guided to be open-minded, independent, and resourceful to be able to build a career unique and meaningful to each of their strengths and interests. Furthermore, students are highly encouraged and mentored to actively participate in relevant professional development activities during their studies beyond the campus engagements.
This new collaborative piano curriculum is designed for the selected students to deepen their artistry both as a pianist and collaborator, and gain practical skills needed to pursue a variety of career in the field of collaborative piano and beyond. The examples of career options after studying Master of Music with Collaborative Piano concentration at NMSU may include but are not limited to:
- Doctorate degree in collaborative piano and/or piano performance
- Professional piano positions at collegiate institutions, community music schools, large ensembles such as orchestras and military bands, and cruise gig positions
- Professional piano positions at dance, musical theater, theater, and opera companies
- Vocal coaching
- Jazz Piano, Conducting, Composition, Film scoring, Music education, Arts Administration
- Building a thriving freelance career as a collaborative pianist
In addition, under this new curriculum in Collaborative Piano, both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing Piano Performance concentration have the opportunities to deepen their skills and artistry in collaborative piano.
If you are interested in learning more about this program or for any questions, please contact Dr. Yoshiko Arahata, the Assistant Professor of Collaborative Piano and Music theory at yarahata@nmsu.edu.
NMSU Department of Music is excited for this new curriculum development that is becoming ever so important in the world of music in the 21st century, and to foster meaningful music trainings and viable career options for our music students. As a land grant institution, the support from the community contributes greatly to the success of our program. If you are interested in making a donation to support the development of this new program in Collaborative Piano, please contact Dr. Arahata or Dr. Fred Bugbee, Chair of Music Department at frbugbee@nmsu.edu.
We look forward to hearing from you!
