Carnegie Mellon University

School of Music

Where artistry and innovation share center stage

Cello Audition Requirements

All applicants to the cello studio are expected to prepare the following audition requirements:

  • Scales: two major and two minor scales in three octaves, of your choosing
  • One etude by Duport, Popper, or Piatti
  • A movement of a standard concerto
  • A prelude from one of the Bach Unaccompanied Suites

All performance candidates are required to complete an audition. Note: All solo instrumental auditions are unaccompanied.

All applicants to the cello studio are expected to perform an audition recital of 15-20 minutes, including a minimum of five works showing representative repertoire of various periods. Although there are no set requirements for this audition, you are urged to choose a solo piece, a movement from a concerto, two orchestral excerpts, a movement from a Bach Suite, and an etude that shows tone, musicianship and technique. 


All performance candidates are required to complete an audition. Note: All solo instrumental auditions are unaccompanied.

All applicants to the cello studio are expected to perform an audition recital of 15-20 minutes, including a minimum of five works showing representative repertoire of various periods. Although there are no set requirements for this audition, please choose a solo piece, a movement from a concerto, a movement of a Bach suite, three orchestral excerpts, and etudes that show tone, musicianship and technique.


All performance candidates are required to complete an audition. Note: All solo instrumental auditions are unaccompanied.