Carnegie Mellon University

School of Music

Where artistry and innovation share center stage

Viola Audition Requirements

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

  • Two major and two minor scales and arpeggios in three octaves with various bowings
  • The Prelude and any dance movement from a Bach Cello Suite, or two contrasting movements from a Bach solo violin sonata or partita
  • One movement from a major concerto
  • One movement from a sonata

One or more of the chosen selections should be performed from memory.


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

All applicants to the viola studio are expected to prepare the following audition requirements

  • A complete Bach cello suite, violin partita, or sonata
  • 1-2 movements from a concerto
  • 1-2 movements from a sonata
  • A piece of the applicant's choosing


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

All applicants to the viola 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 refer to the graduate audition requirements for guidelines.


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