Carnegie Mellon University

School of Music

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Voice Audition Requirements

The Voice Department at CMU welcomes diverse repertoire from our applicants, including music composed by women, LGBTQ+, black, indigenous and people of color, and/or from one’s own culture.  For more information on specific composers, we invite you to view our library’s resource page here: Home - Music - LibGuides at Carnegie Mellon University (cmu.edu) 

Pre-screening recording and submission instructions for all voice applicants:

Applicants will submit a video recording of their audition material for pre-screening by December 1. Audition and pre-screening requirements are the same. Applicants who pass pre-screening will be notified of their invitation to audition by January 10. The audition schedule can be found here.

Each selection may be recorded separately, as needed. While accompanied auditions are preferred to showcase your collaborative performance style, they are not required. If pre-recorded or digital accompaniment is available, it is encouraged to use that.

Please only perform existing songs and not original pieces. While high-quality recordings are preferred, any video (not audio) recording will suffice. There may be sight-singing components and live performance opportunities for virtual callbacks.

Undergraduate voice applicants must exhibit healthy vocal endowment, musicianship, and potential for success in the music field upon graduation.  During the audition process, applicants must be able to offer evidence of being equipped to perform successful recitals and operatic roles during their period of study in Carnegie Mellon's BFA in Vocal Performance degree program.

Please note that the Musical Theatre program is a part of the School of Drama and not the School of Music.  Application to one program does not provide consideration for the other.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

  1. One song or aria in English
  2. One song or aria in Italian
  3. One song or aria in a language of your choice
  4. A scale or arpeggio in a key of your choice, a cappella
  • All selections must be performed from memory and may be from the art song repertoire or a combination of art songs and an aria from an opera, operetta, or oratorio. (Arias are NOT required.  No more than ONE selection may be an aria.)
  • Music should be selected from a variety of stylistic periods. 
  • Musical Theater, Jazz, "CCM" (Contemporary Commercial Music), and original compositions will not be accepted.
  • Piano accompaniment is preferred, but not required.

All performance candidates are required to complete an audition. Note: accompaniment is preferred for vocalists, but not required.

Master’s candidates must exhibit the equivalent preparation and presentation to that required for completion of the BFA at Carnegie Mellon University, and be able to demonstrate career potential in the classical music field.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

  1. One song or aria in English
  2. One song or aria in Italian
  3. One song or aria in German
  4. One song or aria in French
  5. One song or aria in a language of your choice
  • All selections must be performed in their original language, from memory. 
  • Each of the five selections should represent a variety of musical styles and periods, and at least one selection MUST be from the standard 20th/21st century literature (You may refer to this PDF for a suggested list of American and British composers who have contributed to 'standard' 20th/21st century literature). 
  • At least one selection MUST be from an oratorio (any language), and when applicable, should include a recitative. 
  • Audition materials may contain no more than THREE arias.
  • Piano accompaniment is preferred, but not required.

In addition, prospective graduate students are to provide the panel with a copy of their most recently performed degree recital. The faculty panel will also review the resume and repertoire lists submitted as part of the online application.

All performance candidates are required to complete an audition. Note: accompaniment is preferred for vocalists, but not required.

Certificate candidates must exhibit the equivalent preparation and presentation to that required for completion of the BFA at Carnegie Mellon University, and be able to demonstrate career potential in the classical music field.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

  1. One song or aria in English
  2. One song or aria in Italian
  3. One song or aria in German
  4. One song or aria in French
  5. One song or aria in a language of your choice
  • All selections must be performed in their original language, from memory. 
  • Each of the five selections should represent a variety of musical styles and periods, and at least one selection MUST be from the standard 20th/21st century literature (You may refer to this PDF for a suggested list of American and British composers who have contributed to 'standard' 20th/21st century literature). 
  • At least one selection MUST be from an oratorio (any language), and when applicable, should include a recitative. 
  • Audition materials may contain no more than THREE arias.
  • Piano accompaniment is preferred, but not required.

In addition, prospective graduate students are to provide the panel with a copy of their most recently performed degree recital. The faculty panel will also review the resume and repertoire lists submitted as part of the online application.

All performance candidates are required to complete an audition. Note: accompaniment is preferred for vocalists, but not required.