Audition Requirements
Graduate auditions are held in-person or via video recording submission. The decision to audition in-person or by video submission is at the discretion of the applicant and all applicants will be given equal consideration regardless of their audition format.
- All applicants must have a Temple University application submitted before scheduling an audition or submitting a recorded audition.
- Please visit our Audition Dates page for in-person audition dates.
- Click here to submit a recorded audition. Please follow all of the uploading instructions provided on the site. If you should have any technical difficulties, contact Acceptd.
- Each program has specific audition and/or interview requirements. Please closely review the requirements listed below for your instrument or discipline.
- Professional Studies Certificate audition requirements are the same as those for the MM.
Audition Requirements
Dance
Submit a video of a 3-5 minute self-choreographed solo performance that demonstrates the following:
- An understanding of compositional craft, structure and development
- Original use of movement vocabulary
- Spatial awareness
- Evidence of physicality and performance presence
Applicants will be invited to interview with two-person faculty panel via Zoom after submitting their video audition
Instrumental Studies
Applicants must prepare the following:
- A complete major solo work from the standard repertoire
- Five orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire which must include the following: Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, mvt. 2, horn 1; Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel, opening calls, horn 1; and Mahler's Symphony No. 5, scherzo, horn obbligato, 8 measures after rehearsal #10-#11.
Accompanists are optional. To obtain a list of available accompanists, please contact Dr. Joann Kirchner.
- Two contrasting études
- Two contrasting movements from two different contrasting pieces (for a total of two movements)
- Minimum of three excerpts
Applicants are required to have an accompanist. To obtain a list of available accompanists, please contact Dr. Joann Kirchner.
- 3 octave scales through 4 sharps and 4 flats
- 3 contrasting solos from the standard repertoire
- 3 orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire
- Two movements of a Bach suite transcription from violin, cello, or lute
- Two études from Twelve Études by Villa-Lobos
- Two movements from any sonata by Sor, Tedesco, Ponce, or Berkeley
Applicants are required to have an accompanist. To obtain a list of available accompanists, please contact Dr. Joann Kirchner.
- Major concerto or sonata, i.e. Concerto in B flat by Handel, Sonata by Hindemith.
- Work from the major harp repertoire, i.e. Impromptu by Faure, Scintillation by C. Salzedo
- One solo work of applicant's choice
- 2 or 3 orchestral excerpts and/or cadenzas
Submit your Prescreening Portfolio (.pdf only)
- Applicants must submit a prescreening video to Acceptd. Face and torso facing the camera, 15-20 minutes of rehearsal, 5-10 minutes of performance.
- Once selected, applicants will be invited to a live audition; during this time, applicants will rehearse and conduct the Wind Symphony, a 65-member ensemble, for approximately 20 minutes in varied repertory, selected by the faculty.
- Live auditions are held in the early spring semester.
- All application materials (including 3 letters of recommendation, transcripts, résumé, and prescreening recording) must be received by December 1 for Fall semester admission consideration.
- Orchestral Repertoire: choose four representative selections for snare drum, glockenspiel, xylophone, and timpani from the standard orchestra audition repertoire. Additionally, candidates should choose three excerpts each for tambourine and cymbals.
- Snare Drum: an étude from Douze Études pour Caisse Claire or Keiskleiriana by Delecluse, or another advanced orchestral etude.
- Keyboard Percussion: Bach transcription, plus a contemporary marimba solo demonstrating facility, expression, and sophisticated touch on the marimba.
- Timpani: a solo or etude equivalent to Delacluse, Hochrainer, Carter, etc.
- Sight-reading will be required for all instruments.
- Prior outstanding artistic and professional accomplishments will also be considered in the evaluation for admission.
- Keyboard Percussion: an advanced contemporary marimba solo or concerto.
- Timpani: a solo or etude equivalent to Carter's "March", Delecluse, Hochrainer, etc.
- Snare Drum: an advanced solo or etude.
- Orchestral Repertoire: three excerpts for timpani, snare drum, xylophone, glockenspiel, cymbals, and tambourine.
- Sight-reading may be requested for any instrument.
- Repertoire list (solo and chamber music studied and performed) must be provided.
- Prior outstanding artistic and professional accomplishments will also be considered in the evaluation for admission.
- Video recording of a percussion (multi-percussion) solo, or percussion and mixed chamber ensemble must be submitted prior to live audition or provided on audition day. SUBMIT MY RECORDING
- At least two movements from a Bach unaccompanied sonata, partita or suite
- One movement from a Classical concerto or sonata
- One movement from a Romantic concerto, or a 19th or 20th century concert piece
- At least two movements from a Bach unaccompanied sonata, partita or suite
- One movement from a Classical concerto or sonata
- One movement from a Romantic concerto or sonata
- One work from the Contemporary period
Accompanists are optional. To obtain a list of available accompanists, please contact Dr. Joann Kirchner.
- Two contrasting études
- Two contrasting movements from two contrasting pieces
- Minimum of three excerpts
- Bach sonata or Partita, complete
- Mozart concerto in G or D, complete with cadenzas
- Two contrasting pieces, at least one from the 20th or 21st centuries, at least one for unaccompanied flute (At least one piece performed by memory)
- Five orchestral excerpts: Beethoven, Leonore Overture #3, measures 328-360; Brahms, Symphony #4 in E Minor, Op. 98, movement IV. Allegro energico e passionato, measures 93-105; Debussy, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, beginning to rehearsal 3; Hindemith, Symphonic Metamorphoses, movement III. Andantino, five measures before rehearsal C to the end; Mendelssohn, Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream, 2 measures before rehearsal P to the end.
Jazz Studies
Live auditions are not held for this degree program. Applicants should submit a recorded audition through Acceptd.
Upload a video recording (as per provided technical instructions) of applicant performing with rhythm section; one example from each category below.
Bop
- Blues for Alice (C. Parker)
- Confirmation (C. Parker)
- Hot House (T. Dameron)
- Groovin’ High (D. Gillespie)
- Four In One, (T. Monk)
- Airegin (S. Rollins)
Standard
- Out of Nowhere (Green/Heyman)
- If I were a Bell (F. Loesser)
- Stella By Starlight (V. Young)
- On Green Dolphin Street (B. Kaper)
- Like Someone in Love (J. Van Heusen)
- Night and Day (C. Porter)
Ballad
- ‘Round Midnight (T. Monk)
- Darn That Dream (J. Van Heusen)
- Body and Soul (Green/Heyman)
- Prelude to a Kiss (Ellington)
- Chelsea Bridge (B. Strayhorn)
Post-Bop
- Self Portrait in Three Colors (C. Mingus)
- Goodbye Porkpie Hat (C. Mingus)
- Countdown (J. Coltrane)
- Fee Fi Fo Fum (W. Shorter)
- Tones For Joan’s Bones (C. Corea)
- Dolphin Dance (H. Hancock)
- Inner Urge (J. Henderson)
Applicant must state the melody demonstrating sound, rhythmic precision, feel and technical facility and improvise on one full chorus (one half chorus for ballads) of the tune. Drummers should communicate the rhythm and pitch contour of the melody on the drum set as clearly as possible. Vocalists must demonstrate unique jazz interpretative skills and command of their voice to be accepted. In addition, vocalists must perform live with musicians (not with recordings), may use any syllables or apply lyrics to those selections not already having lyrics, do not need to improvise on ballad but must improvise a full chorus on all others, and must attach a separate video of proficiencies, including scales (chromatic, harmonic minor) and arpeggios (dominant 7th, minor 7th, diminished 7th).
All applicants must demonstrate basic keyboard functionality by: a) accompanying oneself on piano while singing any one selection from the above list or; b) “comping” on piano with rhythm section performing any one selection from the above list.
Keyboard Studies
- The pianist should supply the instrumentalist(s) for their recorded audition.
- Two fast movements and two slow movements from two of the following works:
- Beethoven Sonata for Piano & Violin in F, Op. 24
- Mozart Sonata for Piano & Violin in B-flat, KV 454
- Brahms Sonata for Piano and Cello in E Minor, Op. 38
- Debussy Sonata for Cello and Piano
- One or two solo works that demonstrate proficiency at a graduate level (memorization is optional)
- A sight reading exam may be required. The Keyboard Department will arrange a time to conduct the exam with you if needed.
- The pianist should supply the vocalist for their recorded audition.
- Two songs by different composers, selected from among the following: Mozart, Schubert, Strauss, Wolf
- One aria from an opera. One scene excerpt from the standard opera repertoire
- One or two solo works that demonstrate proficiency at a graduate level (memorization is optional)
- A sight reading exam may be required. The Keyboard Department will arrange a time to conduct the exam with you if needed.
- Work chosen from the English virginalists, Frescobaldi, or Froberger
- Work from the French baroque repertoire
- Prelude or fugue of J.S. Bach
- Scarlatti sonata
- All works are to be performed from memory:
- Contrapuntal Baroque work
- Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
- Large Romantic work
- Impressionistic or Contemporary piece
- All works are to be performed from memory:
- Complete work by Bach (Well-Tempered Clavier, prelude and fugue, suite, toccata, etc.)
- Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
- Large Romantic work
- Impressionistic or Contemporary work
Music Therapy
The Music Therapy Audition is the opportunity for you to demonstrate your expertise on your primary instrument. Additionally, the audition serves as the entry examination for the voice, piano and guitar proficiency that is required of all music therapy applicants. It also serves as the diagnostic test for music skills for this program.
The criteria for the audition cover four broad areas of proficiency:
- An evident proficiency on your primary instrument that demonstrates excellence in your music performance skills.
- The ability to sing and play a large repertoire of songs from the American standard popular song literature
- The ability to accompany yourself in a way that demonstrates proficiency on guitar and piano as accompanying instruments. You must demonstrate proficiency on both guitar and piano, while also singing.
- The ability to sing songs in a way that is meaningful and engaging for the people listening to you.
You will upload your audition videos via the Acceptd
Your audition must include the following:
Primary instrument
Please upload two pieces in different styles in your major performance medium. You may have an accompanist as needed. Please note, this must be a current performance (less than 2 years) with both audio and video.
Popular song repertoire
Please upload ten popular songs. The ten songs must include five songs on piano while singing, and five songs on guitar while singing. As you sing and play, please think about the experience of the reviewer. Please ensure you we can see your face and hear your voice above the accompanying instrument. You should demonstrate a variety of accompanying styles across all the songs. We recommend you listen to the original version of the song as part of your preparation. Please note, these songs must be performed with both audio and video.
Required repertoire:
Please select five of your 10 songs from the Required List below. The list provides some songs useful in therapy and some songs from the immediate culture of Philadelphia (listed with *):
- Let It Go (Disney film: Frozen)
- How Far I’ll Go (Disney: Moana
- Talkin’ about a Revolution (Tracey Chapman)
- The Climb (Mylie Cyrus)
- Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cindi Lauper)
- Skyscraper (Demi Lovato)
- Happy (Pharrell Williams)
- Stand by Me (Ben E. King)
- What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
- Bridge over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel)
- Imagine (John Lennon)
- Livin’ on a Prayer (Bon Jovi)*
- Time in a Bottle (Jim Croce)*
- Just the Two of Us (Grover Washington)*
- You Make my Dreams Come True (Hall & Oates)*
- One Sweet Day (Boyz to Men* w/ Maria Carey)
- If You Don’t Know Me By Now (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes)*
Your own repertoire:
In addition to songs from the list above, please select five songs from your own popular music repertoire. We would like to hear songs that are meaningful to you, so we encourage you to provide songs that represent your lived experience, your musical culture, and your language. They should demonstrate your skills in playing popular music that is familiar to you.
2. Repertoire list
When you upload your video/s, please upload document with a list of your two primary instrument pieces and the 10 popular songs you are performing. If you elect to waive any portion of the audition, please note this on your repertoire list (see Audition Waivers below).
3. Audition waivers
If you have not studied piano, guitar and/or voice, or if you are not prepared to play popular music, you may waive that portion of the audition. You will be required to take the appropriate remedial course(s). This is not unusual. If you elect to waive any portion of the audition, please note this on your repertoire list.
Depending on your background and competence as demonstrated during the audition, the Coordinator of the MMT program may place you in the following remedial courses:
- Voice 1211 and/or 2211 (1 credit each)
- Functional Voice 3631 and 3632 (1 credit each)
- Guitar 1658 and/or 1659 (1 credit each)
- Functional Guitar 3635 and/or 3636 (1 credit each)
- Jazz Piano 2106, 3105 and/or 3106 (1 credit each)
- Functional Piano 3633 (1 credit)
Note: Credits earned in these required remedial courses may not apply toward the master’s degree.
4. Resume
In addition to the documents you upload in your main application, please also upload a copy of your resume that includes education, work experience and any volunteer experience you have had to Acceptd.
5. Goal Statement
In addition to the documents you upload in your main application, it would be helpful if you upload your goal statement on Acceptd too. Please include the following:
- Reasons for choosing Music Therapy as a career
- Your personal qualities (positive and negative) that might influence your work as a music therapist
- Why you want to study music therapy at Temple University
- What is your own philosophy of music therapy?
- Under what conditions would you seek therapy for yourself, and under what conditions would you seek music therapy as a client?
Scheduling your interview
Interviews are scheduled only after audition and all other application materials have been submitted to the Graduate School. If your application materials are suitable, the Coordinator of the MMT program will contact you for available dates and times for an online interview. Interviews tend to be in March. There is no audition during the interview.
Vocal Arts
- Applicants must submit a prescreening recording via Acceptd of at least 10 minutes of footage, to include performance, rehearsal, or both.
- If selected, applicants will be invited to a private conducting lesson with the Boyer choral faculty. The lesson will consist of singing, conducting, musicianship, and a brief interview.
- Application, supporting materials, and prescreening recording must be received by December 1 for Fall semester admission consideration.
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One recitative and aria from an opera or oratorio
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Two additional arias and one art song.
Notes:
- Please do not duplicate amongst the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or Contemporary periods.
- Each selection must be in a different language. (English, German, French, or Italian).
- All selections must be memorized.
- For applicants submitting a video audition, please follow the Vocal Arts video audition guidelines.
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One recitative and aria from an opera or oratorio
-
Three art songs
Notes:
- Please do not duplicate amongst the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or Contemporary periods.
- Each selection must be in a different language. (English, German, French, or Italian).
- The English selection may be from musical theater repertoire.
- All selections must be memorized.
- For applicants submitting a video audition, please follow the Vocal Arts video audition guidelines.
- One recitative and aria from an opera or oratorio
- Three art songs
Notes:
- Please do not duplicate amongst the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or Contemporary periods.
- Each selection must be in a different language. (English, German, French, or Italian).
- All selections must be memorized.
- For applicants submitting a video audition, please follow the Vocal Arts video audition guidelines.