Master of Music

Prescreening:

Submit a recording with four selections:

• Two of the four vocal repertoire songs listed below under the Live Audition requirements
• One movement from the Beethoven violin or cello sonata which you plan to present at your audition
• One additional movement from a work for piano and solo instrument (can be another movement from the Beethoven sonata or a different instrumental work)

Live Auditions:

Collaborative Piano applicants should prepare the repertoire listed below. Candidates may be asked to sight-read vocal or instrumental works during the audition. Both an audition repertoire list and a complete repertoire list (instrumental and vocal) must be submitted with your application. Any changes to the audition requirements must be discussed with Cameron Stowe, Chair of Collaborative Piano, at least four weeks before the scheduled audition.

Applicants may bring their own vocalists and instrumentalists, or may request to perform with collaborative partners from NEC.

Please prepare all 3 categories:

• Vocal repertoire (all high keys):
  • Schubert “Frühlingstraum” (from Winterreise)
  • Brahms “Botschaft”
  • Debussy “Il pleure dans mon coeur”
  • Barber “St. Ita’s Vision”
• One of the following sonatas (complete):
  • Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 7 in C minor (Op. 30, No. 2)
  • Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 5 in F Major (Op. 24)
  • Beethoven Cello Sonata No. 3 in A Major (Op. 69)
  • Beethoven Cello Sonata No. 4 in C Major (Op. 102, No. 1) 
• Brahms Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major (Op. 100), first movement only
  OR
  Brahms Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor (Op. 108), first movement only

Recorded Auditions:

Submit a video of at least 30 minutes of duo repertoire, including a variety of musical styles. Both piano-instrumental and piano-vocal works are required. We recognize that finding collaborative partners may be challenging, and hope that the following guidelines will be helpful as you prepare your recorded auditions. If you have any questions about using substitutions in your repertoire selection, please do not hesitate to contact Cameron Stowe, Chair of Collaborative Piano.

• 20 minutes (minimum) of the recording should consist of piano-instrumental repertoire. At least one piece or movement should be from the Classical period. 
• 10 minutes (minimum) of the recording should consist of piano-vocal repertoire (art songs), showing a variety of styles.  

When choosing repertoire, applicants may find it helpful to refer to the requirements for live auditions listed above. These pieces are not required for recorded auditions, but may be used as a guide.