Collaborative Piano Audition Requirements

At this time, we are not yet accepting applications for our DMA in Collaborative Piano; however, we hope to begin accepting applications for the program very soon. The following information is provided for prospective applicants who would like to get a head start on preparing their application materials for the Collaborative Piano DMA.

Prescreening

Applicants must submit a prescreening recording with music selected from the repertoire listed below. Please choose a selection from each of the following three categories:

1. Two contrasting movements of a Beethoven violin or cello sonata
2. Two contrasting movements from one of the following:
   • Brahms violin, clarinet/viola, or cello sonata
   • Debussy violin or cello sonata
   • Franck Violin Sonata
   • Hindemith Sonata for Viola and Piano, op. 11, no. 4.
   • Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata
3. An art song by Schubert, Schumann, or Brahms

Live Auditions

Choose a selection from each of the following three categories.

1. One complete Beethoven violin or cello sonata
2. One complete Brahms violin, clarinet/viola, or cello sonata
3. One of the following complete sonatas:
   • Debussy Violin or Cello Sonata
   • Franck Violin Sonata
   • Hindemith Sonata for Viola and Piano, op. 11, no. 4
   • Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata

You are welcome to bring your own instrumentalist to the audition. However, if you need the school to provide a collaborator, or if you have any questions, please contact Dr. Chi-Chen Wu, Keyboard Area Chair, at ccw@illinois.edu, at least two weeks prior to your audition date.

Recorded Auditions

Candidates who choose to submit a recorded video in lieu of an on-campus audition must upload their final audition recoding to the Graduate College application. They should also be prepared to play selections from the submitted repertoire in a live online interview with the faculty. A collaborator is not required for the interview.

The audition recording must include at least 60 minutes of duo music representing a variety of musical styles, including the required repertoire listed above for live auditions. Art songs are welcome but not required. The majority (80%) of the recorded material should be music written originally for piano and another instrument (i.e., sonatas and duo pieces, not concerti or arias).

Instructions on Pre-Screening and Final Audition Recordings:

Each piece or a movement of a sonata must be performed in a single, unedited take. Every file should be clearly labeled with the composer’s name and the title of the work. The sound should be of the highest possible quality, the piano must be in tune, and proper lighting must be used. The camera should be positioned to clearly capture the full range of movement of both performers.