Join us for horn auditions
Undergraduate audition days
- Friday, Feb. 12, 2027
- Saturday, Feb. 13, 2027
Submission deadline: All undergraduate applications must be submitted by Feb. 1, 2027
Graduate audition day
- Friday, Feb. 12, 2027
- Saturday, Feb. 13, 2027
Submission deadline: All graduate applications must be submitted by Dec. 1, 2026
Undergraduate horn auditions
Prescreening
No prescreening is required.
Preparation requirements
Applicants should prepare 10-minutes of music consisting of 2-4 contrasting selections for the horn that best represents them artistically. These could include, but are not limited to:
original arrangements, compositions, and/or improvisations
works by underrepresented composers
selections in the Western Art Music tradition (i.e. horn solos, études, orchestral/band excerpts.*
* See Repertoire section
Time requirement
The audition will be in a lesson format with a duration of 20-30 minutes.
Accompaniment
No accompaniment required
Technical requirements
Major scales – 2 octaves; ascending and descending; up to 4 sharps and 4 flats from memory.
Chromatic scale – 2-3 octaves; ascending and descending from starting tone of choice.
Sight-reading
Repertoire
Example étude books:
Kate Caliendo, 3-in-1 Designer Range Études for French Horn
Paul Basler, 100 Études for Horn (2020)
Jacques-François Gallay, 12 Études for Second Horn, Op. 57
Georg Kopprasch, 60 Selected Studies
Maxime-Alphonse, New Melodic and Gradual Studies for Horn, Book 2
Max P. Pottag, Preparatory Melodies to Solo Work
John R. Shoemaker, Legato Études for Horn
Example solo pieces:
Ruth Gipps, Sonatina, Op. 56
Lauren Bernofsky, Two Latin Dances
Yvonne Desportes, Sicilienne et Allegro
Eugene Bozza, Chant Lointain
Paul Dukas, Villanelle
Rheinhold Gliere, Four Pieces, Op. 35 (one selection)
W.A. Mozart, Concerto No. 3, KV 447, movement 1
Camille Saint-Saens, Morceau de Concert, Op. 94, movement 1
Franz Strauss, Concerto, Op. 8, movement 1
Richard Strauss, Concerto No. 1, Op. 11, movement 1
Gilbert Vinter, Hunter’s Moon
* You are encouraged to include repertoire from female composers and composers of underrepresented populations. Resources for finding materials include: Composer Database, Lin Foulk Baird.
Having trouble finding or deciding on music? Please reach out to Prof. Berríos!
Judging criteria
- Tone quality
- Musicianship
- Overall control
- Competency
- Technique
FAQs
- When am I considered for scholarship?
- You are considered for scholarship at the time of audition. You will be notified via formal letter about your audition results and music scholarship results in early March.
- When will I hear about my results?
- You will be notified via formal letter about your audition results and music scholarship results in early March.
3. What if I cannot make any of the audition dates?
- Please contact Prof. Berríos to discuss alternative arrangements.
Graduate horn auditions
Prescreening
No prescreening is required.
Sample lessons strongly recommended – please contact Professor Berríos to schedule a session before your audition!
Preparation requirements
Please refer to the repertoire section.
Time requirement
None
Accompaniment
No accompaniment is required.
Technical requirements
- Sight-reading
Repertoire
Master of Music in Horn Performance:
First movement from one of the following:
Mozart, Horn Concerto No. 2 in E-flat Major, K. 417
Mozart, Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat Major, K. 495
R. Strauss, Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 11
One contrasting piece from the standard repertoire.
This could be a movement from a multi-movement piece, a one-movement work for horn and piano/orchestra, an unaccompanied piece, or a substantial étude.
You are encouraged to include repertoire from female composers and composers of an underrepresented background. Resources for finding materials include: Composer Database, Lin Foulk Baird.
Five orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire, including:
Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5, mvt. 1, rehearsal 17-21, horn 1/2
Brahms, Symphony No. 2, mvt. 2, mm. 17-32 (A-B), horn 1
Three excerpts of choice (any horn part).
Doctor of Musical Arts in Horn Performance:
First movement of a sonata or concerto from the modern repertoire (1900-present).*
One substantial unaccompanied work.*
One étude of your choice from one of the following books:
Maxime-Alphonse: Book 5
Barboteu: Études Classiques
Reynolds: 48 Studies
Schuller: Studies for Unaccompanied Horn
* You are encouraged to include repertoire from female composers and composers of underrepresented populations. Resources for finding materials include: Composer Database, Lin Foulk Baird.
Eight orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire, including:
Bruckner, Symphony No. 9, mvt. 1, mm. 1-30, horn 1
Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5, mvt. 1, rehearsal 17-21, horn 1/2
Mahler, Symphony No. 9, mvt. 1, mm. 4-26, horn 2
Beethoven, Symphony No. 3, mvt. 4, mm. 433-end, horn 3
Weber, Overture to Der Freischütz, mm. 9-25, horn 4
Three excerpts of choice (any horn part).
Judging criteria
- Tone quality
- Musicianship
- Overall control
- Competency
- Technique
FAQs
- When will I hear about my results?
- You will be notified via formal letter about your audition results in early March
2. What if I cannot make any of the audition dates?
Please contact Prof. Berríos to discuss alternative arrangements.
Questions?
