String Audition Information
Dr. Walter Schwede, String Area Coordinator
PAC 139; (360) 650-6856; Walter.Schwede@wwu.edu
Dr. David Feingold, Guitar Area Coordinator
PAC 271; (360) 650-7712; David.Feingold@wwu.edu
Click Here to Request a string or guitar audition.
Once your form is received, you will be contacted to schedule your audition time.
For out-of-state students sending a recording please fill out and attach this form with your recording: Entrance Audition Form (pdf)
Acceptance into the Department of Music does not guarantee acceptance into the University. For more information on applying to WWU, visit WWU Admissions.
Audition Requirements:
Violin -- Scales, either three or four octaves at a moderate tempo, six to eight notes per bow. Arpeggios, three or four octave, both minor and major, three notes per bow. Etudes: any of the etudes/caprices of Kreutzer, Rode, Fiorillo, Dont (op. 35) Gavinies, Paganini, Wieniawski ( opus 10) or Ernst. One movement of a Solo Sonata or Partita, of J.S. Bach, and either a movement of any of the major concertos, Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Saint-Saens, Tchaikovsky, et al, or, a virtuoso work such as Havanaise-Introduction and Rondo Capriciosso of Saint-Saens, Polonaise Brillante of Wieniawski, Zapateado of Sarasate, or Tzigane by Ravel, et al.
Viola -- 3 octave scale of your choice. 1 movement of Bach Solo Suite. 1 movement of a Sonata (by Brahms/Clarke/Schubert etc.) or Concerto (by Walton, Bartok, Hindemith, Stamitz, etc.) demonstrating your current level of musicality and technique.
Cello -- 3 or 4 octave scales. Etude by Popper or similar. Two contrasting works from different stylistic periods. Eg. Bach Solo Suite and Sonata (by Brahms/Grieg/Shostakovich etc.) or Concerto (by Saint-Saens, Lalo, Dvorak, Haydn, etc.) or shorter concert work is also acceptable.
Double Bass -- 1 etude from Nanny’s “Complete Methods” book 1 OR solo of candidate’s choice. Two contrasting orchestral excerpts (1 Mozart). Scales through half, 1st & 2nd positions.
Guitar, Classical -- Scales-two octaves, any key (I and m), major and minor; Reading-easy pieces through 5th position; prepare two contrasting pieces from “Solo Guitar Playing” Book 1 (Noad) or “100 Graded Studies” (Noad).
Harp -- Two pieces of different style, memorized, such as Handel Concerto in B-flat, Haydn Theme & Variations, Pescetti C Major Sonata, Pierne Impromptu Caprice, Debussy First Arabesque, selections from Suite of Eight Dances by Salzedo. Major and melodic minor scales. Sightreading.
