Read the Actual Requirements
Start at the source
- Open the current admissions and department audition pages for your exact degree, instrument, year and audition round. Requirements can differ between undergraduate and graduate programs, jazz and classical pathways, and live versus recorded rounds.
Build a requirement sheet
- Record deadlines, repertoire categories, memorization rules, accompaniment policies, prescreen formats, sight-reading or theory components, portfolio instructions, and any exceptions. Add the source URL and date checked.
Resolve uncertainty early
- Ask the institution directly when instructions conflict. Do not assume a list used by another applicant or a previous year remains valid.
Know which source rules
- Official program pages and written admissions instructions come first. This handbook and The Music Stem exercises support them and never replace an institution's own rules.
Other chapters: Choose and Document Repertoire · Build a Realistic Calendar · Practice for Accuracy · Develop Your Interpretation · Train Sight-Reading · Strengthen Ear and Theory · Improvise and Collaborate · Make a Prescreen Recording · Prepare for the Interview · Run a Mock Audition · Plan the Audition Day · Use Feedback Well · Your Instrument or Pathway · Worksheets and Rubrics
These exercises are independent practice, not official audition materials, and they do not guarantee admission. Always follow the institution's current published requirements. Requirements differ between schools and change each year. Check the school's current published list.
Open the Audition Preparation Handbook →