Voice Audition Requirements
Undergraduate requirements (BM, BME)
• Two songs with piano accompaniment in contrasting styles.
• One song must be from the classical song recital repertoire.*
• The second song may be chosen from opera, operetta, folk song, spiritual, classical musical theater, or classical song recital repertoire.
Non-native speakers of English must perform one piece in English. Singing in a foreign language is not required. Memorization of audition repertoire is required.
Should you have questions concerning these requirements, please contact, Professor Ricardo Herrera, Chair of the Voice Area. Email: rherrera@illinois.edu.
Undergraduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should follow the steps outlined here. All students who submit a recorded audition will have a virtual interview with the faculty. Applicants can select their date preference on their supplemental music form. Recorded auditions for singers should be video and include a full-length shot of the performer. Recordings should be sung with piano accompaniment.
* Among the composers whose songs belong to the classical art song recital repertoire are Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Grieg, Debussy, Fauré, Chausson, Massenet, Bellini, Respighi, Tosti, Stefano Donaudy, as well as any of the Baroque Italian composers such as Caccini, Monteverdi, Scarlatti, and Giordani. It also includes British and American classical songs by Henry Purcell, Roger Quilter, Benjamin Britten, Frank Bridge, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, John Alden Carpenter, Amy Beach, John Duke, Richard Hundley, and Ricky Ian Gordon, and Spanish songs by Enrique Granados, Manuel de Falla, Joaquin Turina, and Joaquin Rodrigo.
Graduate requirements
Pre-screening Requirement
Please submit a pre-screening recording by December 1st. Selections should include a minimum of three pieces – see audition requirements listed below for suggested styles.
Please note: A limited number of applicants will be chosen for a live audition. If an applicant is unable to travel to campus for a live audition, the faculty will accept a recorded audition, and a virtual interview will occur.
Audition Requirements
Applicants for the M.M. and D.M.A. degrees must complete an audition, including the following:
1. A selection in English.
2. An Italian art song.
3. A German lied.
4. A French mélodie.
5. An oratorio selection or an opera aria.
*Applicants for the A.D. degree should be prepared to sing selections from a full-length recital for the faculty. The faculty will choose the selections, which will include at least the required audition repertoire listed above.
All selections must be memorized.