In order to help you with the application process, here are a few links and a few extra words of explanation for bassoonists applying for admission.
Audition Dates for Admission in the Fall term 2010:
All application materials are easily found on-line at the University of Michigan web page. Go to www.music.umich.edu and look for the "Prospective Students" link at the bottom of the page.
From there, pick your degree level (undergraduate or graduate), and the program or programs in which you are interested (you'll find the options under the link "Degree Programs.")
You will also find a listing of audition requirements under the "Auditions" link. Scroll down to where you see the link for Winds & Percussion.
Undergraduates are required to prepare one or two movements of a standard concerto, sonata or solo work for bassoon and two contrasting etudes equivalent to the Concert Studies by Ludwig Milde. If you have any questions about the works you are prepared to perform, please contact me by e-mail at jlym@umich.edu. Some typical works performed by entering freshman applicants include bassoon concerti by Mozart, Vivaldi, Weber, etc., or sonatas by Saint-Säens, Telemann, Devienne, Tansman and others. You could also choose an unaccompanied work such as the Rhapsody by Willson Osborne, or one of the more technically challenging waltzes for solo bassoon by Francisco Mignone, the Parable by Vincent Persichetti, etc. Finally, the two etudes could come not only from the Milde Concert Studies but also from the more advanced portion of the Weissenborn studies, the etudes by Ozi, Jancourt, Orefici, etc.
Undergraduates seeking financial aid should visit the School of Music, Theatre and Dance web page with detailed scholarship information: http://www.music.umich.edu/prospective_students/admissions/ug/schol_finaid.htm
Masters applicants must prepare two contrasting solo works from the standard repertory, two contrasting etudes, and a minimum of four standard orchestral excerpts. You may add a third solo piece to demonstrate any area of specialization you would like to develop, such as new music, early music, etc. You can visit my page of orchestral excerpts on this site for suggestions on which excerpts to play.
If you are applying for financial aid as a Masters student, please see this link.
DMA APPLICANTS: There WILL be an opening for the funded position of GSI for the bassoon DMA in the 2010-2011 academic year. I will be accepting applications and will be hearing applicants for this position during the 2009-2010 academic year. See the top of this page for specific audition dates.
Doctor of Musical Arts applicants The first step of the audition process is a DVD screening round. For the DVD, applicants should prepare a selection of 30-45 minutes of music from a variety of musical periods and styles, with no editing within the individual movements of any work. Piano accompaniment is required. Some orchestral excerpts should be included. You MUST send a DVD prior to beginning the formal application process, and prior to sending transcripts, paying application fees, etc. I will evaluate the DVD and advise you whether or not to continue with the application process.The deadline for sending the DVD to me is December 1, 2009.
If you are invited for a personal audition, please continue with the following steps:
DMA applicants can acces information on the application process by following the links to the Rackham Graduate Admissions at the School of Music web page. You will be required to perform music from a wide variety of styles, and I have asked for the following specific works:
These works should demonstrate not only your ability to move among a variety of styles and musical periods, but they also help to test the breadth of your musical education to date. At the actual audition, the audition committee will select from the above list of works, as we see fit.
Only the most motivated and talented students are admitted to the DMA program, as this degree program requires a great deal of both research AND performance. Be sure and discuss the program with me either by phone or e-mail before starting the application process.