University of Maryland Audition

[jam8086]

Hey all,

I have an audition next week at the University of Maryland for an Undergraduate Music Education major and I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips or is familiar with this school in regards to the audition process, the faculty, etc.

Also, I'm looking for any feedback you all may have on my pieces for the audition.  The requirements are listed below followed by the pieces that I am playing in parentheses.

"Four pieces, two of which are to be performed from memory (I have them all memorized, so I guess thats a plus):
1. Prelude and Fugue, Two-Part Invention, or Sinfonia by J.S. Bach (P+F No. 20 in A minor from WTC Book One)
2. First movement of a Classical period Sonata (Beethoven Waldstein)
3. Composition by a 19th Century composer (Chopin Scherzo No. 2 in B flat minor)
4. Composition by a 20th Century composer (Copland Cat & Mouse)"

One more thing - I'm assuming I should bring my music for the faculty to look at during my audition.  Is this correct?

Thanks!

[Motrax]

As someone who is enrolled in the music program there, I feel particularly qualified to answer your questions. 

All of the pieces must be memorized - they won't have time to listen to everything, so the faculty chooses two pieces out the four you've learned. As for your repertoire, the Beethoven Sonata and Chopin Scherzo are two especially over-played pieces at Maryland - I know at least four people who've done the Chopin and three who've done the Waldstein first movement in the 3 semesters I've been at school, and I only know a fraction of the pianists at the university. But I wouldn't worry about it too much - good playing is good playing, and that's what will make or break you in the end.

The faculty is extremely nice. In fact, it's possibly the kindest bunch of piano professors ever to have gathered in one place.

It's good to have your sheet music with you, but I don't think the faculty will need it. All of them know the pieces you're playing inside-out, and most of them have probably played what you're playing at some point.

As far as extra tips... all I can say is practice practice practice. There's no substitute for a good audition.

Good luck!

[cherub_rocker1979]

You chose a really difficult Prelude and Fugue, that's going to impress the faculty.  I think you will get in.

[mmccarthy]

Hmm... small world. I also go to the University of Maryland, but I'm a business major. :p

I'm going to audition for the school of music next week too. I'm not sure if I'll end up minoring or getting the BA. Of course, part of it depends on if I get accepted for next year. I've been playing for 3 years, so I guess I'm at a slight disadvantage because of that (an easier program is necessary), but I'm going to give it my best shot anyway. Here's the program:

Bach - Prelude and Fugue in d minor (WTC I)
Beethoven - Sonata Op. 10 No. 1, 1st movment
Brahms - Intermezzo in e flat minor
Turina - La murciana guapa (from Op. 73)

It should be fun, though maybe a bit too... well, German. I guess it's sort of cheesy that I have the three B's there. My teacher said to have the sheet music (i.e. actual books, not photocopies) with me, just in case. Best of luck, jam8086!

Er... I don't know you already, motrax, do I? I wouldn't be surprised if I've seen you around the practice rooms or at some recital. I've been going to the student recitals whenever possible.

I have one random question. What should people wear to UMD auditions?

[cjp_piano]

Great pieces!  Take your sheet music but they probably won't use it. 

Practice, practice, practice is right!  But then when it comes down to it, don't worry about the notes, just enjoy playing on hopefully a great piano in a great room!  The faculty probably won't care about a PERFECT performance as much as your potential and attitude and evidence of solid training.

Good Luck!

[kd]

The 1st movement of Beethoven Sonata No. 5 is a very nice piece and not very popular (although seemingly the whole sonata falls into the category of easier ones by Beethoven), I'm sure they would want to hear it.
My opinion is however that it is usually played too slow, about 65-70 per measure (Barenboim and Pollini for example). I think it should be about 84-88. It's Molto Allegro e con brio after all, the tempo 65 makes it Allegretto moderato or so. But naturally I know people who find the faster tempo ridiculous, though it doesn't make the piece much harder technically. What do you think about it?
All the best.

[I Love Xenakis]

do the third movement of the waldstein instead, and the modern piece you chose, frankly, is too easy.

[Motrax]

Yeah... you might've seen me around, "mmccarthy." It's a small world, after all. 

As for dress codes - look nice, but don't overdo it. A tux is too much, and jeans are too little. Anything in between would be fine. Wear what you would wear for any competition or small recital.

[kd]

Sure i love xenakis may be right about the level, I don't know what the level requirements for the University of Maryland are.
But:
(I) according to jam8086 it is supposed to be 1st, not 3rd, movement of a sonata;
(II) even when it comes to the Waldstein 1st movement, it obviously shows performer's technical and musical abilities but it's terribly overplayed, there are some other 1st movements of similar level of difficulty but less popular (like Beethoven's Op. 2 No. 3, Op. 22, Op. 31 No. 1);
(III) and finally, perhaps we shouldn't take it for granted that everyone who has been learning the piano for 3 years has to be able to play the Waldstein sonata perfectly. Not everyone is like Mozart after all.

[bassoonypiano]

It must be a small world as I have my audition there Saturday. I am also playing the Scherzo also.

Bach: Prelude and Fugue in a minor No. 20 from WTC2
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata (Is it really only one movement requirement for the audition?)
Chopin: Scherzo No. 2 Op. 31
Debussy: Pour le Piano Suite

[verywellmister]

Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata (Is it really only one movement?)

3 movements.  The 3rd (presto agitato) is pretty hard.
good luck

[bassoonypiano]

I was referring to the Audition Requirement. I already knew the whole Sonata last year. I was originally planning to play the Les Adieux Sonata which I found much tougher than the Moonlight. I eventually learned the the whole thing and had it memorized, but it just wasn't where I liked it and I needed to be able to concentrate more on the pieces I hadn't yet learned which were the Bach P+F and the 3rd movement of the Debussy Suite.

[mmccarthy]

Motrax: Hm... maybe I'll just do a nice coat and tie then. Thanks! If you happen to see a 6ish ft. half-asian-looking guy walking around CSPAC, yell "Marc" and see if he responds...

do the third movement of the waldstein instead, and the modern piece you chose, frankly, is too easy.

But it's beautiful!

I am hoping they won't mind my having one piece there that's there for m*sicality's sake alone. Though it would be neat to play the Copland Passacaglia/a Sorabji Pastiche/innumerable other fun 20th century pieces, I simply haven't learned any of them yet. (And sorry, no Evryali from me. :p)

kd: Louis Kentner wrote that the fifth sonata is likely the best first Beethoven sonata to learn, and I think many teachers agree. As a result, I think it's popular in teaching circles (though it's less so in performance venues). After all, it isn't too easy, and it isn't quite hard. Personally, I like the first movement around 70-75 bpm. You haven't heard Gould's recording by any chance, have you?

bassoonypiano: It depends on to which degree you're applying. For the BM, they require a full (non-Op. 49/79) Beethoven sonata, and for the BA they just require the first movement of any classical-period sonata (https://www.music.umd.edu/admission/undergrad_info05.pdf). Best of luck for the audition, and welcome to the club! The Clarice Smith Center is really the place to be, it seems...

[kd]

About the 5th sonata: Yes, I have heard the recording by Gould, and I agree it is exaggerated to the other side. It seems to be about 100 bpm. But personally I don't like his Beethoven at all. It seems I must have fallen into different teaching circles because the first Beethoven sonata advised to me was the Op. 2 No. 1, and when I asked "is my left hand capable of producing the required passages in the 4th movement?" I was told "you worry about your LH? Good. Then practice, practice and you will find out that your LH is capable of much more than you think it is." I'll see, I'm just going about it, I already have the first 3 mvts, so I'll find out who was right. But I'm afraid I won't be able to get it to the required speed without getting more technique first. Then maybe I'll try the Op. 10 No. 1 sonata to see which circles are better 

[Motrax]

mmccarthy, I think you'd be more likely to say hello to me first, since I'm always in such a fog when I walk around.  :VERY BIG NON-SUBTLE :

As for all this about first and third movements and general levels of playing ability - it is indeed important to note what degree someone is applying for. Getting into the MUED program is not too difficult (I think... that's something I don't know a whole lot about), and the BA program is also not as demanding. The BM program is supposed to be as hard as any conservatory to get into, but they accept a lot more people than they'd like to since a lot of great talents end up going to other conservatories.

So worry less and practice more is the bottom line.

Good luck everyone! The professors are real nice - don't let yourself be scared by any formalities.

[kd]

So did your auditions go well?

[bassoonypiano]

Mine went ok. I began with the 1st mvmt of the moonlight then moved on to the Bach P+F. The only piece they heard the whole thing was the Bach Fugue and that went ok I guess except for some finger slips. Then I played a bit of the Scherzo which I believe I played really well. I ended with the first movement of the Debussy in which they cut me off right by the Cadenza (if you like to call it that) near the end. The Faculty was very nice and I wish I could of gotten to go to the meeting at 1 PM but I had a Bassoon performance. It's been a busy day.

[zheer]

I remember 7 years ago i playd Beethovens rondo from the Pathetique sonata only at the audition at a very good university , the proffesor turnd arond and said you have an uncoditional offer at this uni, i was so happy, he then said we need someone like you. Anyway i didnt get in cause i then fail the music A level exam.
Well anyway looking back, i think what i playd was rather simple compared to what i have read from you guys, but it was good enough.

[I Love Xenakis]

Motrax: Hm... maybe I'll just do a nice coat and tie then. Thanks! If you happen to see a 6ish ft. half-asian-looking guy walking around CSPAC, yell "Marc" and see if he responds...
But it's beautiful!

I am hoping they won't mind my having one piece there that's there for m*sicality's sake alone. Though it would be neat to play the Copland Passacaglia/a Sorabji Pastiche/innumerable other fun 20th century pieces, I simply haven't learned any of them yet. (And sorry, no Evryali from me. :p)

kd: Louis Kentner wrote that the fifth sonata is likely the best first Beethoven sonata to learn, and I think many teachers agree. As a result, I think it's popular in teaching circles (though it's less so in performance venues). After all, it isn't too easy, and it isn't quite hard. Personally, I like the first movement around 70-75 bpm. You haven't heard Gould's recording by any chance, have you?

bassoonypiano: It depends on to which degree you're applying. For the BM, they require a full (non-Op. 49/79) Beethoven sonata, and for the BA they just require the first movement of any classical-period sonata (https://www.music.umd.edu/admission/undergrad_info05.pdf). Best of luck for the audition, and welcome to the club! The Clarice Smith Center is really the place to be, it seems...

YOU DON'T PLAY EVRYALI?!?  hahaha you'll NEVER be a good pianist!  Everyone knows Evryali!  It's like one of the easiest pieces ever!  If your teacher hasn't made you learn it it must be because you suck!  oh jeeze........ good luck.  you'll need a HELL of a lot of it.


(I feel sorry for any pianostreet noobs reading this post, taking me seriously and subsequently contemplating suicide.)

[mmccarthy]

Heh, I'm hesitant to say. I think and hope it went well. The beginning of my Bach prelude was sloppy, but I didn't break the rhythm and things went uphill from there. I have complaints and finger slips here and there, but overall I think it went alright. I say all this very tentatively, though... it is fully possible that they thought I sounded terrible, and it is equally possible that they would be right in thinking so. But now we sit back, wait, and hope (and, as the case may be, pray) that they liked us enough to accept us to our programs.

Unfortunately, they didn't hear the Turina piece. I'm sure they were just disappointed that I didn't put Evryali there, because - as we all know so well - everybody else did.

kd: I'm not too crazy about his Beethoven either, but it's a very funny performance... almost as good as his Mozart Fantasy in d. For the left hand of the fourth Op. 2 No. 1 movement, I'd probably have the same troubles. I'm sure you'd have no problems with the Op. 10 No. 1.

Edit: Almost forgot - congrats to everyone (especially bassoonypiano) for making it out of today alive!

[pita bread]

YOU DON'T PLAY EVRYALI?!?  hahaha you'll NEVER be a good pianist!  Everyone knows Evryali!  It's like one of the easiest pieces ever!  If your teacher hasn't made you learn it it must be because you suck!  oh jeeze........ good luck.  you'll need a HELL of a lot of it.


(I feel sorry for any pianostreet noobs reading this post, taking me seriously and subsequently contemplating suicide.)

Don't feel sorry, it's called natural selection.

[jam8086]

I believe my audition went very well too.  The faculty was EXTREMELY nice, and I was so glad to find a music school that actually had a friendly environment.

Definitely my first choice.  Good luck to all the other applicants!