Classical Guitar Audition Requirements

Repertoire suggestions listed below are guidelines intended to give a general sense of the level of repertoire for each stylistic period. If students have questions about the suitability of a particular work they wish to perform in the audition, please contact Sean Bassett.

Students are encouraged to submit a repertoire list to Sean Bassett prior to their audition to determine the best works to perform on the audition.  Prior private instruction on classical guitar is advised before seeking admission to a music degree program in the School of Music and Dance.  Auditions may also include sight-reading and vocally matching short diatonic pitch patterns.

Undergraduate Audition Repertoire

1. A work written for lute, vihuela or guitar composed before 1750.  Suggested composers/pieces include:
   Milan, Pavanes; Narvaez, Cancion del Emperador; Anonymous, Six Lute Pieces of the Renaissance; Sanz , Suite Espanola; Bach, Prelude, BWV 99 or BWV 1007
2. A Classical or Romantic work (including the Segovia repertoire) written for guitar.  Suggested works include: 
   Legnani, Caprices, Op. 20; Sor, Minuet & Trio, Op. 22 or Op. 25; Ponce, Preludes; Tarrega, Preludes; Llobet, Catalan Folksongs
3. A 20th century or later work written for classical guitar.  Suggested works include:
   Brouwer, Simple Studies; Smith-Brindle, Guitarcosmos II

Students must perform at least one work from each of the three categories for a total audition of 15 minutes.  One work from each category must be performed by memory.

Graduate and Artist Diploma

1. A transcription of a work written before 1750
2. A Classical or Romantic work (including the Segovia repertoire) written for guitar
3. A 20th century or later work written for classical guitar

Candidates must perform at least one work for each of the three categories for a total audition of 15 minutes.  One work from each category must be performed by memory.

Suggested repertoire includes the following:

Category 1

• Dowland, Fantasie 1a, A Fancy
• Da Milano, Ricercari
• Bach, Lute Suites BWV 995 and 996, Prelude Fugue and Allegro, Cello Suite No. 6
• Scarlatti, Sonatas K. 291, K. 292, K. 11, or K. 391

Category 2

• Sor, Sonata, Op. 22
• Giuliani, Grande Ouverture
• Turrina, Sevillana
• Piazzolla, Cinco Piezas Barrios-Danza Paraguaya, Valses

Category 3

• Takemitsu, All in Twilight
• Bogdanovic, Jazz Sonata
• Henze, Drei Tentos
• Brouwer, El DeCameron Negro
• Chamber music selections: Takemitsu, Toward the Sea Piazzolla, Histoire du Tango