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Brass
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Building careers using music in service to and rehabilitation of others.
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Building skillsets for successful, competitive musicians.
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Providing valuable experience in repair and restoration situations.
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Strings
Preparing students to excel as a versatile, modern musician.
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Training musicians through outstanding instruction and mentorship.
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Voice & Opera
Developing students for a multitude of performing opportunities.
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Woodwinds
Preparing students for diverse careers in teaching and performance.
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Brass Admissions
Offer students the highest level of applied instruction, ensemble experience and diverse selection of coursework.
Brass
Key Admission Dates
Fall 2025
- Application and Prescreening Deadline December 1
- Prescreening Results Released December 15
- Audition Dates January 25, February 8, February 22 (other dates by appointment)
- Decisions Released February and March
Brass
Application Requirements
1 Apply to Florida State University
Complete the Florida State University Application and pay the $30 application fee.
In order to meet the Florida State University requirements for graduate admission, applicants must have earned a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s degree. Applicants not meeting this requirement may be considered for admission, but only by special exception. To determine your upper-division GPA, please consult the GPA calculation worksheet. If your upper-division GPA is below a 3.0, please be sure to address this deficiency in your Statement of Purpose. You are also encouraged to have your referees address your academic preparedness for graduate study in their letters of recommendation.
International applicants or those with degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through the SpanTran pathway portal, or from another NACES approved evaluator. SpanTran has created a custom application for Florida State University that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. Florida State University recommends SpanTran as our preferred credential evaluation because it offers an easy way to streamline the application process.
The College of Music admissions requirements exceed University minimum standards. Official English Language Proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English, including applicants who have already studied in an English speaking country for any length of time.
For admission, attain the minimum required score on one of the following exams:
Additionally, to be eligible for a graduate assistantship:
- Students must score a minimum of 26 on the speaking portion of the IBTOEFL or;
- Achieve a score of 50 on the SPEAK Test (offered by FSU) to qualify for a graduate assistantship.
2 Apply to the College of Music
Complete the College of Music Supplemental Application and any additional materials required for your program. The Supplemental Application allows you to select your audition date, and will be added to your Application Checklist within 1-2 hours of submitting your application to FSU.
- Submit prescreening recordings (instructions below) by December 1.
- Comprehensive Solo Repertoire List
- This is a list of all significant solo works you have studied to date.
- Vita/Resume
- Include education, background, experience, honors and awards, publications, names of former teachers, and any other important information.
- Statement of Purpose
- There is no required format or prompt for the Statement of Purpose. Most are 1-2 pages in length and discuss the applicant’s background, career goals, and potential for success in the program. This may be formatted as a cover letter to accompany the Vita/Resume.
- Letters of Recommendation (3 required)
- You will enter your recommenders’ contact information through the Application Status Check.
- Submit prescreening recordings (instructions below) by December 1.
- Comprehensive Solo Repertoire List
- This is a list of all significant solo works you have studied to date.
- Vita/Resume
- Include education, background, experience, honors and awards, publications, names of former teachers, and any other important information.
- Statement of Purpose
- There is no required format or prompt for the Statement of Purpose. Most are 1-2 pages in length and discuss the applicant’s background, career goals, and potential for success in the program. This may be formatted as a cover letter to accompany the Vita/Resume.
- Scholarly Writing Sample
- Acceptable scholarly writing sample may include either
- A paper of at least 5 pages submitted for an MM-level course, including proper citations and appropriate bibliography; or
- Program notes for the pieces to be performed for the audition (same criteria for minimum length, citations and bibliography apply)
- Please note that an anti-plagiarism monitoring program to ensure the originality of the work may be used to check papers.
- Acceptable scholarly writing sample may include either
- Letters of Recommendation (3 required)
- You will enter your recommenders’ contact information through the Application Status Check.
3 Submit transcripts from all previously attended institutions
For the purposes of the admission review, transcripts may be official or unofficial. Prior to matriculation, entering students are required to submit final, official transcripts.
International applicants or those with degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through the SpanTran pathway portal, or from another NACES approved evaluator. SpanTran has created a custom application for Florida State University that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. Florida State University recommends SpanTran as our preferred credential evaluation because it offers an easy way to streamline the application process.
4 Complete your audition
For those who pass the prescreen round only – be sure to review the audition requirements below for your instrument.
Brass
Audition Requirements
Select your instrument from the list below to view audition requirements
Prescreening Requirements (MM and DM):
Video recording, one take, unedited, in the following order:
- Charlier, Etude No. 6, measures 1-35 on B-flat trumpet
- Handel, Suite in D Major, Movement I, unaccompanied on A piccolo trumpet
- Haydn, Concerto in E-flat, Movement I, exposition only, measures 37-83 on E-flat trumpet, unaccompanied
Orchestral Excerpts:
- Mussorgsky, Pictures at an Exhibition, Promenade
- Stravinsky, Petrouchka (1947), Ballerina Dance, Begin 4th measure of rehearsal #134
- Respighi, Pines of Rome, Off-Stage Solo, Mvt. II
Audition Requirements (MM and DM):
- Two contrasting solos (one movement each from two contrasting separate works)
- One étude from either Brandt, Charlier, or Bitsch
- Orchestral Excerpts:
- Mussorgsky, Pictures at an Exhibition, Promenade
- Stravinsky, Petrouchka (1947), Ballerina Dance, Begin 4th measure of rehearsal #134
- Respighi, Pines of Rome, Off-Stage Solo, Mvt. II
- Ives, Variations on “America”, Variation V, Letter “O” to Letter “P”
- An example of small horn playing – either E-flat or piccolo or both.
Applicants who have questions about appropriate audition repertoire please contact Dr. Chris Moore.
Prescreening Requirements (MM and DM):
Video uploads, unedited, from within the last two years:
- Mozart Horn Concerto #2, K. 417: 1st movement exposition or #4, K. 495: 1st movement exposition (MM applicants may choose either, DM applicants must choose K. 495)
- Orchestral excerpts (in one take, in an order of your choosing):
- Shostakovich Symphony #5 – Horn 1, mvt. 1, Rehearsal 17 to one measure after 21
- R. Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel – Horn 1, Beginning to rehearsal 1
- R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben – Horn 1, Beginning to rehearsal 5
- One high excerpt
- Bach: Brandenburg Concerto #1 – Horn 1, mvt. 4, Trio 2
- Beethoven Symphony #7 – Horn 1, mvt 1, 25 before C to two measures after C or Wagner Gotterdamerung – short call
Audition Requirements (MM and DM):
- Mozart Horn Concerto #2, K. 417: 1st movement exposition or #4, K. 495: 1st movement exposition (MM applicants may choose either, DM applicants must choose K. 495)
- Contrasting solo
- Orchestral Excerpts:
- Brahms: Symphony #3 – Horn 1, mvt. 3, one measure before F to 12 after F
- Shostakovich Symphony #5 – Horn 1, mvt. 1, Rehearsal 17 to one measure after 21
- R. Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel – Horn 1, Beginning to rehearsal 1
- R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben – Horn 1, Beginning to rehearsal 5
- One high excerpt:
- Bach: Brandenburg Concerto #1 – Horn 1, mvt. 4, Trio 2
- Beethoven Symphony #7 – Horn 1, mvt 1, 25 before C to two measures after C or Wagner Gotterdamerung – short call
- Sight reading
Applicants who have questions about appropriate audition repertoire please contact Prof. Michelle Stebleton.
Prescreening Requirements (MM and DM):
- Submit a one- to three-minute video recording on which you verbally introduce yourself and discuss your musical interests, teaching experience, career goals, and reasons for applying to FSU’s College of Music.
- Solo work (one movement or a shorter piece, with or without piano)
- Contrasting solo work or etude (with or without piano)
- Three orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire of contrasting style.
Audition Requirements (MM and DM):
- Four works (a movement counts as work) of contrasting styles from the following list:
- Jacques Castérède – Sonatine
- Enrique Crespo – Improvisation No. 1
- Dorothy Gates – Servant of Peace
- Launy Grøndahl – Concerto
- Frank Martin – Ballade
- Henri Tomasi – Concerto
- 5 orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire
- Scales and sight reading may be asked
Applicants who have questions about appropriate audition repertoire please contact Dr. Hana Beloglavec.
Prescreening Requirements (MM and DM):
- Submit a one- to three-minute video recording on which you verbally introduce yourself and discuss your musical interests, teaching experience, career goals, and reasons for applying to FSU’s College of Music.
- Solo work (one movement or a shorter piece, with or without piano)
- Contrasting solo work or etude (with or without piano)
- Three orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire of contrasting style.
Audition Requirements (MM and DM):
- Four works (a movement counts as work) of contrasting styles from the following list:
- Eugene Bozza – New Orleans
- Daniela Candillari – Extremely Close
- Eric Ewazen – Concerto
- Thom Ritter George – Concerto for Bass Trombone
- David Gillingham – Sonata
- Ralph Vaughan Williams – Tuba Concerto
- 5 orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire
- Scales and sight reading may be asked
Applicants who have questions about appropriate audition repertoire please contact Dr. Hana Beloglavec.
Prescreening Requirements (MM and DM):
Video uploads, unedited, from within the last two years:
- A short (3-minute max) video introducing yourself and discussing your teaching experience, career goals, and why you’re interested in attending FSU.
- Charlier Transcendental Etudes for Trumpet: No. 2 “Du Style”
- Grainger: Molly on the Shore, measures 71-99
- Holst: Suite in E-flat for Military Band, Chaconne (Rehearsal A-C)
- Sousa: Stars and Stripes Forever (beginning to m. 37, no repeats)
- Schuman: New England Triptych-When Jesus Wept (m. 4-28)
Audition Requirements (MM and DM):
- One Arban Characteristic Study of your choice
- Two solo works of contrasting styles from the following list:
- Bach: Concert Variations
- Boccalari: Fantasia di Concerto
- Cosma: Concerto for Euphonium
- Curnow: Symphonic Variants
- Ellerby: Concerto for Euphonium
- Gillingham: Blue Lake Fantasies
- Horovitz: Concerto for Euphonium
- Mantia: Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms
- Picchi: Fantaisie Originale
- Ponchielli: Concerto
- Sparke: Pantomime
- Sparke: Harlequin
- Stevens: Soliloquies
- Two lyrical excerpts from the following:
- Barber: Commando March (B-C)
- Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture (Reh. 1-4)
- Holst: Second Suite, Mvt 1 (E-G)
- Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, Bydlo
- Schoenberg: Theme and Variations (m. 149-168)
- Two technical excerpts from the following:
- King: Melody Shop
- Makras: Aegean Festival Overture (Reh. 18-four after 20)
- Shostakovich: Festive Overture (Reh. 21-23)
- Smith: Festival Variations (m 79-109)
- Sullivan: Pineapple Poll (opening)
Applicants who have questions about appropriate repertoire please contact Dr. Matt Hightower.
Prescreening Requirements (MM and DM):
Video uploads, unedited, from within the last two years:
- A short (3-minute max) video introducing yourself and discussing your teaching experience, career goals, and why you’re interested in attending FSU.
- Snedecor Low Etude for Tuba XVIII
- Berlioz: Hungarian March (Rehearsal 4 to four measures after Rehearsal 5)
- Prokofiev: Symphony #5, Mvt. 1 (four measures before rehearsal 3 to seven measures after rehearsal 5)
- Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries (Pickup to rehearsal 11 to five measures after rehearsal 12)
Audition Requirements (MM and DM):
- Snedecor Low Etudes for Tuba #5 or #8 (no repeats)
- Two solo works of contrasting styles from the following list:
- Arutiunian: Tuba Concerto
- Bach: Flute Partita in A Minor
- Broughton: Sonata for Tuba
- Day: Metallic Figures
- Higdon: Tuba Concerto
- Hindemith: Sonata
- Kraft: Encounters
- Koetsier: Concertino
- Penderecki: Capriccio
- Plau: Concerto for Tuba
- Vaughan Williams: Concerto for Tuba
- John Williams: Concerto for Tuba
- Two low excerpts from the following:
- Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis, Mvt III Turandot (5 measures after L to N)
- Prokofiev: Symphony #5, Mvt. 1 (four measures before rehearsal 3 to seven measures after rehearsal 5)
- Respighi: Fountains of Rome (pickup to rehearsal 11 to one measure after rehearsal 14)
- Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries (Pickup to rehearsal 11 to five measures after rehearsal 12)
- Two high excerpts from the following:
- Berlioz: Hungarian March (Rehearsal 4 to four measures after Rehearsal 5)
- Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique (Mvt 4 56 through 57)
- Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique (Mvt 5 84 to the end)
- Mahler: Symphony #1 (4 before rehearsal three to rehearsal 4)
- Stravinsky: Petroushka (Bear Solo)
Applicants who have questions about appropriate repertoire please contact Dr. Matt Hightower.
Brass
Audition Day Itinerary
Meet Associate Dean Liz Avery and key staff members from the College of Music. Learn more about the programs and opportunities for graduate students, including details regarding the admission process, student funding, and life in Tallahassee. Question and answer session with current students will follow.
Have all of your final questions answered! Speak one-on-one with an admissions representative.
Common Questions
Expand AllEveryone who completes the application process (including interview and/or audition, if required) is automatically considered for scholarships and assistantships, and no additional application is necessary. Only graduate students interested in auditioning for accompanying or group piano teaching assistantships are required to take an additional audition. Contact College of Music Admissions for further details.
Prescreenings are required for the following instruments/degree programs:
- MM or DM in Brass Performance
- MM or DM in String Performance (Violin only)
- MM or DM in Woodwind Performance
- MM or DM in Voice Performance
- MM or DM in Piano Performance
- MM in Piano Pedagogy
- MM or DM in Accompanying
- MM in Opera Coaching
Prescreening submissions are due by December 1 and results will be released by December 15. Applicants who are successful in this first round will be invited to campus for a full audition on one of the dates listed above. (Music Theatre will have a second round via Zoom, followed by a final round on campus).
An accompanist is provided, free of charge, for all voice and music theatre auditions on campus. Rehearsal time is not provided, however, and scores should not be submitted in advance. Please bring neat copies, in a book or organized in a binder, in the appropriate key(s). Students may bring their own accompanist to the audition if they wish.
Instrumental auditions will be unaccompanied.
Students are allowed a maximum of three audition attempts per instrument/voice, per degree level (bachelors, master’s, doctoral). Applicants are allowed one audition per application.