Saxophone audition info

All undergraduate applicants must apply to the University of ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder and complete a College of Music admission application; undergraduate auditions will not be scheduled until both applications have been received. Graduate students need only complete the graduate application.

Undergraduate

Audition requirements

No pre-screening required for undergraduate saxophonists.

Scales

All 12 major scales and a full-range chromatic scale.

Repertoire

Two contrasting selections from the saxophone repertoire.
One selection may be from a standard etude book, such as Ferling, Lacour, Voxman, etc.

All selections are to be chosen to best demonstrate the ability of the student. If you have any questions regarding audition repertoire, contact Nathan Mertens, nathan.mertens@colorado.edu.

The total duration of the audition is 10 minutes and piano accompaniment is not required.

If you cannot complete a live audition, you may submit a recorded audition. The recording may have either one unedited file or multiple files (unedited within each file). Please see the recorded audition guidelines for information about submitting a recording.

Degree sheets

Saxophone studio Woodwinds

Graduate

Graduate saxophone applicant requirements

Not accepting DMA applicants for fall 2025.

Pre-screening

All graduate saxophone applicants will be pre-screened through a recording/video round. Please submit an audio or video recording online to the on or before Dec. 1. This recording should be no longer than 20 minutes in length and include two to three contrasting selections that best represent your artistic abilities and values.

Live auditions

Students invited to the in-person auditions will be notified of their acceptance to the auditions by mid/late Dec.

Please prepare at least three contrasting works for the 20-minute live audition that best showcase your artistic abilities and values and include at least one female-identifying/gender diverse composer and/or composer of color. In addition to your playing, please be prepared to discuss your repertoire decisions and career aspirations. All students who wish to be considered for the fall 2025 MM/AD Teaching Assistantship position must also complete an interview. The interviews are expected to occur on the day preceding the scheduled auditions, along with a trial lesson provided by Assistant Professor of Saxophone Nathan Mertens.

Note: Piano accompaniment is not required for the live audition.

Recorded auditions 

Live auditions are strongly preferred. A recorded audition (live performance or studio recording) may be submitted in place of a live audition. Please see the recorded audition guidelines for information on submitting a recording. Editing within a movement is prohibited. Any indication of editing may disqualify the candidate from admission. The recording (audio/video) must be in a digital format with high quality audio. Please note that while recorded auditions will be given full consideration, the best demonstration of your musical ability is through a live audition.

A live audition and interview are required to qualify for the vacant fall 2025 MM/AD Teaching Assistantship. Applicants unable to travel for a live audition, contact Nathan Mertens, nathan.mertens@colorado.edu.