The opening solo from Le Sacre du Printemps by Igor Stravinsky in a facsimile of the composer's manuscript.
If you're thinking of applying for admission to the University of Michigan Bassoon Studio, please go to www.smtd.umich.edu for general information, application procedures and everything you need to complete the process. Look for the Admission menu and follow the paths to your specific level (undergraduate, MM or DMA) and your degree program (Music Performance, Music Education, Dual degrees, etc.). Information on scholarships and financial aid is also found at that link.
Here is some specific information you need to successfully prepare your auditions.
Pre-screening Requirements: The audition process can be a daunting and expensive proposition for any student. If you are thinking about applying for admission to any of our programs, I encourage you to make an appointment for a lesson with me in advance of your audition (either in person or via Zoom), or to send a sample of your playing as a pre-screening video. Undergraduate applicants are encouraged to contact me by e-mail in advance of any audition to discuss their musical background, their studies to date, their goals for future study, etc. All applicants are required to complete a pre-screening video, and the details required for preparing your video are outlined below.
Audition Schedule: Please contact the Admissions Office for audition dates for bassoon.
Undergraduate Repertoire Requirements: Live and Pre-screening: For the LIVE and PRE-SCREENING auditions, 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 move on to the live round, you may perform the same music or something new of your choosing. 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, Hummel, etc., or sonatas by Saint-Säens, Telemann, Devienne, Tansman and others. You could also choose an unaccompanied work. Finally, the two etudes could come from the Milde Concert Studies or Scale & Arpeggio Studies, or from the more advanced portion of the Weissenborn studies, the etudes by Ozi, Jancourt, Orefici, etc. Piano accompaniment is not required for undergraduate auditions.
Master of Music Repertoire Requirements: Prepare two contrasting solo works from the standard repertory, two contrasting etudes and a minimum of four standard orchestral excerpts, one of which MUST be one of the following: Beethoven Symphony No. 4, 4th movement (measures 15-25, 184-187, and 300-302) OR Mozart Overture to the Marriage of Figaro (measures 139-171), OR Mozart Symphony #35 "Haffner" 4th movement complete. Requirements for the pre-screening video for MM applicants: All students must first send a video recording of the following works: W.A. Mozart, Concerto in B flat major, KV 191, first movement (complete, with cadenza, piano accompaniment optional but recommended); three contrasting orchestral excerpts of your choice; a movement of a solo work or etude of your choice. The video must be received by December 1, and can be uploaded with the rest of your application materials. See the general application procedures for more information about submitting your pre-screening video.
Doctor of Musical Arts
IMPORTANT: The DMA position is OPEN for the academic years 2025-2028. Auditions for this opening will be held in the fall of 2024 and applications are currently being accepted.
The initial portion of the audition process consists of a video screening round and an in-person or Zoom interview. For the video, 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 video recording of your playing prior to beginning the formal application process, and prior to sending transcripts, paying application fees, etc. I will evaluate the video and advise you whether or not to continue with the application process.
For the interview, please arrange a mutually convenient time and date when we can either meet in person or speak via Zoom or Face Time. I would like to get to know each applicant on a personal level, and this interview gives me an opportunity to learn why you are seeking the DMA and it lets each applicant get a more personal sense of me and my teaching process.
If you are invited for a personal audition, please continue with the following steps:
DMA applicants can access 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:
•One complete Vivaldi bassoon concerto
•The first two movements of Mozart's Concerto KV 191
•One unaccompanied work for bassoon from the 20th or 21st centuries
•Another work of the candidate's choice, either for bassoon and piano or unaccompanied
•Six contrasting orchestral excerpts
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, and we may not hear all of what you have prepared.
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 Professor Lyman either by phone or e-mail before starting the application process.