Audition Week
Preparing for your YSM audition
This page is designed to help you present the best audition you can. Please check back regularly for updates!
Live Audition Resources
All the information you need for your Yale School of Music audition! (February 2026)
Updates in progress for 2026
Audition Prep Checklist
Hotel Information
Updated January 13, 2026
Please note that the Yale School of Music does not endorse one hotel over another, nor does YSM have any control over a particular hotel's reservation policies or process. Please direct all questions and issues related to hotel booking to the individual hotels below. There are many hotels available in New Haven, the ones below are only those that have offered a special discount rate. This information is provided to Yale School of Music applicants as a courtesy.
The Study Hotel
1157 Chapel Street
$205/night plus tax
Special Reservation Link
Graduate Hotel
1151 Chapel Street
$199/night plus tax
Special Reservation Link
The Omni Hotel
155 Temple Street
$149/night plus tax
Special Reservation Link
New Haven Hotel
229 George Street
$145/night plus tax
Special Reservation Link
Live Audition Repertoire
Audition Week Events
Updated January 22, 2026
Tuesday, January 20
7:00 PM: Virtual D.M.A. Info Session with Prof. Seth Monahan and D.M.A. Candidate Nikki Pet Register Here
During Audition Week
Sunday, February 15
TBD: Horn Virtual Meet and Greet with William Purvis
Monday, February 16
Brass Q&A Session
Approximately 5:30 PM
Hendrie Hall, Lounge
YSM Tour
6:30 PM
Meet at Hendrie Hall, check-in table
Tuesday, February 17
Brass Q&A Session
Approximately 4:30 PM
Hendrie Hall, Lounge
YSM Tour
6:30 PM
Meet at Hendrie Hall, check-in table
Wednesday, February 18
Brass Q&A Session
Approximately 5:15 PM
Hendrie Hall, Lounge
Double Bass Q&A Session
Approximately 6:00 PM
Leigh Hall, Bass Studio (Room B12)
YSM Tour
6:30 PM
Meet at Hendrie Hall, check-in table
Thursday, February 19
Composition Department Lunch With Current Students
1:00 PM-2:30 PM
Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning, Room 121
Directions
Double Bass Q&A Session
Approximately 5:30 PM
Leigh Hall, Bass Studio (Room B12)
YSM Tour
6:30 PM
Meet at Hendrie Hall, check-in table
Friday, February 20
Double Bass Q&A Session
Approximately 3:45 PM
Leigh Hall, Bass Studio (Room B12)
YSM Tour
6:30 PM
Meet at Hendrie Hall, check-in table
Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) Exams and Interviews
Updated January 9, 2026
Applicants to the D.M.A. degree program must audition and take pertinent exams. An online interview may also be required following audition week.
Exams
All D.M.A. exams will take place in-person in New Haven on Saturday, February 21, 2026. You must plan on being available for the entire day.
These exams are not offered on any other dates and will not be rescheduled. There are no exceptions.
Details regarding the exams, including sample exams, can be found on our how to apply page under Program-Specific Requirements.
Interviews
During the week of February 23, 2026
Applicants may be invited to a 30-minute virtual interview with members of the D.M.A. Examination Committee. Applicants who are invited to interview will be notified by the Admissions Office.
Artist Diploma (A.D.) Applicants
Updated January 9, 2026
The first round of A.D. auditions will be heard by Yale School of Music faculty as part of the regular auditions for each area. After the first round, select candidates will be advanced to a final round of auditions, which will take place in New Haven on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The final round will be adjudicated by a separate committee of jurors.
Applicants will be notified in the evening on Friday, February 20 regarding their advancement to the final round.
