APPLICATION INFORMATION

Extended Application Deadline: Monday, January 19, 2026

Auditions: By video recording only.  No live auditions will be held.

Important:  The application process consists of two stages: a pre-screening and a final round.  Applicants who advance to the final round will be notified by email. If applicable, you will receive instructions for submitting additional required materials for the final round.

Age Requirement: The minimum age to apply is 18.

Recordings: Video recordings of your playing are required. You can include links to files, or a link to a website like Youku, YouTube, and Vimeo.  See repertoire information below.

Questions?  If you have questions please email norfolk@yale.edu

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Audition Repertoire

Preformed String Ensembles (with and without piano)

  • Pre-screening & final round:  Two complete works of contrasting styles from the standard repertoire. One work must be by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven.

Preformed Wind Quintets

  • Pre-screening & final round:  Three complete works of contrasting styles from different stylistic periods, including at least one work from the 20th or 21st century.

Preformed Brass Quintets

  • Pre-screening & final round:  Three complete works of contrasting styles from different stylistic periods, including at least one work from the 20th or 21st century.

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn

  • Pre-screening & final round:  Either two complete works of contrasting styles from different stylistic periods, OR two movements of contrasting works, PLUS four contrasting excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire.

Trumpet, Trombone, and Tuba

  • Pre-screening & final round:  Two contrasting works from different stylistic periods and four varied excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire.

Violin

  • Pre-screening round: One movement from an unaccompanied Bach sonata or partita and one movement from a standard Classical, Romantic, or 20th century concerto.
  • Final round only, in addition to the list above include, the first violin part, Beethoven String Quartet in A Major, Op.18, No. 5, first movement, exposition only.

Viola 

  • Pre-screening round: One movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite, sonata, or partita and one movement from a standard Classical, Romantic, or 20th century concerto.
  • Final round only, in addition to the list above, include viola part from 1)  Brahms, String Sextet No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18, second movement, measures 1-24;  and  2)    Beethoven String Quartet Op. 59, No. 3, fourth movement, measures  1-47

Cello

  • Pre-screening round: One movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite and one movement from a standard Classical, Romantic, or 20th century concerto.
  • Final round only, in addition to the list above, include the cello part from  1)  Mozart String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, K. 590; first movement, measures 1-42;  and  2)  Brahms String Sextet in B-flat Major, Op. 18;  first cello part; fourth movement (Rondo), measures  1-17

Piano

  • Pre-screening round & final round:  Two contrasting movements from a sonata by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, or Schubert, a larger Romantic 19th century work, and a 20th or 21st century composition.

 

Repertoire should demonstrate variety and flexibility. A recent recital video may be substituted if the program falls within the guidelines listed below. Recordings with an accompanist are encouraged but not required.

Video recordings must be uploaded with the application. Recordings of poor quality will not be evaluated.