Bachelor of Music Program Requirements

Bachelor of Music (BMUS) Portfolio and Audition Requirements

The BMUS in Performance is an intensive program intended for highly talented students planning to pursue graduate study and careers in classical music performance. In addition to academic music courses, it requires extensive studies in music performance, culminating in two recitals. Admission to the Bachelor of Music Program requires a portfolio and audition.

The first step of your audition for the Bachelor of Music in Performance is the portfolio. If you are invited for a live audition (virtual or on-campus; held in February) you will be sent additional audition requirements in advance.

Portfolio requirements

  • A current résumé (in .pdf format) that summarizes your musical experience, including:
    • your instrument or voice type, including number of years studied
    • names of your private teacher(s), if applicable.
    • ensembles or organizations with which you’ve performed, and in what capacity
    • awards and honors (including all-state ensembles, etc.)
    • major solo repertoire studied
  • A good-quality recording of your performing work, between 5 and 12 minutes in length. For guidelines for specific performance areas, see below.
  • A letter of recommendation from a teacher who knows your musical abilities well. This should be your private-lesson teacher if you have one or an ensemble director who has worked with you individually. If your teacher has already written a recommendation for your general application, please request another letter specifically in support of your Bachelor of Music application (see guidelines below). Letters must be emailed directly from the recommender to portfolio@binghamton.edu.

Recording guidelines for specific areas

These guidelines are intended to convey the range and level of proficiency expected for Bachelor of Music electronic submissions; they are not strict requirements. We encourage you to demonstrate your abilities as fully as possible within the 12-minute time limit. Audition repertoire should generally be at professional level (NYSSMA level 5 or 6, or the equivalent*).

  • Voice

    Two pieces in contrasting styles from the classical repertoire.
    Optional: a third selection in a contrasting classical or musical-theater style.

    • Selections should include at least one work each in Italian and English.
    • Choose lyrical selections that show your vocal range, your musicianship and phrasing, and your diction.
    • Performances with piano accompaniment are preferred.
  • Piano

    A minimum of two pieces in contrasting historical styles.

    • Selections should demonstrate technical and expressive playing, memorized if possible.
    • One major and one minor scale and arpeggio: four octaves in quarters, eighths, and sixteenths.
  • Brass/Woodwind
    • One solo piece demonstrating your musicality (phrasing), technical level, and control of intonation, articulation, and rhythm.
    • One étude, study, or other contrasting work.
    • Two major scales over the standard range of the instrument (2–3 octaves).



  • Percussion

    Two solo pieces on different instruments that demonstrate musicality, technique, and varied dynamics and articulation.

  • Strings
    • Two solos of the applicant's choice that demonstrate musicality and variety of techniques.
      • Performances with piano accompaniment are encouraged, but not required.
    • 2-3 octave major and minor scales (one of each) of the applicant’s choice; demonstrating bow control and articulations.

    Video should show the front of the candidate, with both hands visible.



  • Organ
    • An organ work by J.S. Bach.
    • A contrasting piece from either the Romantic or Modern repertoire for organ solo.
  • Jazz

    Instrumentalists

    • Improvise a blues melody or a standard tune of choice with a live or recorded background, then improvise at least two choruses, and complete the performance by playing the melody of the tune again.

    Vocalists 

    • Perform a standard tune of choice: sing the melody, scat sing a chorus or two, then sing the melody of the tune again.

*NYSSMA, the New York State School Music Association, publishes lists of repertoire graded by technical difficulty. Level 5 and 6 solos are the most challenging, approximating the level of typical professional repertoire. If you are not familiar with NYSSMA rankings, consult with your teacher and select the most challenging music that you can perform well.