Saxophone excellence in the heart of OKC

• Undergraduate (University App)

• Undergraduate (Common App)

• Graduate

• Wanda L. Bass School of Music Acceptd App

Review your specific degree program’s audition requirements, below.

Auditions can incur in person on a variety of audition dates (fall and spring semesters), on alternative dates by appointment, or remotely via video submission on Acceptd.

100% of students admitted to the School of Music receive a music scholarship!

• Prepare the chromatic scale and major scales, either full-range or all-state style. Applicants will be asked to play a few scale selections in the audition.

  • Memorization is preferred. Cleanliness, accuracy, and polish are more important than sheer speed!

• Prepare two (2) contrasting selections from the following list suggested repertoire. Other non-listed pieces of similar quality and rigor are welcome. I suggest picking a single movement from the solo works and a contrasting etude.

  • Solo Works:

    • E. Bozza, Aria

    • P. Creston, Sonata, Op. 19

    • H. Eccles (arranged by Sigurd Rascher), Sonata

    • A. Glazunov, Concerto, Op. 109

    • B. Heiden, Sonata

    • A. Jolivet, Fantasie Impromptu

    • D. Joly, Cantilène et Danse

    • P. Maurice, Tableaux de Provence

    • J. Rueff, Chanson et Passepied

    • J.B. Singelée, Concertino, Op. 57 or Op. 78

    • H. Villa-Lobos, Fantasia

  • Etudes:

    • B. Berbiguier (arranged by Marcel Mule), 18 Exercises

    • W. Ferling, 48 Famous Studies

    • D. Hite, Melodious Studies (Book 1 easier, Book 2 more challenging)

    • S. Rascher, 24 Intermezzi

    • H. Voxman, Rubank: Selected Studies

• All undergraduate applicants will be asked to sight read.

• Prepare major, harmonic minor, and chromatic scales, full range style. Applicants will be asked to play a few scale selections in their audition.

  • Memorization is required. Scales will be evaluated for tone quality, polish, and evenness in addition to tempo.

• Prepare three (3) works: two (2) contrasting selections from the traditional repertoire as well as one (1) selection from the contemporary repertoire (works written after circa 1980). Overall, approximately 25-30 minutes of music (equivalent to a BM recital) should be programmed. Other non-listed pieces of similar quality and rigor are welcomed.

  • Traditional Repertoire examples:

    • R. Boutry, Divertimento

    • Dahl, Concerto

    • F. Decruck, Sonate en ut#

    • A. Desenclos, Prelude, Cadence, et Finale

    • P.M. Dubois, Concerto

    • L.E. Larsson, Concerto

    • I. Gotkovsky, Brillance

    • K. Husa, Elegie et Rondeau

    • J. Ibert, Concertino da Camera

    • H. Tomasi, Concerto

  • Contemporary Repertoire (after ca. 1980) examples:

    • W. Albright, Sonata

    • L. Berio, Sequenza IXb

    • D. Chang, Two Preludes

    • C. Dundee, Star Bits

    • S. Garrop, Tantrum

    • C. Lauba, Neuf Études

    • D. Maslanka, Sonata

    • M. Shrude, Kantada

    • J. Tower, Wings

    • T. Yoshimatsu, Fuzzy Bird Sonata

• All graduate applicants will be asked to sight read.

• The Wanda L. Bass School of Music is proud to offer robust music scholarships for applicants. Music scholarships are awarded based on quality of audition. Oklahoma City University also offers stackable academic scholarships for applicants (GPA 3.0 and higher)

  • Music scholarships and academic scholarships can stack to cover up to 100% of tuition!

• Oklahoma City University annually awards more than $34 million in aid! More info about undergraduate scholarship opportunities can be found here: https://www.okcu.edu/paying-for-ocu/types-of-assistance/first-year-scholarships

• Undergraduates may qualify for FAFSA-type grants, need-based aid, federal work study, and student employment with opportunities to work convenient jobs in the Wanda L. Bass School of Music. More info about student employment can be found here: https://www.okcu.edu/current/financial-aid-office/student-employment

• Classical Saxophone Performance Assistantship

  • Work with Dr. Heaney with duties as assigned, including directing the Oklahoma Saxophone Ensemble, performing in the graduate saxophone quartet, and assisting with studio logistics and teaching.

  • Includes a tuition waiver and small stipend. No minimum hours per week, duties are primarily performance-based.

• Jazz Saxophone Performance Assistantship

  • Work with Dr. Heaney with duties as assigned, including performing in the OCU jazz ensemble and leading the section development throughout the year, perform in the graduate saxophone quartet.

  • Includes a tuition waiver and small stipend. No minimum hours per week, duties are primarily performance-based.

• Ensemble Performance Assistantship

  • Perform in OCU’s large ensembles as assigned, perform in the graduate saxophone quartet, other duties as assigned.

  • Includes a full tuition waiver. No minimum hours per week, duties are primarily performance-based.

• In addition to assistantships, scholarship awards for up to full tuition are available.

• Current students are encouraged to take advantage of the School of Music’s Burton Music Competition Fund, which provides support for qualified students traveling to competitions. Additional funding support for projects and other special accomplishments is possible via petition.