Brass Area

Brass majors at UNO are taught by a faculty of dedicated teachers and performers, and our students are provided with a wide array of performance opportunities.

The programs of study for brass majors are designed to develop versatile performers in a variety of idioms including solo and chamber literature, orchestra, and jazz improvisation.

How to Apply

Program Requirements

• Bachelor of Arts, Concentration in Music Studies (B.A.; Music Studies)
• Bachelor of Music, Performance (B.M. Performance)
• Bachelor of Music, Music Education (B.M. Music Education)
• Master of Music, Performance (M.M. Performance)

Audition Requirements

Undergraduate (B.M. Performance/Education; B.A. Music Studies)

Prepare two solo pieces of contrasting style or two pieces from two different musical periods. The audition committee may also ask for all major and minor scales and sight reading.

Trumpet/trombone players interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Arts Jazz Concentration should only prepare the Jazz Winds requirements.

Contact Jazz Area Coordinator, Dr. Pete Madsen at petermadsen@unomaha.edu with questions regarding jazz auditions.

Students interested in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education must also submit a short 2-3 minute video. Please watch the following video before you begin: https://youtu.be/sCx-fw8gPqw. The questions and prompts are also listed in written form below.

When completed, please email to Adam Hilt: ahilt@unomaha.edu.

1. Introduce yourself , tell us your primary instrument ,and any additional instruments you play. Feel free to tell us any additional information that you would want us to know (e.g., you teach piano; work with youth; enjoy learning languages).
2. Why are you interested in music education?
3. Name one teacher you respect and why.
4. Sing a nursery rhyme/children’s song without accompaniment (one verse only).

M.M. Music Performance (Graduate)

Trumpet

1. Charlier Etude No. 2
2. Hummel Concerto for Trumpet, Mvt. I
3. Third piece of applicant's choice (Recommended: Baroque literature for piccolo trumpet, 20th century trumpet literature, or jazz improvisation)
4. Pines of Rome (offstage solo)
5. Pictures at an Exhibition, Promenade
6. Demonstrate mastery of all major and minor forms of scales, two octaves where possible

For trumpet players interested in jazz, see additional requirements under "Jazz Winds." Contact Jazz Area Coordinator, Dr. Pete Madsen, with questions regarding jazz auditions (petermadsen@unomaha.edu).

Horn

1. Solo repertoire: selections from various eras, typically 3 to 4 titles (may be a single movement from a concerto or sonata). Selections should include a first movement from both a Mozart Concerto and a R. Strauss Concerto; also something from the 20th century repertoire. Other selections are free—choose something that demonstrates your strengths
2. Standard orchestral excerpts from different eras demonstrating both high and low horn abilities
3. Competence in all major and minor scales and arpeggios, two octaves each

Tenor Trombone

1. Bozza "Ballade"
2. Hindemith "Sonata," Mvts. III, IV

Bass Trombone

1. Bozza "New Orleans"
2. Levedev "Concerto in One Movement"

Euphonium

1. A solo (your choice) by Herbert L. Clarke
2. Curnow "Rhapsody"
3. Strauss "Don Quixote" excerpt
4. Excerpts from Holst's "Planets" - Jupiter and Uranus

Tuba

1. Two contrasting movements from the standard solo repertoire.
2. Three standard orchestral or wind band excerpts.

Learn more about UNO's Brass Day

Questions?

Contact Brass Area Coordinator, Jason Johnson, at jkjohnson@unomaha.edu.