Bachelor's, Master's, or Diploma in Woodwinds [Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Classical Saxophone] (BM, MM, or Diploma)
The Woodwind Performance program prepares students with the training and background to succeed as professional musicians. Students learn from master teachers who can be seen and heard on some of the greatest stages in the world. Our students graduate with comprehensive musicianship skills, performance capability, analytic abilities and stylistic knowledge.
For students who are looking for an intensive music conservatory experience paired with the rich musical and cultural experiences provided by living in a major city, CCPA will prepare help prepare students for a successful career in music. CCPA's emphasis on entrepreneurial activities also prepares students for multiple career opportunities after graduation.
Experienced Faculty
CCPA's faculty is comprised of passionate teachers and performers who can be seen/heard on stages around the world, including here in Chicago with organizations such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Multi-Faceted Performance Studies
Students become acquainted with the Classical Art Music Canon of works through Large Ensemble and Chamber Music performance, delve into historical performance practice, develop a hunger to discover excellent contemporary music and, most importantly, develop their own individual artistry and musical vision.
Admission Info
SAMPLE COURSES
Career Opportunities
Admission Info
Location: Chicago Start Term: Fall, Spring
Music Conservatory auditions will be held live on-campus, and we will also host live-virtual audition options remotely. All undergraduate applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their Audition Preview, which is not a pre-screen, through GetAcceptd.
Bachelor of Music: Proficiency in all major and minor scales over the entire range of the instrument, preferably as per Taffanel and Gaubert 17 Daily Studies, No. 4, a technical etude, and a solo piece - preferably a movement from a sonata, concerto, or a work of similar difficulty. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Master of Music Performance: All applicants will be required to sight read. A technical etude, the first movement exposition of the Mozart Flute Concerto in G-Major, and an entire sonata or concerto. In addition, applicants must prepare the following orchestral excerpts:
Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream - 2 measures before P to the end
Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 3 - measures 328-360
Brahms Symphony No. 4 - Last movement - measures 93-105
Debussy Afternoon of a Faun - measures 1-4
Master of Music Orchestral Studies: All requirements found for Master of Music Performance, and the following orchestral excerpts:
Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream - 2 measures before P to end
Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 3 - measures 328-360
Brahms Symphony No. 4 - Last movement - measures 93-105
Debussy Afternoon of a Faun - measures 1-4
Ravel Daphnis & Chlore - Solo at 176-179 Tres lent
Prokofiev Peter and the Wolf - Rehearsal number 2 to 4b AND Rehearsal number 51 to the first measure after rehearsal number 52
Bach St Matthew Passion - 13 measures before A to 6 measures after A
Saint-Saens The Carnival of the Animals - Voliere
Performance Diploma: Three major works, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented. Applicants will be asked to sight read. In addition, the following orchestral excerpts:
Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream - 2 measures before P to the end
Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 3 - measures 328-360
Brahms Symphony No. 4 - Last movement - measures 93-105
Debussy Afternoon of a Faun - measures 1-4
Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: One etude and a complete sonata or concerto. Applicants will be asked to sight read. In addition, applicants must prepare the full list of orchestral excerpts found under the requirements for the Master of Music in Orchestral Studies above.
Oboe
Bachelor of Music: Proficiency in all major and minor scales over the entire range of the instrument; a technical etude; a solo piece, preferably a movement from a sonata, concerto, or a work of similar difficulty. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Master of Music Performance: A technical etude; an entire sonata or concerto. Applicants will be asked to sight read. In addition, all applicants must prepare solo excerpts from the following orchestral works:
Brahms Violin Concerto, movement 2
Rossini La Scala di Seta Overture
Strauss, Don Juan
Ravel, Tombeau de Couperin (1st movement only)
Master of Music Orchestral Studies All requirements found above in Master of Music Performance, plus two additional orchestral excerpts.
Performance Diploma: Three major works, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented. All orchestral excerpts listed under Master of Music Performance. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Orchestral excerpts as per Master of Music Orchestral Studies requirements, one etude, and a complete sonata or concerto. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Clarinet
Bachelor of Music: 1. Weber: Concertino, Op. 26: Introduction, theme, and 1st variation 2. Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, K622, 1st movement exposition 3. Choice of one standard Orchestral excerpt. Choice of one in each category: a. One slow etude: from the Rose 32 Etudes, #1, 3, or 11 b. One fast etude: from the Rose 32 Etudes, #4, 12, or 26
Master of Music Performance: In addition to the above, prepare Cavallini and Rose Etudes demonstrating phrasing and articulation abilities. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Master of Music Orchestral Studies: Same requirements as found under Master of Music Performance, plus at least five standard orchestral excerpts.
Performance Diploma: Three major works, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Five standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice, one etude, and a complete sonata or concerto. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Bassoon
Bachelor of Music: Proficiency in all major and minor scales (2-1/2 or 3 octaves), a technical etude, and a solo piece - preferably a movement from a sonata, concerto or a work of similar difficulty. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Master of Music Performance: A technical etude and an entire sonata or concerto. Applicants will be asked to sight read. In addition, the following orchestral excerpts:
Mozart, Marriage of Figaro Overture, measures 139-171
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4, second movement solo
Ravel, Balero solo
Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6, opening solo
Master of Music Orchestral Studies: Same requirements as Master of Music Performance, plus at least 4 additional standard orchestral excerpts.
Performance Diploma: Three major works, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented. Orchestral excerpts as per Master of Music Performance requirements above. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Three major works, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented. Orchestral excerpts as above per Master of Music Orchestral Studies. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Saxophone
Undergraduate (BM): Proficiency in all major scales and chromatic scale (at least 2 octaves, but preferably full range), two or more contrasting movements from the standard solo repertoire (an etude is acceptable for one of these) that demonstrates lyrical phrasing and technical proficiency. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Graduate (MM): Proficiency in all major and minor scales (full range), two technical etudes, and a full sonata, concerto, or work of similar difficulty. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Performance Diploma: Three major works, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
Sample Woodwind Courses
Woodwind Performance
Woodwind Chamber Music
Wind Ensemble
CCPA Symphony Orchestra
The Professional Performing Artist in Society
Career Opportunities for Woodwinds
CCPA prepares students for multi-faceted careers as musicians. Our outstanding performance pedagogy paired with classes in entrepreneurial activities and in music history and literature help students become informed performers and pedagogues. Woodwind Performance majors graduate with the skills necessary to succeed as Orchestral Musicians, Pit Orchestra Musicians, soloists, recording artists, teachers, and more.
“The Woodwind faculty at CCPA comprises passionate teachers and performers who can be seen/heard on stages around the world, including here in Chicago at the Chicago Symphony and Lyric Opera). Students in the woodwind program will enhance their musicianship by learning and developing performance skills on their instruments under the tutelage of master artists. Students will also learn pedagogical techniques for teaching students while working in a cooperative-learning environment. Plus, if you are a student at CCPA you will get to live in the heart of Chicago, one of the world's most culturally and artistically diverse cities.”
Marie Tachouet
Program Director of Woodwinds and Artist Faculty, Flute
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