Artist Certificate Program

Prerequisites

In order to apply for the Artist Certificate program, applicants have:

• Bachelor’s degree or international equivalent required; master’s degree preferred (exceptions are made at the discretion of the dean or associate dean)
• Conversational English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 50, with minimum subscores of 15 in Speaking and 15 in Listening.

Program Standards

Participants in the Artist Certificate program are held accountable to high standards of professionalism and artistry as a collegial member of the community of musicians at APU. This includes, but is not limited to, demonstrating an exemplary work ethic, making every effort to communicate clearly with performing colleagues and faculty, prompt and regular attendance at rehearsals and Reflection Seminars, and a professional approach to the responsibilities of playing a leading role in the School of Music.

Because of the nature of music making, these standards may be higher than those described in the university’s Graduate Catalog, which every Artist Certificate participant agrees to abide by when they enter the program. Participants who do not fulfill these Artist Certificate requirements satisfactorily according to the faculty responsible for any given area may be put on probation in the program. In extreme circumstances, participants may be dismissed summarily from the program without warning.

Application Requirements

• Azusa Pacific University Application
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts for bachelor’s degree: Students must have at least 15 units of transferable college credit to qualify for the program. If a student does not have 15 units of transferable credit, they need to contact the admissions representative for further instructions.
• One recommendation from an instructor in your instrument area
• Résumé (must include professional experience and répertoire list)
• Personal statement: one-page essay that addresses your career goals, why you are interested in APU and what you think you will contribute to the APU community
• Slideroom audition submission

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester: April 1
• Spring Semester: September 15

Auditions

Learn more about audition requirements below. 

International Students

International students are held accountable to the standards set by the APU International Center and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. All international students are required to:

• Attend Global Student Orientation hosted by APU’s International Students and Scholars (ISS)
• Attend the Artist Certificate Orientation and Registration described in the acceptance letter
• Purchase and maintain health insurance throughout the school year
• Maintain full-time student status throughout the school year
• Maintain immigration status with ISS

International students who do not fulfill the standards mentioned above to satisfaction will be put on probation in the program. In extreme circumstances, participants will be considered “out of status” and may be dismissed summarily from the program without warning.

General Program Requirements:

Length of Program

Two years (four semesters)

Solo Performance

• Piano, violin, viola, cello: one 60–70-minute APU solo recital annually
• String bass: one 60–70-minute solo recital annually, or chamber recital
• Winds, brass, percussion: one 60–70-minute APU solo recital annually
• Conducting: Conducting of shorter works in concert spread throughout several concerts during the first year. A full-length recital lasting about 45-50 minutes in length during the second year.

Chamber Music Ensemble

• Piano, strings, winds, brass, percussion: one group every semester. Chamber groups receive one hour weekly coaching by faculty.
• Piano: 5-8 hours of accompanying per week as assigned
• Strings: symphony orchestra, studio orchestra, other ensembles as assigned
• Winds, brass, percussion: symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, studio orchestra, other ensembles as assigned

Reflection Seminars

Six 2-hour seminars every semester

Jury Evaluations

All certificate students are to perform a jury at the end of each semester unless a solo recital is performed that semester. Only a full-length solo recital may serve to take the place of a jury.

External Performances

One major non-APU competition or audition annually is expected. Active participation in pre-professional/professional musical opportunities or other outside performances is strongly encouraged.

Length of Program

Two years (four semesters)

Solo Performance

• Piano, violin, viola, cello: one 60–70-minute APU solo recital annually
• String bass: one 60–70-minute solo recital annually, or chamber recital
• Winds, brass, percussion: one 60–70-minute APU solo recital annually

Chamber Music Ensemble

• Piano, strings, winds, brass, percussion: one group every semester. Chamber groups receive one hour weekly coaching by faculty.
• Piano: 5-8 hours of accompanying per week as assigned
• Strings: symphony orchestra, studio orchestra, other ensembles as assigned
• Winds, brass, percussion: symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, studio orchestra, other ensembles as assigned

Reflection Seminars

Six 2-hour seminars every semester

Jury Evaluations

All certificate students are to perform a jury at the end of each semester unless a solo recital is performed that semester. Only a full-length solo recital may serve to take the place of a jury.

External Performances

One major non-APU competition or audition annually is expected. Active participation in pre-professional/professional musical opportunities or other outside performances is strongly encouraged.

Although a private college education may seem out of reach for many, recent research from Kiplinger reveals that the actual value of some private universities may prove this assumption wrong. In 2010, Kiplinger selected Azusa Pacific University for its Top 100 Best Values in Private Colleges rankings. Read more about APU’s ranking in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Private Colleges.

APU students may take advantage of three types of financial aid: scholarships and grants, education loans, and student employment.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants are considered “gift aid” and do not require repayment. They can come from federal, state, or private sources. Scholarships are typically merit-based, meaning they are awarded depending on demonstrated academic ability or other specific talents.

Scholarships are often available from sources outside of APU. You can search for these scholarships through websites such as finaid.org or fastweb.com. The Student Services Center is sometimes notified of scholarships available through APU departments or local organizations, and can provide information about any available scholarships on request.

Education Loans

Education loans are usually repaid after graduation, may be deferred until after graduate school, and often have very low interest rates.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

Student Employment

On-campus student employment is available for students needing additional income to pay for education-related expenses. APU students also find work off campus in the surrounding community.

Net Price Calculator

We’re committed to helping families understand early in the college search process the value of the APU experience and options for affordable financing of a top-tier Christian university education.

Now that you’re familiar with the financial aid opportunities available to APU students, it’s time to estimate what your true cost may be to attend Azusa Pacific. Remember, estimations are only as accurate as the information you provide. Click on the Net Price Calculator button below to begin.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Program Requirements

Audition Requirements

• Solo audition of 30 minutes minimum
• Live auditions preferred when possible for local applicants
• Audition videos/links must be submitted in Slideroom application
• Performance must draw from the approved Audition Repertoire listed according to instrument below

Audition Repertoire by Instrument

Woodwinds

Choose three of the following from your chosen instrument category below.

Flute

• Bach: B minor Sonata
• Mozart: Concerto in D Major or G Major
• Dutilleux: Sonatine
• Prokofiev: Sonata
• Other approved standard repertoire

Oboe

• Mozart: Concerto in C Major
• Cimarosa: Concerto
• Hindemith: Sonata
• Britten: Metamorphosis
• Strauss: Concerto
• Movement of a Bach sonata

Bassoon

• Bach: Excerpt from one of the Cello Suites
• Mozart: Concerto in B flat Major
• Vivaldi: Concerto in E minor or A minor
• Milde: Scale Studies and Etudes

Clarinet

• Brahms: Sonatas No. 1 and 2
• Mozart: Concerto, K. 622
• Debussy: Premiere Rhapsodie
• Stravinsky: Three Pieces
• Weber: Concertos No. 1 or 2, Grand Duo Concertant
• Rose: 32 Etudes

Saxophone

• Creston: Sonata, Rhapsodie
• Glazounov: Concerto
• Heiden: Sonata
• Ibert: Concertino de Camera
• Muczynski: Sonata
• Bozza: Etudes

Brass

Trumpet

• Fasch: Concerto in D
• Haydn: Trumpet Concerto
• Hummel: Trumpet Concerto
• Honegger: Intrada
• Charlier: Etudes

French Horn

• Bach: Selection from Cello Suite
• Beethoven: Sonata
• Bozza: En Fore
• Gliere: Concerto
• Hindemith: Concerto
• Kling: Etudes
• Alphonse: Books 4-6
• Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 2 or No. 3
• Strauss: Concerto No. 1 or No. 2
• V. Reynolds: 48 Etudes

Trombone

• Bourgeouis: Concerto
• Bozza: Ballade
• Ewazen: Sonata
• Grondahl: Concerto
• Saint-Saens: Cavatine
• Hindemith: Sonata (1st or 3rd movement)
• DeFaye: Deux Danses
• Ewazen: Sonata
• Martin: Ballade
• Rimsky Korsakov: Concerto (1st movement)
• Bach: Unaccompanied Cello Suites 

Tuba

• Bordogni: Solfeggi for Tuba
• Broughton: Sonata
• Plog: Three Miniatures
• Vaughan Williams: Concerto
• John Williams: Concerto

Excerpts:

• Berlioz: Overture to Benvenuto Cellini (#16 to 5 measures after #19)
• Gershwin: An American in Paris (#67 to #68)
• Respighi: Fountains of Rome (#11 to #14; 13 measures after #14 to Largamente

Percussion

For specific questions, please contact percussion professor William Schlitt at [email protected]

Snare Drum

• Etudes by Cirone, Peters, Delecuse
• Multiple Percussion
• Solo pieces by Kraft or other approved composers

Marimba

• Sonata, by Bach
• Multiple mallet solos by approved composers
• Concertos by approved composers

Timpani

• Solos by Carroll, Carter, or other approved composers

Guitar

Choose two from the following:

• A dance or two from a Lute Suite, Cello Suite, Violin Sonata, or Partita by J.S. Bach
• A major classical work of length by Sor (Theme and Variations, Sonata, or Grand Solo), Giuliani (Theme and Variations, Sonata, Grand Overture), Aguado (Rondo in A minor)
• A major Romantic/Neo-classic work of length by Ponce, Tansman, Castelnuovo-Tedesco. A sonata or suite from any of these composers will suffice
• A modern work of length by Brouwer, Takamitsu, Walton, Britten, or Smith-Brindle (or comparable work)

Piano

For specific questions, contact Director of Keyboard Studies, Joel Clifft at [email protected].

Applicants must perform the following:

• One Prelude and Fugue from The Well Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach
• One complete classical sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert (excluding Beethoven “Opus 49”)
• One large-scale work from the romantic period
• One virtuoso etude

The applicant may also be required to demonstrate sight-reading skills.

Strings

For specific questions, contact Director of String Studies, Marek Szpakiewicz, at [email protected].

Violin

Each of the following (four selections total):

• Two contrasting movements of a Bach unaccompanied Sonata or Partita
• One movement of a standard violin concerto
• One virtuoso piece/caprice/etude

Viola

Each of the following (four selections total):

• Two contrasting movements of either a Bach cello Suite or a Bach violin Sonata or Partita
• One movement of a standard viola sonata
• One movement of a standard concerto written for viola

Cello

Each of the following (four selections total):

• Two contrasting movements of Bach cello suites
• One movement from a standard cello sonata
• One movement from a standard cello concerto

Double Bass

Each of the following (three selections total):

• One movement of Bach transcribed solo cello, key of applicant’s choice
• One movement of a standard concerto
• One movement of a sonata with piano

Harp

• Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite solo
• Two contrasting works: (1) 17th or 18th century composer, (2) 20th century composer
• Etude (e.g. Bochsa Etude No. 1 from Cinquante Etudes Op. 34, Book One)
• Orchestral excerpt (e.g. Waltz of the Flowers harp cadenza from the Nutcracker Suite)

Orchestral Conducting

For any questions, contact the Director of Orchestral Conducting, Christopher Russell, at [email protected]

• YouTube links to videos featuring rehearsal episodes and performance footage. Repertoire at the discretion of the applicant but should show a range of orchestral repertoire. Footage must show the conductor in front view. 
• A works list of pieces studied and performed

A live audition and/or Zoom interview may also be requested.

• Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

• The School of Music programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)