Classical Audition Terminology
Aria
An aria is a solo taken from an opera, oratorio, mass, cantata, zarzuela,
operetta, or works titled “concert aria”. Oxford Online definitions will
be used for the purposes of this audition. For example, Purcell’s
selections from the semi-‐ operas and masques are considered songs.
24/26/28 Italian Art
Songs and Arias
The repertoire found in the 24/26/28 Italian Art Songs and Arias
collections may be counted as an aria or an art song in the high school
and lower college classical categories. For the singers in the upper
college categories and beyond, these pieces may count as an art song
ONLY, regardless of origin. Any repertoire found outside of these
collections will be considered only as the composer intended, as an art
song OR aria.
Memorization
All repertoire, including oratorio, must be sung from memory.
Original Languages
Selections should be sung in original language or in translation if
warranted by common performance practice.
Transposition
All arias from opera, oratorio, mass, cantata, operetta, works titled
“concert aria,” or music theater selections must be sung in the original
or standard published key.
Art song in English
English must be the original language of the art song.
Repertoire/Categories
The word “classical” in this context refers to art songs and arias from
the “classical” genre, not limited to the “Classical” period of Mozart and
Haydn. In other words, no music theater, pop, soul, jazz, rhythm and
blues, etc. Published arrangements of folk songs, spirituals, and
traditional hymn tunes in English are widely accepted as a part of the
classical genre. Students in classical categories may present one
selection of this type to fulfill the English art song requirement.
Judicious Cuts
Piano introductions, piano interludes, piano music after the vocal solo is
completed, and internal cuts of opera arias and music theater selections
are allowed as in common performance practice. Cuts of verse or verses
of selections are not allowed. In the case of strophic pieces, all verses
should remain that are traditionally included.
Comment Only
Any student may register to sing for comments only and participate in
the preliminary audition round.