The Woodwind Performance program prepares students with the training and background to succeed as a 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.
Location:
Chicago
Start Term:
Fall, Spring
Program Type:
Major, Master's, Diploma
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, the CCPA Woodwind Program will help prepare students for a successful career in music. CCPA's emphasis on entrepreneurial activities also prepares students for multiple career opportunities after graduation.
Chamber music and ensemble studies are integrated into the curriculum, giving students regular opportunities to collaborate with students and faculty of other instruments. Students in the woodwind program also participate in regularly scheduled Woodwind Performance Classes. These performance classes exist to offer students a performance opportunity with feedback from the attending instructor. Musicianship: Students will enhance their musicianship by learning and developing performance skills on their instrument. Pedagogy: Students will be able to observe master teachers and learn pedagogical techniques for teaching students. Students will be able to learn and perform in a cooperative-learning environment.
We have approximately 30 undergraduate and graduate woodwinds students enrolled in our program each year.
Michael Holmes
, Program Director of Woodwinds and Artist-Teacher of Saxophone
What Differentiates Us
PERFORMANCE
Chamber music and ensemble studies are integrated into the curriculum, giving students regular opportunities to collaborate with students and faculty of other instruments. Students in the woodwind program also participate in regularly schedule Woodwind Performance Classes. Guest artists are regularly on our campus to work with students in the Woodwind Program.
LOCATION
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.
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.
Expectations & Requirements
Standards
- Study and performance of standard repertory encompassing all stylistic periods
- Systematic development of technical skills
- Development of collaborative and practical skills
- Musicianship: Students will enhance their musicianship by learning and developing performance skills on their instrument.
- Pedagogy: Students will be able to observe master teachers and learn pedagogical techniques for teaching students.
- Students will be able to learn and perform in a cooperative-learning environment.
Sample Courses
- Lessons
- Ensembles
- Chamber Music
- all other required core-music curriculum
Outcomes
Preparation for building a career
Preparation for Teaching
Preparation for Performance
More Opportunities
Performance Opportunities
Chamber music, chamber orchestra, symphony orchestra and wind ensemble
Faculty
Testimonials
The Woodwind faculty at CCPA comprises passionate teachers and performers who can be seen/heard on stages around the world, including here in Chicago (including the Chicago Symphony and Lyric Opera). Students in the woodwind program will enhance their musicianship by learning and developing performance skills on their instrument 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, which is one of the most culturally and artistically diverse cities in the world.
Michael Holmes
Head of Woodwinds Program and Artist Faculty, Saxophone, Roosevelt University
Admission Info
Woodwind Audition Requirements
Flute
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: Proficiency in all major and minor scales (2-1/2 or 3 octaves), one phrasing etude, and one articulation etude (e.g. Rose 40 Studies, Nos. 13 and 11); one of the following solo works: Mozart Concerto, Mvt. 1, Weber Concertino, Debussy Premiere Rhapsodie, a Brahms Sonata, or a work of similar difficulty. Applicants will be asked to sight read.
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.