Collaborative Piano Fellowship
A pianist performs for an audience.

Postgraduate Collaborative Piano Fellowship

Audition Requirements

Prescreening Auditions

  • Video Recordings
    As part of your online application, you will be asked to submit a recording with the following repertoire. All prescreening recordings must include both audio and video. Audio only files will not be accepted.

    You do not need to hire a professional video and audio engineer. Just be sure that you can be clearly seen and heard in your recordings.
  • Repertoire Requirements
    Five Selections
    • Two works with voice: Include two contrasting selections, which may be songs or arias.
    • Two works with instrument: Include two contrasting selections. They may be movements from the sonata duo or concerto repertoire.
    • A solo piano piece of the applicant’s choosing: This piece may be drawn from any of the solo piano repertoire.
  • File Sizes and Types
    Although Slate does support media files as large as 2 GB, please be advised that larger files will take longer to upload from your Internet connection and may stall if you are on a wireless connection or one that cannot sustain a connection for the necessary period of time. Uploaded documents may contain no more than 75 pages.

Final Auditions

  • Live Auditions
    Auditions are by invitation only, and shortlisted applicants will receive an invitation to audition in mid-December. Auditions take place in-person at Bard College Conservatory of Music in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY. 

    Final auditions for the Collaborative Piano Fellowship will be held on February 8th and 22nd, 2026.
     
    International applicants are strongly encouraged to audition in person if at all possible. However, if they are unable to travel to the United States for final auditions, they may send a video audition and schedule a Zoom interview with the fellowship director. Applicants should use the live audition repertoire requirements for their video. If recording the specified final audition repertoire presents a hardship for you, please contact the Conservatory Admissions Office.
  • Repertoire Requirements
    Six Selections
    1. Franck – Sonata in A Major, 1st and 2nd movements only
    2. Beethoven – Piano and Violin Sonata No. 7 in C Minor, Op. 30 No. 2, 1st movement only
    3. W.A. Mozart – from La clemenza di Tito, Act 1: "Parto, ma tu ben mio"
    4. Franz Schubert – Wanderers Nachtlied II, D. 768 (B flat)
    5. Samuel Barber – from Hermit Songs: "St. Ita's Vision" (high key)
    6. Lili Boulanger - from Clairières dans le ciel: "Nous nous aimerons tant" (D flat)

    In addition to the repertoire above, applicants will also be asked to sight-read a brief excerpt from vocal and/or instrumental repertoire chosen by the faculty to demonstrate the applicant's skills.
  • General Audition Information
    Auditions are held at Bard College Conservatory of Music in Annandale-on-Hudson. Each auditionee will be provided with a singer and violinist. There is no rehearsal prior to the audition, as the faculty would like to see how you respond to your collaborative partner. 

    All auditions are adjudicated by: 
    • Erika Switzer, Director, Postgraduate Collaborative Piano Fellowship 
    • Frank Corliss, Director, Bard College Conservatory of Music 
    • Kayo Iwama, Associate Director, Graduate Vocal Arts Program 
    Any questions about the audition process may be sent to [email protected]. 

Questions? 

Reach out to us at [email protected].