Graduate Conducting Program

Audition Requirements

Prescreening Auditions

As part of your online application, you will be asked to submit a prescreening recording, 15–20 minutes in length, containing a rehearsal and performance of two works in contrasting styles. Applications lacking any rehearsal footage will not be considered.

Final Auditions

General Information

All final auditions are by invitation only, and short-listed applicants will receive an invitation to audition in mid-December. At this time, the Graduate Conducting Program is planning to offer live in-person auditions.

Audition dates for spring 2026 will be announced in the fall. Please continue to monitor this page for updates.

While live auditions are greatly preferred, if an applicant is unable to travel to New York City or Bard College for a live audition, video auditions will be accepted. Please email [email protected] for more information.
Choral Conducting
All choral conductors invited for a final audition will have the opportunity to audition live with the Bard Conductors Chorale in New York City for invited faculty, including conducting program codirector James Bagwell.

Final Audition Repertoire:
1. Mozart, Requiem
  
  Movements 1 and 2
2. Stravinsky, Symphony of Psalms
  
  Movement 1
Orchestral Conducting
Invited students will have the opportunity to audition live at Bard College with the Orchestral Conducting Ensemble for invited faculty, including program coddirector James Bagwell.

Final Audition Repertoire:
1. Mozart, Die Zauberflöte, K. 620 Overture
  
  Beginning to measure 103
2. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 In C Minor Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio
  
  Beginning to measure 124
3. Schubert, Symphony No. 8 in B Minor, D.759
  
  Complete