Programmes > Majors > Brass - YST Conservatory

MAJORS

Brass

Students in the Brass area receive holistic training in solo, chamber and orchestral performance. In our deliberately small and highly-selective cohort, students benefit from intensive personal attention from their studio teachers, as well as team-taught courses tapping the entire Brass faculty’s expertise. They further build their capabilities in the areas of community engagement, brass pedagogy, and musical leadership.

YST is a regular host to world-acclaimed brass artists in masterclass and concert settings, and has developed ongoing relationships with a number of internationally recognised chamber ensembles. Visiting Artists in Brass have included Chris Moyse, Kevin Thompson, Øystein Baadsvik and Olivier Darbellay. We also offer extensive opportunities to work with leading artists and organisations in Singapore and the region.

Programme Structure

Students work individually with their Major teacher to build performance excellence, which is reinforced through weekly studio classes and online self-reflection, and supported by their community of student-colleagues. The Brass curriculum also builds professional skills, from the fundamentals of professional brass-playing to readings of core orchestral repertoire and preparation for orchestral auditions. These studies are accompanied by regular performance opportunities, including junior and senior recitals, as well as involvement in the YST’s vibrant calendar of events.

All brass players also perform regularly with our large ensembles – the Conservatory Orchestra, and the Conservatory’s contemporary music ensemble OpusNovus, which expose students to the music of the 18th through 21st centuries. Through chamber music class, students can proactively explore small ensemble music-making under the guidance of chamber coaches. Brass ensemble engagement has often inspired our students to explore community and outreach projects in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

Elective courses allow student further avenues to develop personal interests and strengths – some examples have included composition from a brass perspective, advanced brass chamber music and entrepreneurship, and brass pedagogy.

Entry Requirements

At YST, our student selection criteria evaluates a range of factors in an application portfolio, including the candidate’s intellectual aptitude, curiosity, energy, artistic drive, relationship with people, linguistic proficiency and personal qualities that will contribute value to the cohort.

In addition to seeking the best emerging musical talents locally and in the region, our audition process is tailored to discover aspiring applicants with potential for developing a viable future professional and artistic identity.

Beyond evident current capacity in the applicant’s Major field, we explore how our programme resonates with them.

Click the following button for our admissions requirements.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Live auditions in Singapore and some overseas locations take place from the immediately-preceding December to February period. View our admissions and academic timeline here.

HORN

Kopprasch Sixty Selected Studies, Vol. 1, No. 15
Two solos of contrasting styles (example: Beethoven Sonata and Strauss Concerto)
An orchestral excerpt comparable to the solos in Strauss Till Eulenspiegel or Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5

Additional notes:
Major and minor scales may be tested during the audition at the discretion of the audition panel.
An additional short study piece will be given to the candidate on the day of audition.
Candidates who are in a competitive position for an offer of admission may further receive a 30-minute one-to-one lesson with a Major teacher or the Head of Area.

TRUMPET

A movement or part of a concerto/sonata that will demonstrate candidate’s technique and articulation (accompaniment preferred)
A slow piece of candidate’s choice that will demonstrate candidate’s tone and musicianship (unaccompanied acceptable)
Three contrasting orchestral excerpts of candidate’s choice

Additional notes:
Major and minor scales may be tested during the audition at the discretion of the audition panel.
An additional short study piece will be given to the candidate on the day of audition.
Candidates who are in a competitive position for an offer of admission may further receive a 30-minute one-to-one lesson with a Major teacher or the Head of Area.

TROMBONE

Two contrasting movements of a concerto/sonata or two contrasting works of own choice that will demonstrate technique, articulation, tone, range and musicianship.
Three contrasting orchestral excerpts selected from the following list:
- For Bass Trombone:
  - BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9, Mvt IV
  - BERLIOZ Hungarian March
  - BRAHMS Symphony No. 1 (Chorale)
  - HAYDN Creation (No. 26 Achieved is the Glorious Work)
  - ROSSINI La Gazza Ladra Overture
  - ROSSINI William Tell Overture
  - SCHUMANN Symphony No. 3
  - RESPIGHI Pines of Rome (Mvmt. 2)
  - RESPIGHI Fountains of Rome
  - STRAUSS Ein Heldenleben
  - STRAUSS Till Eulenspiegel
  - WAGNER Ride of Die Walküre
  - WAGNER Lohengrin
  - WAGNER Das Rheingold (Entrance of the Gods)
- For Tenor Trombone:
  - RAVEL Bolero
  - MOZART Requiem (Tuba Mirum)
  - BERLIOZ Hungarian March
  - ROSSINI William Tell Overture
  - ROSSINI La Gazza Ladra Overture
  - WAGNER Ride of Die Walküre
  - WAGNER Tannhäuser Overture
  - BORODIN Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor
  - SAINT-SAËNS Symphony No. 3 “Organ Symphony”

Additional notes:
Major and minor scales may be tested during the audition at the discretion of the audition panel.
An additional short study piece will be given to the candidate on the day of audition.
Candidates who are in a competitive position for an offer of admission may further receive a 30-minute one-to-one lesson with a Major teacher or the Head of Area.

TUBA

A legato styled etude such as a Bordogni or Concone etude
i.e. “Rochut Melodious Etudes for Trombone, Book 1, Etude No. 2”
A selection of two orchestral excerpts for tuba from the standard orchestral repertoire such as Richard Wagner’s “Prelude to Die Meistersinger” or “Ride of the Valkyries”
A solo of candidate’s choice

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Major Outline