What kind of etude should I play?

A ”virtuoso etude“ is one which requires a specific and usually fast-paced technical challenge. Any such etude by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Debussy, Scriabin, Bartók, Stravinsky, Moszkowski, Prokofiev, Ligeti or Bolcom is acceptable. Czerny, Cramer and Clementi are not permitted.

Which Prelude & Fugue should I choose?

Any Prelude and Fugue chosen from Book I or II of the Well-Tempered Clavier (WTC) satisfies this requirement. Other types of Bach works (Suites, Toccatas, Partitas, etc.) and those Preludes and Fugues not included in the WTC are not permitted. Transcriptions of Bach’s Preludes & Fugues are also unacceptable.

What kind of Sonata is best suited for the audition?

Any complete Sonata (all movements in their entirety) by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, or Clementi meets the requirement. Any candidate not offering a complete sonata will be immediately deemed ineligible for admission. Choose a sonata that you enjoy performing; a work which you and your teacher believe is the one that best suits your interpretative and technical abilities. This will ensure the strongest impression possible for the audition panel. Understanding and articulating sonata form are essential components of a successful audition.

What constitutes a “major work” for my Romantic period selection? What exactly is the audition panel looking for?

A major work from the Romantic period is a composition which allows you to make an important interpretative ‘statement’. Its breadth and scope offer you an opportunity to demonstrate the many positive qualities we look for in a prospective student: a commitment to high artistic ideals, a charismatic personality, command of the instrument and the kind of lyric intensity which demonstrates that you are deeply committed to, and have significant experience, in engaging your audiences with dynamic concert performances. One or more movements from large-scale works are also acceptable. Etudes, however, are generally not accepted.

What suffices as a representative work from the 20th century to the present?

Any work characterised by styles and idioms representative of 20th century to the present (excluding pop, rock, Broadway or jazz) suffices for this requirement.

Can I play a concerto for one of the requirements above?

No work requiring orchestral accompaniment (concerto, concert piece, etc.) may be performed in the audition.

Can I make substitutions for any of the above?

Selecting repertoire which does not meet the criteria specified above is not permitted in any of the categories.

Can I change my pieces once I have submitted my application?

Changes in repertoire are permitted as long as you still perform one appropriate work from each of the five groups. Even if there are no changes to be made, you will be asked to confirm your repertoire shortly before your scheduled audition.

Is memorisation important? What if I do not have my whole audition programme memorised by the time of the audition?

Memorisation of your entire audition programme is not only important, it is a requirement. If your programme is not fully memorised, you will be disqualified immediately. It would be better for you to wait another year to audition should this be the case. Please do not ask to perform from scores at your audition as no such requests will be granted.

How ‘formal’ is the audition?

We regard your audition as a performance. As such, your attire should be similar to what you would normally wear for a lunchtime or afternoon concert.

If I choose to send in a DVD, are there any specifications I should know about?

We normally recommend that applicants come to Singapore to audition ‘live’. This way we have the very best opportunity to assess your current performing level and, just as importantly, get a chance to know you better. If this is not possible, recording the required audition repertoire on a high-quality DVD is absolutely imperative. Given that you will be competing against many applicants who have the benefit of performing here on one of our new Hamburg Steinway 9-foot concert instruments, it is essential that you find the best possible grand piano when making the DVD. Sound quality is of utmost importance when we listen to the recordings applicants submit each year.

Please note: It is not possible to gain admittance to our piano performance programme without fulfilling all of the above requirements. If you still have questions or concerns, please address them to the Head of Piano Studies:

Dr. Thomas Hecht at