Program Overview

Brass Performance Program

Overview

The Brass Performance program prepares students with the training and background to succeed as professional musicians. CCPA students enjoy the opportunity to study in Chicago, a thriving musical and cultural center, with master teachers from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and other renowned ensembles. Our students graduate with comprehensive musicianship skills, performance capability, analytic abilities and stylistic knowledge.

Performance Opportunities

Brass Performance majors enjoy a wide variety of performance opportunities at CCPA, within both large ensembles and small chamber music groups. CCPA Ensembles perform not only in our gorgeous on-campus venues, but also at various historic venues throughout Chicago such as the CSO Symphony Center, the Harris Theater, the Auditorium Theatre and others.

Renowned Faculty

CCPA's faculty is comprised of passionate teachers and performers who can be seen and heard on stages around the world, including here in Chicago with organizations such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Chicago is Our Campus

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 students for a successful career in music. CCPA's emphasis on entrepreneurial activities also prepares students for multiple career opportunities after graduation.

Admission Info

Location

• Chicago

Start Term

• Fall, Spring

Applicants to the Brass Performance Program must first submit their Roosevelt University Application online. All CCPA applicants must also submit the Artistic Application, which allows applicants to provide more information about their artistic background, submit their audition preview or pre-screening recordings (no audio or video enhancements, please) and schedule their future audition/interview.

Brass Audition Requirements

Horn

• Undergraduate (BM): Two contrasting selections from standard horn repertoire; standard orchestral excerpts.
• Graduate (MM): Solos of the candidate’s choice from standard horn repertoire. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least five orchestral excerpts.
• Performance Diploma: Three major works, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.
• Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Five standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice; one etude; a complete sonata or concerto.

Tenor Trombone

• Undergraduate (BM): One Rochut Melodious Etude; either Morceau Symphonique by Guilmant, Concertino by David, or a work of similar difficulty.
• Graduate (MM): One Rochut Etude; one intermediate or advanced technical etude; two contrasting works by Bozza, Hindemith, Corelli or Wagenseil. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least five standard excerpts.

Bass Trombone

• Undergraduate (BM): One Rochut Melodious Etude; two solo works in contrasting styles.
• Graduate (MM): One Rochut Melodious Etude; one advanced level Etude by Tommy Pederson; two solo works of contrasting styles. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least five standard excerpts.
• Performance Diploma: Three major works, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.
• Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Five standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice; one etude; a complete sonata or concerto.

Trumpet

• Undergraduate (BM): J. Hubeau - Sonata (1st mov), J. N. Hummel - Concerto in Eb (1st mov), J. B. Arban - Characteristic Etude Nr. 1
• Graduate (MM - Performance): A. Honegger - Intrada (intro), J. Haydn - Concerto in Eb (1st mov), T. Charlier - Etude Nr. 4
• Graduate (MM - Orchestral Studies): A. Honegger - Intrada (intro), J. Haydn - Concerto in Eb (1st mov), Leonore nr. 3, Pictures (Promenade), Mahler 5th (intro), Pines of Rome (offstage), Bartok Concerto (2nd & 5th mov, 2nd tpt)
• Performance Diploma: O. Böhme - Concerto (1st mov), J. Haydn - Concerto in Eb (1st mov), A. Jolivet - Concertino (beginning until number 19)
• Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: J. Haydn - Concerto in Eb (1st mov), H. Tomasi - Concerto (1st mov), Petrouchka (Solo and ballerina), Mahler 3rd (posthorn), Mahler 5th (intro), Messiah (Trumpet Shall Sound), Ravel Pno. Concerto (1st mov)

Tuba

• Undergraduate (BM): An etude (suggested composers: Kopprasch, Blazevich, Gallay); a solo such as Suite for Tuba by Haddad, Air & Bourèe by Bach, or similar.
• Graduate (MM): A complete concerto by Mozart or Strauss, or a work of similar difficulty. Orchestral Studies applicants must also present at least five standard excerpts.
• Performance Diploma: Three major works, including a complete sonata or concerto. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.
• Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies: Five standard excerpts of the applicant’s choice; one etude; a complete sonata or concerto.

Sample Brass Courses

• Applied Lessons
• Large Ensembles
• Chamber Music
• Brass Performance Class
• Degree Recital

View the full course catalog for the Bachelor's of Music in Brass

View the full course catalog for the Master's of Music in Brass

View the full course catalog for the Diploma in Brass

Career Opportunities in Brass

Students graduate with comprehensive musicianship skills, performance capability, analytic abilities and stylistic knowledge. Our students go on to hold positions in major orchestras and ensembles throughout the world. Community engagement, social justice, business skills and professional development are woven into the curriculum as well.

Meet Your Faculty

• Charles Schuchat
  • Artist Faculty Music
  • Artist Faculty, Tuba/Euphonium
  • Program Director of Brass & Percussion
• Mark Almond
  • Artist Faculty Music
  • Horn
• Neal Berntsen
  • Artist Faculty Music
  • Trumpet
• Reed Capshaw
  • Artist Faculty Music
  • Trombone
• Ignacio del Rey Tomas-Biosca
  • Artist Faculty Music
  • Trombone
  • Program Director of Ensembles
• Greg Flint
  • Artist Faculty Music
  • Horn
• Jay Friedman
  • Artist Faculty Music
  • Trombone
• David Griffin
  • Artist Faculty Music
  • Horn
• Rebecca Oliverio
  • Artist Faculty Music
  • Trumpet