Part 1: Guidelines for Auditions
Be sure to read Part 2: Video Requirements and Tips before recording your audition video
Auditions for the 2026 session will be submitted via video (smartphone videos are okay!). Instructions for submitting a video audition will be sent via automated email after the application has been completed (be sure to check spam folders if you do not see the confirmation email when the application form is submitted). If you are unable to submit a video audition, please check the box at the end of the application form that indicates you need an alternate way to audition and you will be contacted by the PSE staff.
Audition Requirements
- One short piece, or a concerto or sonata movement.
- Please record your answers to the following questions at the beginning or end of your audition video. If you like, you can submit a second video with the answers to the questions below .
- 1.What do you hope to get out of your time with PSE?
- 2. What do you like most about playing your instrument?
- 3. What is your favorite music to listen to?
- Please prepare all excerpts listed for your instrument below (unless a choice is indicated):
2026 Excerpts
Violin:
- Dvořák Quartet F Major Op. 96 “American”
Last Movement – from the beginning to the downbeat of 3 bars after Rehearsal 2.
https://vmirror.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/6/6e/IMSLP380283-PMLP28526-Dvorak_SQ12_corrected.pdf (page 7) - Brahms Sextet Op. 18 Movement 1 (Violin 1):
Beginning (m. 10) to downbeat of m 51. (5 bars after Letter B)
https://vmirror.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/8/8f/IMSLP499814-PMLP21111-8_331d-PMLP21111-JBrahms_String_Sextet_No.1,_Op.18_parts_OSchnirlin.pdf
Viola:
- Beethoven String Quartet Op 18 No 6, Movement 1:
Begin at measure 30 (12 measures after letter A) to the 1st ending after letter D.
http://conquest.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/e/eb/IMSLP85155-PMLP05023-Breitkopf_Beethoven_Quartett_Op_18_No_6_Viola.pdf - Smetana String Quartet 1st Movement:
Beginning to Letter A
https://vmirror.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/7/7b/IMSLP362680-PMLP41366-Viola.pdf
Cello:
- Beethoven String Quartet Op. 59 No. 1, Movement 1:
Beginning to downbeat of m. 52 (5 bars after Rehearsal # 3 or Letter B).
https://vmirror.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/1/1f/IMSLP287287-PMLP05127-LvBeethoven_String_Quartet_No.7,_Op.59_No.1_R%C3%B6ntgen_cello.pdf - Brahms Sextet Op. 18, in B flat major, Movement 1 (Cello 1 Part):
Beginning to downbeat of m 51. (4 bars before Letter B)
https://vmirror.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/0/0c/IMSLP499818-PMLP21111-95_331d-PMLP21111-JBrahms_String_Sextet_No.1,_Op.18_parts_OSchnirlin.pdf
Bass:
- Dvorak String Quintet in G, Op. 77 . Movement 1:
Begin at 12 bars after Letter D (play second ending) to 10 bars before Letter F.
https://vmirror.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/6/66/IMSLP615613-PMLP116869-SIBLEY1802.35623.dd38-M552_.D988_op.77_S61_bass.pdf - Schubert “Trout” Quintet Op. 115. Movement 4 (Andantino):
Variation III and IV (no repeats)
https://vmirror.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/a/a9/IMSLP22325-PMLP10129-Schubert_114_trout_quintet_bass.pdf
Piano:
No excerpts required, just one short piece, or a concerto or sonata movement as described above.
As an example of level, below is a list of the piano repertoire performed during a previous PSE session.
- Bagatelles, Op. 47 by Antonín Dvořák
- I. Allegretto scherzando
- III. Allegretto scherzando
- V. Poco Allegro
- Piano Trio No. 39 in G Major, Hob XV:25 by Franz Joseph Haydn
- I. Andante
- III. Finale
- Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, K. 478 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- I. Allegro
- Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44 by Robert Schumann
- I. Allegro brillante