Q: With so many great music schools from which to choose, why should the University of Georgia be on my short list?

A: There are three prongs to this answer, so we’ll start small and go bigger.

The Tuba-Euphonium studio has established itself as among the finest in the United States today through successes at national and international competitions and national auditions. The studio is strong and competitive, but there is a strong sense of family among all of the students. As one of the stronger studios within the School of Music, the members of the studio enjoy and esprit de corps that helps to characterize their experience while attending UGA. If you would like to solicit the opinion of a current member of the studio, please contact me and I will be happy to provide you with the e-mail address of any student in the studio.

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music is a thriving department within the larger Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. The School of Music is home to about 300 undergraduates and 200 graduate students and is housed in a magnificent state of the art facility. Ensembles are strong (and getting stronger!), practice rooms are plentiful and there is a strong sense of community within the department. There are hundreds of performances every year, many of which are presented in the acoustically brilliant Performing Arts Center.

The University of Georgia is consistently rated by U.S. News and World Report as a top 20 Public University and is a perennial fixture on Kiplinger’s list of “Great Schools at a Great Price.”  The picturesque campus is set right in the middle of one of the greatest college towns in America, Athens, GA. The spirit of the “Bulldog Nation” is infectious and there are great NCAA athletics to be enjoyed year-round. The southern climate is nearly perfect between September and May. If you have the hankering to do something in a large city, Atlanta is just an hour away,

With a strong studio led by an engaged professor, an incredible facility on a beautiful campus in a great college town, UGA is a great place to land!

Q. What do I need to play at my audition?

A. For incoming freshmen, I’d like to hear all twelve major scales. Two contrasting etudes, a solo and sight reading. These are merely guidelines, so you can stray from this list if you’d like. Feel free to drop me an e-mail if you have a question about your solo or etudes. The All-State Band etude by itself is not enough music for your audition! Please consider your musical selections carefully, as this will tell me almost as much about you as how well you play.

For Master’s candidates, please be prepared to play 30 minutes worth of music that includes three different musical periods (i.e. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern). In addition, MM candidates should be prepared to perform a selection of 5 standard band or orchestral excerpts of their choice.

Candidates for the DMA program are required to perform a 50 minute public recital program with an accompanist. (I can help to arrange an accompanist for you, whose fee you will be responsible for) DMA candidates are also requires to play five standard excerpts as part of their audition. It is recommended that DMA applicants consult with Professor Zerkel regarding their program before officially submitting it with their School of Music application.

Q. Who will be at my audition?

A.  For incoming freshmen and transfer students, it is likely that you will just play for  Zerkel.

Master’s applicants will play for three members of the brass faculty, one of whom will be Mr. Zerkel.

DMA applicants audition before a committee of at least five faculty members, The panel is comprised of  brass faculty, musicology faculty and music theory faculty. The audition is considered to be a public performance, so members of the studio frequently sit in on these auditions.

Q. How big is your studio?

A. Ideally, I would like to have 14 incredibly engaged students in the studio: eight tubas and six euphoniums. Typically, the studio is a bit larger. I have had as many as twenty music majors, but aspire to keep the number a bit lower so that everyone will have a positive ensemble experience.

Q. When are the audition dates?

A.  The audition dates for the 2008-09 school year are:
Saturday, October 25
Saturday, December 6
Friday and Saturday, January 16 and 17 (JANFEST)
Saturday, February 14
Saturday, February 28

Q. What if I cannot attend on an audition date?

A.  If you cannot attend on audition date, we will arrange another time for your   audition. Please e-mail or call Mr. Zerkel to schedule another appointment.

Q. Any advice?

A. Yes!
1. Apply early to both the University and to the School of Music!

2. Plan to play material that you play very well for your audition. I would rather hear a clean performance of a simple piece than a sketchy performance of a difficult work. Do what you do well!

3. Keep your grades up! UGA gets more academically selective every year! Strive to do well on your SAT or GRE.

4. Come to your audition/interview ready to chat about your future plans and your degree objectives. Part of the selection process is based on your potential to meet your goals and your potential to be a good fit for the studio.