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Woodwinds · 168 verified programs with a flute pathway

Flute: degrees, diplomas and programs

Flute study emphasises breath, tone and agility, and extends from orchestral and chamber playing to the piccolo, historical flutes and contemporary techniques.

Also called: Transverse flute, Concert flute, Querflöte, Flûte traversière, Flauto traverso.

What the listings below mean

A program is listed for flute only where its official page names the instrument in the title, as a major, or as a formal principal-study pathway. These are formal degree, diploma or certificate pathways; the page says which. An instrument taught in private lessons, or a teacher on the faculty, does not create a listing.

89 Bachelor’s · 62 Master’s · 9 Diploma · 5 Practice doctorate · 3 Certificate · 6 formal principal-study pathway, 137 named major, 25 named in the program title

168 programs

How results are ordered: alphabetically by institution, or by most recently checked when you choose that sort. There is no price ranking, because tuition in different currencies, fee categories and bases (per year, per credit, whole program) is not comparable. A program appears under a subject only through a verified link (dedicated degree, major, concentration or documented pathway). A value we could not verify is shown as “not published”, never as “no”. Items marked Sponsored are paid placements; they never change verification or order. Online programs are not counted as physically located in a state or city, and an institution’s location does not tell you whether it enrols students from your country.

Published flute audition repertoire

Copied from each program’s own admissions page. Requirements are specific to the program and intake: follow the link and check the current year.

  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Master of Music
    • Pre-screening requirement: All graduate flute applicants are required to submit a pre-screening recording. Selections should include the following: | Mozart Concerto in G Major, K 313, or D Major, K 314, first movement exposition. | One contrasting piece from the solo repertoire. | Three orchestral excerpts from the standard orchestral excerpt repertoire (found most commonly in the Baxtresser or Kujala orchestral excerpt books). | Live/Recorded Audition Requirements: Applicants for the MM and DMA in flute should prepare: | Mozart Concerto in G Major, K 313, or D Major, K 314, 1st and 2nd movements. | A Baroque period sonata, preferably by Bach or Telemann. | 20th/21st century piece(s) of choice. | 4 orchestral excerpts displaying a variety of styles. | It is highly recommended that all graduate candidates attend an on-campus audition. If an applicant is unable to travel to campus for a live audition, the faculty will accept a recorded audition, and a virtual interview may occur. All applicants submitting a pre-recorded sound file in lieu of a live audition should be prepared to play
  • University of Iowa: Bachelor of Music (BM)
    • Prescreening | No prescreening required. | Preparation requirements | Two contrasting solo pieces | 2-3 standard orchestral excerpts or one etude | Technical requirements | No technical requirements. | Time requirement | The audition will be in a lesson format with a full duration of 20 minutes. | Accompaniment | No accompaniment is required. | Repertoire | No required repertoire, please reach out to Professor Esposito for repertoire suggestions
  • Lawrence University: Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.)
    • Three pieces of contrasting styles, which may include movements from the concerto, sonata, and solo repertoire. These works should highlight your musicianship, technical skill, and artistic interests. | Your choice of 2-4 standard orchestral excerpts | All major scales, full range and slurred | Minor scales: G, F, and C (harmonic or melodic), 2 octaves and tongued | Full range chromatic scale | Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions | An introductory video is required for recorded auditions | Please contact Erin Lesser for questions regarding audition repertoire.
  • DePaul University: Bachelor of Music
    • We encourage all applicants to audition in person if possible. Register for a live audition by January 15. | ​Audition Repertoire | Scales - 3 octaves when possible, all slurred: B Major | B-flat Natural Minor | G Melodic Minor | D Harmonic Minor | Choose one of the following: Bach Sonata in E Major , Movement I or II | Bach Sonata in E minor , Movement I or II | Contrasting piece or one movement from a work that is a concerto or a sonata. | Optional: Additional piccolo piece or excerpt. ​​​
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Bachelor of Music
    • Three or more contrasting movements or pieces from the solo, sonata, or concerto repertoire, demonstrating artistry, lyrical phrasing, and technical proficiency. | On-campus audition dates can be found here . It is highly recommended that all undergraduate candidates attend an on-campus audition. If you are unable to audition on-campus, please select the “recorded” audition format preference on your supplemental music form. Undergraduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should follow the steps outlined here . All flute students who submit a recorded audition will have a virtual interview with the faculty, and should be prepared to play selections from that repertoire in their live online interview.
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Bachelor of Music
    • Flute: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Graduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Three contrasting orchestral excerpts
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Master of Music
    • Flute: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Graduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Three contrasting orchestral excerpts
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Graduate Diploma
    • Flute: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Graduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Three contrasting orchestral excerpts
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Artist Diploma
    • Flute: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Graduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Three contrasting orchestral excerpts
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Artist Certificate
    • Flute: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Graduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Three contrasting orchestral excerpts
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Doctor of Musical Arts
    • Flute: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Graduate: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two or three octaves Three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one may be an etude Three contrasting orchestral excerpts
  • DePaul University: Master of Music
    • ​​ ​We encourage all applicants to audition in person if possible. Register for a live audition by January 15. | ​Audition Repertoire | ​​A movement from a concerto of your choice (if Mozart, no cadenza needed) | Contrasting piece or one movement from a work that is a concerto or a sonata | Choose three flute excerpts from below: Beethoven: Leonore No. 3, Allegro mm. 328-360 | Debu ssy: Afternoon of a Faun , first 4 measures and rehearsal numbers 2-3 | Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis, Movement III (Andantino) | Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream , Scherzo, 12 before [P] to end | Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor , Movement IV, mm. 89 -105​ | Optional: Piccolo excerpt. Choose one from below: ​M. Ippolitov-Ivanov: Caucasian Sketches | Ravel: P iano Concerto in G Major , opening solo to rehearsal number 1 | R ossini: Overture to "Semiramide," G-H and T-U ​​

About flute study

The flute is played by directing air across an embouchure hole, which makes tone colour, breath control and air direction central to training. Degree-level students work on tone, intonation, articulation, vibrato and dynamic range, usually alongside long-tone and technical studies, and build the stamina needed for long rehearsals and performances.

Most flute programs include orchestral and wind ensemble playing and chamber music, often woodwind quintets, along with solo and duo repertoire. Many flutists also study the piccolo, alto flute and bass flute, which orchestras and bands often require. Some departments teach baroque flute or the wooden traverso as part of early music, and contemporary programs may explore extended techniques such as multiphonics, flutter-tonguing and electronics.

Typical degree contexts include the Bachelor of Music in flute performance, the Master of Music, and practice doctorates such as the Doctor of Musical Arts. Flute also appears in music education, pedagogy and jazz programs. Competition for professional orchestral positions is intense, and many programs prepare students for a portfolio of work that includes teaching, chamber playing and freelancing.

What study typically involves

  • Flute tone, breath control and articulation
  • Solo repertoire, sonatas and concertos
  • Orchestral excerpts and ensemble playing
  • Chamber music, including woodwind quintet
  • Piccolo, alto flute and bass flute in many programs
  • Extended techniques and contemporary music
  • Sight-reading, ear training and theory
  • Pedagogy and baroque flute in some programs

Award titles. Flute is commonly studied for a Bachelor of Music or BMus and a Master of Music or MMus. Some conservatories award an Artist Diploma or a graduate or postgraduate diploma to advanced players; these are diploma-level awards, not master's degrees. The Doctor of Musical Arts is a practice doctorate. Names differ by country and no equivalence is claimed here.

A program is listed under flute in this directory only when its official page names the instrument in the title, as a major, or as a formal principal-study option. A private teacher or a faculty flutist does not count. Not every school offers flute as a degree specialization, and some group woodwinds under a general heading.

Auditions and admissions guidance

General orientation only. Each program publishes its own repertoire, format and deadlines; this directory cannot guarantee acceptance.

Flute auditions are usually live, with a recorded prescreening round at some schools. Panels commonly ask for contrasting works such as a baroque or classical sonata movement and a later or contemporary piece, along with scales and sometimes an etude. They listen for tone quality, intonation, rhythm and phrasing.

An accompanist is often required for sonatas and concertos, and schools differ on whether they provide one. Orchestral excerpts may be requested at graduate level, and sight-reading and theory or aural tests are common.

Each program publishes its own repertoire categories, format and deadlines, and these change annually. Applicants should check the current-year requirements for every school and confirm accompanist arrangements. Nothing here guarantees admission.

See also preparing for auditions and prescreening vs final auditions.

Costs and funding

Some programs offer scholarships tied to audition results, and graduate flutists may be considered for assistantships such as teaching non-majors, coaching sectionals or serving in wind ensembles. Availability depends on the size of the studio and the school.

Terms vary by institution, country and year, and many students receive partial or no support. Check each program's funding information.

Costs beyond tuition. Flutists may pay for instrument purchase or rental, with professional models representing a significant outlay, as well as cleaning, repadding and regular maintenance. Piccolo and alto flute may be extra, and headjoints and cases add cost. Accompanist fees and audition travel are other possibilities.