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Brass · 169 verified programs with a trumpet pathway

Trumpet: degrees, diplomas and programs

Trumpet study builds endurance, flexibility and range, and leads into orchestral, brass ensemble, jazz and commercial playing.

Also called: Trompete, Trompette, Tromba, Trompeta, Cornet (related).

What the listings below mean

A program is listed for trumpet 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.

95 Bachelor’s · 60 Master’s · 7 Diploma · 4 Practice doctorate · 3 Certificate · 135 named major, 5 formal principal-study pathway, 29 named in the program title

169 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 trumpet 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 Iowa: Bachelor of Music (BM)
    • Audition day information | See the submission deadline for undergraduates to file with the School of Music and learn more about Audition Day . | Prescreening | No prescreening required, but it is strongly recommended that you contact Professor Gause for a sample lesson before your audition. | Preparation requirements | Candidates should prepare two contrasting selections from the standard repertoire for their instrument, which may include solos, etudes and/or orchestral excerpts. | Learn more about suggested repertoire | Time requirement | The audition will be in a lesson format with a full duration of 60 minutes, and should consist of five to seven minutes of prepared material. | Accompaniment | No accompaniment is required. | Technical requirements | Scales | Up to four sharps or four flats, with two octaves where possible. | Sightreading | Suggested repertoire | Solo repertoire | Arutunian Concerto | Balay Prelude et Ballade | Barat Andante et Scherzo | Broughton Oliver’s Birthday | Clarke Debutante, Bride of the Waves, etc. | Handel Aria con Variazioni | Haydn Concerto | Hindemit
  • Lawrence University: Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.)
    • Three contrasting works (10-15 minutes total) that demonstrate your musicality, technique, and individual artistic interest. These can include: | Lyrical solo works with or without recorded accompaniment, works by composers from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged | An étude demonstrating your technical skills such as Charlier, Bousquet, Wurm, Brandt, or an Arban’s Characteristic Study | Orchestral excerpts such as the opening “Promenade” from Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition , the “Ballerina’s Danse” from Stravinsky’s Petrushka , the offstage solo from Respighi’s Pines of Rome , or the opening of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 | An original composition | Both Leonore Overture No. 2 and 3 excerpts (performed on trumpet of choice) | The following two octave scales, ascending and descending: | G major and Ab major | A harmonic minor | B melodic minor or chromatic scale | Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions | An introductory video is required for recorded auditions | For students interested in the Jazz Emphasis, please refer to the Jazz Audition Guideline
  • DePaul University: Bachelor of Music
    • ​​​​We encourage all applicants to audition in person if possible. Register for an audition by January 15. | Please note: Performance majors and musical studies majors have different repertoire requirements. If your intended major is Music Education, Sound Recording Technology, Performing Arts Management, or Bachelor of Arts, please prepare the Musical Studies repertoire. | Audition Repertoire (Performance Majors) | One etude of applicant's choice from Charlier, Brandt, Arban Characteristic Studies , or equivalent. | One short standard solo piece (Enescu Legende or equivalent), or the first movement of a standard concerto or sonata of the applicant's choice (Arutunian, Haydn, Hummel, Hindemith, Kennan, or equivalent). No piccolo requirements for undergrad. | Prepare all major and minor scales (one octave). | Sight-reading will be provided. | Excerpts: | Promenade from Pictures at an Exhibition | Off-stage solo from 2nd movement of Pines of Rome | Off-stage solo from Beethoven Leonore Overture no. 3 | Audition Repertoire (Musical Studies Majors) | One etude of applicant's choice from Charlier, Brandt, Arban Characteristic Studies, or equivalent. | One short standard solo piece (Enes
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Bachelor of Music
    • Trumpet: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Concerto or solo piece selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire optional Graduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Bitsch, Smith-Top Tones, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Two concerto or solo pieces of contrasting style selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Master of Music
    • Trumpet: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Concerto or solo piece selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire optional Graduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Bitsch, Smith-Top Tones, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Two concerto or solo pieces of contrasting style selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Graduate Diploma
    • Trumpet: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Concerto or solo piece selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire optional Graduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Bitsch, Smith-Top Tones, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Two concerto or solo pieces of contrasting style selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Artist Diploma
    • Trumpet: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Concerto or solo piece selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire optional Graduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Bitsch, Smith-Top Tones, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Two concerto or solo pieces of contrasting style selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Artist Certificate
    • Trumpet: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Concerto or solo piece selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire optional Graduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Bitsch, Smith-Top Tones, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Two concerto or solo pieces of contrasting style selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Doctor of Musical Arts
    • Trumpet: Audition Requirements Undergraduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Concerto or solo piece selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire optional Graduate: Two etudes of contrasting style from Charlier, Brandt, Bitsch, Smith-Top Tones, Characteristic Study from Arban, or the equivalent Two concerto or solo pieces of contrasting style selected by the student Orchestral passages from standard repertoire
  • 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 | Solos First and second movements of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto in E-flat Major (performed on B-flat or E-flat trumpet) | Intrada for Trumpet and Piano by Arthur Honegger | Etudes Charlier No. 2 | Orchestral Excerpts Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition, "Promenade": beginning to [2] | Mahler: Symphony No. 5, Movement 1: beginning to 4 after [1] | Respighi: Pines of Rome, Movement 2: offstage solo | Stravinsky: Petrushka (1947 edition) | Handel: Messiah, "The Trumpet Shall Sound" (performed on piccolo or D trumpet)
  • Northwestern University: Bachelor of Music
    • Audition dates: | Early Decision: November 21 | Regular Decision: February 7-8 | For Prescreening: | 1 étude of applicant’s choice from Charlier, Brandt, Arban Characteristic Studies, or equivalent | 1 short standard solo piece (Enescu Légende or equivalent), or the first movement of a standard concerto or sonata of the applicant’s choice (Haydn, Hummel, Hindemith, Kennan, or equivalent) NOTE: No piccolo trumpet solo allowed | NOTE: Choose contrasting works that will display your highest level of achievement musically and technically. Repertoire can be recorded in separate takes and uploaded in separate files. | NOTE: Applicants who submit incomplete prescreening repertoire requirements may be disqualified from consideration. | For Final Audition: | 1 étude of the applicant’s choice from Charlier, Brandt, Arban Characteristic Studies, or equivalent | 2 contrasting solos or movements from a standard concerto or sonata of applicant’s choice. One piece must be the first movement of a standard concerto or sonata | 3 contrasting standard orchestral excerpts | Adolphus Hailstork Variations for Trumpet , measure 75 to the end | NOTE: Applicants who submit incomplete audition repertoire requirements may be disqualified from consideration.
  • Northwestern University: Master of Music
    • Audition dates: | February 7-8 | For Prescreening: | 1 étude of applicant’s choice from Charlier, Bitsch, or equivalent. | 1 short standard solo (Honegger Intrada or equivalent) or first movement from a standard concerto or sonata of applicant’s choice (Haydn, Hummel, Tomasi, Jolivet, or equivalent). | 2 contrasting standard orchestral excerpts: Choose contrasting works that will display your highest level of achievement musically and technically. | For Final Audition: | All repertoire required. No substitutions. | 2 études of applicant’s choice from Charlier, Bitsch, or equivalent. | 1 movement from a standard concerto or sonata of applicant’s choice. | Honneger, Intrada | 4 contrasting standard orchestral excerpts | 1 piccolo trumpet orchestral excerpt of J. S. Bach (Magnificat, Christmas Oratorio or B Minor Mass) | Adolphus Hailstork Variations for Trumpet

About trumpet study

The trumpet is a high brass instrument played with a cup mouthpiece and three valves, and degree-level study begins with the fundamentals of the embouchure: breath support, flexibility, range, articulation and endurance. Teachers pay close attention to daily routines, and many programs build in time for warm-ups, long tones and technical studies because the physical demands are considerable.

Trumpeters typically play in orchestra, wind ensemble, brass quintet and other chamber settings, and many programs also teach several types of trumpet, such as the B-flat, C, piccolo and sometimes the cornet. Orchestral excerpts are a significant focus for those aiming at orchestral work. Jazz and commercial playing are strong parallel traditions, and many departments offer jazz trumpet with improvisation, big band and small-group playing.

Typical degree contexts include the Bachelor of Music in trumpet performance, the Master of Music, and practice doctorates such as the Doctor of Musical Arts. Trumpet also appears in jazz studies degrees and in music education programs. Schools differ in whether they emphasise classical, jazz or mixed training, so applicants should compare faculty backgrounds and ensemble offerings.

What study typically involves

  • Trumpet fundamentals: breath, embouchure, range and endurance
  • Solo repertoire, concertos and sonatas
  • Orchestral excerpts and section playing
  • Brass quintet and other chamber music
  • Piccolo trumpet, C trumpet or cornet in many programs
  • Jazz improvisation and big band playing in some programs
  • Sight-reading, ear training and theory
  • Pedagogy and mute or style techniques

Award titles. Trumpet study can lead to a Bachelor of Music or BMus and a Master of Music or MMus, with jazz-oriented study sometimes under a jazz-specific title. Some conservatories award an Artist Diploma or a graduate or postgraduate diploma to advanced players, which are diploma-level awards and not master's degrees. The Doctor of Musical Arts is a practice doctorate. Names vary by country, and no equivalence is claimed here.

This directory lists a program under trumpet 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 trumpeter does not count. Not every school offers trumpet as a degree specialization, and classical and jazz routes may be offered separately.

Auditions and admissions guidance

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

Trumpet auditions are typically live, with some programs using a recorded prescreening round. Applicants commonly play contrasting works, scales and an etude, and graduate applicants may add orchestral excerpts. Panels listen for sound quality, accuracy, flexibility and control at different dynamics.

An accompanist is usually expected for concerto and sonata movements, with provision varying by school. Sight-reading, theory and aural tests are common, and jazz-oriented auditions may include improvisation over prepared tunes.

Each program publishes its own repertoire categories and format, and they change by year. Applicants should read the current-year requirements for each school. Nothing here guarantees admission.

See also preparing for auditions and prescreening vs final auditions.

Costs and funding

Trumpeters are needed in bands, orchestras and jazz ensembles, and programs may offer scholarships linked to ensemble needs. Graduate students might be considered for assistantships such as brass quintet coaching, teaching non-majors or leading sectionals.

Funding varies by school, country and year, and many students receive partial support or none. Check each program's funding information.

Costs beyond tuition. Trumpeters may pay for one or more instruments, such as B-flat, C and piccolo, mouthpieces, mutes, valve oil and servicing. Accompanist fees, audition travel and recording of audition videos are other possibilities. Students who play across classical and jazz may need extra equipment.