Music Schools Worldwide
Compare0

Strings · 166 verified programs with a viola pathway

Viola: degrees, diplomas and programs

Viola study draws on the inner voice of the string family, with strong emphasis on chamber music, orchestral work and a distinctive solo repertoire.

Also called: Bratsche, Alto (French), Viola (Italian), Viola (Spanish), Altviool.

What the listings below mean

A program is listed for viola 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.

88 Bachelor’s · 59 Master’s · 9 Diploma · 7 Practice doctorate · 3 Certificate · 135 named major, 9 formal principal-study pathway, 22 named in the program title

166 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 viola 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
    • • Two contrasting movements of a concerto. | • Two contrasting movements of a sonata with piano, or two contrasting movements of a solo sonata, partita, or suite. | • One additional work written after 1990. | NOTE: Lesser-known works and works by underrepresented composers are welcome and encouraged. | 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. Graduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should upload the audition directly to their Graduate College application.
  • 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 is prescreening required. | Preparation requirements | The Prelude and one other movement from a Bach Cello Suite; or two contrasting movements from a Bach Violin Sonata or Partita | The first movement of a concerto or sonata (scored for viola/piano or solo viola) that clearly represents the current level of your playing. See the "Suggested Repertoire" tab below. | Memorization is not required | Time requirement | Audition materials should be thoroughly prepared and approximately 10 minutes in length. | Accompaniment | No accompaniment is required. | Technical requirements | One major and one minor scale of your choice (three octaves preferred) | Suggested repertoire | Students may choose any concerto or sonata that represents their playing well. Some excellent choices include, but are not limited to: the Stamitz, Hoffmeister, Walton, Bartók, Forsyth, Bowen, Rózsa, and Higdon concertos, Hindemith's "Der Schwanendreher," Bru
  • Lawrence University: Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.)
    • One movement of a standard concerto or other work for solo viola and orchestra | A movement of a solo work by J.S. Bach from works originally for cello or violin | One étude or caprice (such as Campagnoli, Dont, Lillian Fuchs, Michael Kimber, Mazas, Palaschko, etc.) | One three-octave major scale and its parallel minor scale and arpeggios | An optional work of your choice (contrasting in style from other works presented) | An introductory video is required for recorded auditions
  • DePaul University: Bachelor of Music
    • ​ ​​​We encourage all applicants to audition in person if possible. Register for a live audition by January 15. | Prescreen Repertoire - Due Dec. 1 | A prescreen is required for all applicants who list viola as their primary instrument. Please review our Prescreen Information page carefully before submission. | First movement of a standard concerto (no accompaniment required) | One movement from a Suite for Unaccompanied Cello by J.S. Bach | Audition Repertoire​ | One movement of a standard concerto | Prelude of a solo Bach suite, sonata, or partita plus one other movement of the applicant's choice | One movement of a work of the applicant's choice
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Bachelor of Music
    • • Applicants should prepare two contrasting movements. | NOTE: Lesser-known works and works by underrepresented composers are welcome and encouraged. | 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 .
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Bachelor of Music
    • Viola: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto Graduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Master of Music
    • Viola: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto Graduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Graduate Diploma
    • Viola: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto Graduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Artist Diploma
    • Viola: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto Graduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Artist Certificate
    • Viola: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto Graduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Doctor of Musical Arts
    • Viola: Audition Requirements Must be played from memory. Undergraduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto Graduate: A scale of your choice in three octaves, once slurring six and once with a spiccato stroke Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work One movement from a standard viola concerto
  • DePaul University: Master of Music
    • ​​ ​We encourage all applicants to audition in person if possible. Audition registration will be available after prescreen results are sent. Register for a live audition by January 15. | Prescreen Repertoire - Due Dec. 1 | A prescreen is required for all applicants who list viola as their primary instrument. Please review our Prescreen Information page carefully before submission. | First movement of a 20th century concerto, memorized. No accompaniment needed. | One movement of a standard sonata | One movement from a Suite for Unaccompanied Cello by J.S. Bach | Audition Repertoire | One movement of a 20th century viola concerto, memorized | One movement of a standard viola sonata or solo viola work | Prelude of a solo Bach suite, sonata, or partita plus one other movement of the applicant's choice, memorized | One movement of a work of the applicant's choice

About viola study

The viola is larger than the violin and tuned a fifth lower, and it reads primarily in alto clef. Degree-level study builds on lessons and studio classes much like other strings, but with particular attention to tone production on a heavier instrument, left-hand adaptation to larger spacing, and fluency in clef reading, including treble clef. Many violists begin on violin, and some programs accept applicants making that switch.

Because the viola often plays the middle voice, training places heavy emphasis on ensemble listening. Chamber music, especially string quartet and works with piano or winds, is central, and orchestral participation is common. The solo repertoire is smaller than the violin's but includes concertos, sonatas and a growing body of contemporary pieces, and some programs include study of the viola d'amore or historical instruments.

Typical degrees include the Bachelor of Music in viola performance, the Master of Music, and practice doctorates such as the Doctor of Musical Arts. String departments sometimes combine violin and viola in teaching or audition panels, but students are usually admitted as violists with their own principal teacher. Pedagogy, orchestral and contemporary routes appear at some institutions.

What study typically involves

  • Viola technique, tone and bowing on a larger instrument
  • Alto clef reading and fluency in treble clef
  • Solo repertoire including sonatas and concertos
  • String quartet and other chamber music
  • Orchestral playing and excerpt preparation
  • Studio classes, juries and recitals
  • Theory, aural skills and music history
  • Pedagogy or historical performance in some programs

Award titles. Viola study leads to the same family of awards as other string instruments: Bachelor of Music or BMus, Master of Music or MMus, and in some systems national first- and second-cycle diplomas. An Artist Diploma or graduate or postgraduate diploma may be offered to advanced players and is a diploma-level award, not a master's degree. The Doctor of Musical Arts is a practice doctorate. Names differ by country and no equivalence claims are made here.

This directory lists a program under viola 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 violist does not count on its own. Not every school offers viola as a separate specialization; some admit string players under a general strings heading.

Auditions and admissions guidance

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

Viola auditions are normally live, with some schools using a recorded prescreening first. Panels commonly ask for contrasting works, plus scales or an etude, and may request orchestral excerpts at graduate level. Candidates are often expected to show command of alto clef. Applicants who studied violin may be asked to demonstrate that they have adapted to the viola.

An accompanist is usually needed for sonatas and concertos; some programs supply one and others expect candidates to bring one. Sight-reading, theory and aural tests, and interviews, are typical in addition to the performance.

Each program publishes its own repertoire, format and deadlines, and they change from year to year, so consult the current-year audition page for every school. Nothing here guarantees admission.

See also preparing for auditions and prescreening vs final auditions.

Costs and funding

Violists are sometimes in demand for chamber and orchestral ensembles, and programs may offer merit scholarships or ensemble-linked awards as a result. Graduate students might be considered for assistantships such as coaching younger string players or supporting orchestral sectionals.

Funding differs by institution, country and year, and many students receive partial or no support. Ask each program what it offers.

Costs beyond tuition. Violists may need to buy or rent an instrument, a bow, strings, rosin and a case, and arrange maintenance or repairs. Because violas vary in size, choosing a comfortable instrument can involve trial rentals. Accompanist fees, travel to auditions and insurance are other possible costs.