DD (current sophomore) is investigating several music programs & their audition requirements. Some of the programs have very generalized lists, while others have micro-specific lists. There are a couple “outliers” on her interest-list that have some very specific pieces listed as audition requirements. Those songs are not on her long-term plan at the moment, but relatively similar (in difficulty and length) pieces by the same composer are. As these are very long pieces to be memorized, she’s not up to learning, memorizing, and perfecting several lengthy songs within the next year+ for each, individual program.
So - the question - how strict are the programs usually in regards to audition pieces? IF she doesn’t have “This Certain Piece” completed, does she just not bother to apply, or should she still apply, but with her “Similar But Not Exact” piece?
Also - do the audition requirements often change within a program (where one year, it’s required to audition with A, B, and C… and the following year, it’s X, Y, and Z)?
I would email the department head of each school to clarify – some schools are very specific.
What instrument? Or is this for voice. My D found that for violin there is quite a bit of overlap. Core pieces for most schools were fast and slow movements from a concerto (concerto). 2 pieces of Bach.
Etude requirement is covered by a paganini caprice as some schools asked for Paganini specifically.
Few of the schools may require a couple additional pieces. A modern piece, for example.
Just wondering, if she is planning to study similar pieces in complexity and length by the same composer, why not substitute the required pieces?
Substituting the piece(s) would mean she doesn’t fit the requirements for another school. School A requires “This Song by Composer A,” and School D requires “THAT Song by Composer A.” So learning both doesn’t make a lot of sense (same style, same era, same composer), and considering that these are very long pieces, she just won’t have the time even if she wanted to.
She’s going to continue focusing on the top three schools she’s looking at, and will inquire directly of the other schools as to how strict they are to those requirements. We weren’t sure if this was just one of those things where schools frequently say they “require” this-or-that, but will almost always accept another/similar piece - and it sounds like it varies greatly between departments, so she’ll just ask each one she’s interested in. 
Thanks!
Email department chairs from each school and do not ask the admissions people these questions - they will tell you everything HAS TO BE what’s on the list on the website. When my brother auditioned at Peabody this year he managed to get them to agree to letting him play a fourth movement of a concerto instead of a first movement because he’d prepared it for other schools but either movement showed the same things they were looking for. Don’t expect professors to bend over backwards for you, but these things can sometimes be flexible.
I agree, your best bet is to contact the department and ask. With Instrumental music usually the requirements are somewhat generic (for example, on violin they may ask for contrasting movements of a bach partita or sonata, or a Mozart concerto without specifying which one), or a paganini caprice rather than a specific one. That said, if they are asking for a specific song then ask them, you don’t want to go into an audition and find they want that exact piece, so email or call and ask the department if they can be flexible.