Prospective students must complete a live audition and interview with the music faculty prior to the semester of initial enrollment. If you live too far from an audition site for a live audition to be practical, a videotape may be submitted for provisional consideration, to be followed up by a live audition and interview when you arrive on campus. Recorded accompaniments are not allowed for auditions except in certain circumstances for popular music auditions; an accompanist will be provided if requested.
Application materials should be received and auditions completed at least six weeks before the beginning of your first term in the music major in order to ensure a place in applied music, ensembles and required music courses. Priority music scholarship consideration is given to student applications that are complete (audition and application finished) prior to March 20. No audition or interview is required for the music minor unless scholarship is requested.
In addition to PBA application procedures, prospective students seeking to major in music must file an application with the College of Arts. Approval for study in the Bachelor of Music program or the Bachelor of Arts program is based on several factors, including an audition, interview and review of previous work.
Request a Music Audition
Music Audition 2024-25 Dates:
Fall 2024 Audition Dates
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Friday, Oct. 11 – 11 a.m. – Only theatre
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Saturday, Nov. 23 – 9 a.m. – dance, music & theatre
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Friday, Dec. 6 – 11 a.m. – Only theatre
Spring 2025 Audition Dates
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Friday, Jan. 31 – 3 p.m. – dance, music & theatre
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Saturday, Feb. 22 – 9 a.m. – dance, music & theatre
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Friday, March. 7 – 11 a.m. dance, music & theatre (Arts Day)
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Saturday, April. 5 – 9 a.m. dance, music & theatre
Auditions in this area are less stringent than those in performance. Students should prepare two contrasting pieces from the classical literature, demonstrating their technical and interpretive abilities in a principal area. Instrumentalists and keyboardists will be asked to play scales as well as sight-read.
It is understood that applicants will come with a variety of experiences, including areas of prior work (songwriting, arranging, performing, engineering), genre and stylistic interests (pop, rock, jazz), and hopes of outcomes. All applicants are expected to demonstrate certain musical skills. Applicants will perform two selections of contrasting style that represent the genre of music that the applicant hopes to study. Instrumentalists will play major and minor scales and sight-read. Applicants with experience in areas such as songwriting, arranging, performance, and recording may wish to present items or a portfolio to the audition panel. Items of interest may include a performance history, a demo CD, song lyrics, and original scores. Students will participate in an interview and complete a music theory assessment.
Placement Examinations
All freshmen and transfer students will be evaluated for piano study, music theory and musicianship skills placement.
Tests in other areas of music may be required in order to place the student in the appropriate course level. Transfer credit for courses in music theory will be evaluated by the Department of Music upon completion of the entrance examinations.
Auditioning students may supply their own accompanist, or may request that the College of Arts provide one. Taped accompaniment tracks, or any other form of prerecorded accompaniment are only allowed when auditioning for the Popular Music program.
At the discretion of the audition committee, all prospective students may be asked to sight-read. A separate audition may be required for certain ensembles.