Audition Information
Audition Information
ENTRANCE AUDITIONS
Auditions are required of all new undergraduate students (freshman or transfer) who wish to declare a major in music. The audition process also serves to determine scholarship consideration. There is no separate application for students who want to be considered for talent-based scholarships recommended by the School of Music.
Campus audition dates for students planning to enter in the Fall of 2014 are:
- Saturday, January 25, 2014
- Saturday, February 15, 2014
- Monday, February 17, 2014
- Saturday, February 22, 2014
You may contact the School of Music by email or telephone (740-593-4244) to set up an audition.
If making your request by email, please provide all of the following information:
- Your first and second choice for audition date
- Instrument
- Degree interest – Performance – Music Education – Music Therapy – Composition
- Email address
- Home address
- City, State, Zip code
- Home Phone – Cell Phone if applicable
- High School
If none of the listed audition dates are possible, please call the School of Music to determine whether the division faculty will be able to accommodate a different audition date for you.
- Date of graduation
Undergraduate Audition Requirements
Requirements for auditions vary by performance division. Click the following links for more specific criteria.
Graduate Audition Requirements
Requirements for auditions vary by performance division. Click the following links for more specific criteria.
ADDITIONAL ADMISSION INFORMATION
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Music Major
This page provides answers to many common questions about becoming a music major.
Theory Exam
All prospective freshmen music majors will take a theory examination on the audition day. The results will become part of the student's profile in making final decisions about admission and scholarships. How can I prepare for the theory exam?
Music Education & Therapy: Interview
An interview for prospective Music Education and Music Therapy students with faculty from the professional studies area will be scheduled on the audition day. The results will become part of the student's profile in making final decisions about admission and scholarships.
Music Education: Keyboard Students
Students with piano as the major instrument must also audition on voice (choral emphasis) or a band or orchestra instrument (instrumental emphasis).
Composition Portfolio Review and Interview
All prospective music composition majors should submit a portfolio containing recent examples of their best creative work. Scores of original compositions and arrangements may be submitted on paper — or as computer files on a data CD. Acceptable formats include files made with Sibelius or any of the Finale family of software. Files from other programs that have been converted to Acrobat Reader-compatible PDF format are also acceptable. If possible, you should also include recordings of the scores you submit. Recommended formats include audio CD, mp3 format on data CD, or audio cassette. It is recommended, especially for students seeking financial aid. that a composition interview be scheduled as part of the audition day activities. If you are mailing in your portfolio, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you wish to have materials returned after the review process.
B.A. Degree: Writing Sample
All prospective B.A. in music majors should submit a sample essay as part of their application. The essay need not be on a music-related topic, but should reflect your best writing and critical thinking skills.
For more details regarding specific undergraduate degree programs in music, please contact:
Dr. Matthew James
Associate Director for Academic Affairs
School of Music
jamesm1@ohio.edu
740-593-4244
Undergraduate Major in Music
All undergraduates, whether prospective freshmen or transfer students, are required to audition for admission to the degree programs offered by the School of Music. In general, students may not pursue coursework in the major until they have successfully auditioned and been admitted to a music degree program.
Students who are currently attending Ohio University, but who wish to declare a major in music (BA or any of the BM degrees) are required to audition for admission to the School of Music before they may declare the major.
Graduate Degree Programs and the Graduate Performance Certificate Program
Graduate students who wish to pursue a Master of Music degree should check the specific degree program pages for information regarding application and audition requirements. All performance programs and the non-degree Performance Certificate program require an audition. Graduate students must be admitted to Ohio University and the School of Music in order to be eligible for graduate funding support such as Graduate Associateships.
Minor in Music
The School of Music also offers a music minor for interested students. It is a 30 hour program combining music academic courses, electives, and performance courses. Depending on the ensemble or applied study component, an audition may be required for non-degree students who wish to take private lessons and/or perform in certain School of Music ensembles. For information on declaring a music minor, please contact the Associate Director. Specific audition and admission requirements for degree programs may be found by following the main menu links at left for undergraduate or graduate students.
