Undergraduate Auditions
1. Submit the Bienen School Supplement
In most cases, a performance audition is required.*
*NOTE: Bachelor of Arts and Music Composition programs do not have an audition component, but applicants must submit music materials via the Bienen School Supplement following the deadlines listed on our Application & Timeline page.
Important Application/Audition Dates
Date
Registration Rule
October 15
All applicants: Early Decision Bienen School Supplement due
November 14
QuestBridge auditions must be completed by
November 20
Early Decision auditions must be completed by
December 1
All applicants: Regular Decision Bienen School Supplement due
February 9-18
Regular Decision auditions
NOTE: If you wish to apply to more than one music major, you must submit two Bienen School Supplements that include the necessary requirements. Requirements should be separated by program. Music education/performance applicants should only submit one Supplement, as the application requirements are the same for both programs.
2023-24 Audition Dates
Bassoon
Early Decision: Nov. 16 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 10 & 17
Cello
Regular Decision: Feb. 16 & 17
Clarinet
Early Decision: Nov. 14 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 10 & 11
Classical Guitar
Early Decision: Nov. 13 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 9 & 12
Double Bass
Early Decision: Nov. 14 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 14-15, 17
Euphonium
Early Decision: Nov. 17 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 14 & 18
Flute
Early Decision: Nov. 13 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 10-11, 18
Harp
Early Decision: Nov. 14 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 12
Horn
Early Decision: Nov. 17 ||| Regular Decision: Feb 8-9, 16-17
Jazz Studies
Early Decision: Nov. 20 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 14-16
Music Composition
There is no audition component. Finalists will interview with composition faculty on Zoom; Early Decision: Nov. 6 ||| Regular Decision: TBD
Music Education
All Music Education auditions will be held on the same day as the applicant's performance audition
Oboe
Early Decision: Nov. 14 & 15 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 10 & 17
Percussion
Early Decision: Nov. 15 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 16 & 18
Piano
Early Decision: Nov. 14 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 10, 12-13, 17
Saxophone
Early Decision: Nov. 17 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 9-10, 16
Trombone - Bass/Tenor
Regular Decision: Feb. 9-10, 17
Trumpet
Early Decision: Nov. 18 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 10 & 12
Tuba
Early Decision: Nov. 17 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 14 & 18
Viola
Early Decision: Nov. 15-17 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 9-10
Violin
Early Decision: Nov. 13 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 9-10, 16
Voice
Early Decision: Nov. 13 & 20 ||| Regular Decision: Feb. 9-10, 12, 16-17
2. Prepare for Your Audition
We recommend starting early by taking the audition requirements to your music teacher. Prepare for your audition by bringing musical selections that best showcase what you do well. It is better to beautifully perform a piece that requires moderate skill, as opposed to giving a mediocre performance of a very difficult piece.
It is not necessary to produce prescreening recordings and final audition recordings in a professional studio. The most important aspect is that the sound quality of your recording is excellent, so find a good microphone and play your recording for multiple people before you submit it.
Accompaniment
Please see your program's individual Program Requirements page for information about accompaniment requirements.
3. Audition
All students whose program requires an audition are asked to audition on campus. Virtual auditions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If your program requires prescreening, please wait until you have received prescreening results to contact the Office of Music Admission about virtual audition options.
Jazz studies and voice applicants: the Bienen School will provide accompaniment for on-campus auditions. All other instrument areas' auditions are unaccompanied.