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Music Admissions Office
musicapply@umn.edu
612-624-2847.
Schedule a visit online and request your tour include the School of Music.
- Please visit during the academic year when our school is alive with faculty, students, and music.
- Attend an event while you’re here.
Music Application Instructions
The School of Music is now accepting applications for 2017 admission to the following programs:
- Bachelor of Music (Performance, Music Education, Music Therapy)
- Bachelor of Arts with Applied Emphasis
- Music Minor
- Music PSEO
Admission to the above programs requires a formal application to the School of Music (see application steps below) and is dependant upon a successful audition. Students applying to the music education and music therapy programs must also pass a formal interview. The University of Minnesota School of Music is internationally competitive; admission is selective, as studio and program space are limited.
The School of Music also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Academic Emphasis, which requires no audition or separate application.
Admission to a music program is contingent upon admission to and good standing in the College of Liberal Arts or another college at the University of Minnesota. You do not have to wait until you have been formally admitted to the University of Minnesota to apply to the School of Music. Please note: freshman priority consideration for university admission, Honors, and university-level scholarships is given to students whose applications are complete by the priority deadline of November 1st.
The School of Music requires the submission of an online music application by the music application deadlines below. Please contact musicapply@umn.edu to inquire about the possibility of submitting a late application for your instrument/program, as both 2017 deadlines have passed. Some programs and studios will continue to consider late applications based on a space-available basis. If approved, you will be sent a link to the online music application. Students who wish to audition on multiple instruments must submit a School of Music application for each instrument (designated as "primary instrument").
2017 Music Application Deadlines
- November 1, 2016 for spring 2017 entrance
- December 15, 2016 for fall 2017 entrance*
*The music therapy program only admits for fall entrance.
All students auditioning on piano, voice, violin, viola, cello, or double bass must submit a screening video. Submissions are due by Nov. 1 for spring 2017 applicants, and Dec. 15 for fall 2017 applicants.
Recommenders may submit their recommendations directly via the online submission form. Recommenders should be able to speak to the student's abilities as they relate to music (e.g. ensemble director, lesson instructor, counselor, etc.). Submissions are due by Nov. 1 for spring 2017 applicants, and Dec. 15 for fall 2017 applicants.
STEP 5: Audition and Interview for the School of Music
Entrance auditions and interviews will take place on the following dates:
- Saturday, December 3, 2016 - spring 2017 entrance only
- Saturday, January 28, 2017 - fall 2017 entrance
- Saturday, February 4, 2017 - fall 2017 entrance
Live Auditions: The date selected on the online music application is considered confirmed, provided the student maintains an active application with both the School of Music and the University of Minnesota, and passes any screening round required of their instrument. Auditions take place between 8:00 a.m.– 8:00 p.m. on the selected date, with a formal time sent to two weeks prior. Due to the high volume of applications, the School of Music cannot consider requests for specific times of day or to reschedule. Review audition requirements.
Recorded Auditions: It is to a student's benefit to complete a live audition for the faculty. However, recorded auditions are available for students located 200+ miles from the University of Minnesota. Recorded auditions are due by the application deadline. Review recorded audition submission guidelines.
Interviews: Applicants of the music therapy and music education programs must pass both their audition and interview to be considered for admission. An interview is not required for other degree applicants. Students should complete the Music Education/Music Therapy Interview Profile and bring a printed copy of their responses to the interview. Interviews may be conducted in person, or via Skype or GoogleHangouts. Applicants who are submitting a recorded audition are still required to complete an interview via Skype on the audition dates above. Interviews take place between 8:00 a.m.– 8:00 p.m. central time, with a formal time sent to the student two weeks prior to their selected date.
Admission Decisions
Applications by the application deadline will receive notification of their music admission status by May 1 for fall entry and January 15 for spring entry. If denied admission to the School of Music, applicants must wait one full academic year before they are eligible to re-apply unless otherwise indicated in their formal admissions decision letter.
Scholarships
Entering students who complete their applications for fall enrollment to the BMus and BA programs by the music application deadline and gain admission to the University of Minnesota are automatically eligible and considered for department-level music scholarships. Learn more about scholarships.
Instructor Preference
The School of Music application gives students the opportunity to express their preference for individual faculty members for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Every effort will be made to honor these requests based on studio availability and general balance in individual studios, however, we cannot guarantee placement. Learn more about our faculty and view faculty profiles.
Housing
Most incoming music, art, theatre, dance and honors majors choose to live in Middlebrook Hall, the dormitory located next door to the School of Music on the West Bank of campus overlooking the Mississippi River. In order to secure a spot in Middlebrook, students must apply for housing and list Middelbrook as their first choice of dorm. You may apply for housing as soon as the application is posted in November of each year. You do not need to wait to be admitted to or confirmed to enroll at the University of Minnesota before you apply for housing; the earlier you submit your housing application, the more likely you are to be placed in your first choice of dormitory.
musicapply@umn.edu | 612-624-2847