Undergraduate Admissions

We're so excited that you're interested in applying to the School of Music!

Just follow these steps to begin the process:

  1. Apply for admission to the School of Music and for music scholarships 
  2. Text UNI to 319-576-3317 or sign up for text or email reminders and information from the School of Music (optional)
  3. Apply for admission to the university
  4. To apply for additional university scholarships complete the UNIversity Scholarship Application 
  5. Submit your audition video if you selected to audition by video, or prepare for your in-person visit
  6. Request that one reference complete the online reference form
vocalists and musicians perform together on stage

Audition dates for 2025 admissions

While we will continue to accept online video submissions, we will host in-person auditions in spring 2025.

Saturday, Feb. 22
Friday, Feb. 28
Saturday, March 8 - voice only 

Prospective students should contact Melinda Boyd (melinda.boyd@uni.edu) with any questions.

Prepare for your in-person visit

UNI School of Music - Audition Day Guide
UNI School of Music - Audition Day Guide

School of Music Repertoire Lists

Below are the School of Music's repertoire lists. You may use selections from one of these for your audition or use it as a guideline in selecting your pieces:

Please note: the listed repertoire and audition information listed here is specifically for students planning to major or minor in music, and for students wishing to audition for non-major scholarships.

Ensemble auditions are a separate process. Please click here for that information.

‌Learn More

 

Brass Repertoire

brass musicians

Prospective students should choose contrasting selections in order to demonstrate musicianship, tone quality, technical ability, and range. This can be accomplished through two separate movements of the same or different compositions. It is possible that one movement will demonstrate all that is needed.

Please consider the following compositions as a general guide. Works similar in style to those listed below may be substituted. Select pieces with which you are comfortable and that portray your playing at its very best! Etudes can also be considered.

Jazz Repertoire

drummer on stage

All live auditions will include appropriate sight reading. 


Drum Set

Auditioners must provide the following groove demonstrations (live or video recording):

1. Medium tempo swing (Q=132), alternating 4 measures of time with 4 bars of solo, for 32 measures
2. Up tempo swing (Q=200), alternating 4 measures of time with 4 bars of solo, for 32 measures
3. Jazz waltz, 32 measures of interactive timekeeping
4. Bossa Nova, 32 measures of interactive timekeeping
5. Samba, 32 measures of interactive timekeeping
6. 12/8 Afro-Cuban, 32 measures of interactive timekeeping
7. Mambo or other Cuban groove, 32 measures
8. Brushes:

  • Medium tempo swing (Q=132), 16 measures
  • Up tempo swing (Q=200), 16 measures
  • Ballad tempo (Q=60), 4 measures, doubling up to medium swing (Q=120) for 8 measures

9. Back to sticks: play a form that consists of 10 measures of 4/4 Latin (bossa nova or similar), followed by 8 bars of swing. Repeat this form 3 times without stopping.


Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet

Live performance (or video recording) of 3 selections of your choice, at least one of which must be a swing selection. Each must include an opening statement of the melody, followed by improvisation on the form.

Perform or prepare your recording using a backing track such as iReal Pro, Jamey Aebersold or Learn Jazz Standards. Limit each tune to a maximum of 3 minutes (no need to restate the melody at the end).


Guitar, Bass, Piano

In addition to the above, include one chorus of accompaniment techniques on each selection (comping for guitar and piano, walking or other appropriate technique for bass). Please substitute a selection in a Latin style (Bossa Nova, samba, or mambo) for the ballad.

 

Keyboard Repertoire

dueling pianos


Organ

Two works from different historical periods, as follows:

  • A toccata or prelude and fugue by Bach, Buxtehude or one of their Baroque contemporaries
  • A work from the 19th or 20th century.

These works need not be memorized. The applicant will also be expected to play a hymn (which may be prepared in advance) and to demonstrate sight-reading ability.


Piano

Applicants must perform three works in contrasting styles from three different historical periods of music (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, and Contemporary), at least two of which must be memorized. Single movements of a multi-movement piece are acceptable. Students will also be asked to sight-read and play major/minor scales and arpeggios at their audition.

 

Percussion Repertoire

percussion performer

Please prepare a minimum of one etude, excerpt, or solo on the following three instruments: concert snare drum, two-mallet keyboard (marimba, vibes, or xylophone), and timpani. Auditionees are encouraged to prepare additional repertoire such as rudimental snare and four-mallet marimba for full music scholarship eligibility. Please reach out to the percussion faculty at percussion@uni.edu for further guidance regarding audition repertoire.

String Repertoire

harp player on stage

The audition should consist of:

  • Scales - two octaves (bass) or three octaves (violin, viola, cello).
  • Any etude of the student's choice.
  • Two contrasting short pieces or movements from sonatas or concertos.

Consider the following lists as a general guide. Works similar in style to those listed may be substituted.

Voice Repertoire

vocalists on stage


Undergraduate voice audition repertoire requirements

Two memorized songs of contrasting style selected from the classical vocal repertoire (both selections may be in English). Audition selections should not include musical theater, choral, hymns, popular music, jazz, or selections outside of "classical" vocal literature. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring a clean, legible copy of your music.

Performance of repertoire is followed by a brief interview with the voice faculty, and a diagnostic exam to assess general aural and sight-reading skills.


Video submissions

While in-person auditions are encouraged, for those who cannot come to campus please use the following guidelines for video submission:

Repertoire: Two memorized songs of contrasting style selected from the classical vocal repertoire (both selections may be in English).  Audition selections should not include musical theater, choral, hymns, popular music, jazz, or selections outside of "classical" vocal literature. Though recordings with ‘live’ accompaniments are preferred when possible, the use of pre-recorded accompaniment tracks are permitted. Submitted audition videos should be of high audio and video quality and representative of the singer’s genuine vocal ability. The use of audio editing or enhancement is strongly discouraged.


Zoom Interviews

After successful completion and submission of all requisite application materials, each auditionee will be scheduled an interview with the voice faculty via Zoom. During the interview the auditionee will be administered a diagnostic to assess general aural and music-reading skills.

Woodwind Repertoire

woodwind ensemble

Prospective students should choose two contrasting selections (or one longer piece with contrasting sections) in order to demonstrate musicianship, tone quality, and technical ability. Please consider the following compositions as a general guide. Works similar in style to those listed below may be substituted. Select pieces that portray your playing at its very best.

Additional Information

Please note: the listed repertoire and audition information listed here is specifically for students planning to major or minor in music, and for students wishing to audition for non-major scholarships.

In cases of departmental need, certain non-major instrumentalists may be considered for scholarship. Students wishing to be non-music majors who are interested in taking lessons and/or auditioning for scholarship should fill out the music supplement application above, and should select NON-MUSIC MAJOR in the drop-down menu.

Vocal students interested in non-major lessons may contact the vocal division chair, Dr. Suzanne Hendrix-Case (suzanne.hendrix@uni.edu), regarding placement in non-major lessons; please note, there are currently no voice scholarships for non-major students.

Students wishing to be non-music majors who are interested in being a part of ensembles only (not taking lessons and not auditioning for scholarship) should contact: Dr. Danny Galyen (winds, brass, percussion) - danny.galyen@uni.edu or Dr. Erik Rohde (strings) - erik.rohde@uni.edu or visit the Ensembles Auditions page for more information.