Southwestern offers scholarships for both music majors and those who intend to minor in music and/or major in another subject area. The Department believes that all students who have a passion for music should have the opportunity to continue their private lessons and participate in ensembles while at Southwestern. While the initial auditions are conducted through video submission, we also encourage prospective students to visit campus for our Sarofim School of Fine Arts Scholarship Celebration Day, where you can learn more about the music programs and ensemble participation offered, meet faculty, and participate in workshops or lectures from all areas of fine arts to be eligible for additional scholarship funds.

Students may audition/interview for admission to, and Scholarship support from, Southwestern
University’s Music Department to pursue one of the following:

• a Bachelor of Music degree (with concentrations in Performance, Music Education,
  Composition, or Music Literature).
• a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree (a general study of the field of music).
• a Minor in Music.
• a Performance Award to participate in ensembles and applied lessons.

The audition or interview will assist the Department to determine which level(s) of study the student
is prepared to pursue.

Process:
1. Prospective students will submit audition materials (as outlined below) online to the Admissions Slate program no later than February 15, 2026 (earlier submission is highly encouraged, particularly for prospective majors; late submissions will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
Audition materials will be reviewed by Music faculty, and prospective students will then be informed by Admissions regarding admittance to the Major and/or an initial scholarship recommendation.
2. Upon notification, prospective students will be strongly encouraged to must sign up to attend one of the Sarofim School of Fine Arts Scholarship Celebration Day. Students will receive confirmation
of their awards at the event and will have the opportunity to increase their award after meeting  faculty and participating in workshops and lectures.
3. The on-campus event will be an informal opportunity to meet faculty, participate in workshops and lectures in all areas of fine arts, hear performances, attend information sessions on the music curriculum options, tour the campus and the Fine Arts facilities, and interact with current Fine Arts students and other prospective students.

Students who are not admitted into the Bachelor of Music degree programs or offered Sarofim Scholarships on the basis of the audition are welcome to enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree program at Southwestern or may re-audition for the Bachelor of Music degree programs after they begin their studies at Southwestern. Prospective non-Major or minor students who are not offered Performance Awards may participate in all activities of the Music Department for which they qualify.

APPLY NOW! MUSIC APPLICATION

Invited in-person events

• March 1, 2026

Please reach out to FineArtsAdmissions@southwestern.edu if you have any questions.

Audition Requirements

Non-Performance (or Limited Performance) Interview
Requirements
For students who wish to pursue a major in Music but do not have formal
performance experience, please send a video in which you explain your interest(s) in
music and how you envision music’s role in our culture. If you are comfortable, you
are welcome to share a performance on any instrument in any style to show any
degree of experience you may have.
Voice
Major Audition Requirements
• Perform two songs from contrasting stylistic periods.
• Preferably, one of the works performed should be sung in one or more of the
  standard foreign languages: Italian, French, or German.
• Memorization is required.
Non-Major Audition Requirements
• One song from memory.
Percussion
Major Audition Requirements
• Present two compositions, which must be performed on two of the following
  instruments: timpani, mallets, and snare drum: i.e., one solo or etude on each
  instrument (2 or 4 mallets for keyboard percussion).
Non-Major Audition Requirements
• One or two compositions performed on at least one of the following: timpani,
  mallets, snare drum.
Guitar
Major Audition Requirements
• Perform two complete works representing different stylistic periods (Baroque,
  Classical, Romantic, Twentieth-century, Jazz standard, etc.).
• Memorization is required.

Non-Major Audition Requirements
• Perform one complete piece from any style period. One movement of a multi-
  movement work such as a sonata or suite is acceptable.
• Memorization is recommended, but not required.
Piano
Major Audition Requirements
• Perform two complete works (a movement of a standard sonata is considered a
  complete work) representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical,
  Romantic, Twentieth-century, Jazz standard, etc.).
• Memorization is required.
Non-Major Audition Requirements
• Perform one complete piece from any style period.
• Memorization is recommended, but not required.
Strings
Major Audition Requirements
• Perform two selections representing different stylistic periods (Baroque,
  Classical, Romantic, Twentieth-century, Jazz standard, etc.).
• Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required.
Non-Major Audition Requirements
• Perform one selection from any stylistic period.
• Memorization of the selection is encouraged, but not required.
Brass
Major Audition Requirements
• Perform two selections representing different stylistic periods (Baroque,
  Classical, Romantic, Twentieth-century, Jazz standard, etc.).
• Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required.
Non-Major Audition Requirements
• Perform one selection from any stylistic period.
• Memorization of the selection is encouraged, but not required.
Woodwinds
Major Audition Requirements
• Perform two selections representing different stylistic periods (Baroque,
  Classical, Romantic, Twentieth-century, Jaz standard, etc.).
• Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required.
Non-Major Audition Requirements
• Perform one selection from any stylistic period.
• Memorization of the selection is encouraged, but not required.

Candidates who receive the Sarofim Scholarship or the Performance Award are eligible for additional assistance, including Southwestern merit scholarships.

For any questions regarding auditions, please contact FineArtsAdmissions@southwestern.edu.

Apply To Southwestern Now