Music

Scholarship Auditions

Music Department Admission & Scholarship Auditions

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. By going through the audition process, you will have the chance to familiarize yourself with the Sarofim School of Fine Arts, explore the music programs and available ensemble participation options, and meet the faculty of the Music Department.

The music audition/interview process at Southwestern serves one or more of the following:
1. Audition for admittance to the Major in Music.
2. Audition for a Sarofim Scholarship in Music (for Majors) or a Performance Award (for non-Majors and minors).
3. Placement in one of the Music Department’s ensembles.

Process:
1. Prospective students will submit audition materials (as outlined below) online to the Admissions Slate program no later than March 26, 2025 (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 must sign up to attend one of the
Department’s on-campus Admissions events. Students will receive confirmation
of their awards at the event and will have the opportunity to increase their award after meeting with faculty (students unable to attend due to distance or
unavoidable conflict may be offered a virtual meeting with faculty).
3. The on-campus event will be an informal opportunity to meet faculty, participate in Masterclasses, hear performances, attend information sessions on the music curriculum options, tour the campus and the Fine Arts facilities, and interact with current 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.

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Invited in-person events

  • February 16, 2025
  • March 9, 2025
  • April 6, 2025
Please reach out to FineArtsAdmissions@southwestern.edu if you have any questions.

Instrument Audition Requirements

  • Voice

    Major Audition Requirements

    • A program of art songs and/or operatic arias totaling three selections.
    • At least one, and preferably two, of the works performed must be in one or more of the standard foreign languages: Italian, French, or German.
    • Memorization is required.
    • Demonstration of sight-reading is required (music will be provided).

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two art songs by memory.
    • Demonstration of sight-reading is required (music will be provided).
  • Percussion

    Major Audition Requirements

    • Three compositions, one for each 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).
    • Students should be prepared to demonstrate knowledge of tuning timpani.

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Ten minutes from repertoire that highlights two of the following: timpani, mallets, snare drum.

    The Music Department can provide a snare drum, timpani and marimba for auditions; any special equipment needs must be communicated by emailing FineArtsAdmissions@southwestern.edu at least four business days before the audition date.

  • Guitar

    Major Audition Requirements

    • Two complete works (a movement of a standard sonata is considered a complete work) representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth­-century).
    • Memorization is required.

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two complete pieces of contrasting style periods (one piece may include popular styles that demonstrate skills at improvisation and/or arranging). 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

    • Two complete works (a movement of a standard sonata is considered a complete work) representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth­-century).
    • Memorization is required.
    • Demonstration of sight-reading is required (music will be provided).

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two complete pieces of contrasting style periods. One movement of a multi-movement work such as a sonata or suite is acceptable.
    • Memorization is recommended, but not required.
    • Students will be asked to sight-read a short piece or accompaniment, which will be provided at the audition.
  • Strings

    Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth­-century).
    • One selection only may be an etude; a program of two etudes is NOT acceptable.
    • Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required.

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections each representing different stylistic periods.
    • One of these (only) may be a standard or region etude.

    Solos that are written with piano accompaniment must be performed with live accompaniment at the audition—an accompanist will be provided. If a student wishes to use an SU accompanist, music for accompaniments must be received no later than two weeks before the scheduled audition date. Sent to Laura Sewell at sewelll@southwestern.edu.

  • Brass

    Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth­-century).
    • One selection only may be an etude; a program of two etudes is NOT acceptable.
    • Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required.

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections each representing different stylistic periods.
    • One of these (only) may be a standard or region etude.

    Solos that are written with piano accompaniment must be performed with live accompaniment at the audition—an accompanist will be provided. If a student wishes to use an SU accompanist, music for accompaniments must be received no later than two weeks before the scheduled audition date. Sent to Laura Sewell at sewelll@southwestern.edu.

  • Woodwinds

    Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth­-century).
    • One selection only may be an etude; a program of two etudes is NOT acceptable.
    • Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required.

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections each representing different stylistic periods.
    • One of these (only) may be a standard or region etude.

    Solos that are written with piano accompaniment must be performed with live accompaniment at the audition—an accompanist will be provided. If a student wishes to use an SU accompanist, music for accompaniments must be received no later than two weeks before the scheduled audition date. Sent to Laura Sewell at sewelll@southwestern.edu.

  • Financial Assistance

    Recipients of Sarofim Scholarship in Music and Performance Awards may also be eligible for additional assistance such as academic scholarships. In addition, recipients may apply for University need-based aid. For more information, please go to Financial Aid/Merit scholarships or call 1-800-252-3166. 

    Any financial aid offer from Southwestern University will be void as of May 1, 2020 if a student accepts financial aid from another college or university.

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.

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