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School of Music Admissions

Welcome to the Stetson University School of Music Admissions Page! All students who desire to declare a Major or Minor within the School of Music must first complete and pass an audition on their principal instrument or voice part.

Visit Stetson University and the School of Music

The Stetson University School of Music offers students a unique opportunity to attend classes with a current School of Music student, meet and take a mock lesson with one of our faculty, partake in an ensemble rehearsal, and much more. Through our Hi-Notes Program, students are able to become a Stetson Hatter for the day!

Sign up for a Hi-Notes Visit

Applying to the School of Music

Early Action and Regular Decision

Step One: Apply for Admission to Stetson University

Students interested in the School of Music must first complete the general application to Stetson University. Please be sure to select one of the music major or minor options on your application. Apply now!

Step Two: Schedule an Audition

Auditions will take place in Spring 2023. You MUST complete an application to Stetson University before scheduling an audition. All auditions will be held in-person, however, accommodations can be made for students with special circumstances. Schedule an audition.

Step Three: Prepare for Your Audition

All auditions must follow the guidelines associated with your primary instrument or voice part. Please review the Audition Guidelines below and prepare accordingly.

If you are pursuing our Music Composition Program, you must complete both an audition and the portfolio and interview requirements for that program. Please be sure to review both guidelines accordingly.

Step Four: Receive Admissions Decision and Commit!

You will receive your admissions decision to both Stetson University and the School of Music, as well as your entire financial aid package (including your talent scholarship amount) by the beginning of March 2023.

Early Decision

Step One: Apply for Admission to Stetson University

Early Decision is an amazing choice for those who have always dreamed of joining the School of Music. Choosing Early Decision is a commitment, and we highly encourage that you review the benefits and stipulations carefully before choosing this decision plan. Learn more about Early Decision.

Students interested in the School of Music must first complete the general application to Stetson University. Please be sure to select one of the music major or minor options on your application, as well as Early Decision, if you are choosing to pursue that decision plan. Apply now!

Step Two: Submit Video Auditions

Early Decision students have the benefit of completing their auditions earlier. You must submit videos of your audition pieces via your Hatter Portal under the Music ED Link option. Please review the guidelines for your primary instrument or voice part carefully before submitting your video auditions. Please review the Audition Guidelines below.

If you are pursuing our Music Composition Program, you must complete both an audition and the portfolio and interview requirements for that program. Please be sure to review both guidelines accordingly.

Step Three: Schedule Faculty Meeting

All students applying for Early Decision will schedule a meeting with our faculty, either virtually or in-person. These meetings will take place in November. You will be contacted directly with next steps regarding how to schedule these meetings.

Step Four: Receive Admissions Decision and Commit!

You will receive your admissions decision to both Stetson University and the School of Music, as well as your entire financial aid package (including your talent scholarship amount) in December 2022. Students applying under Early Decision must commit by January 6, 2023.

You will have the option to audition again for a higher talent scholarship amount during our spring audition dates. If you are interested in pursuing this option, please schedule an audition.

School of Music Admissions Staff

If you have any questions about the School of Music, please contact our Music Admissions Office at [email protected] or at 386-822-7192.

As you proceed throughout the application and audition process, your primary contact will be Aubrey Flink, Music Admissions Recruiter, whose contact info can be found below. 

Aubrey Flink

Music Admissions Recruiter
[email protected] | 386.822.7192

Useful Links

School of Music Main Page

Audition Day FAQ

Admission Application

Undergraduate Catalog

Schedule a Hi-Notes Visit

Schedule a Campus Visit

Scholarships 

Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

Audition Guidelines

If you have any questions about the admissions or audition process, contact Music Admissions or call 386-822-7192. 

For guidelines specific to your instrument or category, please choose from the following list:

Brass

Brass candidates must prepare two selections. One selection should highlight technical facility and expertise while the contrasting selection should demonstrate lyrical playing. Both selections will be evaluated on execution of fundamentals, preparation, and musical maturity. The audition will also consist of scales, sight-reading, an ear-training exercise, and an interview.

Guitar

Candidates for classical guitar study should be able to play all major and minor scales (Segovia Edition); studies corresponding in difficulty to those of Sor, Carcassi and Brouwer; and perform two contrasting solo works from memory. Candidates will be asked to sight-read and demonstrate knowledge of the rudiments of music.

Keyboard

  • Organ: Candidates should be able to play works such as: The Eight "Little" Preludes and Fugues of Bach, chorale preludes from Bach's Orgelbüchlein, the Chorale Preludes of Brahms, Op. 122, or works of comparable difficulty. Pianists with a desire to study organ should demonstrate proficiency by performing Two-Part Inventions of Bach, Sonatas by Beethoven or Mozart, or works of comparable difficulty. Strong potential should be demonstrated in aural training.

  • Piano: Candidates should be able to play all major and minor scales and arpeggios, including dominant and diminished sevenths in a moderately rapid tempo. Repertoire should include: a work from the Baroque style period (for example, from J.S. Bach a Two-or Three-Part Invention, a dance/movement from a Suite or Partita, or a Prelude and Fugue); a movement from a Classical sonata (for example, Clementi, Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven); and a work from either the 19th or 20th century. Audition material must be performed from memory. Candidates may be asked to sight-read and/or demonstrate scales and arpeggios.

Music Composition

Candidates must submit examples of their compositions. Two completed scores, submitted as PDF files, with accompanying audio files if available (mp3/wav/aiff files of live or MIDI performances) may be uploaded here.

Composition candidates must also successfully complete a School of Music performance audition and a composition interview

Music Technology

In Spring 2019, the music technology program was changed from a major to a minor-only program. The music technology major has been discontinued and will no longer be admitting students. Our new music technology minor can enhance other majors in music or any other degree program on campus but does not require an audition or portfolio for admission. Students who still desire a related major should consider the degree programs in digital arts.

Music Theory

Candidates interested in the Music Theory major are still required to complete a successful audition on their respective instrument or voice part. Music Theory majors must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all theory courses, make a C- or better in all aural training courses and in Introduction to Composition, in order to advance to the junior level.

Many of our music theory majors find it suitable to double major in composition or performance. If you would like to know more about the music theory program, please contact Dr. Alexander Martin at [email protected] or Dr. Peter Smucker at [email protected]

Percussion

Candidates for percussion study should provide their own sticks, mallets and music. Candidates should know all major scales (minors preferred as well), and be prepared to sight read on mallets and snare drum. The music chosen and prepared for the audition should represent the candidate's current playing ability on mallets (two and/or four mallets), snare drum (a concert solo or étude is required, additional rudimental solo optional) and timpani (tuning required). Performance on any other instrument in the percussion family is welcomed, but not required.

Strings

  • Violin: Étude comparable in difficulty to Kreutzer, Mazas or Dont. A movement from J.S. Bach Solo Sonata or Partita. A movement from a concerto from the standard repertoire, such as Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns, Vieuxtemps, Dvorak, Bruch, Wieniawski, Paganini, Kabalevsky, Lalo or Barber. All string instrument candidates should be able to play all major and minor scales three octaves.

  • Viola: Studies comparable in difficulty to Fiorillo, Kreutzer or Bruni; concerti such as Hoffmeister, Stamitz or J.C. Bach and/or solo works of similar difficulty. All string instrument candidates should be able to play all major and minor scales three octaves.

  • Cello: Studies comparable in difficulty to Popper, Schroeder and Duport. Candidates should prepare a movement of a Bach Suite and a movement from a standard concerto such as Boccherini, Saint Saëns, Haydn C or Lalo. All string instrument candidates should be able to play all major and minor scales three octaves.

  • Double Bass: Étude comparable in difficulty to Simandl 30 Études or Bille 18 Études, and two contrasting movements from a standard sonata or concerto (candidate may substitute two contrasting short works from the standard repertoire). All string instrument candidates should be able to play all major and minor scales three octaves.

Voice

Candidates for voice study must prepare two contrasting selections. One selection will preferably be in English, while the contrasting selection may be in Italian, French, German, Latin, or Spanish. Both selections should be sung with classical technique including good diction, correct phrasing, and musical intelligence. Audition material must be performed from memory. The audition will also consist of sight-singing two or three brief lines of music, as well as demonstrating other musicianship skills through exercises in rhythm, ear-training, and keyboard.

Woodwinds

Woodwind candidates must prepare two selections. One selection should highlight technical facility and expertise while the contrasting selection should demonstrate lyrical playing. Both selections will be evaluated on execution of fundamentals, preparation, and musical maturity. The audition will also consist of scales, sight-reading, an ear-training exercise, and an interview.