Audition Requirements
2025-2026 Audition Dates
How to register for an audition
You must submit an application to the University before registering for an audition. You do not have to be admitted into the University to register for an audition. An audition registration form will become available via your Application Gateway in October. Complete an undergraduate application or a graduate application to the University of Louisville.
If you are a current UofL student looking to change majors into the School of Music, please contact the School of Music admissions office at gomusic@louisville.edu to schedule an audition.
As an undergraduate applicant, in order to be considered for a music scholarship, students must complete the application and audition process by March 1.
As a graduate applicant, in order to be considered for music scholarships and assistantships, performance/pedagogy applicants must complete the application by February 15 and audition by March 1. For Graduate Music Composition, Music Theory and Music History applicants, the application, portfolio and/or writing sample must be submitted by January 15.
For more information about scholarships please visit our scholarship page.
Additional requirements
Music Composition
In addition to the general School of Music admission process (which includes a performance audition), COMPOSITION MAJORS ALSO AUDITION BY SUBMITTING A PORTFOLIO OF ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS: Your portfolio should contain three or four samples of original compositions, along with recordings for the same works, if possible. Evidence of experience using various instrumental and/or vocal combinations is helpful. Submit your most advanced and sophisticated work. If you have any questions about what to submit in the portfolio, feel free to ask questions before submitting.
Prepare a digital cloud-box, such as DropBox, OneDrive, or Google Drive and upload pdf scores and audio files to that. When you have finished all uploads, send the link to School of Music gomusic@louisville.edu. Don’t send the link until you are sure that your portfolio is complete. For scholarship consideration, applications and portfolios should be received by February 15.
Music and New Media
Applicants to the BA in Music with emphasis in New Media program must submit a portfolio of work that includes two to four samples of original creative work. For example, music composition, song writing, sound recording, sound for video or multimedia, electronic music, creative writing, photography, visual art, sound art, etc. Evidence of experience using personal computers in the production of creative work is helpful.
Some examples of creative work include a recording of a song that you have written, a recording from a band or ensemble in which you perform, a piece of music created in a sequencer (Garage Band, Logic, FL Studio), a music album, EP, or collection of songs, creating music or a sound design for a preexisting video or film, creating an audio interview with a musician or a podcast, a piece of creative writing (poem or lyrics), a graphic or flyer used to promote an artist or event, a website, etc.
The goal of the New Media portfolio review is to determine the creative potential of a prospective student as it pertains to music technology. Professional productions or commercial-ready work is not expected.
Applicants should include a written document that outlines their interests and goals in regards to new media, and summarizes the work examples being submitted.
*Note that admission to the New Media program is not possible without admission to both the University of Louisville and the School of Music. Although the Creative Studies faculty may find your portfolio admissible, this is only one component of the admission process, and you must be admitted to the University of Louisville and the School of Music to become a New Media major.
The New Media portfolio should be submitted by posting the materials to Google Drive, DropBox, or other file sharing platform and providing the link to the School of Music at gomusic@louisville.edu. Please be sure that the link to your portfolio does not require a password or any special credentials to access your materials.
For scholarship consideration, applications and portfolios should be received by February 15.
Music Theory
Although each student must play or sing a performance audition for the School of Music, theory majors also audition by submitting a portfolio. The successful music theory applicant will submit a portfolio containing three items:
(1) An essay of 500 words or more about a piece of music. This can be an analysis, a set of program notes, or a description of what you like about the piece.
(2) One of the following: a composition (either stylistic or original; please send score and recording), a melody harmonization for four voices, a figured bass realization, or a 2-voice mixed species counterpoint example.
(3) A short essay (100-200 words) detailing why you want to study music theory.
Portfolios can be emailed to gomusic@louisville.edu. For scholarship consideration, applications and portfolios should be received by February 15.
Music Therapy
In addition to the School of Music instrumental/vocal audition requirements, all music therapy applicants will also conduct an interview with the music therapy faculty. During the interview, applicants will be asked to sing two songs of contrasting styles to demonstrate vocal proficiency. Applicants will be assessed on pitch accuracy, vocal expression, and interpersonal skills. The music therapy audition takes approximately 15-20 minutes.
Applicants should prepare two songs of contrasting styles they think may have value in a therapeutic setting OR applicants may choose two songs from the list below. Songs for this audition do not need to be memorized and may be sung a cappella or with instrumental accompaniment.
My Country Tis of Thee
Happy Birthday
God Bless America
Amazing Grace
You Are My Sunshine
For questions, please contact the Director of Music Therapy department, Dr. Lorna Segall, directly via email.
Music Composition
Graduate composition majors audition by submitting a portfolio. The composition portfolio is one of the primary tools for evaluating financial support. Your portfolio should contain three or four samples of original compositions, along with recordings for the same works, if possible. Evidence of experience using various instrumental and/or vocal combinations is helpful. Submit your most advanced and sophisticated work. If you have any questions about what to submit in the portfolio, feel free to ask questions before submitting.
Prepare a digital cloud-box, such as DropBox, OneDrive, or Google Drive and upload pdf scores and audio files to that. When you have finished all uploads, send the link to School of Music gomusic@louisville.edu. Don’t send the link until you are sure that your portfolio is complete.
Curriculum Vitae
Students should also submit a curriculum vitae detailing education, any relevant work or teaching experience, and achievements, especially with regard to their compositional work.
For scholarship consideration, applications and portfolios should be received by January 15. For information about scholarships, please visit the School of Music financial aid information page.
Music History
In your online application, please include the following as attachments in addition to the other required materials:
- Letter of intent. This should contain information on your musical background and training, teaching experience (if any), and other information that may be relevant to your application. Specify also if you intent to apply for financial assistance.
- Curriculum vitae. Please include aspects of your background regarding education, work experience, achievements, and other endeavors.
- Writing samples. Two writing samples of your work on music history are required. While research papers written for undergraduate music history courses suggest themselves, it is important that you submit your best work regardless of the purpose for which they were written. At least one of the two samples must discuss music in a substantive way. Analytical papers giving a blow-by-blow account of the music are discouraged, as are papers consisting of substantial borrowings from other sources. Each submission should not exceed twenty pages. For exceptions to this page limit, please contact Dr. Devin Burke by email.
For scholarship consideration, applications and writing samples should be received by January 15. For information about scholarships, please visit the School of Music financial aid information page.
Music Theory
The successful applicant will submit an electronic portfolio containing three pieces of work that show potential and interest in music theory. At least one piece must be an analytic essay of 1500 or more words containing at least one diagram. The other two pieces in the portfolio may be drawn from the following categories: analytic essays, original compositions (scores and recordings), program notes, review essays (of pieces, books, or articles), and teaching videos. Portfolios can be emailed to gomusic@louisville.edu . Graduate applicants in theory do not need to audition on an instrument or voice at the time of application.
For scholarship consideration, applications and portfolios should be received by January 15. For information about scholarships, please visit the School of Music financial aid information page.
Audition Questions
Please contact the School of Music admissions office at gomusic@louisville.edu with any questions. We are hosting in-person and virtual visits for prospective students.
Audition requirements vary for instruments and degrees. Please visit the area audition requirements sites for information about what your audition requirement will entail.
For specific questions about the audition/portfolio requirements, please contact the audition faculty in your specific area.