Music Composition Audition Requirements

Sidebar

Undergraduate Music Composition Requirements

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. 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. 

Graduate Music Composition Requirements

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.

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.