Music Theory Audition Requirements
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Undergraduate Music Theory Audition Requirements
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.
Graduate Music Theory Audition Requirements
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.
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.