Majoring in Music

ADMISSION TO THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

The Music Department at Indiana University Southeast offers one of the most musically-intensive Bachelor of Arts degrees in the region.

 Apply for Admission

In order to major in Music at IU Southeast, you must:

 Auditions

Admission to the Music Department is by audition only. An audition/interview is required of all students wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree.

Auditions for admission for the 2013-2014 academic year will be held on
November 3, 2012
February 2, 2013
March 2, 2013
May 11, 2013*
August 21, 2013*

*The May and August audition dates are for admission only. Those interested in scholarship consideration should audition by March 2.

 Advising

To discuss one or more of our concentrations with an academic advisor:

To discuss one or more of our concentrations with an academic advisor:

Music Composition
Dr. Erich Stem
estem@ius.edu
812.941.2255

Music Industry:
Sound Engineering & Music Business
Tim Haertel
thaertel@ius.edu
812.941.2655

Performance
Pre-Music Therapy
Dr. Joanna Goldstein
jgoldsteh@ius.edu
812.941.2345

 Recruiting Events

Arrange a visit to the Music Department by calling
812.941.2655 or send an e-mail to semusic@ius.edu.

 Application Forms

IU Southeast Admission Application

Music Department Audition Application

Music Scholarship Application

It is expected that students wishing to pursue a degree in music will have a substantial background in music prior to seeking admission to a college music program. This background can include private music lessons, participation in school ensembles such as concert and/or marching bands, orchestras, concert choirs, show choirs or musical theatre, music theory and/or music technology classes, or any other performing or educational background that included training in the fundamentals of music.

THE AUDITION

Admission to the Music Department is by audition only. Students applying for admission into the Music Department at Indiana University Southeast to pursue a B.A. in Music degree – as well as those applying for a music scholarship – must attend one of the Music Department’s Audition Days. Audition Days for the 2013-2014 academic year are as follows:

November 3, 2012*
February 2, 2013
March 2, 2013
May 11, 2013**
August 21, 2013**

*Students seeking admission to the Music Department beginning with the Spring 2013 semester
(starting in January) should audition on the November 3 Audition Day.

**The May and August audition dates are for admission only. Students wishing
to be considered for a scholarship must audition by the March 2 date.

Audition days consist of the audition and interview. Students must submit a Music Department Audition Application form and then schedule an audition time after they have submitted the application. Auditions will not be scheduled until this form has been submitted. Students wishing to be considered for a scholarship award must also submit the appropriate Scholarship Application form. The deadline to submit audition forms is three weeks prior to the audition date. In addition to the audition form, students should submit at least one letter of recommendation from their current applied teacher, and an official copy of their most recent school transcript. These materials should be mailed or submitted to the Music Department Office within three weeks of the audition date.

Audition Requirements for Various Degree Concentrations

All students applying for admission to the Music Department must complete a performance audition regardless of the student's intended degree concentration. However, the performance standards and requirements do vary depending on which concentration the student intends to pursue.

Audition Repertoire For guidelines of acceptable audition repertoire, you can download our Suggested Repertoire Guide.

Vocal Performance
Students should prepare two songs of contrasting style, one preferably in a foreign language. At least one of the songs should be memorized. A selection from musical theatre is acceptable. Examples of acceptable voice audition repertoire can be found in our Suggested Repertoire Guide. Voice auditions must be accompanied. Following the presentation of solo material, the candidate will be asked to demonstrate basic pitch and rhythmic sight-reading ability.

Instrumental Performance – Keyboard
Candidates for the B.A. in Piano or Organ Performance should be prepared to play – either from score or memory – no less than two pieces. They should be varied, both as to period and style. Examples of acceptable keyboard audition repertoire can be found in our Suggested Repertoire Guide. The candidate should also be prepared to play major and minor scales and arpeggios. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate.

Instrumental Performance – Non-Keyboard
Instrumentalists should prepare two shorter selections in contrasting styles from the standard literature (or one longer work) that best display musical accomplishments. Major scales and chromatic scales may also be requested. Instrumentalists are not required to perform with accompaniment. Percussionists should prepare a snare drum solo and basic rudiments, and either a timpani or mallet instrument solo. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate. Examples of acceptable instrumental audition repertoire can be found in our Suggested Repertoire Guide.

Music Composition
Acceptance into the Music Composition program is based on both an interview/portfolio review and an audition. Candidates should perform one representative work on their primary instrument/voice and also present a portfolio of at least two scores (with recordings, if possible) of their original compositions. Scores should demonstrate the candidate’s creativity and ability to realize his or her ideas with accuracy and in accordance to conventional notational practices. Candidates should be able to discuss their influences and music interests as they relate to the field of composition. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate. Examples of acceptable instrumental audition repertoire can be found in our Suggested Repertoire Guide.

Music Industry: Sound Engineering
Acceptance into the Music Industry: Sound Engineering program is based both on an interview and a demonstration of the candidate’s fluency on a particular instrument. Because this concentration is not a performance-oriented degree, the level of performance does not need to reflect the same stringent standards. However, since it is a music degree, we require that candidates have some facility on a musical instrument or voice and can demonstrate basic literacy in conventional music notation. Examples of acceptable instrumental audition repertoire can be found in our Suggested Repertoire Guide. Candidates should be prepared to discuss reasons why they wish to pursue the technology concentration. Support materials (CD recordings, creative work, past editing projects, etc.) are helpful, but not necessary for admittance into the program. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate.

Music Industry: Music Business
Acceptance into the Music Business program consists of both an interview and an audition on the candidate’s primary instrument or voice. Because the Music Business concentration is not a performance-oriented degree, the level of performance does not need to reflect the same stringent standards. However, since it is a music degree, we require that candidates have previous training on a musical instrument or voice and can demonstrate basic literacy in conventional music notation. Examples of acceptable instrumental audition repertoire can be found in our Suggested Repertoire Guide. Candidates should be prepared to discuss reasons why they wish to pursue the Music Business concentration.

Pre-Music Therapy
Acceptance into the Pre-Music Therapy concentration consists of both an interview and an audition on the candidate's primary instrument. Because the Pre-Music Therapy concentration is not a performance degree, the level of performance does not need to reflect the same stringent standards. However, since it is a music degree, we require that candidates have previous training on a musical instrument or voice and can demonstrate basic literacy in conventional music notation. Examples of acceptable audition repertoire can be found in our Suggested Repertoire Guide. Candidates should be prepared to discuss reasons why they wish to pursue the Pre-Music Therapy concentration.

Taped Auditions

Students who do not live within a 300-mile radius of Indiana University Southeast may submit a taped audition. A video tape is preferred, but an audio tape will be accepted. Students who submit a taped audition may only be provisionally accepted. Students deemed qualified will still be required to perform a live audition at some point prior to the start of the semester.

Accompanists

Vocal auditions must be accompanied. Accompanied instrumental auditions are preferred, but not required. You must provide your own accompanist if one is needed for your audition. If you need assistance in securing an accompanist, you can view our list of recommended accompanists and contact them directly. Be advised that you will need to contact an accompanist as far in advance of your audition date as possible. Also, please be aware that you will need to negotiate accompanist fees with the accompanist.

MUSIC THEORY PLACEMENT EXAM

The Music Theory Placement Exam is required to determine in which section of Music Theory the student will be placed if accepted as a music major. Results of the placement exam are not generally a factor in the decision as to whether or not a student will be accepted as a music major.

The exam consists of basic music theory, such as: identifying key signatures, intervals, chord types, major and minor scales (natural, melodic and harmonic), and rhythm. Transfer students will be given a slightly more comprehensive exam.

If a student does not achieve a sufficient score on the exam, the student will be required to enroll in MUS-T109 Rudiments of Music before being elligible to enroll in MUS-T113 Music Theory I. Students may NOT substitute MUS-E241 Intro to Music Fundamentals for MUS-T109.

Students may take the exam at the IU Southeast Student Development Center, located in room 203 in University Center South (US 203) during the Center's normal hours of operation. The exam must be taken within 4 weeks after the audition. Students wishing to be a music major must not register for any Music Theory course (MUS-T113, T114, T115, T116, T109, etc.) until they have taken this exam. When requesting the exam at the Student Development Center, students must specify if they are an incoming Freshman with no previous college experience, or if they are a student transferring from another college/university. For the Student Development Center's hours of operation, location, and other information, visit www.ius.edu/sdc or call (812) 941-2312.

Students who are auditioning for scholarship consideration only - and not to be admitted as a music major - are not required to take the exam.

SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID

Music Scholarships

The Music Department at Indiana University Southeast offers several scholarship opportunities for talented students. Most scholarships are open to all IU Southeast students, regardless of the student's major. Current scholarships available are:

Rasmussen Scholarship Award in the Performing Arts: Music
Martha Stem Scholarship in Music
James Poteet Scholarship Award for Performance on a Band Instrument
Eric Schansberg Scholarship Award for Performance on a String Instrument
Wil Greckel Music Scholarship
IU Southeast Music Composition Scholarship

For information about these scholarship and the application procedures, visit the Scholarships page.

Financial Aid

The IU Southeast Financial Aid office strives to meet the financial needs of all students admitted to IU Southeast. For more information - including information regarding other scholarship and financial aid opportunities - please visit the Financial Aid web site or call 812.941.2246.

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE

Candidates will receive notification of acceptance or non-acceptance to the degree program within three weeks of their audition. Candidates must be accepted to the university prior to being accepted as a music major. Failure to apply early to the university may delay notification of the audition results. Admission to the Music Department does not grant admission to IU Southeast. Students must also apply to the university. For information on applying to Indiana University Southeast, please visit the IU Southeast Admissions Office web site, or call 812.941.2212.