Undergraduate

Incoming First-Year and Transfer Students

Full admission to the School of Music is contingent upon acceptance into both the University by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the School of Music. Acceptance to the University prior to your music audition is not a requirement, though you are strongly encouraged to submit an application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions prior to your audition. You can contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more information at (336) 334-5243 or visit their website at admissions.uncg.edu.

Returning Students

Returning students are those who were previously enrolled at UNCG, but have stepped away from pursuing their degree for one or more reasons. The requirements for readmission vary depending on the length of your time away. Please review the steps required at the Admission website.

All Applicants

• All prospective students wishing to take lessons must audition for a spot in their desired studio(s). An audition is a required step for those interested in the Bachelor of Music in Performance (including Composition) and Bachelor of Music in Music Education degrees.
• Prospective students interested in Composition and Popular Music and Technology (PopTech) should, in addition to their audition recording, upload the required materials to the Digital Portfolio in the School of Music application.
• Prospective students interested in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education must also complete a mandatory interview with members of the music education faculty on their scheduled audition day.
• Audition recordings/Portfolio Items will be uploaded to the Digital Portfolio in the School of Music Application for International Students (living outside the United States), Composition, Popular Music and Technology (PopTech), and those auditioning virtually.

Ready to begin the process? 

1. Complete your application for undergraduate admission to UNCG through our Student Portal (or the Common Application).
2. Complete the application to the School of Music. This online form will require that you create a login or use the credentials created for your university application.
   • Once logged in, click Start New Application and the application form “School of Music Auditions” should appear.

These procedures are for current university undergraduate students who wish to apply to a new degree program in the School of Music. A new university application is not required.

1. Apply to the School of Music through the secondary application.
2. Review the Audition Requirements (see below) for your instrument/vocal to prepare for your selected Audition Day.
3. Complete the audition/interview with the area.
4. Receive official results from the School of Music within 10 business days of your audition and/or interview.
5. Complete the Major/Minor Request Form through the Registrar’s Office within 7-10 business days of receiving a successful audition result.

Bachelor of Music in Music Education

A music degree that prepares students for positions as choral directors, band directors, or general music teachers in public schools.

All prospective students interested in pursuing a major in Music Education must complete a meeting with members of the music education faculty on one of the designated audition days. 

1. Apply to the University
2. Prepare audition/interview materials
3. Apply to the School of Music
4. Attend Audition Day or Virtual Meeting

Bachelor of Music in Performance

A professional music degree that prepares students for future careers as performers, composers and/or private teachers (concentrations are available in instrumental, vocal, jazz studies, popular music and technology, and composition).

1. Apply to the University
2. Prepare audition/interview materials
3. Apply to the School of Music
4. Attend Audition Day or Virtual Meeting

Bachelor of Music in Performance, Concentration in Composition

A degree that offers outstanding resources and quality experiences to students interested in traditional compositional styles, as well as new music.

Prospective Composition students must audition on an instrument or in voice, and must adhere to the audition requirements for that area.

1. Apply to the University
2. Prepare audition/interview materials
3. Prepare the following supplemental materials to upload to your Digital Portfolio:
   • A portfolio of original compositions, 2-5 selections (at least 3, if available). Please include scores (.pdf format) and recordings (preferably .mp3 format). Live recordings or digital representations exported from notation software are acceptable. Choose pieces that best represent your compositional style and interests.
   • A short essay (.pdf format preferred):
     • What are your career goals?
     • What kind of music do you write?
     • What kind of music do you listen to?
     • What would you like to do creatively?
4. Apply to the School of Music
5. Attend Audition Day or Virtual Meeting

Bachelor of Music in Performance: Popular Music and Technology 

This degree focuses on popular music performance and creation, with an emphasis on music technology. Students audition as performers or producer/composers (or both). The process involves submitting a Digital Portfolio and completing a Live Audition at UNCG. 

1. Apply to the University 

2. Apply to the School of Music 

3. Upload your Digital Portfolio 

• Performers (Instrumentalists, Singers, Singer-Songwriters, DJs): 
  • Submit 2 video/audio recordings showcasing two songs of different styles (originals or covers). 
  • Provide an artistic statement outlining your musical goals, engagement with music technology, secondary instruments, lyric writing, sight-reading, and social media presence. 
  • If using an accompanist, include a lead sheet for the audition piece(s). 

• Producers, Beat Makers, Composers, Engineers: 
  • Submit 2 video/audio recordings of original work, such as beats, songs, or recordings you’ve engineered. 
  • Provide an artistic statement outlining your musical goals, engagement with music technology, secondary instruments, lyric writing, sight-reading, and social media presence. 

4. Attend Audition Day or Virtual Audition Day: 

• Be prepared to perform or present your productions. Performers may accompany themselves, play with a faculty accompanist, or use audio playback. 
• Auditions are 15-minutes, including setup and performance/presentation. 
• You’ll present your work, discuss its artistic influences, and share your musical experiences, goals, and collaborations. 
• Students may be asked to demonstrate basic musicianship skills such as pitch matching or reading music notation.  
• Whether you appear in-person or virtually, we ask that on audition day, you present yourself professionally as if performing for a small audience. Performance casual dress is expected. 

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Our Bachelor of Arts in Music Major is our most flexible degree program. It is a wonderful preparation for a wide variety of arts-centered careers outside of classical performance, and is a good choice for double majors. All prospective students interested in the Bachelor of Arts in Music Major must apply to the university.

Those who wish to be considered for one-on-one private lessons as a part of their degree program must also apply to the School of Music and complete a successful audition on your instrument (see requirements).

Music Minor

A non-audition program that affords students majoring in other fields the opportunity to complete a carefully planned course of study integrating music performance, music theory, music history, and music electives.

Please Note: Students interested in private studio lessons as part of their studies must successfully complete an audition.

1. Apply to the University
2. Contact your academic advisor to add a Music Minor.

Music minors who are interested in private lessons must also:

1. Apply to the School of Music
2. Attend Audition Day or Virtual Meeting
3. Prepare audition/interview materials (if studio lessons are desired)

Check-In

Check-in will take place on Saturday morning from 7:45–8:25 AM, and you will receive your audition time and a schedule for the day. Although this is an exciting time in your musical journey, we recommend limiting your party size to a maximum of three (3) persons.

There is a welcoming meeting in the morning and an opportunity to meet faculty before auditions begin. You will also have opportunities to connect with current students, see student performances, and tour the Music facilities and Studio 91 in Cone Residence Hall.  Details on these events, start times, room assignments, and more will be provided at check-in Saturday morning.

Accompanist for Vocalists

If you are a vocalist auditioning for our voice area faculty, please be sure to bring one (1) extra copy of your audition music for your accompanist. This should be a legible, clean copy of your music. You will hand your music to the accompanist when you enter the audition room. Vocal candidates interested in PopTech will either sing their selections acapella or bring a pre-recorded instrumental track.

Location/Parking

In case you would like to utilize a GPS or other mapping service, the physical address to the Music Building at UNCG is: 100 McIver Street, Greensboro, NC 27402. Parking is available in the McIver Street Parking Deck (adjacent to the School of Music) and is free until 5:00 PM. You will need to pull a ticket to enter the parking deck in the morning, but the gate will lift automatically when you depart.

Music Education Individual Meeting

For students interested in Music Education, an individual meeting will be conducted with members of the Music Education faculty on the same date. More information will be shared at check-in. If, after your initial audition date, you decide that you wish to be considered for the Music Education degree and did not indicate this on your School of Music application, please contact our school to request information about scheduling a supplemental meeting.

Piano Placement Exam 

This exam is optional to take on Audition Day but will be helpful for Class Piano placement to our prospective undergraduate music majors. A sign-up table will be available to ask questions and register for an exam time. 

Scholarships for Music Majors

Outstanding students majoring in music will be awarded music scholarships based on the results of their auditions and will receive notification by email. In order to be eligible for a music scholarship, you should plan to audition no later than the priority deadline in the academic year preceding expected enrollment (February 22, 2025). Music scholarships are granted on a one-year basis and are renewable depending upon satisfactory academic and musical progress. Scholarships are not awarded mid-year for new Spring semester students.

Transfer Students

Theory and ear training placement tests will be offered at the beginning of each semester. Prior to taking the tests, students will be registered for the theory and ear training level according to transcripts of previous study. Following the tests, students will be placed into courses based upon their individual results.

Overview of Virtual Meetings

Applicants are expected to submit an audition video and attend a virtual meeting with members of the School of Music faculty. A School of Music faculty member will be in touch to schedule your virtual audition meeting. These meetings are a chance for the faculty and applicants to meet and discuss goals, interests, and other items that would normally occur in-person. Although your digital portfolio submission serves as your performance audition, a sight-reading component may be required at the faculty’s discretion.

Music Education Individual Meeting

For students interested in Music Education,’ every effort will be made to schedule your Music Education Interview the for the same date as your virtual audition meeting with Performance faculty.

Missed Audition Meeting

If a prospective student experiences technical difficulties or misses their scheduled meeting with faculty entirely, please contact the School of Music at [email protected]. We will work with the faculty areas to determine if a rescheduled date can be arranged.

Scholarships for Music Majors

Outstanding students majoring in music will be awarded music scholarships based on the results of their auditions and will receive notification by email. In order to be eligible for a music scholarship, you should plan to audition no later than the priority deadline in the academic year preceding expected enrollment (February 25 for Fall 2023 admission). Since the virtual meetings occur in April, students will still be considered for any awards remaining automatically. Music scholarships are granted on a one-year basis and are renewable depending upon satisfactory academic and musical progress. Scholarships are not awarded mid-year to new Spring semester students. 

Transfer Students

Theory and ear training placement tests will be offered at the beginning of each semester. Prior to taking the tests, students will be registered for the theory and ear training level according to transcripts of previous study. Following the tests, students will be placed into courses based upon their individual results.

For degrees with required Portfolio Materials, International Students living outside of the United States, and those auditioning virtually in April.

Recordings of undergraduate applicants should be unedited and continuous. You may upload more than one video if you choose. These should be filmed in the spirit of a live audition, without an audience.

1. Begin your recording facing the camera. Introduce yourself and the piece(s) you are about to present. If you would like to share something you would like the faculty to know, feel free to do so.
2. Please speak loudly and clearly. Present a professional image.
3. Your video recordings should clearly show your face and most of your body. Ideally, the camera should be far enough away (6 ft or more) to avoid sound distortion, but still close enough to see your instrument and technique.
4. Please keep the camera fixed and do not pan or zoom during your recording.
5. Professional recordings are not required. Recordings taken from handheld devices are permitted, so long as the quality is sufficient to meet our requests.
6. Ensure that the recording you’ve made is good quality and that the file contains all instrumental/vocal audition requirements (see below).

Your audition video(s) will be uploaded to your Digital Portfolio in the Application to the School of Music. Remember, video recordings uploaded to YouTube may be Public or Unlisted, but not Private.

Bachelor of Music Education

In addition to the audition required above, you must complete a Music Education Interview (MEIM), a short 15-minute conversation with one of our music education faculty.

Bachelor of Music in Performance in Composition

In addition to the audition required above, you must submit a portfolio of REQUIREMENTS. 

Bachelor of Music in Performance in Popular Music in Technology

In addition to the audition required above, you must submit a portfolio of REQUIREMENTS. Your interview will include playing or singing your work (if you are majoring in an instrument) and/or showing your produced tracks (if you are a producer or songwriter) and a short conversation about your musical background and goals.

Applicants on Harp, Organ, Drumset and Classical Percussion

You will be prompted to fill out additional information about your instrument needs in order to confirm your audition date.