Music Auditions
How do I enroll in the Department of Music?
*Note that those intending to enroll in one of our graduate programs should follow the procedures found on the Department of Music Graduate Admission Requirements page.
1. Apply to IUP first
Department of Music admission is contingent upon successful admission to the university.
2. Register for an Experience IUP Day
Once accepted to the university, you will be prompted to register for an Experience IUP Day. Your Experience IUP Day will also serve as your audition day.
3. Schedule an audition
After registering for your Experience IUP Day, the Department of Music will need just a little more information about you. Click the button below to finalize your audition registration.
Register now for your IUP music audition!
Audition now for fall 2022 admission! In-person auditions will be offered on these dates:
Monday, December 6, 2021
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Monday, February 28, 2022
Monday, March 7, 2022
Monday, March 28, 2022
Monday, April 11, 2022
If you prefer, you may instead audition via Zoom on one of our audition dates. Fill out and submit the Audition Information Form in order to schedule your audition.
All music majors are eligible for scholarships, which are determined based on your audition.
If you have any questions regarding scheduling an audition, please contact the department at 724-357-2397 or email Dawnette Shellhammer (dmshell@iup.edu).
Great Quality
"The quality for the tuition here is ridiculously good—it's such a great value."
Andrew Milliken, Piano Performance, Music BFA
Piano Placement Test
All music majors must study piano for at least two semesters at IUP. For most students, this will be in-class piano. Students who have a background of piano study may be eligible to take private applied lessons instead of class piano. Students with piano background should complete the Piano Placement Test as part of their audition for entrance into the IUP Department of Music. Such students should come prepared to:
- play a few phrases of any composition they choose (other than an original composition), memorized or with music
- play two white-key major scales (2 octaves, hands together)only if you have studied the correct fingering
- sight-read a few bars of very easy piano music
Piano majors and those with no piano background do not have to take this brief exam.
Please note: For fall 2021 entrance, piano placement tests may happen via video.
IUP Is Conservatory Caliber
"IUP gave me the opportunity to acquire the skills and education equal to some of the major conservatories in the nation."
Justin Polyblank, BSEd Music Education; went on to become a saxophonist in the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own," MM in saxophone performance and jazz studies from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Suggested Audition Materials
Voice
Requirements for voice applicants for the BA/BFA in music performance and BSEd music education degree programs
Percussion
Etude or solo required for these instruments, plus sight reading expected on snare and mallets
Keyboard
Suggested audition material for the BSEd, BA, or BFA. Composition degrees, and for the BFA in Music Performance
Strings
A prospective violin, viola, cello, double bass, or guitar student should be prepared to play from the listed repertoire.
Woodwinds
Requirements for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Saxophone
Brass
Requirements for trumpet/cornet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba
Composition
Requirements for composition