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: Fine Arts audition day
Once you are admitted to IUP, you will receive a letter from the Admissions office about your acceptance, which also includes instructions for registering for an
Experience IUP: Fine Arts
audition day. You will receive a follow-up letter or e-mail in ten days to two weeks after your acceptance letter is mailed if you have not yet registered for an audition date.
Experience IUP: Fine Arts audition days for Fall 2020 admission
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Monday, December 9, 2019
Monday, February 17, 2020
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Monday, April 6, 2020
3. Schedule an audition
You will also need to fill out and submit the Audition Information Form (where applicable) at least two weeks in
advance to ensure confirmation of your preferred audition date. Once you have scheduled an audition date online, you will receive a confirmation which includes an agenda, parking permit, and campus map. If you have any questions regarding scheduling an audition, please contact Vickie Morganti at
724-357-2391 or e-mail
music-auditions@iup.edu.
What are the general audition requirements?
The audition process for all prospective music majors and music minors consists of the following:
- Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in an instrument, voice, or composition
- Earn a score of 70 percent or higher on the Diagnostic Music Theory Exam
- Prepare and play a Piano Proficiency Entrance Exam. (Please see details below-not required for Music Theater Track in Theater or music minors)
Diagnostic Music Theory Exam
The Undergraduate Diagnostic Exam is intended to ensure that incoming students are familiar with the rudiments of music. It covers: pitch notation, including treble and bass clef; basic rhythm, including dots and ties; common simple and compound meters; major and minor scales, keys, and key signatures; intervals, including interval quality; and triads, including triad quality.
The exam consists of 45 multiple-choice questions and is timed to 45 minutes. Students must earn a score of 70 percent in order to pass. Those who fail to do so after two attempts must elect MUSC 113 Theory I Practicum, a one-credit course, in conjunction with MUSC 115 Theory I. Note that while the exam is part of the audition process, it is not a significant criterion for admission.
The textbook used in core undergraduate theory courses is Steven Laitz’s The Complete Musician: An Integrated Approach to Theory, Analysis, and Listening. It is an excellent reference, but incoming students may wish to practice with web-based resources such as teoria or musictheory.net. There are several good mobile apps, eBooks, and YouTube tutorials as well.
Piano Proficiency Entrance Exam
The Piano Proficiency Exam is administered to any student who claims a background of piano study of 1 year or more. 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, whose sole purpose is to determine eligibility for private applied lessons as opposed to Class Piano.
Please note: Piano proficiency exams will not be administered except on audition dates.
Suggested Audition Materials
Requirements for voice applicants for the BA/BFA in music performance and BSEd music education degree programs
Etude or solo required for these instruments, plus sight reading expected on snare and mallets
Suggested audition material for the BSEd, BA, or BFA. Composition degrees, and for the BFA in Music Performance
A prospective violin, viola, cello, double bass, or guitar student should be prepared to play from the listed repertoire.
Requirements for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet (Bb only), Bassoon, and Saxophone
Requirements for Trumpet/Cornet, French horn, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba
Requirements for Composition