Undergraduate Admission & Auditions
We will offer both in-person and virtual auditions for Fall 2023 admission. Please know that both audition options will be regarded equally – you will not be penalized in any way for a virtual audition. However, we encourage you to audition in-person so that you will be able to better experience our School! By auditioning in-person, you will be able to meet our faculty, see our facilities, attend our morning information sessions, and interact with current students.
Students who choose to audition virtually will also be asked to attend a live virtual interview and/or audition. Virtual auditions/interviews will be held on the same dates as our in-person auditions, just later in the day.
Auditions for the 2023-24 academic year have already taken place. Audition dates for 2024-25 admission will be posted as soon as possible.
Please see below for the complete application & audition/interview instructions. Not all programs require an audition. Please check the requirements for your program. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Sara Carroll.
1. Apply to the University of Tennessee
Apply via the Common Application or VIP Portal. Visit admissions.utk.edu for more information.
Important Dates
- November 1: Application deadline to be considered for competitive scholarships (Chancellor's Honors Program etc.)
- December 15: Final application deadline for Undergraduate freshman students
- April 1: Application deadline for Undergraduate international students
- June 1: Application deadline for Undergraduate transfer students
2. Record Your Audition Videos – virtual option ONLY
Not all programs require an audition. Please check the requirements for your program.If you plan to audition in-person, please proceed to step 3. This step is for virtual auditions only.
If you plan to audition virtually, you must record your audition and attach these videos to your School of Music application. These videos are NOT a prescreen, they will serve as your audition. Please see below regarding guidelines for your video:
- Please take a moment to introduce yourself, your high school, your anticipated major, and the pieces you are playing
- Be sure your camera is steady, at least waist height (not placed on the floor), with clear video and audio
- Please place the camera so that we can see your entire body, but not too distant that we cannot see appropriate techniques.
- Be sure not to have anything (music stand, etc.) blocking your hands, body, and/or face.
- You may split your audition repertoire into smaller videos and may submit up to five videos. For example, you may do one video for scales, one for your first selection, and one for your second.
Once you have recorded your audition videos, you will attach them to your application as outlined in step 3.
3. Apply to the School of Music
ALL students who wish to major in any music degree or minor in applied music MUST apply to the School of Music in addition to applying to the University of Tennessee.
Please complete this step regardless of your audition/interview format (in-person or virtual). You must apply to the School of Music in order to schedule an audition/interview. You do NOT need to wait to be accepted to the University in order to apply to the School of Music.
Applications to the School of Music are due February 1, 2023. If you plan to audition virtually, you must upload your audition videos with your application.
- Complete your application at getacceptd.com
- Attach your prerecorded audition video(s) – ONLY if auditioning virtually
- Choose your audition/interview date.
- Auditions & interviews will be scheduled in late January – early February. You will receive notification of your audition/interview time(s)
- Note: even if you plan to audition virtually, you will still be asked to complete an interview and possible live audition with a faculty member on the dates listed above, depending on your program. For more information, please contact a faculty member in your area or Dr. Sara Carroll.
Auditions for the 2023-24 academic year have already taken place. Audition dates for 2024-25 admission will be posted as soon as possible.
The University Application Deadline is Dec. 15 and the School of Music Application deadline is February 1. You MUST apply to the University AND the School of Music to be considered for admission into music degrees.
Does your area of study have special audition requirements?
Applied Music:
- You must apply to the School of Music at getacceptd.com and audition on your primary instrument.
Music & Culture:
- You must apply to the School of Music at getacceptd.com. If you have questions about the program, you may schedule an interview through Acceptd, but an interview with the faculty is not required for admission into the minor. You do not need to audition on an instrument. However, if you wish to take applied lessons anytime during your study, you will need to audition for the appropriate applied faculty and be accepted to their studio before you can register for lessons.
Music Theory:
- You do not need to apply to the School of Music or audition on an instrument. However, if you wish to take applied lessons anytime during your study you will need to audition for the appropriate applied faculty and be accepted to their studio before you can register for lessons.
Music Composition:
- Students interested in minor in composition must complete at least one full semester of coursework at UTK before adding the minor. You must complete an interview/audition with the composition faculty before being allowed to add the minor. The theory/composition area highly recommends at least one semester of music theory and ear training before beginning the minor. Students should contact Dr. Brendan McConville (bmcconvi@utk.edu) to set up an interview for February auditions. You should bring a portfolio of their works, either printed or electronic.
Music Business:
- You do not need to apply to the School of Music or audition on an instrument. However, if you wish to take applied lessons anytime during your study you will need to audition for the appropriate applied faculty and be accepted to their studio before you can register for lessons.
- Audition on your primary instrument
- Complete an interview with our music education faculty
- Audition on your primary instrument
- Complete an interview with our theory/composition faculty
- Complete an interview with our musicology faculty
Instrumental audition: [OPTIONAL] This degree requires 8 hours of applied lessons and/or ensembles and you will audition on your primary instrument ONLY if you wish to take private lessons (with Music Performance/MUPF or General Music MUSC). MUPF and MUSC lesson spots are not guaranteed for every applied area. Students not accepted to MUPF or MUSC applied lessons can still be admitted with understanding they must complete 8 hours of Music Performance Electives through ensembles.
Interview: [REQUIRED] with the Coordinator of Music Business Administration, to be done in February. The interview will discuss items in the Digital Portfolio.
Digital Portfolio: [REQUIRED] upload each bulleted item below to your Acceptd application:
- Statement of Goals: Provide a short (1 page max) statement of your goals for college and future.
- A short video (can be done from your phone!) where you:
- Tell us a little bit about yourself
- Present some music on any instrument (including technologies/computers) or voice. They should contact the Coordinator before applying with any questions regarding acceptable instrumental presentation. It would be helpful if you:
- Perform a prepared or improvised piece
- Demonstrate some kind of notational competency, e.g. traditional music notation, computer music notation, lead sheet notation, etc.
Any questions on this audition process should be directed to Vance Thompson, Coordinator of BA-Music Business Administration.
Once your application has been reviewed, you will be contacted by the School of Music regarding your audition/interview. Contact Dr. Sara Carroll at 865-974-6134 or scarro33@utk.edu for more information.
4. Audition and/or interview with Faculty
Auditions for the 2023-24 academic year have already taken place. Audition dates for 2024-25 admission will be posted as soon as possible. Wind, percussion, and brass School of Music auditions will also count as your Pride of the Southland audition.
5. Audition and Scholarship Results
Audition results and scholarship offers will be sent no later than April 1.