Entrance Auditions
All new incoming or transfer students wishing to major in music are required to audition. You must be formally admitted to NMU before you can sign up for an Entrance Audition. Register online or call us at 906-227-2563. You will receive confirmation and further important information once you have registered. We look forward to meeting you!
IN-PERSON Audition Dates:
- Tuesday, August 25, 2026 (for F26 incoming students who have not yet auditioned)
- Saturday, March 13, 2027 at NMU in Marquette, MI
- By appointment during a campus visit or on another pre-arranged date
RECORDED Auditions
- If you are unable to audition with us in-person in one of the areas listed above, the Department of Music faculty will be happy to review a recorded audition (video). Recorded auditions must be received by March 6, 2027. Please contact the Music Office directly at 906-227-2563 or music@nmu.edu if you would like to submit an audition recording.
See AUDITION REQUIREMENTS below.
PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to be considered for a music scholarship (descriptions below), an in-person audition is highly recommended. Please plan to audition by the March 13, 2027 audition date if you wish to be considered for a music scholarship (descriptions below) in the following year.
Music Scholarships
The Department of Music awards Board of Trustees and NMU Foundation scholarships annually to music majors based on auditions. Incoming freshmen music majors will be considered for scholarships if they audition in-person at the scheduled date in March (or by special arrangement prior to the March audition date), or by submitting a recorded (video) audition by March 6, 2027.
Non-music majors may be eligible for Service Awards if funds are available. These types of awards (when available) are generally offered to continuing students who are actively involved in ensembles, and they are awarded early in the fall semester.
Continuing NMU students are automatically under consideration for music scholarships. Scholarship recommendations are made by early April, and students are notified by mid-April. Students must confirm acceptance of scholarships.
NMU also offers many other (non-music) scholarships for which you may be eligible.
Scholarship and Entrance Audition Requirements
WINDS, STRINGS, BRASS, & PERCUSSION
- All major scales (one octave ascending and descending - memorized) + a 2-octave chromatic scale (beginning on any note). Percussionists may substitute drum rudiments.
- Prepared solo, comparable to a solo performed at a Solo & Ensemble Festival (accompaniment is not necessary).
- Applicants will be interviewed by faculty during their audition. They will be asked to describe their musical background, their reasons for pursuing a major in music, their career aspirations, etc. (Applicants who choose to submit a video recording in lieu of an in-person audition will be asked to address these topics in a brief statement at the conclusion of their audition recording.)
PIANISTS
- All major scales (two octaves ascending and descending, memorized).
- Two contrasting pieces (preferably memorized, although this is not mandatory).
- Typed list of prior pieces performed, including accompanying experiences.
- Applicants will be interviewed by faculty during their audition. They will be asked to describe their musical background, their reasons for pursuing a major in music, their career aspirations, etc. (Applicants who choose to submit a video recording in lieu of an in-person audition will be asked to address these topics in a brief statement at the conclusion of their audition recording.)
VOCALISTS
- Prospective vocal students will sing two contrasting songs or arias from memory. The selections may be from any musical period, and must be learned in their entirety (i.e. no 16-bar or 32-bar cuts will be accepted). "Contrast" may be achieved through tempo, style, time period, or language. Foreign language is not required, but strongly encouraged.
- All vocal auditions must utilize piano accompaniment. An accompanist will be provided for in-person auditions - music (PDFs) must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the audition. Please send your music to Professor Pierson at kepierso@nmu.edu. (Students wishing to use their own accompanist at an in-person audition should make this request at least two weeks prior to the audition.)
- Applicants will be interviewed by faculty during their audition. They will be asked to describe their musical background, their reasons for pursuing a major in music, their career aspirations, etc. (Applicants who choose to submit a video recording in lieu of an in-person audition will be asked to address these topics in a brief statement at the conclusion of their audition recording.)
Entrance auditions will usually be conducted by one or more faculty members from the student's performance area. Auditions will generally be recorded, especially if particular faculty members cannot be present. Students are notified of results in writing. Those who satisfy all of the entrance audition requirements are accepted as music majors.
Although students who do not pass the audition are not fully accepted as majors at that time, the audition is not intended to discourage those with the potential for success. A student who does not pass the entrance audition may enroll as a provisional major in specific first semester music courses designated by the Department. If they successfully complete these courses with grades of C or above, they may repeat the entrance audition at the conclusion of the fall semester. Since these first semester courses match those taken by music majors and minors, students who pass the entrance audition the second time remain on track with their peers. And even if they are unsuccessful the second time, the courses have not been wasted since they will apply to the music minor.