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Entrance Auditions
All new 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.
Upcoming Audition Dates:
- Tuesday, August 27, 2024 (for F24 incoming students who still need to do a live audition)
- Saturday, February 15, 2025
- Saturday, March 22, 2025
- By appointment during a campus visit or on another pre-arranged date
- Tuesday, August 26, 2025 (for F25 incoming students who still need to do a live audition)
See AUDITION REQUIREMENTS below.
If you would like to be considered for a music scholarship (descriptions below), a live audition is required. Please plan to audition by the March audition date if you wish to be considered for a music scholarship (descriptions below) in the following year.
Recorded auditions (video) will be reviewed by area faculty for provisional acceptance only - students who submit a recording will still need to complete a live audition when they arrive on campus in the fall. Contact the Music Office directly at 906-227-2563 or music@nmu.edu if you would like to submit a recording.
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!
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Scholarships
The Department of Music awards scholarships to music majors based on live auditions. Incoming freshmen will be considered for scholarships if they audition at one of the scheduled dates in February or March, or by special arrangement prior to the March audition date.
Non-music majors may be eligible for Service Awards if funds are available. These type 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 scholarships. Scholarship recommendations are made in early April and letters are mailed to students by mid-April. Students must confirm acceptance of scholarships.
There are several different types of scholarships available for music majors and non-majors at NMU—see the scholarship chart below.
NMU also offers many other scholarships for which you may be eligible.
Scholarships
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board of Trustees Scholarships | $500 to $1500 | Full-time Music majors, by audition | |
| Marcella Beaumier Scholarship | Varies | Full-time Music majors, by audition | |
| Sylvia Casper Cohodas Music Educator Scholarship | Varies | Full-time Music Education majors, by audition | Must be a junior or senior |
| Hinda Cunningham Music Scholarship | Varies | Full-time Music majors, by audition | Preference given to full time incoming freshmen from an Upper Peninsula high school |
| Dr. and Mrs. John X. Jamrich Music Scholarship | Varies | Full-time Music majors, by audition | Preference given to Piano, Violin, or Clarinet students |
| Joseph A. Magnino '62 Music Education Scholarship | Varies | Full-time Music Education majors, by audition | |
| Carson Needham Memorial Scholarship | Varies | Full-time students who are active members of the NMU Marching Band, by audition | |
| Alma Swinton Memorial Scholarship | Varies | All students actively participating in Music Department, by audition | |
| Julie M. Tomasi Memorial Scholarship | Varies | Full-time Music majors, by audition | Preference given to Piano or Voice students |
| Mary Trolla Choral Scholarship | Varies | Full-time Music Education, by audition | Preference given to vocal majors who are graduates of a Marquette County high school or Upper Peninsula high school |
Service Awards
Non-music majors are vital to the strength of performing ensembles and to the overall music program. The department encourages participation by these students through Service Awards. At the beginning of each academic year, non-music majors (and majors without scholarships) may be eligible for Service Awards depending on available funding and the specific needs of the department. Service Awards are given at the discretion of area faculty and/or ensemble directors with the approval of the department head.
In addition to contacting the department office (906) 227-2563, please feel free to phone or e-mail any of the faculty if you have questions about auditions or scholarships. Contact information is available on the Faculty & Staff tab. We will be happy to help you!
Scholarship and Entrance Audition Requirements
I. Performance
Instrumentalists:
- All major scales (one octave ascending and descending, memorized). Percussionists may substitute drum rudiments.
- Chromatic scale (two octaves)
- Sight reading example for your instrument.
- Prepared solo with or without accompaniment (comparable to a solo performed at a Solo & Ensemble Festival). Pianists should prepare two contrasting pieces (preferably memorized, although this is not mandatory).
Singers:
(An accompanist will be available upon request. Students should provide printed music for accompanist.)
- An ascending and descending major scale (on a neutral syllable or solfege), demonstrating normal tuning and control.
- Sight reading
- Prepared solo with accompaniment (comparable to a solo performed at a Solo & Ensemble Festival).
II Basic Musical Aptitude (All students)
- Identify the names of notated pitches on the clef normally used for the instrument/voice.
- Sing back pitches played on the piano.
- Echo back simple melodic intervals using a neutral syllable (“LA”).
- Sing a simple, familiar melody (e.g. Happy Birthday, America).
- Echo back (clapping or tapping) a short rhythmic example in both simple and compound meter.
Entrance auditions will 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. Be prepared for a relaxed, informal dialog with faculty; they will ask questions about personal and musical background and interests, and you will be encouraged to ask questions in turn. Students are notified of results in writing. Those who satisfy all of the entrance audition requirements are accepted as music majors.
Though students not meeting requirements 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 beginning of the next 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.