FAQs
Undergraduate FAQs | Graduate FAQs
General FAQs
What degree programs are offered at Illinois?
You can see information on all of the degrees that the School of Music offers by clicking here.
How can I know if Illinois is the right school for me?
We recommend scheduling a campus visit when school is in session. Our Undergraduate School of Music Open House, which occurs in late September, is an excellent way for current high school students to get to know us. Here are some suggestions to maximize your experience.
How do I apply to the School of Music and sign-up for an audition?
The Application Process is best thought of in three parts:
- The University Application
- The Music Supplemental Application
- The Audition (or portfolio review for Composition)
The Supplemental application will ask you for your top three choices of audition dates. Scheduling of auditions begins in late November.
I have completed the University Application, but I can’t login to the Supplemental Music Application!
Not to worry. There is actually an overnight lag time between the final submission of your University Application and the creation of your Supplemental Music Application. Simply wait a day or two and try again. If you still have trouble after 48 hours, send us an email or give us a phone call.
What do I have to play for my audition?
The requirements for audition vary by instrument. Click here to access individual audition requirements, or visit the specific division page.
What if I cannot attend either an on- or off-campus audition?
While a live audition is always preferred, the School of Music accepts recorded auditions in certain circumstances. Any applicant considering this option should contact the Music Admissions Office prior to submitting the recorded audition. Recorded auditions should be submitted through the Arts App portal, other media will not be considered. The recording should be uploaded no later than February 1st. Scholarship consideration cannot be guaranteed for applicants who do not audition in person or at a regional audition.
Do I have to provide a portfolio of my work?
Comp–Theory majors at both the undergraduate and graduate levels must submit a portfolio of compositions. All candidates should submit 3 to 5 works for evaluation. If recordings have been made of these works, please submit them as well.
Graduate applicants should mail this portfolio to the Music Admissions Office. All materials should be received by December 1st.
Graduate Conducting programs have additional requirements; please refer to the Graduate Conducting Audition Requirements.
What are the deadlines for submitting my application materials?
December 1: Deadline for graduate applications. Including receipt/upload of all supporting materials.
January 2: Deadline for freshman applications. Including receipt/upload of all supporting materials.
March 1: Deadline for transfer applications (transfer students wishing to be considered for merit-based financial aid should submit the School of Music Supplemental Application by January 2)
Although late materials may still be considered, there is no guarantee that an application that is incomplete after the due date will receive the same full level of consideration, or that an audition will be scheduled. For more information on submission deadlines, please click here.
Where do I stay when I visit campus?
You can find information on places to stay and things to do by clicking here.
How and when will I be notified if I have been accepted to the School of Music?
Undergraduates will be notified by logging back into the University application no later than March 15.
Graduate applicants will be notified via email no later than March 15.
What are the performing opportunities available to me at Illinois?
We have a very large number of ensembles that are open to all UI students by audition. Auditions are normally held during the first week of classes, and again at the beginning of the second semester. The Marching Illini auditions occur in the spring.
There are also opportunities to perform with local Community/Professional ensembles such as the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia da Camera, the Prairie Ensemble and others in the region. Auditions are general held each fall for open positions and substitute lists.
I want to stay involved with music, but I have a different major.
You have several options for getting involved.
- All School of Music ensembles are open to all UI students by audition. There is probably an ensemble to fit your schedule and musical needs.
- Non-majors may audition to take private lessons. Although these may be with an applied professor, normally these lessons are taken with a graduate teaching assistant. Contact the Music Admissions office for more information.
- Minor in music. You can take music classes beginning with your very first semester Undergraduate. If you pass the audition to become a music minor (no earlier than the end of your second semester on campus) then previous music classes can be applied toward the minor.
Does the School of Music offer courses in the summer?
Summer offerings are limited to Graduate level courses and are only offered during Summer II. One exception is Summer Band which is open to the University Community at large. An audition and formal registration are not required.
Although summer offerings are designed to support our Summer Master of Music Education degree, there are offerings that Academic Year graduate students may be interested in taking. Tuition waivers that accompany teaching assistantships remain in effect for the summer sessions.
UNDERGRADUATE FAQs
How can I find out exactly what I need to do in order to apply to the School of Music?
Follow this link to the Undergraduate Application Guide
Are there placement exams?
Undergraduate applicants must complete a one-hour Music Fundamentals Placement Exam on the day of his/her audition. This exam is an evaluation of your training in the areas of Music Theory. The results of this exam will determine which section of Music Theory I you will enroll in. The Music Fundamentals Exam is not used for admissions and can be retaken at the beginning of your first year. Bachelor of Arts students will take the exam at the beginning of the first year.
What academic requirements must be met in order to be accepted into the School of Music?
The University of Illinois evaluates all undergraduate applications on three academic requirements plus the personal statement. The academic evaluations are the ACT or SAT, high school class rank and/or GPA, and the high school coursework requirements.
In addition, international applicants must complete the TOEFL with a minimum score of 79 iBT, or they must receive a score of 25 or higher on the English subsection of the ACT. For more specific details, visit the Office of Admissions and Records website.
Do I need to have someone send a letter of recommendation?
No. We do not accept or even consider letters of recommendation for undergraduate applicants.
Do I have to provide a portfolio of my work?
Comp–Theory applicants must submit a portfolio of compositions. All candidates should submit 3 to 5 works for evaluation. If recordings have been made of these works, please submit them as well.
Undergraduate comp-theory applicants may submit a paper on a topic related to music theory or composition in lieu of some of these compositions. Undergraduate applicants should bring the compositions to the audition day. A 15-minute interview will be scheduled for each candidate with the faculty members in the composition-theory department. The compositions should be presented at that time.
What scholarships are available?
School of Music Scholarships are available only to music majors in varying amounts from several hundred dollars to full tuition waivers. These awards are given to music majors who excel in performance ability, general musicianship, and academic achievement. All scholarship and award offers to incoming students are made by faculty recommendation on the basis of an entrance audition to the School of Music. Scholarships are renewable so long as the recipient is making satisfactory progress towards a degree in music.
Can I transfer my music credits from another college?
Most credits in applied music, music theory, ensemble and keyboard will transfer as hours toward the degree. A proficiency or placement exam will determine how many of those hours may be used to substitute for UIUC music theory, keyboard proficiency and applied music courses. Courses in general education will be evaluated by the Undergraduate Affairs Office for the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Most of these will transfer as electives toward the degree, but not all courses offered on this campus meet general education requirements. Individual transfer courses from community colleges and 4-year institutions are reviewed case by case. For courses transferred from a community college in the state of Illinois, refer to the transfer and general education websites.
I think I want to major in music AND another area. What do I do?
Sometimes called double-major, study in two major areas is called “Dual-degree” study at Illinois. Although rare, it is possible to earn two bachelor degrees at the same time. This requires two separate applications. Keep in mind that at Illinois you may only be considered for departmental scholarships in one area.
GRADUATE FAQs
How can I find out exactly what I need to do in order to apply to the School of Music?
Follow this link to the Graduate Application Guide.
One of my recommenders is doing field research in a part of the world without internet access; can she mail her recommendation letter to you?
Yes, in cases where the University Application electronic submission is not possible, we will accept a reference letter on paper. If you have doubts about whether a letter will reach us, it is acceptable to add a fourth recommender in your University Application.
Are there placement exams?
Graduate applicants do not take placement tests as part of the audition, except in conducting programs.
Placement exams in theory and aural skills are required for all admitted graduate students prior to their first semester. Exams are typically given on the Saturday immediately preceding the first day of classes.
Do I need to take the GRE?
We only request GRE scores for those applying for graduate study in Musicology and Ethnomusicology. Although it is possible to be considered for admission without a GRE score, applicants lacking a current GRE score will not receive full consideration for merit-based aid.
What is TOEFL and how do I know if I am exempt from needing a TOEFL score?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required for International applicants. Start by reviewing this page.
What academic requirements must be met in order to be accepted into the School of Music?
For graduate applicants the University of Illinois requires an overall GPA of 3.0/4.0 for previous college coursework. In addition, international students must complete the TOEFL minimum requirements.
Placement in music theory or aural skills are determined by testing after admission, but before the first day of classes. Four semesters of theory/aural skills plus two additional advanced theory courses are expected.
Placement in music history is determined by transcript audit. One year survey of Western Music History and two additional semesters of period courses (e.g: 18th Century…) is expected.
Foreign Language - see the Programs of Study for requirements by degree.
Deficiencies in theory, aural skills, and foreign language are not considered for admissions purposes. Admitted students are notified of their deficiencies before their first semester of enrollment.
What scholarships are available?
Assistantships and Fellowships from the University and the School of Music are available each year. The awards include an annual stipend that may range from $7400 – $14,800 per year. The recipients of such awards also receive a partial tuition waiver. Only those applicants whose application process (including audition, if applicable) is complete will be considered for an assistantship or fellowship. The deadline to receive priority consideration for University fellowships is February 1. The deadline to receive priority consideration for School of Music assistantships and fellowships is February 15. In addition to Assistantships and Fellowships, the School of Music also offers some stand-alone partial tuition waivers.
For more information visit the University Assistantship page.
Can I transfer my music credits from another college?
A student who has completed graduate-level course work at an accredited institution within the past five years with grades of A or B may request, with department approval, that credits be applied to a degree at the University of Illinois. Generally, a maximum of three units of transfer credit may be counted toward a graduate degree. Credit will not be transferred if it has been applied to another degree. A student must successfully complete at least two units of graduate work at the Urbana-Champaign campus before a request for transfer of credit can be made.
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