Music Admissions

Information for all undergraduate and graduate applicants

On this Page
Undergraduate Application Procedures
Graduate Application Procedures
Audition Dates & Details
Audition Requirements
Questions and Contact Info

Undergraduate Applicants

While Penn State offers rolling admission for undergraduate students, applicants who wish to ensure full consideration for admission and all Penn State scholarships should submit their application and complete their School of Music audition on or before the last official audition date.

While the School of Music does not officially participate in early action, students who audition in December typically receive their admissions decision with that pool of applicants.

Students determined to be academically ineligible for admission may contact the School of Music and may be permitted to audition provisionally with the potential of a talent waiver for students with exceptional performance achievement or extenuating circumstances.

Fall admission is the only option for music when applying to Penn State. Incoming and change of major students who wish to be considered for the spring semester should contact the recruitment team prior to application at music-ug-adm@psu.edu to confirm if new students may be accepted into your program of interest. Some studios may not be able to accept new students for the spring. Due to the sequential nature of music coursework, a spring start may not accelerate your path to graduation.

There is a four-step application process:

Apply for admission to the university online through the Common Application or Penn State’s own application.
Schedule your School of Music audition in Acceptd. Please complete this as soon as possible after applying to the university. Do not wait to hear from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions before scheduling. You will:
- Complete a series of background questions
- Upload an optional or required resume
- Briefly describe why you are interested in pursuing your intended degree program at Penn State
- Provide the email address for at least one person who will submit a letter of recommendation
- Request your audition date
- Pay the fee to Acceptd
If required, submit the requested materials for your chosen degree via Acceptd no later than the deadline(s) indicated. View the undergraduate audition requirements and deadlines for the submission of materials in the Audition Information section below.
Complete an audition and/or interview with faculty as required for your intended major or instrument.

Currently enrolled Penn State students wishing to change their major need not reapply to the university. You should follow the process outlined in the incoming first year and transfer applicants section, beginning with step 2. If accepted, you may then request a change of major through LionPATH. These requests will not be approved prior to a successful audition.

Students wishing to transfer or apply for a change of major for the fall semester are highly encouraged to audition during the scheduled dates above. Studio spaces may fill, and summer auditions may not be possible.

Currently enrolled Penn State students wishing to change their major and campus to University Park need not reapply to the university. You should follow the process outlined in the incoming first year and transfer applicants section, beginning with step 2. If accepted, you may then request the change of major and of campus through LionPATH. These requests will not be approved prior to a successful audition.

Applicants and continuing students applying for the Music Performance Minor should begin with step 2 in the incoming first year and transfer applicants section. An application/audition through Acceptd is only required for the Music Performance Minor.

For students interested in the Jazz Performance Minor please contact the director of Jazz Studies. Students interested in the Music Studies or Music Technology minors may contact Margaret Arnold, academic advisor for the School of Music, to enroll in the required coursework.

Graduate Applicants

Follow the procedures for your program as outlined in the Graduate Application Process (PDF).

Applications received and completed, including auditions and interviews, by February 15 will be given priority consideration for admission and graduate assistantship funding.
Graduate Assistantship Application: This application form (PDF) is to be filled out and then uploaded on the GRADS application.
Music Education graduate applicants: Please visit the program’s focus website for more information.

Audition Dates and Details

In-Person Audition Dates

Sunday, December 7, 2025
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Saturday, February 28, 2026

Auditions may be scheduled by appointment if you are not available for the regularly scheduled audition dates.

Graduate Voice Auditions will be held in person on Friday January 31, and February 6 and 14, 2025 beginning at 4:45 p.m. EST. Remote Graduate Voice Auditions will be held on dates TBA.

Graduate Piano Auditions (in person only) will be held on Jan 30 and 31 and Feb 6, 13, and 14. Graduate piano applicants should be prepared to be available between 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Due to the high volume of auditionees, we cannot accept special scheduling requests, please make your travel plans accordingly. Remote graduate auditions will be by appointment.

Audition Date Restrictions

Please note the following date restrictions for specific instruments/studios. All other studios may choose any of the regular audition dates:

December 7: TBD
January 31: TBD
February 14: TBD
February 28: TBD
Graduate wind conducting applicants will be invited to visit campus for an interview/audition on dates to be announced.
Graduate choral and orchestral conducting applicants will be invited to visit campus for an interview/audition on a mutually agreeable date.

Live auditions provide students and their families the best opportunity to experience our warm and supportive School of Music community.

If an auditionee lives more than 300 miles from State College, they may choose to audition remotely.
If an applicant within the 300-mile radius has a significant obstacle to traveling, please contact the recruitment team at music-ug-adm@psu.edu to request a remote audition.
Applicants wishing to audition remotely must submit recordings for evaluation through Acceptd (undergraduate) or GRADS (graduate). The relevant faculty will contact students whose applications they wish to further consider to set up a remote interview at a mutually agreeable time.

Undergraduate students auditioning in January or February should plan to be available for the full audition day beginning at 8:30 a.m. EST; the exact schedule will be provided in advance of your audition date. While the audition day typically wraps up by 2:00 p.m. EST, it can extend later.

December auditions are typically held in the afternoon. Arrival in December is typically around midday and auditions conclude by 3:30 to facilitate attendance of the Mosaic Concert at 4:00 p.m. (complimentary tickets are available for auditionees and their families). Exact times of your audition will be provided early in the week of your audition.

Information forthcoming

Audition Requirements

Please click the appropriate link (undergraduate or graduate) to review audition requirements per instrument/area. The requirement details will include faculty member contact information if you would like clarification about any audition requirements.

Undergraduate Audition Requirements Graduate Audition Requirements

Questions and Contact Info

Undergraduate application process: music-ug-adm@psu.edu
Graduate application process: Lacy Miller, music-gr-adm@psu.edu
Audition scheduling for undergraduate and graduate auditionees: Jesse Moore, music-ug-adm@psu.edu
Professional Performance Certificate (PPC): Lacy Miller, musicppc@psu.edu
Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in Music Education: Dr. Ashley Shank, acs6269@psu.edu