Undergraduate Applicants
To ensure full consideration for all Penn State scholarships, undergraduate applicants should submit their application before November 30 and complete their School of Music audition on or before the last official audition date. 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.
Incoming First Year and Transfer Applicants
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. You will complete a series of background questions, request your audition date, and pay the fee to Acceptd at this time. 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.
- If required, submit the requested materials for your chosen degree via Acceptd no later than the deadline(s) indicated. View or download 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.
Change of Major/University Park
Currently enrolled Penn State students wishing to change their major need not reapply to the university. You should follow the process outlined above, beginning with step 2. If accepted, you may then request the change of major through LionPATH. These requests will not be approved prior to a successful audition.
Change of Major/Change of Campus
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 above, 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.
Minors
Applicants and continuing students applying for the Music Performance Minor should begin with step 2 above. 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 Higgins, 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 website for more information.
Audition Information
At this time, all in-state applicants should plan to audition in person at the University Park campus. Out of state and international applicants may choose whether they would like to audition in-person or remotely when scheduling their audition.
Detailed audition requirements:
- Audition Requirements for Undergraduate Applicants (PDF)
- Audition Requirements for Graduate and Professional Performance Certificate Applicants (PDF)
2024–25 Audition Dates
- Sunday, December 8, 2024
- Saturday, February 1, 2025
- Saturday, February 15, 2025
- Saturday, March 1, 2025
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 14, 2025. Remote Graduate Voice Auditions will be held on dates TBA.
Graduate Piano Auditions (in person only) will be held on January 24 and 31, and February 1, 14, and 15, 2024. Remote graduate auditions will be by appointment. 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.
Whether auditioning in-person or remotely, undergraduate students should plan to be available for the full audition day beginning at 8:30 AM EST; the exact schedule will be provided in advance of your audition date. December auditions are typically held in the afternoon. Exact times of your audition will be provided early in the week of your audition.
Please note the following date restrictions for specific instruments/studios. All other studios may choose any of the regular audition dates:
- December 8: TBD
- February 1: TBD
- February 15: TBD
- March 1: TBD
- Remote Undergraduate Voice applicants should choose 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.
Transfer and Change of Major students
Please note: Students wishing to apply as a transfer or for a change of major/change of campus 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.
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.
Questions and Contact Info
Undergraduate application process: musicrecruiting@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