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School of Music

Music Major Auditions & Talent Scholarships

Renewable Talent Scholarships are awarded up to $39,000 per year and are based on your audition (uploaded or live) and academic background.  A limited number of $50,000-plus awards are available to musicians who demonstrate exceptional ability. You are automatically considered for our Talent Scholarships at the time of your audition (no additional forms to complete).  Learn more about financial aid at IWU.

On Campus Auditions:

To schedule an audition, please contact Laura Dolan at ldolan@iwu.edu.

November 8, 2025
December 6, 2025
January 17, 2026
February 21, 2026
March 7, 2026

 

Video Auditions:

  1. Apply to IWU. Once you have submitted your application for admission you will be given instructions for accessing your student status portal where you will have the ability to upload a video to your personal portfolio.  For those students applying via Common App, you will be sent an email once your application has been uploaded (usually within 24 hours of submission) that will contain instructions for logging on to your IWU student status portal.   
  2. Upload your audition video. Log in to your student status portal (this is where the checklist is located).  Clicking the edit portfolio link at the bottom of the page, will take you to instructions for uploading your audition video.  Don't worry if your video is sideways when you drop it in the upload section, it will appear in the proper orientation on our end. 
  3. Once the admissions office has received the results of your audition, they will be able to process and award the recommended Talent Scholarship.

If you have questions or need help, please contact Laura Dolan at ldolan@iwu.edu

 

Audition Requirements

Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.

String candidates should prepare at least one movement from a standard concerto or comparable composition (memorized), a movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite, and technical material (an etude or caprice).

Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied. 

String candidates should prepare at least one movement from a standard concerto or comparable composition (memorized), a movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite, and technical material (an etude or caprice).

Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.

Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.

Classical Guitar Requirements: Guitar candidates should prepare two pieces from different musical periods, e.g. Renaissance and Classical or Romantic and Modern. Candidates should feel free to reach out with any questions about their chosen audition material. 

Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied. 

 Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied

 Snare Drum:
  1. Advanced concert etude or solo of your choice.
  2. 3-5 contrasting orchestral excerpts.
  3. Optional rudimental solo.
Keyboard:
  1. 2 or 4-mallet marimba solo of your choice.
  2. Optional: 2-3 contrasting xylophone excerpts.
  3. Optional: vibraphone solo or etude of your choice.
Timpani:
  1. A solo or etude of your choice.
  2. Optional: 2-3 contrasting orchestral excerpts.
Drum-set:
This is not required but it is highly recommended that the applicant be able to demonstrate between 3-5 styles (swing with sticks/brushes; funk; afro-cuban, etc.) on drum-set.

Perform from memory at least three compositions drawn from three of the following style periods: Baroque, Classic, Romantic, Contemporary; all major and minor scales and triad arpeggios played across a four-octave range, ascending and descending.

Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.

Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.

Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.

Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.

String candidates should prepare at least one movement from a standard concerto or comparable composition (memorized), a movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite, and technical material (an etude or caprice).

String candidates should prepare at least one movement from a standard concerto or comparable composition (memorized), a movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite, and technical material (an etude or caprice).

Auditionees are asked to sing two art songs in contrasting styles and languages. Your pieces should be performed from memory. Choose repertoire that you sing well and shows your voice to its best advantage. Books such as Joan Boytim's First Book series or the 26 Italian Songs and Arias are good sources for undergraduate audition repertoire. 

 

For more information about music auditions and scholarships, contact Fine Arts Admissions Coordinator Laura Dolan at ldolan@iwu.edu.

For more information on financial aid, contact the Admissions Office.