Acceptance into the Music Program as an undergraduate major or minor requires academic acceptance by the university and departmental approval, no later than the semester before intended enrollment.
Music majors work toward either a Bachelor of Music degree (BM) or a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree (BA). Students may also Minor in Music.
Please direct all inquiries regarding music admissions and visits to Nate Gowen (Music Admissions Director) at @email or by phone at 413-545-6048.
Undergraduate Music Admissions — Three Steps
Step #1: Apply to UMass Amherst
- Current UMass Students: Skip to Step 2.
- Once the Common App is completed, prospects can begin Step #2.
Step #2: Submit a Music Application
Before submitting the Music Application, applicants must:
- Have their Common App completely filed for UMass Amherst or be currently enrolled at UMass Amherst.
- Check the audition requirements for their instrument.
- Check the supporting materials requirements if applying for the tracks in Composition, Music History, or Music Theory.
Step #3: Audition
The 3 ways to audition, in order of most to least preferred:
- Audition Day. Available for Fall Entry applicants, selected while filling out the Music Application.
- Special Arrangement. For those unable to attend an Audition Day, are applying for Spring Entry, or who don't intend to be considered for Music Scholarship (i.e. auditioning after February 28), email @email after submitting your Music Application with your availability to set up an individualized audition date and time.
- Remote Audition. All Remote Auditions require faculty approval. To seek approval for a Remote Audition, email @email before submitting a Music Application with the following information:
- Your instrument
- Your intended degree
- Where you live
- Your reason for requesting a remote audition
All auditions and supporting materials for prospective freshman music majors must be complete by February 28 for Fall 2025 entry.
Music Audition Days
Music auditions take place at the Bromery Center for the Arts on campus.
Please check the audition requirements for your instrument before you pick your Audition Day.
All Audition Days for Fall 2025 applicants take place in February 2025. Audition Day availability is as follows for each instrument:
Woodwind
Flute - Feb. 1, 8, 16
Oboe - 1, 8, 16
Bassoon - 1, 8
Clarinet - 1, 8
Saxophone - 1, 8, 16
Brass
Trumpet - 1, 8
Horn - 1, 8, 16
Trombone - 1, 8, 16
Euphonium - 1, 8, 16
Tuba - 1, 8, 16
Piano - pre-screening required - 1, 8*, 16
*Feb. 8 is the preferred date for all classical Piano auditions
Percussion - 16, 23
Classical Voice - 1, 8. 16
Jazz
Jazz Saxophone - 1, 8, 16
Jazz Brass - 1, 8
Jazz Piano - 1, 8, 16
Jazz Guitar - 1, 8, 16
Jazz Bass - 1, 8, 16
Jazz Drum Set - 1, 8, 16
String - pre-screening required
Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass - 5, 23, 24
Deadline Summary, 2024–2025 Undergraduate Admissions Cycle
Incoming Freshman
- October 15, 2024—Common App deadline for Spring 2025 entry
- November 5, 2024—Common App deadline for Early Action Fall 2025 entry
- December 1, 2024—Audition and supporting materials deadline for Spring 2025 entry
- December 15, 2024—Reply deadline for Spring 2025 entry
- January 15, 2025—Common App deadline for Regular Decision Fall 2025 entry
- January 15, 2025—Music Application deadline for incoming freshman music majors and all prospective students who plan to audition during an Audition Day
- February 28, 2025—Audition and supporting materials deadline for incoming freshman music majors for Fall 2025 entry
- April 7, 2025—Music Application deadline for incoming students applying for music as a Minor or second major
- May 1, 2025—Enrollment deposit deadline for Fall 2025 entry
- May 9, 2025—Audition and supporting materials deadline for all minors and secondary music majors for Fall 2025
Transfer Students
- November 5, 2024—Common App/MassTransfer and Music Application deadline for Spring 2025 entry
- December 1, 2024—Audition and supporting materials deadline for Spring 2025 entry
- December 15, 2024—Reply deadline for Spring 2025 entry
- January 15, 2025—Music Application deadline for students who plan to audition during an Audition Day
- March 1, 2025—Priority deadline for Common App/MassTransfer and Music Application deadline for Fall 2025 entry
- April 15, 2025—Final deadline for Common App/MassTransfer and deadline for auditions and supporting materials for Fall 2025 entry
- June 1, 2025—Enrollment deposit deadline for Fall 2025 entry
Current UMass Students
- December 10, 2024—Audition and supporting materials deadline for Spring 2025 entry
- January 15, 2025—Music Application deadline for students who plan to audition during an Audition Day
- April 7, 2025—Music Application deadline for current students applying for Fall 2025 entry.
- May 9, 2025—Audition and supporting materials deadline for Fall 2025 entry
Scholarship Information
All prospective students for the Music Program are automatically considered for departmental music scholarships if they satisfy all of the following criteria:
- Are an incoming freshman admitted to UMass Amherst
- Have applied for Fall semester entry
- Passed an audition on an instrument (or voice) for a major in music (BA or BM)
- Have completed their audition by February 28
Students that do not satisfy all the above requirements are not normally considered for departmental music scholarships.
Massachusetts residents, please note: Prospective students who are recipients of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, the Stanley Z. Koplik award, or another type of state-sponsored tuition waiver must indicate “Yes” for the question regarding tuition waivers in the Music Application.
Failure to do so accurately may result in the nullification of certain awards the music program offers to prospective students.
If a prospective student receives a tuition-waiver style award after the Music Application is filed or if uncertain about whether the Music Application is notated correctly, please email @email.
Contact information
For questions about the application process, auditions, scholarships, and the Music Program in general, or to arrange a department visit, please contact Nathaniel Gowen, Director of Music Admissions, at @email, or by phone at (413) 545-6048.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, or veteran status, in any aspect of the admission or treatment of students or in employment.