Admissions

Music Admissions: Undergraduate

Admissions Process | Audition Days | Deadlines | Scholarships | Contact

Acceptance into the Music Program as an undergraduate major or minor requires academic acceptance by the University in addition to a successful audition, 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 musicadmissions@umass.edu or by phone at 413-545-6048.

UMass Music Admissions Process - Three Steps!

Step #1: Apply to UMass Amherst

Prospective undergraduate students (incoming freshman and transfers) must apply to UMass using the Common App.
See the Deadline Summary below for Common Application deadlines.

Step #2: Submit a Music Application - Click here to begin
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
Applicants must audition during the semester prior to when they intend to enroll and have 3 options for auditioning (in order of most to least preferrred):

1. Audition Day (Fall entry only)

2. Special Arrangement
Applicants unavailable for, or who wish to audition earlier than the Audition Days may coordinate a live audition at an individualized date and time at any point after the Music Application is complete. Contact musicadmissions@umass.edu to set up a time.

3. Remote Audition
All Remote Auditions require faculty approval. Applicants must email musicadmissions@umass.edu prior to submitting a Music Application to request permission.

All auditions and supporting materials for prospective freshman music majors must be complete by February 28 for Fall 2024 entry.

All applicants to the Music Program must complete an online Music Theory Diagnostic Exam. Details on when and how to take the exam will be sent to applicants around the time of their audition.

MUSIC AUDITION DAYS

Music auditions take place at the Bromery Center for the Arts on campus. All audition days for Fall 2024 applicants take place in February 2024; refer to the list below for dates available for each instrument:

WOODWIND
Flute - 3, 17
Bassoon, Clarinet - 11, 17
Oboe - 3, 11, 17
Saxophone - 3, 11

BRASS
Euphonium, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba - 3, 11, 17

STRINGS
Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass - 9, 11

VOICE (CLASSICAL)
All Voice ranges - 3, 11*, 19 (Feb. 11 is filled for Classical Voice; please choose a different date)

PIANO
Piano (classical) - 11, 17

PERCUSSION
Percussion - 11, 17

JAZZ
Jazz Bass, Drums, Guitar, Piano, Trombone, Trumpet, Voice (all ranges) - 3, 17
Jazz Saxophone - 3, 11

* = This audition date is filled for the given instrument/voice.

Click here for audition requirements by instrument.

SUMMARY OF DEADLINES, 2023-24 Undergraduate Admissions Cycle

Incoming Freshman (Spring 2024 entry deadlines in purple)

October 15, 2023 - Common App deadline for Spring 2024 entry.
November 5, 2023 - Common App deadline for Early Action Fall 2024 entry.
December 1, 2023 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for Spring 2024 entry.
December 15, 2023 - Reply deadline for Spring 2024 entry.
January 15, 2024 - Common App deadline for Regular Decision Fall 2024 entry.
January 15, 2024 - Music Application deadline for incoming freshman music majors and all prospective students who plan to audition during an Audition Day.
February 28, 2024 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for incoming freshman music majors for Fall 2024 entry.
May 1, 2024 - Enrollment deposit deadline for Fall 2024 entry.
May 10, 2024 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for all minors and secondary music majors for Fall 2024.

Transfer Students (Spring 2024 entry deadlines in purple)

November 5, 2023 - Common App/MassTransfer deadline for Spring 2024 entry.
December 1, 2023 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for Spring 2024 entry.
December 15, 2023 - Reply deadline for Spring 2024 entry.
January 15, 2024 - Music Application deadline for students who plan to audition during an Audition Day.
March 1, 2024 - Priority deadline for Common App/MassTransfer and Music Application deadline for Fall 2024 entry.
May 1, 2024 - Final deadline for Common App/MassTransfer and deadline for auditions and supporting materials for Fall 2024 entry.
June 1, 2024 - Enrollment deposit deadline for Fall 2024 entry.

Current UMass Students (Spring 2024 entry deadline in purple)

December 8, 2023 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for Spring 2024 entry.
January 15, 2024 - Music Application deadline for students who plan to audition during an Audition Day.
May 10, 2024 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for Fall 2024 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 deparmental music scholarships.

Click here for a full outline of Financial Aid & Scholarship information for prospective music students.

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 musicadmissions@umass.edu.

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 musicadmissions@umass.edu, 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.