Admissions

Music Admissions: Undergraduate

Acceptance into the Music Program as an undergraduate requires academic acceptance by the University in addition to a successful audition.

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 have 3 options for auditioning:

1. Audition Day (preferred)

When filing the Music Application, applicants pick one of several audition days to perform an audition live on campus.
Applicants are notified of their audition time 2 weeks before their selected audition date.
This option is not available for students enrolling for mid-year entry (i.e. beginning classes in the spring semester).

2. Special Arrangement

Applicants unavailable for any of the audition days may coordinate a live audition on an individualized date and time.
Students must email musicadmissions@umass.edu with their availability after submitting the Music Application.

3. Remote Audition

Applicants unable to attend a live audition due to travel or health restrictions may be considered for a Remote Audition.
ALL Remote Auditions require faculty approval. Applicants must email musicadmissions@umass.edu prior to submitting a Music Application to request permission.

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.

All auditions and supporting materials for prospective freshman music majors (including the Music Theory Diagnostic Exam) must be complete by February 28^th, 2023.

All other undergraduate auditions for Fall 2023 entry are encouraged (but not required) to be completed by February 28. See the deadline summary below to learn about audition deadlines.

MUSIC AUDITION DAYS

Music auditions take place at the Bromery Center for the Arts on campus. All audition days for Fall 2023 applicants take place in February: Saturday 2/11 and 18, Sunday 2/12 and 19, and Wednesday 2/8. Specific date availability in February for each instrument is as follows:

WOODWIND
Flute - 18, 19
Oboe - 11, 12, 18
Clarinet - 11, 18
Bassoon - 11, 12
Saxophone - 18, 19

BRASS
French Horn - 11, 12, 18
Trumpet - 11, 12, 18*
Trombone - 11, 18, 19
Euphonium - 11, 12, 18
Tuba - 11, 12, 18

STRINGS
Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass - 8, 12

VOICE (CLASSICAL)
All Voice ranges - 11, 18*, 19

PIANO
Classical Piano - 18, 19

PERCUSSION
Classical Percussion - 11, 12

JAZZ
Jazz Voice (all ranges) - 11, 12, 18
Jazz Guitar - 11, 12, 18
Jazz Piano - 11, 12, 18
Jazz Bass - 11, 12, 18
Jazz Drum Set - 11, 12, 18
Jazz Saxophone - 18, 19
Jazz Trumpet - 11, 12, 18*
Jazz Trombone - 11, 18

* This date is currently at capacity for the given instrument. New applicants should select a different date or contact musicadmissions@umass.edu to make alternate arrangements.

Click here for audition requirements by instrument.

SUMMARY OF DEADLINES, 2022-23 Undergraduate Admissions Cycle

Incoming Freshman (Spring 2023 entry deadlines in purple)

October 15, 2022 - Common App deadline for Spring 2023 entry.
November 5, 2022 - Common App deadline for Early Action Fall 2023 entry.
December 1, 2022 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for Spring 2023 entry.
December 15, 2022 - Reply deadline for Spring 2023 entry.
January 15, 2023 - Common App deadline for Regular Decision Fall 2023 entry.
January 15, 2023 - Music Application deadline for incoming freshman music majors and all prospective students who plan to audition during an Audition Day.
February 28, 2023 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for incoming freshman music majors for Fall 2023 entry.
May 1, 2023 - Enrollment deposit deadline for Fall 2023 entry.
May 17, 2023 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for all minors and secondary music majors for Fall 2023.

Transfer Students (Spring 2023 entry deadlines in purple)

November 5, 2022 - Common App/MassTransfer deadline for Spring 2023 entry.
December 1, 2022 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for Spring 2023 entry.
December 15, 2022 - Reply deadline for Spring 2023 entry.
January 15, 2023 - Music Application deadline for students who plan to audition during an Audition Day.
March 1, 2023 - Priority deadline for Common App/MassTransfer and Music Application deadline for Fall 2023 entry.
May 1, 2023 - Final deadline for Common App/MassTransfer and deadline for auditions and supporting materials for Fall 2023 entry.
June 1, 2023 - Enrollment deposit deadline for Fall 2023 entry.

Current UMass Students (Spring 2023 entry deadline in purple)

December 12, 2022 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for Spring 2023 entry.
January 15, 2023 - Music Application deadline for students who plan to audition during an Audition Day.
May 17, 2023 - Audition and supporting materials deadline for Fall 2023 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 2023 entry.
Passed an audition on an instrument (or voice) for a major in music (BA or BM).
Have completed their audition by February 28, 2023.

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.

OPEN HOUSE DAYS

Although visitors are welcome at any time, prospective students and their families are highly encouraged to visit during the Music program's Open House Days! Each day has a variety of opportunities to explore, including Admissions Q&A, Department Tours, Open Studios, Classes, Rehearsals and Performances. Plus, Dining Discount for high school age attendees!

Spring 2023 Open House Days:
Wed. April 19 Thurs. April 20 Fri. April 21
Details (webpage) => Download pdf flyer =>

Contact Music Admissions Director, Nathaniel Gowen at musicadmissions@umass.edu or 413-545-6048 for more information. To set up your visit, please send the following information:
- Your name
- Your instrument
- Your major interest(s)
- Date(s) you'd like to attend
Follow-up emails will include the schedule for your chosen Open House date.

We look forward to meeting you!