Prospective graduate students in the Master of Music in Contemporary Music program and who meet eligibility requirements can apply for Academic Merit scholarships and other sources of financial aid through the Graduate Programs Office. Additionally, graduate students can apply for Graduate Assistantships that compensate a recipient for up to two years with salary and tuition remission.

Priority consideration will be given to incoming students who formally apply and are accepted to the MM Program and who submit audition materials by the February 7, 2021 deadline. For inquiries contact:

Dr. Kevin M. Walczyk
Graduate Music Coordinator
(503) 838-8274

The following guidelines and application materials are for incoming Freshmen and undergraduate transfer students only.

All music-related scholarship opportunities at WOU may be viewed on the university AcademicWorks website by entering the search term music. To be eligible for music-related scholarships, students must apply to the Music Department Scholarship opportunity in addition to the WOU General Scholarship application. Please note that many of these scholarships require students to complete a FAFSA form with the Financial Aid Office.

To formally apply for a scholarship and audition:

• Complete an application to WOU.
• Complete the New Student Information Form for the WOU Music Department. This form will allow applicants to upload and attach any supporting letters, transcripts, audition videos, and other documents required for the audition. Select the link above or below to access the New Student Information form:

AUDITION EXPECTATIONS

VOCALISTS: Video record two (2) separate pieces of contrasting styles. Video(s) can be uploaded via the New Student Information Form above.

INSTRUMENTALISTS (except prospective Jazz Studies majors): Video record two (2) separate pieces of contrasting styles. One of your pieces may be selected from solo repertoire, etudes, or excerpts. You may also be asked to prepare certain scales. Video(s) can be uploaded via the New Student Information Form above. For additional information pertaining specifically to instrumental audition guidelines and materials contact Dr. Ike Nail.

JAZZ STUDIES (instrumentalists): For prospective students who intend to pursue the BM in Jazz Studies please see the required audition materials on the Jazz Studies website. Videos can be uploaded via the New Student Information Form above. For additional information pertaining specifically to instrumental jazz studies audition guidelines and materials contact Dr. Keith Karns.

COMPOSERS: Complete the audition requirements as outlined above for your primary performance area (voice or instrument) and submit no more than two (2) PDF scores (links or actual files) with list of links to live/studio recordings or midi realizations that best represent applicant’s range of styles. Acceptable audio formats include MP3, MP4, WAV, AIFF and files uploaded to accessible internet streaming sites, including CloudScape and YouTube. All materials can be uploaded via the New Student Information Form above. For additional information pertaining specifically to composition studies audition guidelines and materials contact Dr. Kevin Walczyk.

For more information please contact:
Dr. James Reddan
Music Audition & Scholarship Coordinator
(503) 838-8802

The following guidelines and application materials are for returning undergraduate students only. Please note that returning music major scholarship auditions are scheduled for Tuesday, April 27, 2021. The annual Honors Recital can also serve as a means to audition for scholarships so please read the following information carefully.

All music-related scholarship opportunities at WOU may be viewed on the university AcademicWorks website by entering the search term music. To be eligible for music-related scholarships, students must apply to the Music Department Scholarship opportunity in addition to the WOU General Scholarship application. Please note that many of these scholarships require students to complete a FAFSA form with the Financial Aid Office.

To formally apply for a scholarship and audition:

• For those returning music majors who are not auditioning for the Honors Recital: Complete and submit a returning music major scholarship form and requisite audition materials by Tuesday, April 27, 2021.
• For those returning music majors who choose to audition for the annual Honors Recital: Complete and submit a returning music major scholarship form and requisite Honors Recital audition materials by Thursday, April 22, 2021. The May 2, 2021 Honors Recital performances will serve as thoses students’ official scholarship auditions. For those students who are not selected to perform on the Honors Recital, your submitted application form and audition materials (for the Honors Recital) will be used to determine scholarship opportunities.
• International Students (only) must fill out the EFC Calculator  and print out the completed worksheet.

All returning music major scholarships will be announced at the annual Music Department Award Ceremony at the end of Spring term.

AUDITION EXPECTATIONS

Audition in your primary area using the guidelines listed below.

VOCALISTS & INSTRUMENTALISTS: Video record a single piece with accompanist or jazz backing track. This piece should reflect your best work at WOU. For those auditioning for the Honors Recital, you must submit a performance of the piece that you expect to perform on the Honors Recital should you be selected.

COMPOSERS: Submit a single PDF score (links or actual files) and a representative recording of submitted work that reflects your best work at WOU. Acceptable audio formats include MP3, MP4, WAV, AIFF and files uploaded to accessible internet streaming sites, including CloudScape and YouTube. For those auditioning for the Honors Recital, you must submit a performance of the piece that you expect to perform on the Honors Recital should you be selected.

For more information please contact:
Dr. James Reddan
Music Audition & Scholarship Coordinator
(503) 838-8802

The following guidelines and application materials are for non-music majors participating in music ensembles.

At Western Oregon University, you don’t have to be a music major to be in any of our ensembles. Ensembles are open to all students at Western, though some do require an audition. Ensembles at WOU also count towards something every time you take them! For example, three terms of an ensemble at the 100-level can be used to satisfy the Literature and Aesthetic Perspectives category of the Exploring Knowledge category for the General Education Requirements. The 300-level is an upper division level and counts towards your upper division credit requirement (all students need 60 credits regardless of their degree) regardless of your major each time you register for an ensemble.

More excitingly, non-music majors are eligible to receive a scholarship to perform in a number of the WOU ensembles. These ensembles include:

Chamber Singers
Chamber Strings
Concert Choir
Early Music Ensemble
Jazz Orchestra
Latin Jazz Orchestra
Percussion Ensemble
Western Oregon Voices
Wind Ensemble

The music department provides up to 50 tuition waivers for ensemble participants each term. To receive a tuition waiver, you will be required to do a short, simple audition either prior to or at the beginning of each term. All non-music majors are eligible to audition for the tuition waiver every term that they are enrolled in the ensemble. The tuition waiver will cover the cost of tuition for the ensemble for that term. For more information about audition dates and requirements, please select the appropriate ensemble (above) to contact the director.

For more information please contact:
Dr. James Reddan
Music Audition & Scholarship Coordinator
(503) 838-8802