The WOU Music Department will consider admission and scholarship auditions year-round. Priority consideration, however, will be given to students who have completed application materials and audition videos by:
FEBRUARY 7, 2021
Note: There will be no on-campus auditions prior to Fall term 2021. All audition materials will be submitted electronically. See below for details.
All students who submit auditions by the priority date will be interviewed by the Faculty (via Zoom) on Sunday, February 21, 2021. Interview appointment information will be sent once your completed video audition and the New Student Information form have been received.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
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, 2021deadline. For inquiries contact:
The WOU Music Department awards over $50,000 in scholarships and ensemble tuition remissions annually to new and returning undergraduate students who meet application and audition requirements.
NEW STUDENTS
For incoming Freshman 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.
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.
AUDITION EXPECTATIONS
VOCALISTS: Video record two (2) separate pieces of contrasting styles with accompanist or jazz backing track. 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. At least one piece must utilize an accompanist or a backing track. Second piece 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
RETURNING STUDENTS
For returning music students only. An application deadline has not been set at this point but will occur in late April-early May.
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 opportunities 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 audition:
Complete a returning music major scholarship form by the posted deadline. Students who audition for the annual Honors Recital and who are selected to perform on the Honors Recital will use that performance as their audition, but you are still required to complete a returning music major scholarship form.
International Students (only) must fill out the EFC Calculator and print out the completed worksheet.
AUDITION EXPECTATIONS
Audition in your area using the following guidelines (note: if you have been selected to perform on the annual Honors Recital then your performance serves as the audition and you will not need to submit a video):
VOCALISTS & INSTRUMENTALISTS: Video record a single piece with accompanist or jazz backing track. This piece should reflect your best work at WOU.
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.
ENSEMBLE TUITION AWARDS FOR NON-MUSIC MAJORS
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:
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.
All general scholarship inquiries should be sent to:
Dr. James Reddan Music Audition & Scholarship Coordinator (503) 838-8802
WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY | 345 Monmouth Ave. N. | Monmouth OR 97361 | 503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593 | Accessibility
Ask WOU
VOCALISTS: Video record two (2) separate pieces of contrasting styles with accompanist or jazz backing track. Video(s) can be uploaded via the New Student Information Form above.
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.
