Scholarships & Auditions
The WOU Music Department will consider admission and scholarship auditions year-round for new undergraduate and transfer students. Priority consideration will given to those who auditioned during the February 4, 2024 audition date. See details below for audition materials.
For more information please contact the Scholarship and Audition Coordinator:
Dr. Claire Hudkins
General Information
The WOU Music Department awards over $65,000 in scholarships and ensemble tuition remissions annually to new and returning undergraduate students who meet application and audition requirements. To access all scholarship and audition guidelines, please select the category below for which you are eligible to apply.
New Students & Transfer Students
The following guidelines and application materials are for incoming Freshmen and undergraduate transfer students only.
To be eligible for music-related scholarships, students must apply for a Music Department Scholarship and fill out the WOU General Scholarship application. Please note that many of these scholarships require students to complete a FAFSA form with the Financial Aid Office.
Please note that priority consideration will be given to those who audition on the scheduled audition date: February 4, 2024, but students may apply throughut the year.
To formally apply for a scholarship and audition:
- Complete an application to WOU.
- Complete the Music Department Scholarship application 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. For additional information pertaining specifically to vocal audition guidelines and materials contact Dr. Claire Hudkins.
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. Kevin Walczyk.
JAZZ STUDIES (instrumentalists): For prospective students who intend to pursue the BM degree with an emphasis 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 Mr. Scott Avzaradel.
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. Claire Hudkins
Music Audition & Scholarship Coordinator
Returning Music Students
The following guidelines and application materials are for returning WOU music students only. If you are a new student (incoming Freshman or transfer student) then please see the section for new students.
Please note that Returning Music Major Scholarship Auditions and the DeVolder Honors Recital are scheduled for Thursday, February 8, 2024.
To be eligible for music-related scholarships, students must fill out 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 Returning Music Major Scholarship Audition and/or the DeVolder Honors Recital Audition:
- Complete and submit a Returning Music Major Scholarship Application Form and requisite audition materials by 5:00pm February 1, 2024.
- 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. Claire Hudkins
Music Audition & Scholarship Coordinator
Ensemble Tuition Remissions - Non-majors
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
Concert Choir
Jazz Orchestra
Latin Jazz Ensemble
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. Claire Hudkins
Music Audition & Scholarship Coordinator
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NICOLE MORGAN
program & facilities coordinator
(503) 838-8461
e-mail: morgann@mail.wou.edu
Rice Auditorium 103
M-F 8:00AM-4:30PM