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How Do I Enroll in the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance?

Note: All students pursuing a BSED, BFA, or BA degree or music minor must complete a satisfactory audition on a primary instrument or voice (see below for suggested audition materials). Students wishing to pursue the BA with Music Industry specialization may complete an interview or songwriting/producing portfolio review in lieu of an instrumental or voice audition. Auditions and portfolio reviews are scheduled for several dates in the fall and spring semesters. Auditions take place in person, while interviews and portfolio reviews may be in person or online. Prior to the audition or interview/portfolio review, students must apply to ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â and be accepted academically.

Those intending to enroll in one of our graduate programs should follow the procedures found on the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance Graduate Admission Requirements page.

1. Apply to ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â first

Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance admission is contingent upon successful admission to the university.

2. Schedule an audition

Audition now for fall 2025 admission. Click the button above to finalize your audition registration.

All music majors are eligible for scholarships, which are determined based on your audition.

If you have any questions regarding scheduling an audition, please contact the department at 724-357-2397 or email Dawnette Shellhammer (dmshell@iup.edu).

Piano Placement Test

All music majors must study piano for at least two semesters at ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â. For most students, this will be in-class piano. Students who have a background of piano study may be eligible to take private applied lessons instead of class piano. Students with piano background should complete the Piano Placement Test as part of their audition for entrance into the ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Such students should come prepared to:

• play a few phrases of any composition they choose (other than an original composition), memorized or with music
• play two white-key major scales (2 octaves, hands together)only if you have studied the correct fingering
• sight-read a few bars of very easy piano music

Piano majors and those with no piano background do not have to take this brief exam.

Suggested Audition Materials

Voice

Requirements for voice applicants for the BA/BFA in music performance and BSEd music education degree programs

Percussion

Etude or solo required for these instruments, plus sight reading expected on snare and mallets

Keyboard

Suggested audition material for the BSEd, BA, or BFA composition degrees and for the BFA in Music Performance

Strings

A prospective violin, viola, cello, double bass, or guitar student should be prepared to play from the listed repertoire.

Woodwinds

Requirements for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone

Brass

Requirements for trumpet/cornet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba

Composition

Requirements for composition

BA in Music and Music Industry Specialization

The BA in Music program requires a satisfactory audition on a primary instrument or voice, or an interview or songwriting/producing portfolio review for students interested in the Music Industry specialization. Auditions and portfolio reviews are scheduled for several dates in the fall and spring semesters. Auditions take place in person, while interviews and portfolio reviews may be in person or online. Prior to the audition or interview/portfolio review, students must apply to ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â and be accepted academically.