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Scholarship Auditions

How do I sign up for an audition?

To register for a scholarship audition, please complete the online Audition Registration Form. In-person auditions are preferred, but we understand that travel is difficult in the current climate. Please note that registrations for auditions close one week prior to each listed Saturday, ie. audition registrations for November 18 close on November 10.

Note: Students interested in music need to complete two different applications:

  1. Your application to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
  2. An online audition registration form found in the Undergraduate Scholarship portion of the Department of Music website

Please remember to do both.

What are the audition dates this year?

Scholarship auditions for students planning to enter the University in Fall 2024 will be held on the following Saturdays:

  • November 18, 2023 (No cello, piano, or violin)
  • December 2, 2023 (No flutes)
  • January 6, 2024 (No bassoon, percussion, or violin)
  • January 13, 2024 (No saxophone or trumpet)

Please note that registrations for auditions close one week prior to each listed Saturday, ie. audition registrations for November 18 close on November 10.

What are the audition requirements for my instrument?

Most scholarship auditions are limited to 15 minutes, including a brief interview. Piano, Jazz, and Composition auditions are 20 minutes, including a brief interview. It is not necessary to bring an accompanist.

Brass

  • 2 contrasting works, which will successfully demonstrate their abilities including phrasing, rhythm, sound, technique, lyrical playing, articulation, musical style, and fundamental musicianship.
  • Click here for more details.

Composition

  • 1-2 original compositions, students should be prepared to present recordings and the score(s) for these selections.
  • Click here for more details.

Jazz

Percussion

  • Selections in the areas of mallets, snare drum, and timpani. (If you do not have the background to perform in all three areas, you are welcome to audition on one or two of the above instruments. You may also audition on drum set if you have experience in that area.)
  • Click here for more details.

Piano

  • 3 pieces from different stylistic periods (baroque, classical, romantic, impressionist, 20th-21st century) 
  • All major and harmonic minor scales
  • Short sight-reading excerpt
  • Click here for more details.

Strings

  • 2 or 3 contrasting pieces that offer opportunity for expressive content, technical achievement, and a variety of musical styles, i.e. Baroque/Romantic, Classical/Contemporary. The thoughtfulness of your program is considered along with its level of instrumentalism and musicianship, and resources for music by composers from underrepresented groups are available here.
  • Click here for more details.

Voice

  • 2 contrasting songs. Ideally one classical art song or aria in a foreign language, and one song in English (classical or musical theater).
  • Students must notify Dr. Jeanne Fischer via email (fischerj@email.unc.edu) of their repertoire for the audition at least two weeks prior to the audition date.
  • Click here for more details.

Woodwinds

  • 2 contrasting works, which will successfully demonstrate their abilities including phrasing, rhythm, sound, technique, lyrical playing, articulation, musical style, and fundamental musicianship.
  • Click here for more details.

*All students are required to attend an information session on the day of their audition. This session will provide more insight into the department, scholarship process, and include a question-and-answer portion.

When will I receive my audition time?

Audition times are sent one week prior to the audition date. Please email Cat Zachary at music@unc.edu if you do not receive your audition time by the Saturday prior to your registered audition date.

Are virtual auditions an option?

Yes, in-person auditions are preferred, but we understand that travel is difficult in the current climate.

Although students auditioning virtually meet “live” with our faculty, we strongly encourage students to pre-record their audition so we can view it in advance with the highest quality audio and video.

If you choose to submit recordings, there will not be a need to perform live on Zoom. Instead, this time will be sent on the interview portion of the audition process. 

When are recordings due for virtual auditions?

Recordings are strongly recommended, but not required, for virtual auditions. These recordings are due one week prior to your registered audition date. In other words, recordings are due on November 11 for all virtual November 18 auditions that do not plan to perform live on Zoom.

Please use the Audition Upload Form to submit recordings for virtual auditions.

Are auditions only for scholarships or are they also for admission?

Auditions with the department are only for scholarships. The admissions process is separate from the department scholarship process. Students must fill out both the application to the university and the online audition registration form to be considered for a scholarship. Please note that only intended music majors are eligible to receive scholarships from the department.

If you are a prospective first-year student, we encourage you to apply to UNC by the Early Action application deadline. This gives the Department of Music the best chance to advocate for you based on your musical achievements. If you are a prospective transfer student, please be sure to apply to UNC by the transfer application deadline.

In addition to scholarships, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions allows our Department to recommend a limited number of students for special admissions consideration on the basis of demonstrated talent. These will be students whose superior musical achievement and potential will be considered in addition to their academic records. Students must audition to be considered for a scholarship award and/or special admissions consideration.

If you are a prospective first-year student, we encourage you to apply to UNC by the Early Action application deadline. This gives the Department of Music the best chance to advocate for you based on your musical achievements. If you are a prospective transfer student, please be sure to apply to UNC by the transfer application deadline. Regardless of your family’s current financial situation, be sure to also submit the following financial aid forms by March 1: the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.

What kinds of scholarships does the department offer?

Approximately 15 incoming music students a year receive scholarship aid from the Department of Music. Typically, these scholarships range from $1000 to $2000. All music scholarships are merit awards offered on the basis of demonstrated artistic performance and potential and are given only to students intending to major or double major in music.

The department is also proud to offer the Kenan Music Scholarship. Thanks to a generous donation from the William R. Kenan Charitable Trust, four incoming students are selected each year to be Kenan Music Scholars. Kenan Music Scholars receive a full scholarship for four years (tuition, fee, room, board), plus additional support for summer research and similar activities. They also benefit from special activities uniting work on the concert stage and the classroom with distinguished visiting artists and faculty from the Department of Music.

Finalists for the Kenan Music Scholars Program are selected through the normal audition process. The finalists are invited back for an extensive two-day event on February 18 & 19, 2024. Scholars are chosen on the basis of an established record of excellence in the practice of music (performance, composition, etc.), significant academic strengths, a desire to attend a liberal arts university, and a strong commitment to majoring in music at UNC.

For more information on the Kenan Music Scholars program, please visit its website.

What other scholarships and financial aid is available from the university?

Nearly half of Carolina’s undergraduate students receive financial aid, mostly in the form of grants and scholarships. We’re proud of helping keep Carolina within reach of every student who earns admission. Average debt among graduating seniors is low, and only two-in-five students take on any federal loans at all. Our Carolina Covenant® program offers low-income students the chance to graduate from Carolina debt-free. Covenant Scholars also benefit from academic and personnel support services to help make the most of Carolina and encourage on-time graduation. Regardless of your family’s current financial situation, be sure to also submit the following financial aid forms by March 1: the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.

For additional information contact the UNC Office of Scholarships and Student Aid at (919) 962-8396.

Any other questions?

Please send other specific requests to:

Juan Àlamo or LaToya Lain
Co-Chairs, Music Scholarship Committee
UNC Department of Music
Hill Hall 105 / CB #3320
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3320
jalamo@email.unc.edu / lalain@email.unc.edu

If you have audition or academic questions particular to a specific instrument, voice, or program of study, select from the list below.

Address

UNC Department of Music
CB# 3320; 105 Hill Hall
145 E Cameron Ave
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3320

Contact

phone: (919) 962-1039
music@unc.edu
Faculty Intranet

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