Missouri State University

Admission and Audition Requirements

The audition process

Students desiring to pursue a major or minor offered by the music department must first audition for a committee of applied faculty in that student’s desired performance area. This audition should take place during the semester prior to or during the first week of enrollment in applied lessons. All students are required to demonstrate, through successful completion of a music theory entrance exam, a rudimentary ability to relate musical sound to notation and terminology before beginning the theory and ear-training sequence.

Audition dates are announced in the fall of each academic year. At that time you will have an opportunity to do all of the following: audition with the faculty of your interest area(s), audition with the ensemble director(s) of your interest area(s), take a theory placement exam, take a campus tour arranged with the admissions office, and observe a concert chorale rehearsal, if you are a vocalist.

The audition with the area faculty is for acceptance as a music major, placement into an applied studio, and consideration for any area scholarships that might be available. The audition with the ensemble director(s) is for acceptance into one or more ensembles and consideration for talent awards and/or band grants. To request more information, contact Kathy Daniels, at 417-836-5649 or KathyDaniels@missouristate.edu.

In addition, entrance auditions are required of anyone wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Music with a focus on jazz performance. Please mark your interest in jazz studies on the audition request form so an additional 10-15 minute audition can be scheduled for you. Contact Jazz Studies Director Randy Hamm at 417-836-6739 or RandyHamm@missouristate.edu for additional information.

Schedule your audition in early spring for fall admission > Audition Request Form

You may apply to a music degree program by:

  1. Visiting with a departmental advisor during office hours or by appointment to begin the application process
  2. Completing an "Application to a Degree Program"
  3. Making an appointment with your advisor to review the degree audit, which is the computer printout of completed and future coursework needed to graduate
  4. Obtaining your advisor’s signature on the degree application form
  5. Visiting the department office of your designated minor to get the required signature
  6. Returning the completed forms to the Degree Check office in Carrington 304

You may declare your major as music by:

  1. Completing a "Change of Curriculum-Advisement" form available at the Academic Advisement Center, University Hall 109
  2. Bringing the completed form to the office of the music department, Ellis Hall 206, to be assigned an advisor