School of Music Undergraduate Admissions

Once you’ve submitted your application through the Common App, your next step is to prepare for your audition! All undergraduate Bachelor of Music applicants must perform an audition or submit a portfolio.

• Early Decision 1 applicants: schedule your audition by November 1 (through our Online Portal, Acceptd) to audition during the month of November. Prescreen is not required.
• Early Decision 2 applicants and Trustee applicants: schedule your audition no later than January 7 to attend your audition later that month. Prescreening may be required so be sure to take a look at our Prescreening Information page. Please check your instrument’s audition requirements as well for more information.

We highly encourage all of our applicants to audition or interview in Boston if possible, however, most applicants may submit a final video audition by February 1 through Acceptd in lieu of a live audition.

Like the Performance major, all Music Education undergraduate applicants must also perform an audition according to the repertoire requirements for the appropriate instrument. Visit our Prescreening Information page and Audition Repertoire & Portfolio Requirements page for more information.

• Early Decision 1 applicants: schedule your audition by November 1 (through our Online Portal, Acceptd) to audition during the month of November
• Early Decision 2 applicants and Trustee applicants: schedule your audition no later than January 7 to attend your audition later that month

In addition, Music Education applicants are required to meet with Music Education faculty for an interview on the day of their audition.

DID YOU KNOW? BU School of Music also offers a five-year combined Bachelor of Music in Performance/Master of Music in Music Education. The combined 4+1 program offers students the opportunity to complete both a Bachelor of Music in Performance and a Master of Music in Music Education in only five years, allowing students to pursue both their interests. Upon completing the program, students are eligible to apply for licensure to teach music in schools from the Massachusetts Department of Education. For more information about this program, contact assistant professor of music, music education, Diana Dansereau.

Composition applicants are accepted based on the strength of their composition portfolio and academic record. Applicants who wish to study with a faculty member on their primary instrument are required to audition. Visit our Prescreening Information page and Audition Repertoire & Portfolio Requirements page for repertoire requirements for the appropriate instrument.

For composition applicants who do not wish to take a primary studio audition, they will enter the piano track and may study with an advanced graduate student on piano. This piano track focuses on the keyboard skills necessary as a composer, and not those of a performer.

Composition applicants also need to upload three composition scores through our Online Portal, Acceptd. Scores submitted should be in good manuscript form and should demonstrate knowledge of contemporary music and technical skills.

Scores are due by:

• November 1 for undergraduate Early Decision and Spring Transfer applicants
• January 7 for undergraduate Regular Decision applicants
• March 1 for fall Transfer applicants

This program is designed for students who desire a broad liberal arts education while exploring the realm of music without a strict focus on performance, composition and theory, or music education. Therefore, no audition is required for BA Music applicants. Students interested in applying must submit their application through the Common App.