Audition Requirements: Undergraduate
Brass/Woodwind
1. Prepared music of the student’s choice: approximately 4 minutes of music
– High school seniors: solo literature, excerpts, audition music from honor bands or all-state band are all acceptable materials.
– Transfer students: solo literature is recommended but not required.
– Suggestion: choose different pieces or excerpts to show both technical skills and lyrical skills.
2. Sight-reading: short sight-reading piece provided during the audition
3. Scales:
– High school seniors: 3-4 major scales (assigned during the audition) and the chromatic scale.
– Transfer students: 3-4 major and minor scales (assigned during the audition) and the chromatic scale, at least two octaves of each.
4. These guidelines will satisfy audition requirements for the band area, other ensembles, and the music department.
Percussion
1. Prepared music of the student’s choice: approximately 4 minutes of music
– High school seniors: solo literature, excerpts, audition music from honor bands or all-state band are all acceptable materials
– Transfer students: solo literature is recommended but not required.
– Playing on multiple instruments is expected, but not required. You may audition on concert and/or marching equipment.
2. Sight-reading: short sight-reading piece on a concert snare drum (assigned during the audition)
3. Scales and Rudiments
– High school seniors: 3-4 major scales (assigned during the audition) and the chromatic scale
– High school seniors: 3-4 rudiments (assigned during the audition)
– Transfer students: 3-4 major and minor scales (assigned during the audition) and the chromatic scale, at least two octaves of each
– Transfer students: 3-4 rudiments (assigned during the audition)
4. These guidelines will satisfy audition requirements for the band area, other ensembles, and the music department.
Strings
1. High school seniors
– 10-15 minutes of solo literature or excerpts
– Email a link to your audition video to music@olemiss.edu with your full name and contact information.
2. Transfer students
– 10-15 minutes of music (solo literature is recommended)
– Email a link to your audition video and a cumulative repertoire list to music@olemiss.edu with your full name and contact information.
3. These guidelines will satisfy audition requirements for both the orchestra and the music department.
Audition Requirements: Graduate
Contact instrumental area head Michael Rowlett.
Scholarships
As an instrumental music major at UM Music, you are eligible for Music Scholarships.
Questions? Connect to UM Music.
Degrees offered
Undergraduate Degrees
Undergraduate students may choose to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts in Music or a Bachelor of Music degree. Students choosing the Bachelor of Music degree may specialize in one of the areas of emphasis: Music Education or Music Performance. Students choosing the Bachelor of Arts in Music complement their major study of music with a minor in another field of study.
Graduate Degrees
Master of Music students can pursue emphases in Collaborative Piano, Choral Conducting, Ethnomusicology, Music Education, Music Performance, Music Theory, or Musicology.
We also offer a Ph.D. in Music with emphasis in music education. This doctoral program in music is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced study in preparation for university teaching, research, and other leadership roles in music education.
For admissions information about music graduate programs, please visit Graduate Studies in Music. For more information on graduate programs, contact Graduate Coordinator Rhonda Hackworth.
