FAQ

Undergraduate Admissions

1. How do I apply to Baylor University?
2. If I am accepted to the University, am I automatically accepted into the School of Music?
3. Am I required to audition for the School of Music to play in the band or orchestra, or to sing in a choir as a non-music major?
4. What do I do if I cannot attend a scheduled audition day?
5. What do I perform for the audition?
6. Is it possible to double major?
7. What about solo performance opportunities?
8. Will I have access to faculty members who can assist me in my professional development?
9. How will I know if I get a scholarship or other financial aid?

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Undergraduate Admissions

1. How do I apply to Baylor University?
Application for admission to Baylor University should be made in the fall of the senior year in high school. See How to Apply.

2. If I am accepted to the University, am I automatically accepted into the School of Music?
No. Getting into the School of Music is a dual-acceptance process. All students desiring to pursue a degree in music must apply to both Baylor University and the School of Music in addition to completing an audition (audition dates are selected on the School of Music application). For more information, see How to Apply.

On campus audition days provide an opportunity for students to display their abilities and to meet the faculty. The audition day also provides an opportunity to have questions answered concerning the School of Music, the admissions process, student financial aid, housing, campus life and other aspects of being a music student at Baylor.

3. Am I required to audition for the School of Music to play in the band or orchestra, or to sing in a choir as a non-music major?
No. School of Music auditions are not required if your only desire is to perform in the bands, orchestras, or choirs. However, the band, orchestra, and choir directors do audition students for placement into those ensembles. These placement auditions often occur the summer before freshman year. For more information, see How to Join an Ensemble.

4. What do I do if I cannot attend a scheduled audition day?
In the event that distance prohibits an in-person audition, you may choose to attend a live virtual audition day or submit a video recording as part of your School of Music application. Check specifics for your instrument on the Audition Requirements page.

5. What do I perform for the audition?
The audition in your major performance area is the most important factor in determining whether or not you will be accepted as a music major. It will normally last about ten minutes. The audition committee consists of faculty members from your area of concentration. For instrument specific guidelines, please visit our Audition Requirementspage.

6. Is it possible to double major?
At Baylor University, students may enroll in only one degree program. Because the School of Music offers two professional degrees, the Bachelor of Music degree (BM) and the Bachelor of Music Education degree (BME) it is not possible for a student enrolled in one of these degree programs to also enroll in another degree program offered by the university, such as the BA, BS, BBA, BSE, BSCS, etc., or the other music degree (BM or BME). A student may complete two majors under the BM degree, but only if the student 1) auditions and is accepted into both majors and 2) completes the requirements for each major.

7. What about solo performance opportunities?
Opportunities for solo performance are strongly encouraged and include weekly studio classes and departmental recitals, which provide a format for students to present single works. Convocations showcase superior student performers in recitals attended by the entire School of Music student body. In their Junior and Senior Recitals, performance majors present partial and entire concert programs, respectively. Special Recitals are often presented by ambitious students in addition to the degree requirement recitals. Master Classes with guest artists are held every year as well.

The School of Music also has competition opportunities for aspiring soloists and chamber performers. Each year, one winner is selected from the Concerto Competition to perform a solo work with the Baylor Symphony Orchestra. Every other year multiple soloists and chamber groups are selected as Semper Pro Musica Competition winners and travel to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall.

8. Will I have access to faculty members who can assist me in my professional development?
From the time you enter the Baylor University School of Music, you will be able to confer with full-time faculty members. All music majors will study one-on-one each week with a faculty member. Faculty advisors will help develop a plan for each upcoming semester during a School of Music advisement period that precedes pre-registration. Members of the faculty are also available by appointment to counsel and advise you throughout the semester when you have questions.

9. How will I know if I get a scholarship or other financial aid?
Students receive notification of their financial aid status from the University. If a student is selected to receive a music scholarship, they will receive a separate notification from the School of Music via mail and will be asked to respond to verify acceptance of the scholarship. No notification letters are sent in the event that a student does not qualify for a music scholarship.

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