Piano

Before You Apply

We highly encourage you to email piano faculty to set up a visit or a sample lesson.

Graduate applicants should contact the professor directly regarding assistantship availability.

Apply

Apply to both Baylor University and the School of Music by February 1 to begin in the Fall:

• *First* begin your Baylor University Application to receive your "Bear ID" (firstname_lastname#)
• Then, you may begin your School of Music Application
  • How can I apply for a fee waiver for my application?

To gain admission to the School of Music, you must also be accepted by the university; acceptance for one does not guarantee acceptance for the other.

Acceptance is based on the student’s performance abilities, artistic potential, and maturity as demonstrated in the audition/interview process.

Audition

• In-person auditions only.
• The audition committee consists of keyboard faculty members.
• Memorization is required.
• Although not needed for the audition, applicants should have studied major/minor scales and arpeggios, sight reading, accompanying, harmonization, and transposition as preparation for these programs.
• 2022-23 Audition Dates: Dec. 2, Jan. 27, 28, and Feb. 18

 

Audition Material:

Undergraduate Audition Requirements

B.M. in Piano Performance or Piano Pedagogy - three contrasting solos prepared by memory are required:

• a selection from the Baroque Era, such as a prelude and fugue by J. S. Bach or a sonata by Scarlatti 
• the first or last movement of a major sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert 
• one substantial composition from the 19th, 20th, or 21st century

B.M.E. in Music Education with Piano Concentration

• Prepare at least three contrasting pieces by memory similar to those suggested for B.M. in Piano Performance (above).

B.M. in Church Music with Piano Concentration

• Prepare at least three contrasting pieces by memory similar to those suggested for B.M. in Piano Performance (above).

B.A. in Music (Applied Track with Piano Concentration)

• Prepare at least three contrasting pieces by memory similar to those suggested for B.M. in Piano Performance (above).

Scholarships

• Keyboard scholarships are based upon outstanding accomplishment in performance, potential for artistic development, and commitment to a career in music. Scholarships are awarded to piano majors in the Bachelor of Music degree programs only (e.g., B.M., B.M.E.). Qualifications are determined by either a campus or recorded audition, and awards are announced by letter in late March or early April. All undergraduate students who apply and audition are automatically considered for a keyboard scholarship.

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Graduate Audition Requirements

M.M. in Piano Performance

• An audition program, at least 30 minutes in duration, of memorized solo repertoire from three style periods is required for admission in Performance. The program should include at least two major works, such as a complete sonata, major single-movement work, etc.

M.M. in Piano Pedagogy and Performance

• An audition program, at least 20 minutes in duration, of memorized solo repertoire from three style periods is required for admission in Pedagogy and in Church Music. The program should include at least one major work, such as a complete sonata, substantial variation set, major single-movement work, etc.
• All Piano Pedagogy candidates are welcome to communicate directly with Dr. Lesley McAllister with questions regarding their application, repertoire, audition date, etc.

M.M. in Church Music with Piano Concentration

• An audition program, at least 20 minutes in duration, of memorized solo repertoire from three style periods is required for admission in Pedagogy and in Church Music. The program should include at least one major work, such as a complete sonata, substantial variation set, major single-movement work, etc.

M.M. in Collaborative Piano

• The audition for Collaborative Piano applicants will consist of at least 10 minutes of memorized solo repertoire and a collaborative repertoire component that includes a major instrumental work with piano and a vocal/piano work.
• All Collaborative Piano candidates are welcome to communicate directly with Dr. Kae Hosoda-Ayer with questions regarding their application, repertoire, audition date, etc.

Admission will require a live audition before a committee which will include at least four members of the Keyboard Division faculty appointed by the Director of Keyboard Studies and the Graduate Program Director in Music. The option of a video performance may be approved when distance to the audition would be a hardship. When the audition is by video, the student must present a live audition before a designated faculty committee during the first semester of residence in order to be fully accepted into the program. The audition will require sixty minutes of solo repertoire representing the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries and will include at least two major works and two virtuoso etudes from the literature. The audition committee may choose from the repertoire prepared.

An audition program, at least 30 minutes in duration, of memorized solo repertoire from three style periods is required for admission. The program should include at least two major works, such as a complete sonata, substantial variation set, major single-movement work, etc.

Graduate Assistantships and Financial Aid:

• Graduate Associate positions (graduate assistantships) in piano are available for those entering the M.M. Piano Performance, the M.M. Piano Pedagogy and Performance, and the M.M. Collaborative Piano degrees. The assistantship duties for the M.M. Piano Performance and M.M. Collaborative Piano degrees are primarily collaborative, while those for the M.M. Piano Pedagogy and Performance degree are primarily teaching related. Candidates apply for Graduate Associate positions on their School of Music application.

Questions

• Dr. Lesley McAllister - audition material or dates
• Callan Monroe - application and audition process