Organ

Before You Apply

We highly encourage you to email Dr. Margaret Harper 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.
Memorization is not required.
The audition committee consists of keyboard faculty members.
2022-23 Audition Dates: Dec. 2, Jan. 27, 28, and Feb. 18

Audition Material:

Undergraduate Audition Requirements

B.M. in Organ Performance - three contrasting solos are required:

one work by J.S. Bach, such as a trio-sonata or a prelude and fugue
one work from the Romantic era, or one movement of a multi-movement work
one work from the 20th or 21st Century

B.M.E. in Organ

one work by J. S. Bach, such as a prelude and fugue
one chorale-prelude by J.S. Bach, or a comparable work from the same period
one work from either the 19th or 20 Century

B.M. in Church Music

one work by J. S. Bach, such as a prelude and fugue
one hymn with introduction, and varied treatment of all verses; or one work of service music, such as an anthem, mass setting, set of canticles, etc.
one work from either the 19th or 20th Century

B.A. in Music

Organ students must prepare at least three contrasting pieces similar to those suggested for organ majors in the previous section.

Pianists interested in organ

Keyboard students who have not previously studied organ and who wish to begin organ lessons at Baylor should plan to audition in piano as an indication of the necessary background for organ study. See the requirements for piano students.

Scholarships

All undergraduate students who apply and audition are automatically considered for an organ scholarship. Organ scholarships are based upon outstanding accomplishment in performance, potential for artistic development, and commitment to a career in music. Qualifications are determined by either a campus audition (recommended) or recorded audition, and awards are announced by letter in late March or early April.

Graduate Audition Requirements

M.M. in Organ Performance

An audition program, at least 30 minutes in duration, of solo repertoire from three style periods is required for admission in Performance. The program must include one large work of J.S. Bach such as a trio-sonata, a large-scale diptych, or another comparable work. Auditions in person are recommended but not required.

M.M. in Church Music, Organ Emphasis

An audition program, of at least 20 minutes in duration, of solo repertoire from three style periods is required for admission in church music. The program must include one work of J.S. Bach, such as a trio-sonata, large-scale chorale-prelude (from the Leipzig collection or Clavierubung III), or a diptych. Auditions in person are recommended but not required.

Advanced Performers Certificate

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, including one work before Bach, one significant work of J.S. Bach (diptych or trio-sonata) as well as representative works from the 19^th and 20^th centuries. The audition committee may choose from the repertoire prepared.

D.M.A. in Church Music with Organ Concentration

Prepared to play a thirty-minute audition, including at least the following components:

one major work by J. S. Bach, such as a prelude and fugue
one work from a representative Romantic composer
one work from the 20th or 21st century

Graduate Assistantships and Financial Aid:

Graduate assistantships in organ are available for those entering the M.M. Organ Performance degree. Candidates apply for assistantships on their School of Music application. Organ scholarships are also available to graduate students and are based upon outstanding accomplishment in performance, potential for artistic development, and commitment to a career in music. Qualifications are determined by either a campus audition (recommended) or recorded audition, and awards are announced by letter in late March or early April.

Questions

Dr. Margaret Harper - audition material or dates
Callan Monroe - application and audition process