Music Admissions - Undergraduate

Undergraduate applicants to the School of Music must submit a Music Application form and are expected to attend an on-campus New Student Audition Day (NSAD) unless they live over 300 miles away from Kalamazoo.  For more information, please see wmich.edu/music/apply or contact Destiny Wallace at music-ugrd@wmich.edu, (269)-387-4672

Basic musicianship assessment

All prospective music majors (BA, BM, BMA, and BS) are expected to complete basic musicianship exams as part of the admissions process. Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Musical Arts applicants need to complete both outlined below; Bachelor of Science (MAT) applicants are only required to complete the written music theory exam. These tests are used primarily for diagnostic purposes and course placement, but are also taken into consideration by some studios as a factor in determining admission and/or scholarship status. There are online materials to help prepare for these tests at the Music Theory Help Site and within the School of Music Admissions Testing Portal.  The following tests are administered to prospective students:

  1. Written Music Theory: This test covers basic recognition of scales, key signatures, intervals, triads, rhythms, and time signatures from a musical score. 
  2. Aural Skills Identification: This test assesses your ability to identify musical elements by ear. For example, listening to a triad and identifying whether it is major or minor. Listening to a complete melody or rhythmic excerpt and matching it with the correct written version. Not required for BS-MAT applicants.

Interviews

Prospective majors in Music CompositionMusic Education, Music TherapyMultimedia Arts Technology, and Bachelor of Arts (see links for details) take part in interviews with faculty on New Student Audition Day. These are separate from instrumental or vocal auditions for specific studios.  All other prospective majors are encouraged to have supportive materials on hand in case there is time to present them during your studio audition.  These might include letters of recommendation, a repertoire list, a statement of career goals or any other material that further supports your application. Any required portfolio materials may be submitted at least one week ahead of time via the WMU Music Submissions website.

Studio auditions

Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Musical Arts applicants must register for a studio audition on a New Student Audition Day. All students auditioning for a studio must be able to read music, a skill that needs to be demonstrated through sight-reading in the audition.  Accompanists are not required for instrumental auditions; one will be provided for voice auditions.  For further details about specific repertoire requirements for each studio and general advice for auditions, consult Studio AuditionsProspective CompositionMAT, and Bachelor of Arts applicants are not required to schedule a studio audition.