Audition/Apply
Auditions are required for students seeking an undergraduate degree, graduate degree in music, or a minor in music. All students are welcome to audition and participate in music ensembles.
Be Part of Music
An entrance audition is required for admission to any degree program (including the minor) in the Department of Music.
Students must demonstrate that they are prepared to major or minor in music and have a principal performing medium (voice, piano, or a band or orchestral instrument that we teach).
The entrance audition is an opportunity to share your talent and for the faculty to evaluate your potential.
Showcase Your Skills
You may schedule an audition in person or you may submit a high-quality, unedited video. If you’re a transfer student, please also include a cumulative repertoire list.
If you’d like to submit a video, please email the link to music@olemiss.edu with your full name and phone number. You may be contacted for further evaluation.
Start your video by stating your full name and the title of each selection you will perform.- The video should be one take, no editing or stopping mid-recording, as if it were a live performance.
- Use the highest quality audio and video recording equipment possible (iPhone or Android recordings are absolutely acceptable).
- Upload your video to YouTube or the video sharing platform of your choice. Make sure to select the settings that give us access to the file. In YouTube, this means selecting Unlisted, not Private.
At the time of the audition, transfer student applicants must provide a listing of repertoire studied in studio lessons at their previous institutions as an additional means to determine studio placement.
Get ready for your audition
Each area requires something slightly different for the audition. Get the details for your area.
The audition process is made up of three sections: prepared music, sight-reading, and scales.
1. Prepare 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 technical skills as well as lyrical skills.
2. Sight-reading
Short sight-reading piece provided during the audition3. 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)
*These guidelines will satisfy audition requirements for the band area, other ensembles, and the music department.
The audition process is made up of three sections: prepared music, sight-reading, and scales and rudiments.
1. Prepare approximately 4 minutes of music of your choice
- 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)
These guidelines will satisfy audition requirements for the band area, other ensembles, and the music department.
Transfer students: 10-15 minutes of music (solo literature is recommended)
*These guidelines will satisfy audition requirements for both the orchestra and the music department.
Prepared music of the student’s choice (same for all incoming undergraduate students)
Baroque compositions such as a J.S. Bach Invention or Prelude & Fugue; a Handel Suite, or Scarlatti Sonata
Classical Sonata (first movement) by Haydn, Clementi, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert. Moonlight Sonata is not acceptable.
Composition from a different classical style period: Romantic, Impressionist, or Contemporary.
Undergraduate Students
High-school seniors Prepare two solo vocal selections of contrasting character/style.
*Note: While selections with accompaniment (piano or track) are encouraged, a cappella submissions will be accepted.
Transfer students Prepare two solo vocal selections of contrasting character/style with one in a language other than English.
*Note: While selections with accompaniment (piano or track) are encouraged, a cappella submissions will be accepted.
Graduate Students
Students wishing to pursue a Master of Music must prepare a memorized audition program consisting of four to five pieces. Repertoire should include selections from opera, oratorio, and art song, representing three to four historical periods, in at least four languages, e.g., Italian, German, French, English, Spanish, and Russian. A cumulative repertoire list, senior recital program, and transcript should be presented at the audition to determine entrance standing.NOTE: The GRE is not required for the Master of Music in Vocal Performance.
These guidelines will satisfy audition requirements for both the choirs and the music department.
Music Scholarships
How to Apply to a Graduate Music Program
Learn about the application process for the Master of Music and Ph.D. in Music programs at the University of Mississippi, including deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
How to apply
- Apply online to the University of Mississippi Graduate School.
- Ask your school to send official transcripts to the UM Graduate School.
- UM will not accept transcripts that you send yourself, and they will not accept them if you send them to the music department, a music department faculty member, or the Graduate Coordinator. Your institution must send them directly to the UM Graduate School.
- You must have at least a 3.00 GPA on your undergraduate degree for full admission.
- Applicants in music performance or choral conducting must audition.
- M.M. Choral Conducting | Contact: Dr. Donald Trott
- M.M. Vocal Performance | Contact: Dr. Jos Milton
- M.M. Instrumental Performance | Contact: Dr. Micah Everett
- M.M. Piano Performance | Contact: Dr. Ian Hominick
- M.M. Collaborative Piano | Contact: Prof. Adrienne Park
- Applicants for the M.M. in musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, and music education are required to submit a writing sample. You will upload this along with your application to the Graduate School. If you have specific questions about the writing sample, please contact the faculty member listed below for your area.
- M.M. in Musicology: Submit a writing sample such as a term paper from an undergraduate music history course or a newly prepared paper on a musical topic.
- Contact: Dr. Thomas Peattie
- M.M. in Ethnomusicology: Submit an undergraduate term paper in world music or a culture-related course, or a chapter from the student’s final written project.
- Contact: Dr. George Worlasi Kwasi Dor
- M.M. in Music Theory: Submit an analytical music theory writing sample that includes graphs and charts. This can be a paper from an undergraduate course or a newly prepared paper.
- Contact: Dr. John Latartara
- M.M. in Music Education: Submit a writing sample such as a term or research paper from an undergraduate music course or a newly prepared paper on a musical topic.
- Contact: Dr. Rhonda Hackworth
- M.M. in Musicology: Submit a writing sample such as a term paper from an undergraduate music history course or a newly prepared paper on a musical topic.
- Incoming instrumental students from schools other than the University of Mississippi, except for those in performance who have previously auditioned, are required to play their instrument for the faculty.
- Once all application requirements are fulfilled, your application review begins.
March 1
- Priority deadline for admissions to the University of Mississippi Graduate School.
- Deadline to apply for music scholarships (must be admitted to UM Graduate School in order to apply).
- Priority deadline for graduate assistantship applications.
How to apply
- Apply to the University of Mississippi Graduate School.
- Have a masters degree in music or music education from an accredited institution. Ask your school(s) to send official transcripts directly to the UM Graduate School.
- The Graduate School will not accept transcripts that you send yourself, and will not accept them if they are sent to the music department, a music department faculty member, or the Graduate Coordinator.
- Have at least a 3.00 GPA.
- Meet or exceed the following scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE):
- Quantitative portion: a minimum of 146
- Verbal portion: a minimum of 142
- Writing portion: a minimum of 3.5
- Submit the following to Dr. Rhonda Hackworth:
- A journal article review
- Article information will be sent to you and you must score a minimum of 3.5 on the review.
- A video of you teaching students
- We suggest two 10-minute examples showing your best teaching. This should not be a performance, but rather should show you teaching and engaging students. Be sure that we get quality camera work so that we can see and hear you interact with your students.
- Evidence of at least 3 years of full-time teaching in music or other relevant experience in music.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- A portfolio that includes: a career narrative, a discussion of your goals, programs of your students’ performances, and a video of your own performances.
- A journal article review
All incoming graduate students are required to take diagnostic exams in music history/literature and music theory.
The exams are offered the week before the start of school in the fall and spring semesters and during the first days of the first summer term. Students are required to take all exams at their first enrollment. Those students who neglect to take the exams at the required time will be reclassified to conditional admission status.
Exams are graded promptly and students are informed of the outcome quickly so that they can schedule classes accordingly. A record of the exam grade and additional course requirements are kept in the student’s file.
Music History/Literature
- The exam consists of four parts: terms, listening, score identification, and short essays.
- Students who fail the music history/literature exam will be required to take one or two additional music history courses depending upon their score.
Download the Music History Study Guide
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Thomas Peattie.
Music Theory
- Students who do not pass the music theory exam will be required to take MUS 552, Music Theory Practicum, in addition to the other music theory requirements for their degree. MUS 552 may not be counted as a theory elective.
Download the Graduate Music Theory Study Guide
If you have any questions please contact Dr. John Latartara.