Music Admissions, Auditions, & Scholarships

Admissions & Scholarships

Music Scholarships are available to all students regardless of major. Students who wish to major in music must audition for admission to the School of Music. You may audition in person on one of the dates below, or by appointment if you cannot come on one of these dates. You may also submit a video audition if need be.

Audition Dates for Music Scholarships and/or Admission to the School of Music

  • Nov. 20, 2023
  • Feb. 24, 2024
  • March 23, 2024
  • April 13, 2024

Please view the Audition Guidelines below for requirements of performance during the audition.

Apply to Audition for the Hardin-Simmons School of Music

You will be notified of your audition time the week prior to your audition. An accompanist, should you need one, will be provided at no cost. In the event that a personal audition is not possible, you may submit a video audition with your application. Should you have any questions please contact the music office.

If you have problems with the online forms, please contact music@hsutx.edu or 325-670-1913.

1. Apply online to Hardin-Simmons University using the Online Application.

2. Music Majors or Non-Majors Apply for School of Music and Music Scholarships  After you have auditioned and been offered a music scholarship, instructions will be given to you with login information to HSU Central and Scholarship Central where you will then complete the general application.

***These forms must be submitted, either online or by mail, no later than 10 days prior to your audition date.

3. Determine the Need for Financial Aid Visit the Hardin-Simmons University Financial Aid Pages for more information on other scholarship opportunities.

Guidelines for Entrance and Scholarship Auditions

All students seeking a degree in music must complete an audition. All those auditioning will be considered for a music scholarship. No additional audition is required.

Those seeking a minor in music need not audition, unless you would like to be considered for a scholarship.

Your audition time will be limited to 12 minutes. Because of time constraints, the audition committee may ask you to stop before your performance piece is completed.

Audition Requirements by Instrument

Scales: A Major one-octave scale (ascending and descending) sung on a vowel (without the aide of solfege syllables or hand signals).

Repertoire:

  • For B.M., B.S. and B.A. degrees, two standard works contrasting in style and tempo with at least one in English (such as state solo competition repertoire).
  • For B.S. in Worship Leadership, two contrasting contemporary worship selections or two contrasting sacred selections.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Repertoire: Two selections from the standard classical piano repertoire. Selections must be memorized and represent contrasting musical styles and periods.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Selected Three-octave major scales (double bass 2 octaves only).

Repertoire: Two standard works contrasting in style and tempo (such as state solo competition repertoire or etudes).

Two movements of the same composition are acceptable. One of the selections may be an etude.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Selected Two-octave major scales.

Repertoire: Two works of contrasting style and tempo by memory.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Major scales up to two-octaves B, E♭, F. Chromatic scale low B♭, to high G.

Repertoire: Two prepared selections: one slower more lyrical selection, one faster more technical selection.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Major scales two-octaves: F, D, B♭. 3 octave chromatic scal low B♭ to high G.

Repertoire: Two prepared selections: one slower more lyrical selection, one faster more technical selection.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Chromatic Scale 2+ octaves. Major scales 2 octaves: your G, A♭, B♭.

Repertoire: Two prepared selections: one slower more lyrical selection, one faster more technical selection.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: A chromatic scale of at least two octaves (ascending and descending); Major scales two-octaves: your G, A, B♭.

Repertoire: Two prepared selections: one slower more lyrical selection, one faster more technical selection.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Major scales two-octaves: F, G, Ab. Chromatic scale at least 2 octaves.

Repertoire: Two prepared selections: one slower more lyrical selection, one faster more technical selection.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Major scales two-octaves: F, G, Ab. Chromatic scale at least 2 octaves.

Repertoire: Two prepared selections: one slower more lyrical selection, one faster more technical selection.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Major scales two-octaves: F, G, Ab. Chromatic scale at least 2 octaves.

Repertoire: Two prepared selections: one slower more lyrical selection, one faster more technical selection.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Selected Chromatic: at least low C to high F. Major scales two-octaves: your B♭, E, F.

Repertoire: Two prepared selections: one slower more lyrical selection, one faster more technical selection

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Selected Chromatic 3+ octaves. Major scales three-octaves: your E, F, G.

Repertoire: Two prepared selections: one slower more lyrical selection, one faster more technical selection.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Chromatic at least 2 1/2 octaves. Major Scales two-octaves: D♭, A, B♭.

Repertoire: Two prepared selections: one slower more lyrical selection, one faster more technical selection.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Major scales 3 octaves: A♭, A, D♭. Chromatic scale 3 octaves.

Repertoire: Three prepared selections, one snare drum selection, one 2-mallet (4-mallet preferred) selection, one timpani or drum set selection.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.

Scales: Major scales 2 octaves (3 preferred): D, E♭, E. Chromatic scale 3 octaves.

Repertoire: Two prepared selections: one slower more lyrical selection, one faster more technical selection.

A short sight-reading selection will also be given.