Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music

We’re delighted that you’re interested in studying at the Bower School of Music at Florida Gulf Coast University! We encourage you to visit our website, www.fgcu.edu/music to learn more about our music faculty, degree programs and auditions. 

The music program at Florida Gulf Coast University is a Limited Access Program. All applicants must complete the FGCU application as well as the Bower School of Music supplemental application via Acceptd to be scheduled for an audition. 

Prescreening videos: All vocalists, pianists, and music therapy applicants will be submitting videos attached to their application on Acceptd. Vocal and piano videos will be prescreened and approved applicants invited to an Audition Day.
The music therapy singing videos are informational only; music therapy applicants who are vocalists and pianists will be submitting the music therapy singing videos in addition to the classical voice and piano prescreening videos.
There are no prescreening video submissions required for instrumentalists pursuing the BME, BA in Music, or Music minor.

Prescreening requirements are the same as audition requirementsPlease REVIEW- Audition Repertoire Requirement

Applicants living outside of the State of Florida may submit recorded auditions

APPLICATION PROCESS:

1. APPLY TO FGCU see here for application deadlines
2. REVIEW - Audition Repertoire Requirement
3. APPLY TO BOWER SCHOOL OF MUSIC - https://app.getacceptd.com/fgcumusic
4. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION - PROVIDE RECOMMENDER EMAIL DURING APPLICATION PROCESS (do not provide your email of your parent(s) email). Upon submission of your application through Acceptd, your recommender will receive an email with a link to complete their recommendation on your behalf through Acceptd. Please choose a music teacher who is familiar with your academic/musical ability.

• When selecting your audition date, please choose the earliest date possible. Later dates tend to fill up quickly.
• Music Theory Placement Exam: All students will take the Music Theory Placement Exam at their audition. International and out-of-state students will need to schedule their exam with Administrative Specialist, Rebekah Ortega at rortega@fgcu.edu.
• Class Piano Placement Exam: Most incoming students register for four semesters of class piano as preparation to pass the Piano Proficiency Exam. Only students who listed 4+ years of piano lessons and all transfer students that have taken Class Piano on the college level will take the Class Piano Placement Exam on the day of their audition. 

Friday, November 3, 2023
(transfer students, Spring 2024 admission, and early Fall 2024 admissions)

Prescreen and Application Deadline:  Submit before 5:00 pm on Friday, October 13th

All voice and piano applicants must submit a prescreening video. Confirmation emails will be sent the week before auditions after a review of your prescreen. Do not make travel arrangements until you receive your confirmation. If you're denied, you may reapply for the subsequent semester. If denied after your second attempt, you’re no longer eligible to apply. 

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Prescreen and Application Deadline:  Submit before 5:00 pm on Friday, January 5th

All voice and piano applicants must submit a prescreening video. Confirmation emails will be sent the week before auditions after a review of your prescreen. Do not make travel arrangements until you receive your confirmation. If you're denied, you may reapply for the subsequent semester. If denied after your second attempt, you’re no longer eligible to apply. 

Saturday, February 24, 2024
(last audition before FGCU March 1st application deadline)

Prescreen and Application Deadline:  Submit before 5:00 pm on Friday, February 2nd

All voice and piano applicants must submit a prescreening video. Confirmation emails will be sent the week before auditions after a review of your prescreen. Do not make travel arrangements until you receive your confirmation. If you're denied, you may reapply for the subsequent semester. If denied after your second attempt, you’re no longer eligible to apply. 

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Prescreen and Application Deadline:  Submit before 5:00 pm on Friday, March 1st

All voice and piano applicants must submit a prescreening video. Confirmation emails will be sent the week before auditions after a review of your prescreen. Do not make travel arrangements until you receive your confirmation. If you're denied, you may reapply for the subsequent semester. If denied after your second attempt, you’re no longer eligible to apply. 

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Prescreen and Application Deadline:  Submit before 5:00 pm on Friday, March 22nd

All voice and piano applicants must submit a prescreening video. Confirmation emails will be sent the week before auditions after a review of your prescreen. Do not make travel arrangements until you receive your confirmation. If you're denied, you may reapply for the subsequent semester. If denied after your second attempt, you’re no longer eligible to apply. 

Questions? Contact Rebekah Ortega, Administrative Specialist II, at (239) 590-7292 or rortega@fgcu.edu.

For Questions Regarding Your Major, Please Contact:

• Dr. Michael Baron, Head of Keyboard Studies at mbaron@fgcu.edu
• Dr. Jeanie Darnell, Head of Vocal Studies at jdarnell@fgcu.edu
• Dr. Trent Brown, BA Music Performance Coordinator at trbrown@fgcu.edu
• Dr. Thomas Cimarusti, BA Music Coordinator at tcimarusti@fgcu.edu
• Dr. Patricia Gingras, Music Education Coordinator at pgingras@fgcu.edu
• Dr. Kimberly Sena Moore, Music Therapy Coordinator at ksenamoore@fgcu.edu
• Dr. Kyle Szabo, Head of String Studies at kszabo@fgcu.edu
• Dr. Timothy Yontz, Head of Instrumental Studies at tyontz@fgcu.edu

We look forward to receiving your application!

Best regards,

Bower School of Music Faculty and Staff

For technical questions, please check out our Help Desk.