Penn State School of Music

Are you applying for 2025? Please do not submit your application. The new application cycle will open in early to mid-September. The 2023-2024 application must remain open for music minors through the end of the first week of classes (September 2, 2024). 

While our audition days for 2023-2024 have concluded we will consider applications from admitted and currently enrolled Penn State students wishing to add a concurrent (double) major, a performance minor, or who would like to audition for a change of major throughout the summer. Students are encouraged to contact us at music-ug-adm@psu.edu  to ensure that there is room in the studio or program.

Students wishing to change their major or add a concurrent major are encouraged to complete their application and audition no later than August 9 to ensure the change is processed and that they are enrolled in the appropriate coursework before the start of the academic year.

Applicants for the music performance minor should apply and schedule their audition prior to the start of the fall semester, they must complete their audition by 4:00 PM on Friday, September, 2 to ensure they may enroll in lessons without incurring a late enrollment fee.

Welcome from the Director

Looking for a B1G university that balances serious music study with an enriching student experience that prepares you for a career?

Welcome to the Penn State School of Music! At Penn State, you will find the ideal match between the wealth of opportunities found in a B1G University and the individualized attention provided in the intimate environment of our School of Music. With approximately 325 students enrolled, the school grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of programs that help students develop as performers, creators, teachers, and scholars. We offer six undergraduate degree programs and four minors in music and annually serve an additional 1,000+ students who enrich their educational experience through enrollment in our ensembles, non-major lessons, and high-quality general education courses. Our faculty members are internationally renowned performers and pedagogues who care deeply about their students and use their talents to make a positive impact around the globe.

The School of Music presents more than 400 public concerts and events each year, and our students have the opportunity to experience world-class guest artists through the Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, our President's Concert series provides the opportunity for many of our students to perform in one or more of the greatest concert halls on the east coast during their undergraduate career. Past venues include Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh), The Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), Carnegie Hall (New York City), the Kimmel Center (Philadelphia), The Music Center at Strathmore (Bethesda, MD), and the Forum Auditorium (Harrisburg). We invite you to join us for performances either in-person or through our livestream.

We know that choosing a university experience is a big decision, and one you cannot make alone. We will be here for you every step of the way. We're thrilled that you're interested in sharing your talent with us and we're excited to get to know you!

Dr. Ann Marie Stanley, Director
Penn State School of Music

Experience Penn State
We welcome students to campus for in-person visits and will continue to host virtual information sessions for those students who cannot travel to University Park.

Upcoming In-Person Opportunities: 

• Fall Visit Day, Monday, October 14, 2024: We invite you to join us for Fall Visit Day! We will share information about our programs, and you will have the opportunity to meet faculty and students, attend ensemble rehearsals, see the campus, and ask questions to determine if Penn State is the ideal place for you to pursue your goals!  
• Individual on-campus visits: Individual visits on a mutually agreed upon date may be arranged by completing our  Visit Planning Form. Students may schedule a sample lesson, attend classes and/or ensemble rehearsals, tour our music facilities, meet with a School of Music recruitment team member, and/or take part in other activities relevant to their interests.

Virtual Visits

• Virtual Information Sessions
• Virtual Tours: If you cannot visit in person or would like to learn more about Penn State in preparation for your visit, you may engage in a virtual campus tour or tour of the state-of-the-art facilities within the School of Music at any time.

Programs Offered
The School of Music at Penn State offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. We only use Acceptd for our undergraduate programs. If you are interested in our graduate programs you may learn more on the School of Music website. All graduate and certificate program applications will be submitted through Penn State's GRADS system.

The School of Music at Penn State offers the following undergraduate degree programs in music. Please view the degree descriptions in the resources tab and/or follow the links to determine which degree best aligns with your goals and interests:

Bachelor of Music: Performance
Bachelor of Music: Composition
Bachelor of Musical Arts a degree that combines music performance with a defined secondary area of study
Bachelor of Music Education
Bachelor of Arts: Music Technology
Bachelor of Arts: Music Studies

We offer four minors within the School of Music. Only the music performance minor requires an audition and application through Acceptd. The process for adding the other majors can be found on the How to Apply page and on the minor description pages linked below.

Jazz Performance
Music Performance
Music Studies
Music Technology

We also offer an entrepreneurship and innovation minor through a partnership with the College of Arts and Architecture.

Are You Ready to Apply?
Completing your application via Acceptd is only one step in the four-step application process. A decision will not be made until all steps are completed. Students are also encouraged to review the How to Apply page for specifics for each applicant type (first-year applicants, transfer students, and current students.)

1. First, be sure to submit your Penn State University application via MyPennState, or the CommonApp Note: The Penn State ID number you are assigned is required to submit the Acceptd materials.
2. As soon as possible, submit your personal information and preferred audition day via Acceptd.
3. If required, submit the requested materials for your chosen degree on Acceptd no later than the deadline(s) indicated.*
4. Finally, attend your audition/interview to complete the process.

If you are unable to afford the fee to submit your materials through Acceptd, please review this support information.

Please note that your audition materials will be submitted in steps. First, you will complete the School of Music supplemental application and select your preferred audition date. You will pay the fee at this time. Next, if applying for composition or music technology, you will submit your portfolio. For all students, you will then complete the application process by either confirming that you intend to audition in person or providing the links to the recordings of your audition materials if you plan to audition remotely.

Multi-instrumentalists must submit an application for each instrument for which they audition; in this case only, applicants may enter the following coupon code to waive the duplicate fee: 02penn2024

2024-2025 Audition Dates

• Sunday, December 8, 2024
• Saturday, February 1, 2025
• Saturday, February 15, 2025
• Saturday, March 1, 2025
• Auditions by Appointment are also available

Please note the following  date  restrictions  for specific instruments/studios. All other studios may choose any of the regular audition dates:  

• December 8: Not available for TBD
• February 1: Not available for TBD
• February 15:  Not available for TBD
• March 1: Not available for TBD

Whether auditioning in-person or remotely, undergraduate students auditioning on our January and February dates should plan to be available for the entire audition day beginning at 8:30 AM EST. You can view the basic schedule for the day in the resources tab. You will receive your exact audition time early the week of your audition.  The December audition date generally begins in the early afternoon, the exact schedule will be provided closer to the date.

To ensure full consideration for admission and merit-based financial aid, students should audition no later than the final regular audition date posted. Please note that some areas may be unable to give late applicants full consideration.  

Material submission deadlines:

• The preferred date for the submission of composition portfolios is 12/15 and is required at least one week before your interview date.
• Recordings are only required for those students planning to audition virtually. For those students, recordings are due at least one week prior to your scheduled audition date.

Questions? Interested in more information?

• If you would like to be added to the admissions and School of Music prospective students mailing lists please complete the interest form.
• If you have questions about general admission to Penn State, please contact our director of enrollment, music-ug-adm@psu.edu.
• If you have questions about the School of Music admission, please contact the recruitment team at musicrecruiting@psu.edu.
• If you have a question about audition scheduling, please contact  music-ug-adm@psu.edu.

Do You Require Assistance with Acceptd?

• If you are unable to afford the fee to submit your materials through Acceptd, please review this support information.
• If you encounter technical difficulties, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.