University of Tennessee College of Music

APPLICATIONS FOR 2024-2025 ARE NOW OPEN! 
There’s a spark inside you, boundless potential waiting to be explored. Whatever your musical passion may be, the School of Music at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is here to help you shine. 

The University of Tennessee College of Music consists of more than 350 students and more than 60 internationally-known faculty. Our world-class instructors give you the personal attention you need to refine your musical skills. Energetic ensembles provide dynamic performance opportunities. Our academic programs will put you on the right path to achieving your goals. 

We offer both in-person and virtual auditions for Fall 2024 admission. Please know that both audition options will be regarded equally – you will not be penalized in any way for a virtual audition. However, we encourage you to audition in-person so that you will be able to better experience our College! By auditioning in-person, you will be able to meet our faculty, see our facilities, attend our morning information sessions, and interact with current students.

UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS:

To be considered for any Bachelor’s degree program at the UT School of Music, you must:

1. Apply to the University of Tennessee by the deadline listed below:
   
   • November 1: Early Action Deadline to be considered for competitive University-wide scholarships
   • December 15: Final Deadline for undergraduate freshmen and Volunteer Scholarships
     
   • April 1: Deadline for international undergraduate students (we highly recommend you apply by December 15)
   • June 1: Deadline for undergraduate transfer students (we highly recommend you apply by December 15)
2. Apply to the UT College of Music here through GetAcceptd (by January 10, 2024 unless otherwise noted).
   • • Complete your application at getacceptd.com
     • Choose your audition/interview date:
       • Saturday, December 9, 2023 – Undergraduates (please submit applications for this date by December 1st)
       • Friday, January 19, 2024 - Undergraduates/Graduates
       • Saturday, January 20, 2024 - Undergraduates/Graduates
       • Saturday, January 27, 2024 - Graduates (Vocal Area Only) NO UNDERGRADS
       • Saturday, February 3, 2024 - Undergraduates/Graduates
       • Or Choose to Audition Virtually
         • Students should submit either a video or a video link (such as youtube). Students may be contacted by the faculty member in their area to set up a zoom interview following the submission of the video audition.
         • All virtual applicants must add any required videos to their application by our final in-person audition/interview day: February 3, 2024.

• RECOMMENDED MATERIALS FOR ALL APPLICANTS:

• • • INTRODUCTORY VIDEO: applicants should record a brief (1-2 minutes) introductory video telling us about yourself, your goals for your music major or minor, and your reasons for choosing UT Music!
    • LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: applicants are invited to submit a letter of recommendation from a music teacher.  On your application, you will be asked to provide the email address of a music teacher who will then be contacted about providing a recommendation. If one of the recommendation letters you used for your UTK application was from a music teacher, you do not need to request another on Acceptd.
    • RESUME: attach your resumé.
  • REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR VIRTUAL APPLICANTS: 
    • AUDITION VIDEO(S): students should upload the necessary audition recordings based on the Undergraduate Admissions & Auditions page linked below. All virtual applicants must add any required videos to their application by our final in-person audition/interview day: February 3, 2024.

MINOR ONLY APPLICANTS:

The only music minor which requires an audition is the "Applied Music" minor. All other minors may be declared once enrolled at The University of Tennessee. 

NEW BACHELOR OF ARTS CONCENTRATION AVAILABLE NOW: "Bachelor of Arts in Music Advertising and Public Relations."

Undergraduate FAQs:

Who needs to audition?
All students who intend to major in music must complete an audition, except for those who choose to pursue the BA in Music Business Administration. An audition is optional for this program.

What about music minors?
Only applied music minors need to complete an audition. Please see our website for the requirements for other minors (music theory, composition, music & culture, music business).

I want to major in music and also be in the marching band. Do I need to audition twice? 
No. Your audition for your music major will also count as your audition for marching band. If you ONLY want to participate in the marching band and not audition as a music major or minor, please see the band website. 

What do I need to prepare for my audition?
This varies by studio and program. Please see our undergraduate repertoire and graduate repertoire lists for specific information.

Are there scholarships in the College of Music?
Yes. Scholarships are primarily offered to music majors. It is extremely rare for a music minor or a non-music major to receive a scholarship. 

What do I need to do to get a music scholarship?
All students who audition for a music major are automatically considered for scholarships. There are no extra applications for scholarships. The best thing you can do is prepare the best possible audition/interview!

How are scholarships awarded?
The biggest factor in awarding scholarships is musical talent. We also consider academics, needs of the studio or area, and financial need.

When will I learn the outcome of my audition/interview and about scholarships?
College of Music admissions and scholarship decisions will be made in mid to late February shortly following the conclusion of our in-person audition/interview days. Students should expect to see letters from the CoM by March. Students must be admitted to UT in order to be admitted to the CoM. If a student's UT admissions decision has been deferred or the student has otherwise not yet heard from UT regarding an admissions decision, please note that a final CoM decision will be made after that UT admissions decision is made. 

Undergraduates: For more information, contact Dr. Sara Carroll at 865-963-2545 or scarro33@utk.edu.

GRADUATE APPLICANTS:

To be considered for any Graduate program at the UT School of Music, you must:

1.  Apply to the University of Tennessee Graduate School
   
   • Please note: the UT Graduate School has differing application deadlines for domestic and international students. Click HERE for more information. Please do not submit letters of recommendation to the Graduate School.
2. Apply to the UT College of Music via Acceptd

• • January 10, 2024: UT College of Music Graduate Application Deadline (Conducting, Piano, Composition, Music Theory, Tuba/Euphonium, Voice - Dec. 15 deadline for pre-screen)

• • Upload your pre-screen videos (if applicable) or audition videos (if auditioning virtually)
  • Indicate your preferred audition/interview date on your Acceptd application
    • Saturday, December 9, 2023 – Undergraduates (Graduates by request only)
    • Friday, January 19, 2024 - Undergraduates/Graduates
    • Saturday, January 20, 2024 - Undergraduates/Graduates
    • Saturday, January 27, 2024 - Graduates (Vocal Area Only)
    • Saturday, February 3, 2024 - Undergraduates/Graduates
    • Or Virtual Audition
  • At the end of your application, be sure to upload the following:
    • A scholarly writing sample (REQUIRED)
    • A personal statement of education and career goals (REQUIRED)
    • 2 letters of recommendation are REQUIRED (3 letters if you're applying for a Graduate Assistantship) On your application, you will be asked to provide email addresses of your referees who will then be contacted about providing a confidential recommendation. Do not submit letters of recommendation to the Graduate School.
    • REQUIRED submissions specific to your area of study: https://music.utk.edu/future-students/graduate-repertoire/  
      • Knoxville Opera Studio applicants must submit a Graduate Assistantship Form
      • Collaborative Piano applicants must submit a complete list of repertoire (solo and collaborative), along with a CV detailing collaborative and ensemble experience. 
      • Piano Performance applicants must upload a minimum of three works representing different stylistic periods. One work of the three must be a complete classical sonata.
      • Both Composition MM applicants and Theory MM applicants must upload the writing sample, a personal statement, and the letters of recommendation. Composition applicants must additionally upload at least two (preferably three) compositions with recordings (midi files are acceptable). Include pieces that show your ability to write for diverse instrumentations. Preliminary round decisions for MM composition and MM theory applicants will be made by December 20. All the above required materials must be uploaded to Acceptd by December 15. Those passing the preliminary round will be invited for an interview/audition in January/February.
      • Conducting (instrumental and choral) applicants must upload a video of both rehearsal and performance. All materials must be uploaded and application submitted by December 15.
      • Vocal Performance applicants must upload 3 songs (a combination of arias and art songs) in 3 different languages (Italian, French, German, and English). This may be a sound or video recording of a recent performance. All materials must be uploaded and application submitted by December 15.
  • Graduate Assistantship applicants must:
    • Submit a Graduate Assistantship form here on GetAcceptd. Please make sure you complete the Graduate Assistantship form and upload it to your Acceptd application before you submit the application to the College of Music.
    • Submit a total of 3 letters of recommendation (instead of the normal 2 letters). See above for more information regarding the recommendation letters. Do not submit letters of recommendation to the Graduate School. 
    • Submit a statement that briefly describes your professional goals and how a graduate assistantship would support those goals.
    • Submit a curriculum vita (CV). For more information on writing a CV, click here.
    • GA requirements specific to your area of study:
      • Theory/Composition: In order to be considered for a theory GTA you must interview with our faculty and complete a teaching audition (recorded and submitted by Dec. 15, 2023). At the interview you will be asked about your background, interests, teaching experience, and future plans; you will also go over your teaching video with our faculty. The recorded/submitted teaching audition is a 10-minute mock-teaching lesson on melodic dictation. For further information, click here.

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.
For more information about the University of Tennessee College of Music, visit our website: https://music.utk.edu/