University of Tennessee School of Music

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 School of Music family consists of more than 300 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 will offer both in-person and virtual auditions for Fall 2023 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 School! 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
   
   • November 1: deadline to be considered for competitive University-wide scholarships
   • December 15: final deadline for Undergraduate freshmen and Volunteer Scholarship
     
   • April 1: deadline for international Undergraduate students
   • June 1: deadline for Undergraduate transfer students
2. Record your Audition.
   • Only if auditioning virtually - in-person applicants can skip to step 3.
3.  Apply to the UT School of Music via Acceptd by February 1, 2023.
   • Complete your application at getacceptd.com
   • Choose your audition/interview date.
     • Both in-person and virtual auditions/interviews will be held on the same dates
   • Attach your pre-recorded audition only if auditioning virtually
   • Submit your application to the School of Music. Applications and audition videos are due February 1, 2023.
   • Recommended but not required: One 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.
   • Recommended but not required: attach your resumé.
   • You will be asked to choose your preferred audition date before submitting your application.
4. Attend a live in-person or virtual audition/interview
   
   • February 11, 2023: Undergraduate music majors & applied music minors
   • February 18, 2023: Undergraduate music majors & applied music minors

Undergraduates: For more information, or if you have missed the application deadline, contact Sara Carroll at 865-974-6134 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
   
   • December 15, 2022: Deadline to apply to the UT Graduate School
2. Apply to the UT School of Music via Acceptd

• • Upload your pre-screen videos (if applicable) or audition videos (if auditioning virtually)
  • Indicate your preferred audition/interview date on your Acceptd application
    • January 28, 2023: Graduate Vocal Only
    • February 4, 2023: All Graduate
    • February 11, 2023: Undergraduate, graduate auditions by request only
    • February 18, 2023: Undergraduate, graduate auditions by request only
  • 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)
    • REQUIRED submissions specific to your area of study:
      • 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. You can find audition repertoire HERE.
      • 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 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.
    • Submit a total of 3 letters of recommendation (instead of the normal 2 letters). See above for more information regarding the recommendation letters.
    • 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, 2022). 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.