University of Tennessee - Natalie L. Haslam College of Music

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 many degree pathways in music.



Please note our application deadline has passed for Fall 2025. Applications submitted after December 16th will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Students who cannot be scheduled on our audition and interview dates due to availability will be invited to submit virtual auditions.

MUSIC MAJOR APPLICANTS (FIRST YEAR & TRANSFER STUDENTS): 

To be considered for any BA or BM degree program at the UT College of Music, you must:

• November 1: First Year Student Early Action Deadline to be considered for competitive University-wide scholarships
• December 16: First Year Student Final Deadline for undergraduate freshmen and Volunteer Scholarships
• April 1: International Student Application Deadline (we highly recommend you apply by December 16)
• July 1: Transfer Student Deadline (we highly recommend you apply by December 16)

• Complete your application at getacceptd.com
• Choose your audition/interview date:
  • Saturday, December 7th, 2024 Auditions & Interviews (apply by December 1st for this option) 
  • Saturday, January 18th, 2025 Auditions & Interviews 
  • Saturday, January 25th, 2025 Auditions & Interviews 
  • Virtual Audition/Interview

• TRANSCRIPTS: all applicants should upload a copy of their transcripts.
• MUSIC EDUCATION APPLICANTS-ONLY RESPONSE VIDEO: Music Education applicants should submit a video answering the Music Education prompts.

• INTRODUCTORY VIDEO: applicants should record a brief (1-2 minutes) introductory video telling us about yourself, your goals, and your reasons for choosing UT Music! (Music Education applicants need not submit this, as this material is covered in the Music Education Prompt Video.)
• LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: applicants are invited to provide the email address of their teacher who may then be asked to supply a recommendation.
• RESUME: attach your resumé.

• INTRODUCTORY VIDEO: applicants should record a brief (1-2 minutes) introductory video telling us about yourself, your goals, and your reasons for choosing UT Music! OR MUSIC EDUCATION APPLICANTS-ONLY RESPONSE VIDEO: Music Education applicants should submit a video answering the Music Education prompts.
• AUDITION VIDEO(S) AND/OR PORTFOLIO MATERIALS: students should upload their audition recordings and/or portfolio materials for their desired degree program.

• UNDERGRADUATE AUDITION / PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

NOTE FOR STUDENTS WHO WISH TO APPLY AS A DOUBLE MUSIC MAJOR : Please submit one application for each degree. The upload requirements differ by degree and it is important you submit all materials required for each degree application. Exception: Music Education Majors who wish to apply as a double Music Performance Major will be prompted to check YES/NO to apply for the additional performance degree in their application.


MINOR ONLY APPLICANTS:

We offer many music minors. 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.To be considered for an applied minor at the UT College of Music, you must:

• November 1: First Year Student Early Action Deadline to be considered for competitive University-wide scholarships
• December 16: First Year Student Final Deadline for undergraduate freshmen and Volunteer Scholarships
• April 1: International Student Application Deadline (we highly recommend you apply by December 16)
• July 1: Transfer Student Deadline (we highly recommend you apply by December 16)

• Complete your application at getacceptd.com
• Choose your audition/interview date:
  • Saturday, December 7th, 2024 Auditions & Interviews (apply by December 1st for this option) 
  • Saturday, January 18th, 2025 Auditions & Interviews 
  • Saturday, January 25th, 2025 Auditions & Interviews
  • Virtual Audition/Interview

• INTRODUCTORY VIDEO: applicants should record a brief (1-2 minutes) introductory video telling us about yourself, your goals, and your reasons for choosing UT Music!
• LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: applicants are invited to provide the email address of their teacher who may then be asked to supply a recommendation.
• RESUME: attach your resumé.

• INTRODUCTORY VIDEO: applicants should record a brief (1-2 minutes) introductory video telling us about yourself, your goals, and your reasons for choosing UT Music!
• AUDITION VIDEO(S): students should upload their audition recordings for the applied music minor.

• UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Undergraduate FAQs:

Who needs to apply?
All students who intend to major in music must complete an audition and/or interview, depending on the requirements of the program.

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. 

Are there scholarships in the College of Music?
Yes. Scholarships are primarily offered to music majors based on the audition/interview. It is extremely rare for a music minor or a non-music major to receive a scholarship. All students who audition for a music major are automatically considered for scholarships. There are no extra applications for scholarships. The biggest factor in awarding scholarships is musical talent. We also consider academics, needs of the studio or area, and financial need. The best thing you can do is prepare the best possible audition/interview!

When will I learn the outcome of my audition/interview and about scholarships?
The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music admissions and scholarship decisions will be made mid-spring semester. Students should expect to see letters from the CoM by April. 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 the Music Admissions office: musicadmissions@utk.edu. 

Interview- Only Degree Option FAQs:

The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music offers several unique degrees with both audition and non-audition tracks! Students interested in a non-audition pathway should follow these steps to apply our non-audition options:

1. Students first choose their desired degree path:

• BA: Music Advertising & Public Relations
• BA: Music & Culture
• BA: Music Business Administration
  
• BA: Music Journalism & Media
• BM: Music Theory & Composition: Composition 

2. Students then choose Non-Audition Interview-Only Track:

• Audition Track: students who apply Audition-Track will participate in an interview AND audition on an instrument/voice.
• Non-Audition Interview-Only Track: students who apply Non-Audition Interview-Only Track will participate in an interview without an additional audition on an instrument/voice.

3. Students then submit their application by December 16th for Fall 2025 Admission here in GetAcceptd (Apply by December 1 if you choose the December 7 audition/interview date).

GRADUATE APPLICANTS:

To be considered for any Graduate program at the UT College 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.  Please note all required materials must be uploaded to your Acceptd application before submitting your application.

• • December 16, 2025: UT College of Music Graduate Application Deadline
    
    • PreScreening required for: Conducting, Piano, Composition, Music Theory, Tuba/Euphonium, Voice, Collaborative Piano, Jazz

• • 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 7th, 2024 Auditions & Interviews (apply by December 1st for this option) 
    • Saturday, January 18th, 2025 Auditions & Interviews 
    • Saturday, January 25th, 2025 Auditions & Interviews
    • Saturday, February 1st, 2025 Grad Voice Only Auditions & Interviews
    • Or Virtual Audition/Interview
  • At the end of your application, be sure to upload the following BEFORE submitting your Accept'd application:
    • 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, 2024). 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 more information about the University of Tennessee Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, visit our website: https://music.utk.edu/