» How to Apply to the Music Program

Bachelor of Arts in Music applicants must also submit the following items to be considered for admission:

• Pre-screen Audition Video
• Research paper or scholarly essay
  • This document may come from a previous institution (high school or college) and CAN BE IN ANY SUBJECT AREA.
• Goal statement 
  • Describe your long-term personal and professional goals and discuss how the degree program and area of study you wish to pursue at Chapman will help you meet those goals. (500 words max)

Visit the BA in Music webpage to learn more about the program.

Bachelor of Music in Composition applicants must also submit the following items to be considered for admission:

• Pre-screen Audition Video
• Notated scores and audio recordings of three to five original works
• Goal statement
  • Describe your long-term personal and professional goals and discuss how the degree program and area of study you wish to pursue at Chapman will help you meet those goals. (500 words max)

Visit the BM in Composition webpage to learn more about the program.

Bachelor of Music in Performance (Instrumental or Vocal) applicants must also submit the following items to be considered for admission:

• Pre-screen Audition Video 

Specific instrumental or vocal requirements for the video are listed below for each area.

Visit the BM in Performance webpage to learn more about each program.

Bachelor of Music (Pre-Music Education Certification) applicants must also submit the following items to be considered for admission:

• Pre-screen Audition Video
• Research paper or scholarly essay
  • This document may come from a previous institution (high school or college) and CAN BE ON ANY SUBJECT.
• Goal statement 
  • Describe your long-term personal and professional goals and discuss how the degree program and area of study you wish to pursue at Chapman will help you meet those goals. (500 words max)

Visit the BM (Pre-Music Education Certification) webpage to learn more about the program.

View the specific video requirements document for Brass auditions here.

• Scales are not required.
• Memorization is not required.
• Video length is determined by time needed to complete the requirements for your specific instrument.
• Video must be continuous and unedited

View the specific video requirements document Guitar Auditions here.

• Scales are not required.
• Video length is determined by time needed to complete the requirements for your specific instrument.
• Video must be continuous and unedited.

View the specific video requirements document for Percussion Auditions here.

• Video length is determined by time needed to complete the requirements for your specific instrument.
• Video must be continuous and unedited.

It is recommended that you:

• Identify your audition repertoire as classical percussion-focused, drum set-focused, or a combination of the two, if applicable.
• Classical percussion-focused: present a minimum of three composed works on contrasting instruments. Applicants are free to select their own repertoire or choose from a list of suggested repertoire listed in the Percussion Audition Requirements document.
• Drum set-focused applicants: present a minimum of three selections of music featuring contrasting drumming styles (2–3 minutes for each selection), and one rudimental or orchestral snare drum etude of your choice. The total duration of all four performances should be 7–12 minutes. Background/play-along tracks must be included in the video’s audio mix.

Contact Dr. Nicholas Terry (terry@chapman.edu) if you have any questions or need clarification.

View the specific video requirements document for Collaborative Piano auditions here.

• Scales are not required.
• Video length is determined by time needed to complete the requirements for your specific instrument.
• Video must be continuous and unedited.

For BM in Performance, Collaborative Piano applicants: prepare three of the four suggested works from memory.

All other music degree applicants: if piano is your primary instrument, prepare two of the four suggested works from memory.

View the specific video requirements document for Solo Piano Auditions here.

• Scales are not required.
• Each piece may be uploaded separately

For BM in Performance, Solo Piano applicants: prepare three of the four suggested works from memory.

All other music degree applicants: if piano is your primary instrument, prepare two of the four suggested works from memory.

Contact Dr. Grace Fong (fong@chapman.edu) if you have any questions or need clarification.

View the specific video requirements document for Strings Auditions here.

• Memorization is not required.
• Piano accompaniment is preferred but not required.
• Each piece may be submitted separately; videos must be unedited.
• Please title each video file with the name and composer of each piece.

For BM in Performance, String applicants: prepare two (2) works of your choice from the list of audition (callback) requirements for your instrument.

For all other music degree applicants: prepare one (1) work of your choice from the list of audition (callback) requirements for your instrument.

Contact Dr. Yoshika Masuda (ymasuda@chapman.edu) if you have any questions or need clarification.

View the specific video requirements document for Vocal Auditions here.

• Memorize your two contrasting pieces
• Limit video to five or six minutes.
• Only classical music is accepted, no pop, jazz or music theater.
• Record yourself in a standing, full-length body shot. 
• Use a microphone only for recording, not amplification.
• Use a live piano accompanist if possible. It is also acceptable to use a pre-recorded piano accompaniment from YouTube, or purchase a music minus-one version. Do not accompany yourself on the piano, guitar, or any other instrument.
• You can send in three separate videos, one with speaking and two with singing, or record everything together. Video(s) must be unedited.

View the specific video requirements document for Woodwinds Auditions here.

• Scales are not required.
• Memorization is not required.
• Video length is determined by time needed to complete the requirements for your specific instrument.
• Video must be continuous and unedited.