Music Admissions FAQs

Music majors must audition. The repertoire requirements vary by instrument, but are the same for all three of our degrees—Music Performance, Music Education, and Bachelor of Arts in Music. Check the audition repertoire requirements. Media Scoring majors must also submit original scores (see below).

All students applying for the Media Scoring concentration are required to audition on their primary instrument. Additionally, students must submit two original compositions or arrangements, each 1 to 2 minutes in duration, in audio or video format. These should demonstrate your experience and skills in digital music production or scoring for media projects. Any style or genre is acceptable, though instrumental music selections (not songs) are preferred.

Music minors do audition, but usually after they arrive at VCU (during their first semester), not before. But we encourage you to contact us during the application year so you get to know us and learn about everything we offer. If you are thinking of minoring in music or just continuing to make music for pleasure while at VCU, please email the professor for your instrument. You can also visit VCU Music during your application year by signing up for shadow day. Sign up here.

First-Year (Freshman) Students:

After you have applied through the Common App, you will get an email invitation to the VCU Application Portal. Log in with your pin, then schedule your live audition in the portal (or, if you choose, submit a recorded audition). We always recommend auditioning live if possible—take the chance to get to know us and our current students and explore the campus!

Transfer Students:

You will be applying In the VCU Application Portal, and that’s also where you will schedule your live audition or, if you choose, submit a recorded audition. We always recommend a live audition—take the chance to get to know us and our current students and explore the campus.

A Reminder of the Admissions Steps for Music Applicants:

• First-year (freshman): Apply through the Common App by Nov. 1 or Jan 15.
  Transfer: Apply in the VCU Portal by March 15.
• Submit transcripts. Submitting test scores is optional.
• Check your email for an invitation with a PIN to the VCU Application Portal.
  There, you will choose either a live audition date or the recorded audition option.
• Perform your live audition or submit your recordings.
  (Media scoring applicants only: also submit two original compositions).

You can’t. We don’t provide an exact audition time; rather, you are given an arrival time. Students arrive in clusters. You will get the approximate audition time once you arrive. We will make sure you have time to warm up and get settled before your audition.

Please contact apply4music@vcu.edu to reschedule!

Recorded auditions follow the same requirements as live auditions. 

Please upload 3 individual video files, each under 25mb, of your prepared material in the VCU Application Portal.

Yes! We have a visiting process called shadow day. Come spend the day with us, sit in on classes, meet current students, and receive a free private lesson. Sign up here.

Until all steps are complete, you’ll get automatic reminders from the system, with an indication of exactly what’s missing. If you have scheduled your audition, but it hasn’t happened yet, you’ll get reminders for that. After the audition, the reminders stop. If you have questions about what’s missing from your application, email apply4music@vcu.edu.

There is no “separate” letter from the University. You will get only one letter/email of acceptance, and that’s from the School of the Arts/Music Department.

We admit students on a rolling basis. Once all of your application materials are complete (including transcripts) and you have performed your audition, it should take about 10 days.

First Year applicants: Apply by the Nov 1 deadline, submit transcripts, and take the audition, and you’ll automatically be considered for University and Music Department scholarships. You will still be considered for department scholarships if you apply by Jan 15.

Scholarship decisions are released quite a bit after acceptance letters go out, usually starting in mid-spring. There are University scholarships (for high academics), VCUarts scholarships, and music scholarships. These scholarship notifications go out at various times, and scholarships from the department go out in rounds. Contact us apply4music@vcu.edu if you have any questions.