Undergraduate Admission
The following information is for students entering college for the first time, and for students presently enrolled in a college or university, who have yet to complete an undergraduate degree, and wish to transfer to a music degree program at USF.
All students must first apply for admission to the University of South Florida by visiting: www.usf.edu/admissions. Applying for acceptance into the School of Music by audition is a separate procedure from University admissions. After you submit the University application for admission, you will receive a "U Number." This U Number must be entered on the School of Music audition application in order for it to be submitted successfully. (See the Auditions section below for more details)
You must audition for the USF School of Music if you are an incoming freshman, transfer student, or part-time student and plan to do either of the following:
- Major in any undergraduate music degree
- Take applied lessons as a non-major
Students will be considered for a music scholarship during all January and February audition dates. See the "Scholarship-eligible Auditions" section below for addition information about how scholarships are awarded. Audition dates and application for your audition are listed in the "Audition Dates" section below.
Contact Dr. William Hayden at wphayden@usf.edu with any questions regarding the auditions process.
Letters of Reference
All students are strongly encouraged to submit up to three (3) letters of reference from individuals that have first hand knowledge of your musical/personal background. References must use this form.
Graduate Admission
The following information is for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in music and are interested in a graduate music degree.
All students must first apply for admission to the University of South Florida by visiting: http://www.grad.usf.edu/graduate-admissions.asp. Additional graduate degree requirements for the School of Music vary by degree program and can be found on the Graduate Degree Programs page. Read this information carefully. If you need additional information, please contact the program area coordinator listed for your area of interest. Students interested in programs that require an audition (Chamber Music and all performance areas) must:
Contact Dr. William Hayden at wphayden@usf.edu with any questions regarding the auditions process.
Graduate students interested in majoring in Music Education, Choral Conducting, Instrumental Conducting, Electro-Acoustic Music, Jazz Composition, Music Composition, Music Theory, and Piano Pedagogy do not normally participate in the performance auditions. These students should contact the coordinator of the area of interest for the complete admissions requirements.
All graduate application materials for the School of Music (not including the University application), unless otherwise noted on the Graduate Degree Programs page, should be sent to:
Dr. William Hayden, Graduate Program Coordinator
USF School of Music
4202 East Fowler Ave., MUS 101
Tampa, FL 33620
Email: wphayden@usf.edu; Phone: (813) 974-1753
Audition Dates for Fall 2013 Admission
| January 19, 2013 | (9am-12pm) |
| February 2, 2013 | (9am-12pm) |
| February 9, 2013 | (1pm-5pm) |
| March 23, 2013 (non-scholarship date) | (9am-12pm) |
Questions regarding auditions? Contact Dr. William Hayden, Music Admissions Coordinator, at wphayden@usf.edu.
These auditions are for acceptance as a music student, in a graduate or undergraduate degree program. Please indicate the audition date of your choice on the online audition application. Because audition days often fill up it is highly recommended you submit your application at least three weeks prior to your requested audition date. Audition times are given by email after application, consecutively as they are received. School of Music auditions take place on the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida. Do not apply for an audition time if you wish to simply perform in an ensemble. See Ensemble Auditions section at the bottom of this page for more details.
Scholarship-eligible Auditions
All auditioners who perform during the January and February audition dates will be automatically considered for scholarships based on the level of performance exhibited during their audition. Certain scholarships pertain only to a certain instrument. For example, the "Marjorie Roe Endowed Scholarship in Cello" can not be awarded to a voice student. They also can not be transferred or continued if the auditioner is awarded a scholarship and then later changes their major, or their major instrument. Scholarship continuation is dependent upon continued admission to the School of Music. Dropping out will end an awarded scholarship, so don't stop, don't drop. For a list of all 70+ scholarships that the College of The Arts offers to it's schools, please click here. For more detailed information, including a searchable database, please visit the USF Financial Aid website.
Ensemble Auditions (open to all USF students)
Ensemble auditions are held the weekend before classes start in the Fall and Spring semesters. Signup sheets and sheet music for ensemble auditions are available at the front desk in the School of Music office, MUS 101. School of Music ensembles are open to all current USF students, regardless of major. Auditions to join music ensembles are held separately from the auditions to enroll as a music major.
Click here for list of ensembles and more information about participation.
