How to Apply

DEADLINES

Incoming Freshman

Fall/Spring admissions: Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible during their senior year of high school. Acceptance to The University of Arizona School of Music is on a rolling admission basis. Many studios fill by late fall or early spring. Please contact Eric Johnson at (520) 621-1655 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have questions. All new students are required to attend a mandatory orientation session prior to attending The University of Arizona School of Music. Please call the Office of Orientation at (520)621-5293 to make a reservation for an Orientation session.

Incoming Transfer Students

Fall/Spring admissions: Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible during the year prior to attendance. Acceptance to The University of Arizona School of Music is on a rolling admission basis. Many studios fill by late fall or early spring. Please contact Eric Johnson at (520) 621-1655 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have questions. All transfer students are required to attend a mandatory orientation session prior to attending The University of Arizona School of Music. Please call the Office of Orientation at (520)621-5293 to make a reservation for an Orientation session.

SCHOOL OF MUSIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor of Music – Performance

• Admission to the University of Arizona
• School of Music application through the College of Fine Arts Admissions Portal
• Letter of recommendation from a Music Teacher, Band, Orchestra, Choir director, or private instructor that discusses applicant's musical aptitude and ability.
• Applicants must take the online Music Theory Readiness Exam and earn a score of at least 30 out of a possible 77 points. (see below)
• Audition

Bachelor of Music – Music Education (Concentration in Instrumental or Vocal)

• Admission to the University of Arizona
• School of Music application through the College of Fine Arts Admissions Portal
• Letter of recommendation from a Music Teacher or Band, Orchestra, Choir director that discusses applicant's music aptitude and ability.
• Applicants must take the online Music Theory Readiness Exam and earn a score of at least 30 out of a possible 77 points. (see below)
• Audition

Bachelor of Music – Composition

• Admission to the University of Arizona
• School of Music application through the College of Fine Arts Admissions Portal
• Students who wish to be admitted into the BM program with an emphasis in Composition must pass a portfolio review following the completion of MUS 240 at the end of the sophomore year. Entering freshman who intend to prepare for this review should apply for admission to the BA in Music program and select either the instrumental or vocal studies emphasis areas.
• Applicants must take the online Music Theory Readiness Exam and earn a score of at least 30 out of a possible 77 points. (see below)
• Audition

Bachelor of Music – Jazz Studies

• Admission to the University of Arizona
• School of Music application through the College of Fine Arts Admissions Portal
• Letter of recommendation from a Music Teacher or Band, Orchestra, Choir director that discusses applicant's music aptitude and ability.
• Applicants must take the online Music Theory Readiness Exam and earn a score of at least 30 out of a possible 77 points. (see below)
• Student must be proficient on two instruments for the Jazz Studies degree
• Audition

Bachelor of Arts – Music (Concentration in Instrumental or Vocal Studies)

• Admission to the University of Arizona
• School of Music application through the College of Fine Arts Admissions Portal
• Letter of recommendation from a Music Teacher or Band, Orchestra, Choir director that discusses applicant's music aptitude and ability.
• Applicants must take the online Music Theory Readiness Exam and earn a score of at least 30 out of a possible 77 points. (see below)
• Audition

Bachelor of Arts – Music (Concentration in Integrated Studies or Theory/History/Criticism)

• Admission to the University of Arizona
• School of Music application through the College of Fine Arts Admissions Portal
• Letter of recommendation from a Music Teacher or Band, Orchestra, Choir director that discusses applicant's music aptitude and ability.
• Applicants must take the online Music Theory Readiness Exam and earn a score of at least 30 out of a possible 77 points. (see below)
• No audition is required.

Online Music Theory Readiness Exam:

The music theory readiness exam is designed to determine if a prospective student possess the necessary theory skills in order to be successful in the first semester of required music theory. Prospective students will need to have access to a computer with speaker to complete the exam.

Recommended Music Theory Knowledge for students Applying to the Undergraduate Music Program.

1. Music Theory
   • Able to read notes in both treble and bass clef
   • Know how to construct and identify whole steps, half steps, and enharmonic equivalents
   • Able to construct the major and three kinds of minor scales
   • Understand meter signatures and be able to a barlines or to complete measures with notes and/or rests of correct duration
   • Understand how to write two contrapuntal parts with different rhythms so that simultaneous notes are aligned vertically and durations are correctly indicated
   • Know how to construct and identify diatonic intervals
   • Know how to construct and identify triads and some seventh chords
2. Aural Skills
   • Able to match both pitches in their singing range and pitch classes in a register outside their singing range
   • Able to sing simple scalar passages and major and minor triads with good intonation
   • Able to sing a familiar tune with good intonation and steady rhythm
   • Able to sing at sight a simple diatonic melody that includes stepwise motion and small skips
   • Able to identify a melody from its notation and spot errors in a a mis-notated melody
   • Able to identify meters aurally, including the presence or absence of upbeats
3. General Musical Knowledge and Abilities
   • Able to follow along with the printed score while listening to piano music or music for piano and one other instrument
   • Able to listen to music in a focused way and to independently note details of melody, rhythm and texture
   • Some listening familiarity with Classical music of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and early 20th Century periods
   • Some listening familiarity with American folk music, African-American spirituals, historical and contemporary jazz, rock and other common styles of vernacular music

All students auditioning for the School of Music must pass the readiness exam in the areas of Music Theory and Aural Skills in order to register for freshman-level theory.

Suggested resources to help review music theory and/or aural skills fundamentals:

• Scales, Intervals, Keys, Triads, Rhythm, and Meter: A Programmed Course in Elementary Music Theory with an Introduction to Partwriting, by John Clough, Joyce Conley, and Claire Boge. W.W. Norton and Co.., 3rd edition. ISBN 0393973697
• Music Theory On Line (http://music-theory.com)
• MiBAC Music Software (www.mibac.com)
• MacGamut Music Software (www.macgamut.com)

Please contact David McGuiggan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 621-1655 to make arrangements to take the online exam.

Please submit all School of Music admissions materials to:

School of Music
ATTN: Eric Johnson
1017 N. Olive Rd.
Music Bldg., Rm. 109
P.O. Box 210004
Tucson, AZ 85721-0004
520.621.1656
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Arizona Community Foundation Arts Scholars Program

The Arizona Community Foundation Arts Scholars Program provides talented student artists in Arizona with scholarship funding, registration fee waivers, academic and artistic mentoring, and opportunities for enhanced study either nationally or internationally. The scholarship is $5,000 per academic year for up to four years. The goal is to help keep Arizona's best and brightest artistic talent within the state's university system. Arts Scholars Program scholarships are awarded for all arts disciplines, including dance, theatre, music, and visual and media arts.

The Arizona Community Foundation Arts Scholars Program offers four scholarships to incoming UA College of Fine Arts Freshmen.

For more information, please call 1.800.222.8221 or visit the Arizona Community Foundation website.