Auditions are required for all applicants to the Center for Music, except composition applicants who must submit scores and complete a composition interview (but may choose to audition if interested in studying privately on a major instrument or voice).
Musical theater auditions are handled primarily by the Center for Theatre and Dance.
Three audition days will be available in-person for the 2023-24 audition season:
These auditions will take place on the Ithaca College campus in the Whalen Center for Music.
Our virtual live audition process will be available on one audition day: Saturday, February 3, 2024. This audition day will include a variety of opportunities to engage with members of the Center for Music community, including a welcome event, studio-specific meetings, Q&A, and an opportunity to hear from a Student Financial Services representative. This will also include an audition with faculty, a sight-singing hearing, and any interviews required for specific degree programs.
The virtual live audition day option includes an additional $20 charge, required by our partners at GetAcceptd.
If you are unable to join us for the audition options above, you can prepare and submit a video-recorded audition for admission consideration. These materials must include the listed audition requirements for your instrument and degree. Video-recorded audition materials must be submitted by January 15, and can be submitted after your initial Audition Form.
Information regarding acceptable electronic formats can be found here.
If the provided dates are not feasible, we would encourage you to request a special audition. These live auditions can be set up individually with faculty by request. Please note that special auditions would still need to complete the necessary audition components (ie. sightsinging hearing and necessary interviews), which would be scheduled in collaboration with the Music Admission Team.
Components of the Audition Day
During your audition process, you will complete a variety of steps that vary depending upon the major(s) to which you apply. Here are a few to expect as part of the big day!
During your audition, you should expect to meet and play for a faculty member (or two!) from your area. A faculty member from a similar instrument area may also be in the room to hear your audition.
An audition is required for applicants to all Music Majors/Minor, with the exception of the BM in Composition. Review audition requirements on our website.
In addition to the audition, all undergraduate applicants will be required to perform a brief sight-singing examination. This is not a theory test, but does measure the applicant's ability to match pitch, sing simple melodic lines unaccompanied, and to read basic rhythmic patterns. No formal voice training is necessary, but it is recommended that applicants practice these skills with a school music teacher or a private teacher prior to the audition.
Applicants to specific degree programs will participate in an interview with faculty members from that particular area.
Voice applicants should perform their pre-screening and audition with accompaniment. Instrumental applicants should perform unaccompanied.
For more information about our accompaniment expectations for applicants, please visit our Accompaniment page.
Musical theater auditions are handled primarily by the Center for Theatre and Dance. For musical theatre audition information, contact the Center for Theatre & Dance via email at theatredance@ithaca.edu, or via phone at (607) 274-3345.
For additional information about auditions, please contact the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance:
Music Admission Office
3322 Whalen Center for Music
953 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850