University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

Music Admission & Audition Process

Audition Dates

  • Wednesday, August 22, 2012 # (for admission Fall 2012 or Spring 2013)
  • Saturday, November 10, 2012 (current and transfer students - Musical Theatre only)
  • Friday, November 16, 2012 * (for admission Spring 2013 or Fall 2013)
  • Friday, February 1, 2013 *
  • Saturday, February 9, 2013 (Music Theatre auditions only)
  • Friday, March 1, 2013 *
  • Friday, April 19, 2013 (for admission Fall 2013)
  • Friday, August 23, 2013 (for admission Fall 2013)

# for admission Fall 2012 or Spring 2013
* for scholarship consideration, beginning Fall 2013
  Transfer students are welcome at all auditions

All undergraduate applicants are required to take a theory placement exam and keyboard proficiency exam  on the same day as their audition. Students should allow for up to 2 1/2 hours for the test. Note: A piano placement audition/interview is required of all entering students. Those with prior piano experience must perform a piece that best demonstrates their playing level.

The full admission and audition process involves 3 steps:

  1. Apply to UW-Milwaukee
  2. Apply and audition for the Music program
  3. Audition for large ensemble placement

More information and materials are listed below.

Applying to UW-Milwaukee

To be admitted to the Music Department, applicants (incoming freshmen and transfers) must first apply to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and meet general university academic requirements. You may apply simultaneously to the Music Department.

Access UW-Milwaukee Online Application

New Freshman
International Students
Graduate Students
Transfer / Re-Entry / Second Degree Students

Music Undergraduate Handbook
Music Graduate Handbook

Music Program Admission & Audition Materials

Undergraduate:

Admission Information Letter

Application - Supplemental Information

Application

Audition Repertoire & Requirements

Review Texts for Theory Placement Exam

Scholarship Information Form

Music Undergraduate Handbook

Graduate:

Admission Information Letter

Application - Supplemental Information

Application 

Audition Repertoire & Requirements

Graduate Assistantship Application

Review for Theory Diagnostic Exam

Large Ensemble Audition Materials

(Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble)

1. Any student admitted to the Music Dept. as a music major and whose instrument is woodwind, brass, string, or percussion MUST participate in the Large Ensemble Auditions held during the first week of classes (Exception: Percussion majors are assigned to ensembles by the Percussion Faculty). Information and directions for this process is posted to http://www4.uwm.edu/psoa/music/admission/ (Look under the "Large Ensembles Audition Materials" section) by August 1 for the coming academic year.

2. Students who participate in the Large Ensemble Auditions must leave their schedules open for the conductors to ASSIGN them to an ensemble -- this is based on the audition, and not simply the student's preference/schedule.

3. Non-majors may also participate in the Large Ensemble Auditions, but should first contact the appropriate ensemble faculty representative for permission. Non-majors will use the same Large Ensembles Audition materials and procedures as described above (#1).

4. Non-majors may simply sign up for University Band (Music 030) or University Community Orchestra (Music 081) without prior permission nor formal audition. For U-Band and UCO, there is typically a short placement hearing (during the first week of classes) for part assignments and seating.

5. Music majors may NOT simply elect to register for University Band or University Community Orchestra for their ensemble requirement; they must participate in the Large Ensemble Auditions during the first week of classes.
 

Download the FALL 2012  PDF below for your instrument. Each PDF contains full instructions, audition schedules and music excerpts." (Fall 2013 materials will be posted to this webpage on or before August 1, 2013.)

 Flute  Bass Trombone
 Oboe  Euphonium
 Bassoon  Tuba
 Clarinet  Bass
 Saxophone  Cello
 Horn  Violin
Trumpet  Viola
 Trombone  

Music Theory and Piano Placement

Music Theory Placement exams are required of all entering undergraduate students. The Placement exam is a progressive exam allowing the student to demonstrate music theory knowledge from fundamentals to advanced concepts. Appropriate class level placement is based on the number of questions successfully completed by the student.

Students showing proof of successful completion of the entire core music theory sequence via university transcripts are exempt from the exams. Students completing high school AP Theory classes are required to take the exams.

A Piano Placement interview is required of all entering undergraduates. Students will meet with a member of the piano faculty after the theory placement exam to determine an appropriate level of piano study. Students with any previous keyboard experience should prepare a short composition demonstrating their keyboard skills. The selection does not need to be memorized. Students with no previous keyboard experience are also required to meet with a member of the piano faculty for placement in an appropriate class piano section.

Students unable to take the Theory and Piano Placement exams on their scheduled audition date should complete the exams on another audition date prior to the beginning of their entering semester. (This option is also available to prospective studentswho 'audition' through electronic or portfolio submission.)

Students will be notified of audition results between 10-14 days after each audition date. Accepted students will receive Music Theory and Piano placement, as well as other required music classes, in the notification.

For more information, please contact music-info@uwm.edu.

Study Bibliography
Mock Aural Exam 1
Mock Aural Exam 2
Mock Theory Exam 1
Mock Theory Exam 2
Mock Theory Exam 3

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