Undergraduate Applications

To be considered for the music major or a music scholarship, applicants must submit a Music Arts Supplement (portfolio in the area of music) through their applicant status portal during the application process. It is important to review the application procedures carefully and allow sufficient time to meet the established deadlines.

Undergraduate music majors are expected to have a fundamental working knowledge and proficiency in reading treble and/or bass clef, key signatures, major and minor scales, and the ability to vocally match pitches played on the piano. These skills are essential for music theory courses taught through the Cleveland Institute of Music, which are a significant part of the required music major curriculum. Incoming undergraduate students will be placed into a music theory course based on a diagnostic exam and a sight-singing placement exam, both of which are administered online before orientation.

Important Dates

Students can declare a minor in music or participate in ensembles/lessons without passing an audition. However, all students applying for the Arts Achievement Award must submit a Music Arts Supplement. Submissions received by FEB 1 will be considered.

Early Action or Early Decision applicants who miss the NOV 15 deadline can still submit an audition, but their materials will be reviewed alongside Regular Decision candidates. The latest that we can accept submissions is FEB 1.

Application and Audition Procedures

Music (BA), Secondary Major, Arts Achievement Award Applicants

For students applying for the Music (BA) degree, a secondary major in music, or the Arts Achievement Award (as a music minor/non-major), the following steps are required:

1. Check Deadlines and Review Audition Information: Be sure to familiarize yourself with all deadlines and the requirements outlined in the Audition Information.
2. Apply to the University: Complete your application to Case Western Reserve University.
   • Music (BA) or Secondary Major: List Music (BA) as your first or second major choice.
   • Arts Achievement Award: DO NOT list a music degree program as an intended major choice if you are applying to this scholarship as a music minor or non-major.
3. Indicate Music Arts Supplement Submission: When prompted on the application, select the option to submit a Music Arts Supplement.
4. Submit the Music Arts Supplement: This digital portfolio includes a questionnaire and a video audition. After submitting your university application, you will receive login credentials from the Office of Undergraduate Admission to access your applicant portal, where you can track your application status. If you do not receive these credentials within a few days, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

The Department of Music evaluates the Music Arts Supplement to determine eligibility for entrance into the Music (BA) major and for scholarship opportunities, including the Arts Achievement Award. An admitted student with a successful Music Arts Supplement—although their application may not indicate music as an intended major—is qualified to declare a Music (BA) major if they choose. 

Contact Information:

For questions about the undergraduate admission process for the Music (BA) or scholarship opportunities, first-year applicants should contact Ms. Jennifer Wright, Manager of Operations and Undergraduate Recruitment.

Apply Now | Undergraduate Admission

Music Education (BS) Applicants

For students applying for the Music Education (BS), the following steps are required:

1. Check Deadlines and Review Audition Information: Be sure to familiarize yourself with all deadlines and the requirements outlined in the Audition Information.
2. Apply to the University: Complete your application to Case Western Reserve University.
   • List the Music Education (BS) degree program as your first major choice.
3. Indicate Music Arts Supplement Submission: When prompted on the application, select the option to submit a Music Arts Supplement.
4. Submit the Music Arts Supplement: This digital portfolio includes a questionnaire and a video audition. After submitting your university application, you will receive login credentials from the Office of Undergraduate Admission to access your applicant portal, where you can track your application status. If you do not receive these credentials within a few days, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
5. Live Interview and Audition: Applicants to the Music Education (BS) program must complete a live interview and audition component as part of the admission process. Applicants can choose between an on-campus interview with a live performance audition or an online interview with a pre-recorded audition.

Please book an available live interview/audition appointment using the links below:

An admitted student with a successful Music Arts Supplement—although they may not pass the interview/audition component with an intended Music Education (BS) major—is qualified to declare a Music (BA) major if they choose. 

Contact Information:

If all appointment are filled or if you have questions about the interview process, please contact Dr. Ryan Scherber, Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies in Music Education (BS).

Apply Now | Undergraduate Admission

Decision Timeline

Once the review process is complete, the Office of Undergraduate Admission will notify applicants regarding their admission to CWRU. Students must be admitted to the University before the Department of Music can offer an entrance decision for the Music (BA) or Music Education (BS) major.

Individuals who are offered a music scholarship will be notified on or around April 1.

Post-Admission Auditions

Incoming or current CWRU students interested in auditioning to add the music major (before their 2nd semester) should contact Dr. Ryan Scherber, Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies in Music Education (BS).