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Undergraduate Application Procedures

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

Incoming or current CWRU students interested in auditioning to add the music major (before their 2nd semester) should contact Dr. Nathan Kruse, Associate Department Chair, to schedule a post-admission audition.

Music Education (BS) applicants with questions about the Music Education admission process should contact Dr. Ryan Scherber, Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies in Music Education (BS).

Applicants must submit a Music Arts Supplement (portfolio in the area of music) via their applicant status portal during the application process to be considered for the music major or music scholarship. Please review the application procedures carefully and allow enough time to meet the established deadlines.

Undergraduate music majors are expected to enter CWRU with a fundamental working knowledge of and proficiency in reading treble and/or bass clef, key signatures, and major and minor scales, along with the ability to vocally match pitches played on the piano. These skills are necessary 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 are placed into a music theory course based on a diagnostic exam and a sight-singing placement exam that is administered online prior to orientation.

Music Arts Supplement Deadlines

  • Before or on NOV 15: Early Action/Early Decision Applicants (application due NOV 1)
  • Before or on FEB 1: Regular Decision/Early Decision II Applicants (application due JAN 15)

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. All 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. They will be reviewed along with Regular Decision candidates. The latest that we can accept submissions is FEB 1. 

Music (BA), secondary major, or the Arts Achievement Award

The Music (BA) can be combined with any other degree program that CWRU offers as a double major/dual degree/secondary major. This degree is intended for students who wish to emphasize general competence in music within the framework of liberal arts education. The Department of Music evaluates the Music Arts Supplement for entrance to the Music (BA) major and scholarship (music majors and achievement awards). Entrance to the Music (BA) program requires a successful Music Arts Supplement. 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. 

Students applying for the Music (BA), a secondary major in music or the Arts Achievement Award (as a music minor/non-major), must follow these application procedures:

  1. Check deadlines and carefully review the Audition Information.
  2. Apply to the University
    1. Indicate the option to submit a Music Arts Supplement when prompted on the application.
    2. Music (BA) or secondary major: List the Music (BA) degree program as major choice 1 or 2 when prompted on the application.
    3. Arts Achievement Award: Applying for scholarship as a music minor or non-major. Do not list a music degree program as a major choice. Visit this page to learn more about music scholarships.
  3. Submit the Music Arts Supplement: The Music Arts Supplement is a digital portfolio that consists of a questionnaire and video audition. Shortly after a student has submitted the application, the Office of Undergraduate Admission will electronically deliver login credentials that the student will use to access their applicant portal. This is also the place where the student can track the status of their application. If these do not arrive within a few days, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

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

Incoming or current CWRU students interested in auditioning to add the music major (before their 2nd semester) should contact Dr. Nathan Kruse, Associate Department Chair, to schedule a post-admission audition.

Music Education (BS)

Music Education (BS) is a professional degree for students who are interested in teaching music in K-12 schools. This intensive four-year degree leading to teacher licensure prepares students to become professional music educators. Entrance to the Music Education (BS) program requires a successful Music Arts Supplement and a live interview with an audition. 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. 

Students applying to the Music Education (BS) program should follow these application procedures:

Part 1: Application and Music Arts Supplement

Students applying to the Music Education (BS) program should submit their Application and Music Arts Supplement well in advance of the established deadlines.

  1. Check deadlines and carefully review the Audition Information. 
  2. Apply to the University
    1. Indicate the option to submit a Music Arts Supplement when prompted on the application.
    2. List the Music Education (BS) degree program as major choice 1 when prompted on the application. 
  3. Submit the Music Arts Supplement: The Music Arts Supplement is a digital portfolio that consists of a questionnaire and video audition. Shortly after a student has submitted the application, the Office of Undergraduate Admission will electronically deliver login credentials that the student will use to access their applicant portal. This is also the place where the student can track the status of their application. If these do not arrive within a few days, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Part 2: Interview and Audition

Applicants to the Music Education (BS) program must complete a live interview and audition as a component to the Music Arts Supplement. 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 appointment from the links below.

Early Action/Decision Applicants

December 2, 2023

Regular Decision Applicants

February 10, 2024

  • Booking link available soon

February 17, 2024

  • Booking link available soon

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).

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 March 20. 

Connect With Us

Let us know your goals, schedule a visit, attend a music overview (during an open house), or request a trial lesson:

Non-majors

We welcome you! Explore the many ways to keep music in your life while you are a student at CWRU. Consider joining an ensemble, pursuing a secondary major or minor in music, or taking one of our many general education classes.