Undergraduate Applications

Music Arts Supplement Review

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

Important Dates

The Department of Music will evaluate your Music Arts Supplement to determine eligibility for the Music (BA) or Music Education (BS) major and scholarship opportunities, including the Performing Arts Scholarship and Arts Achievement Award. All submissions must meet the audition requirements for your primary instrument or voice.

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 February 1 will be considered.

Early Action or Early Decision applicants who miss the November 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 February 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: Start by reviewing all deadlines and specific Audition Information for your primary instrument or voice to ensure you're fully prepared.
2. Apply to Case Western Reserve University: Complete your application to CWRU.
3. Declare Your Interest
   • If you're applying for the Music (BA) or Secondary Major, choose Music (BA) as your first or second intended major.
   • For the Arts Achievement Award (music minors or non-majors), please don't select a music degree program as your intended major.
4. Indicate Music Arts Supplement Submission: When prompted on the application, select the option to submit a Music Arts Supplement.
5. Submit the Music Arts Supplement: After completing your CWRU application, you'll receive login credentials for your applicant portal, where you can fill out the questionnaire and upload audition video(s), and track your application status. If you don't receive portal access within a few days, reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

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.

Music Education (BS) Applicants

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

1. Check Deadlines and Review Audition Information: Start by reviewing all deadlines and specific Audition Information for your primary instrument or voice to ensure you're fully prepared.
2. Apply to Case Western Reserve University: Complete your application to CWRU.
3. Declare Your Interest
   • If you're applying for the Music Education Major (BS), choose Music Education (BS) as your first intended major.
4. Indicate Music Arts Supplement Submission: When prompted on the application, select the option to submit a Music Arts Supplement.
5. Submit the Music Arts Supplement: After completing your CWRU application, you'll receive login credentials for your applicant portal, where you can fill out the questionnaire and upload audition video(s), and track your application status. If you don't receive portal access within a few days, reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
6. Applicants to the Music Education (BS) major must also complete a live interview and audition as part of the admission process. You have two options:
   • On-Campus Interview with Live Performance Audition: Meet with faculty in person and perform your audition live on campus
   • Online Interview with Pre-Recorded Audition: Complete the interview online and submit a pre-recorded performance audition. You will receive instructions for providing your video(s) after requesting an appointment.

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

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).

Admission and Notification Timeline

• Admission Notification: The Office of Undergraduate Admission will inform applicants about their university admission status by the posted notification dates.
• Department of Music Entrance Decision: After admission to CWRU, the Department of Music will finalize your entrance decision for the Music (BA) or Music Education (BS) major.
• Scholarship Notification: Applicants awarded a music scholarship will be notified on or around April 1.

Admitted students who successfully pass the Music Arts Supplement may declare the Music (BA) major, even if a different major was initially indicated on their application.

Placement Exams for Incoming Students

Incoming undergraduate music majors will take:

• A diagnostic music theory exam
• A sight-singing placement exam

Both music theory placement exams are administered online before orientation and determine placement into the appropriate music theory course.

Post-Admission Auditions

Current or incoming CWRU students interested in adding the music major (before their second semester) should contact:

• Music Education (BS): Dr. Ryan Scherber, Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies in Music Education (BS)
• Music (BA): Dr. Benjamin Helton, Acting Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies in Music (BA)