Music scholarships
Augustana College offers music scholarships to first-year and transfer students of any major. Scholarships are renewable for four years and range from $1,000-$4,000.
Note: Current Augustana students are not eligible to audition for new scholarships.
All scholarship recipients are required to take applied lessons on the audition instrument for at least one credit, or one half-hour per week, and participate in one of the major ensembles: Augustana Symphonic Band, Augustana Concert band, Augustana Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Augustana Choir, Jenny Lind and Concert Chorale.
Applicants will perform an in-person audition with music faculty on campus on the date selected. We will listen to you perform and have time to learn more about you and answer any questions. You will have the opportunity to take a tour on these days as well. Vocalists will be given tonal memory and sight-reading during the audition. See specific audition requirements below.
Audition dates
- Register for Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024
In person, in conjunction with Academic Scholarship Day - Register for Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025
In person, in conjunction with Academic Scholarship Day - Register for Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025
In person - Register for Saturday, March 15, 2025
In person
If you cannot attend one of the scheduled audition dates, please use this form to request an alternate date.
→ See audition requirements
Scholarship ranges
Music scholarship any major: $1,000-$4,000 annually, including the Deisenroth Scholarship, Morgan Scholarship, and Swanson Vocal Scholarships.
Carl B. Nelson Music Education Bonus Scholarship: $500 for students planning to major in music education. Can be added to your music scholarship. Students must intend to major in music education and have a high school GPA of at least 3.0.
Please indicate your interest on the application, and you will be scheduled for a meeting on the same day as your audition to meet with the music education faculty. You must apply for a music scholarship to be considered for this bonus award.
How to apply
Register for a date above. If you are not able to make any of the music department audition dates, please request an alternate date as soon as possible.
Application: The music application will be emailed to you directly upon registration for your music audition date and must be completed by the deadlines indicated above.
Audition: We will schedule you an audition on the day you select if the application is submitted on or before the deadline.
Notification: Applicants will receive detailed information by email concerning their audition time about two weeks before the audition.
See audition requirements and please read the FAQ below.
Audition requirements
Vocalists
We provide an accompanist for all vocal auditions, or you may bring your own. Vocalists get 5-10 minutes with the accompanist before they audition.
- Two songs of your choice in contrasting styles.
- Contest, competition, or solo performance pieces are appropriate.
- Please choose music you sing well and that shows your voice at its best.
- No more than 6 minutes total.
Woodwinds
- Two contrasting movements or etudes that best demonstrate their musicality, tone, time and technique.
- No longer than 3-4 minutes each.
Brass
- Two excerpts in contrasting styles and tempi.
- Any combination of repertoire taken from standard solo and etude literature.
- Full range chromatic scale, a major, and minor scale of your choice.
- No longer than 3-4 minutes each.
Strings
- Two excerpts in contrasting style: etudes or a movement from a sonata or concerto.
- Three octave major scale (violin, viola, cello).
- Two-octave major scale (bass).
- About 8 minutes of music in total.
- Memorization is not required, and sight reading is not required.
Harp
- Two works from contrasting style periods.
- An etude may be substituted for one of the above.
- About 8 minutes of music in total.
- Memorization is not required, and sight reading is not required.
Guitar
- One movement from a suite or sonata and one piece in a contrasting style.
- An etude by Sor, Carcassi or Villa-Lobos may be used for one of the above.
- One piece should be originally written for the guitar and the other could be a transcription.
- Three-octave major scale.
Piano
- Two works from contrasting style periods.
- Selections should be taken from standard solo piano repertoire and may not include accompaniments, music for chamber ensemble, or concertos.
- Students with experience playing in jazz styles may use a jazz composition or improvisation for one of their selections.
- Memorization is not required, but highly encouraged for all applicants.
Percussion
- Two excerpts in contrasting styles on any of the following instruments: snare drum (rudimental or concert); timpani; and marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone (two or four mallets).
- Excerpts may be performed on the same instrument, but demonstrating abilities on two or more instruments is encouraged.
- No longer than 10 minutes.
- Memorization is not required.
- Contact Dr. Tony Oliver after you apply with any questions.
- Note: Those auditioning on drum set for jazz should email Dr. Tony Oliver.
Composition
- Submit 1-3 recent compositions, recordings (if available), and a list of works.
- All composition candidates are encouraged to also submit audition materials on an applied instrument or voice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a music major?
No. With the exception of the Carl B. Nelson Music Education Scholarship, all scholarships are open to majors and non-majors.
Do I need to be accepted at Augustana in order to sign up for a visit or audition?
No. Your application for admission to Augustana College should be complete by the audition date. Please apply and set up your audition date as soon as possible, as there is limited room. Do not wait until you are accepted.
Do I have to audition to be accepted?
No. There is no audition for admission to the music program or degrees. Your acceptance to the college allows you to pursue any major. We have course requirements to ensure quality progress towards your degree.
Is this an audition for an ensemble?
No. Ensemble auditions are held the weekend before the start of classes in the fall.
Can I audition on more than one instrument?
You will be scheduled for two auditions. We do our best to schedule them within an hour or two of each other. Again, you will receive the higher of the two scholarships, as we can only award one.
How long are the auditions?
Auditions are 10-20 minutes long
Do I need an accompanist?
We provide an accompanist for all vocal auditions, or you may bring your own. Vocalists get 5-10 minutes with the accompanist before they go into the audition.
Instrumentalists may bring their own accompanist, but most audition without accompaniment. It will have no impact on your results.
Do I need to bring music or send it ahead of time?
No music is needed ahead of time.
When will I hear about my audition time?
We send a schedule approximately two weeks before the audition date.
If I receive a scholarship, what are the requirements?
All scholarship recipients are required to take applied lessons on the audition instrument for at least one credit, or one half-hour per week, and participate in one of the major ensembles. There is a fee for music lessons.
What if I cannot make one of the scheduled audition dates?
It is best to audition on a scheduled date, however if you cannot, please contact the office by email.
