Application & Audition Information

for Music Majors entering the Department of Music 

Bucknell University offers two music degree programs, the Bachelor of Music and the Bachelor of Arts in Music. The Bachelor of Arts music major is a general program of study within the liberal arts designed to equip students with a broad background in music, while the Bachelor of Music degree is a more highly-specialized program of study in which students choose from individualized professional programs in performance, composition, and music education.

All music candidates need to complete and submit the Arts Merits Scholarship on-line registration form (link only available August 1 - December 1), regardless of their interest in these competitive scholarships.

An audition is required for admission to all music degree programs, including the three Bachelor of Music degree programs and the Bachelor of Arts program. The music faculty will submit their recommendations for scholarships to the Arts Merit Scholarship Committee after the completion of the audition requirements. Admissions considers any application incomplete until the audition requirements are satisfied.

Early Decision Candidates

Early decision applicants must submit the following materials to the Department of Music by October 1, 2012:

• Department of Music Audition Form
• Score samples (for intended composition majors only)

The Arts Merits Scholarship registration form, Common Application, and Bucknell Application Supplement must be submitted to Admissions by November 15, 2012.

Please note that auditions for Early Decision 1 candidates MUST occur before November 15, 2012. Auditions are scheduled through Brenda Ross (see contact information below).

Regular Decision Candidates

Regular decision applicants must submit the following materials to the Department of Music between September 1, 2012 and December 1, 2012:

• Department of Music Audition Form
• Score samples (for intended composition majors only)

The Arts Merit Scholarship registration form, Common Application, and Bucknell Application Supplement must be submitted to Admissions between September 1, 2012 and December 1, 2012.

Invitations to audition will be offered to all candidates judged eligible following the Admissions Department pre-screening process. Regular decision music candidates have a choice of the following audition dates:

• Saturday, January 26, 2013
• Saturday, February 9, 2013
• Snow Date: Saturday, February 16, 2013

Audition Day Details for ALL Candidates

On the audition day, the student will:

• Perform two or three pieces from different historical periods. These should be works that best represent the applicant’s technical and interpretative skills. Please see the suggested audition materials.
• Singers must send copies of audition music to the Department of Music by mail or fax (570-577-1215) at least two weeks prior to the audition date. The Department of Music provides the accompanist at no cost to the applicant.
• Attend personal interview with music faculty
• Composition candidates: Submit samples of compositions

Note: Please do NOT send audition recordings.