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 Admissions

Application
  • Application - The School of Music encourages all applicants to submit an online application.
  • Complete and sign the application.
  • Mail the application to the Office of Admissions along with the nonrefundable application fee. Applications received without the application fee will be returned.
$60 for U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents. $110 for international applicants (applicants who do not hold U.S. citizenship).
    • If submitting an online application, print, sign and mail to the Office of Admissions the Application Agreement Statement immediately after submitting the application.

    Application Information in Admissions

    School of Music Requirements
    • A resume detailing the applicant’s artistic experience and educational objectives. Include the names of private teachers, their address, and number of years you have studied with each individual.
    • A complete repertoire list (title and composer).
    • A list of audition repertoire (title and composer).
    • A statement of intent no longer than one page in length stating why you wish to attend NCSA.
    • Recommendation Letters:
      • Two (2) letters of recommendation are required.
        • One (1) letter is to come from an arts instructor
        • One (1) letter is to come from an academic instructor.
        • Applicants who are no longer enrolled in college and do not have contact with an academic or arts instructor should have a letter of recommendation from an employer, mentor, instructor, etc.
      • All letters are to be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions to be placed in the applicant’s file. Always list the Office of Admissions as the recipient.

        Note: A form is provided for recommendations. All recommendations should be dated and signed by the writer and mailed directly to the Office of Admissions. Materials that do not bear the Office of Admissions as the recipient may be sent to other departments.
    • Transcripts:
      • Graduate applicants must supply an official transcript.
      • If currently enrolled in college, the applicant must supply a list of the courses in progress.

    Auditions
    Scheduling an Audition
    • Applicants must audition either in person or by audio or video recording.
    • Applicants must write the date they choose to audition on the application.
    • Applicants are encouraged to audition early for priority consideration for merit scholarship (see audition dates for specific information).
    • Applicants are encouraged to provide all required documentation prior to their audition.
    • Written confirmation of the audition date, time and location will be mailed to the applicant from the Office of Admissions after the application has been processed. Please allow ten working days for processing.
    • Auditions will not be scheduled by phone.
    • Applicants are encouraged to submit their application by the suggested deadline listed to secure the audition date desired and allow time for travel arrangements.
    • If applicant has made individual arrangement with the School of Music or a faculty member the applicant should write this on the application.
    • The North Carolina School of the Arts reserves the right to cancel and reschedule auditions, or make other arrangements with the applicant. If weather prohibits an audition from being held the cancellation notice will be placed on www.uncsa.edu.
    • The School of Music requires all candidates to audition either live or by sending an audio or video recording. Audition Requirements are listed for each instrument.


    Audio or Video Auditions

    • Auditioning in person is strongly recommended.
    • Applicants unableto attend on-campus auditions may submit a recording of the required audition repertoire.
    • Audio or video auditions must be accompanied by a completed and signed application.
    • All recordings should include the following: name, address and audition program.
    • All recordings must be compatible with United States audio-video equipment. DVD or CD format only.
    • Recordings will only be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed and postage-paid envelope at the time of  application.
    • Applicants submitting recorded auditions may, in exceptional cases, be asked to come for a live audition.

    Audition Requirements

    For more specific audition repertoire information please contact the respective faculty.

    VIOLIN, VIOLA, VIOLONCELLO
    Graduate
    A Bach cello suite
    A major solo from the 20th century
    An unaccompanied work from the 20th century (e.g. Hartley Sonata Breve)
    Orchestral excerpts and/or jazz improvisation

    DOUBLE BASS
    Graduate
    Two contrasting works.  One demonstrating lyricism, and another demonstrating more virtuosic technique.  
    The first and second movement of a standard concerto are good examples of suitable audition pieces.  
    Please contact Professor Sharpe if you have questions regarding specific repertoire.

    FLUTE
    Graduate
    J. Ibert Concerto (or equivalent - first movement by memory)
    One JS Bach Sonata One Mozart Concerto (first movement by memory)
    One Paris Conservatoire Piece (as from the Flute Music by French Composers book - Schirmer)
    Five Standard Orchestral Excerpts (as from the Baxtresser book)
    Scales and Etudes (like Paganini Caprices)
    Sight-Reading.


    CLARINET
    Graduate
    Three selections that should include but not be limited to a complete sonata or concerto
    A work composed in the last fifty years
    Demonstrate the ability to site read.


    OBOE
    Graduate
    Three selections that should include but not be limited to a complete sonata or concerto
    A work composed in the last fifty years
    Demonstrate the ability to sight-read.

    BASSOON
    Graduate
    Two contrasting movements of a standard concerto, sonata or solo work
    One Milde Concert Study or equivalent etude
    A work composed in the last fifty years
    A minimum of four contrasting standard orchestral excerpts

    SAXOPHONE
    Graduate
    Three selections that should include but not be limited to a complete sonata or concerto
    A work composed in the last fifty years
    Demonstrate the ability to sight-read.

    FRENCH HORN
    Graduate
    Three selections that should include but not be limited to a complete sonata or concerto
    A work composed in the last fifty years
    Demonstrate the ability to sight-read.

    TRUMPET
    Graduate
    • Haydn OR Hummel — all
    • Complete trumpet work from the last fifty years
    • 5-7 standard orchestral excerpts, including piccolo trumpet
    • Familiarity with high horns and transposition required
    • Sight-reading

    TROMBONE
    Graduate
    Albrechtsberger or Wagenseil concerto
    A major solo from the 20th century
    An unaccompanied work utilizing extended performance technique (e.g. Berio Sequenza)
    Orchestra excerpts and/or jazz improvisation

    BASS TROMBONE
    Graduate
    A Bach cello suite
    A major solo from the 20th century
    An unaccompanied work from the 20th century (e.g. Hartley Sonata Breve)
    Orchestral excerpts and/or jazz improvisation

    TUBA
    Graduate
    Three selections that should include but not be limited to a complete sonata or concerto
    A work composed in the last fifty years
    Demonstrate the ability to sight-read

    PERCUSSION
    Graduate
    Master’s degree applicants should prepare at least one orchestral excerpt on snare drum, timpani, and xylophone, and should demonstrate proficiency in four-mallet keyboard performance using standard concert repertoire for the marimba. This may include, but is not limited to, solos by Abe, Musser, Stout, Stevens, Miki, Tanaka, Burritt, Norton, Ford, or other composers who have written for solo marimba.

    Suggested audition material for the graduate program includes, but is not limited to the following composers:
    Snare Drum: Cirone, Peters (Advanced Etudes), Pratt, Wilcoxen, Firth, Albright, Delecluse>br> Timpani: Firth, Hochrainer, Goodman, Hinger, Friese/Lepak, Delecluse
    Keyboard: Musser, Bach, Stout, Delecluse, Green

    GUITAR
    Graduate
    A 25-30 minute program of contrasting solo concert works performed from memory
    Demonstrate the ability to sight-read.

    ORGAN
    Graduate
    One composition from the 17th or early 18th century
    A Fantasia, Prelude, or Toccata and Fugue by JS Bach
    One composition from the Romantic period
    One composition from the 20th – 21st century

    VOICE
    Graduate
    Graduate Voice Applicants: visit the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute website for information
    regarding the application process. The site is www.fletcheropera.com.
    Deadline: December 7, 2007.

    CONDUCTING
    Graduate
    Applicants must contact the School of Music directly at (336) 770-3260 to determine if space is available in the Conducting Program.
    Applicants will be expected to demonstrate conducting talent and skill in sight-singing and score-reading.
    The conducting applicant should possess the ability to perform standard chamber music on an instrument of his or her choice.

    COMPOSITION
    Graduate
    Submit 3 to 4 representative scores, with recordings whenever possible
    Submit a sample of your writing on a musical subject (e.g., an analysis of a composition or a paper on a music history topic).
    Submit a statement of purpose describing your experience, goals and career interest as a professional composer.


    PIANO
    Graduate
    One composition by JS Bach (Toccata, Partita, French or English Suite)
    A complete classical sonata
    A major Romantic work (e.g. Chopin Ballade, Scherzo, Sonata, Schumann Fantasy, Carnaval, or a work of Liszt or Brahms)
    An etude by Chopin, Liszt, Skryabin, Rachmaninoff, etc.
    One work of the applicant’s choice
    All compositions must be performed from memory.

    COLLABORATIVE PIANO
    Graduate
    Applicants should contact Dr. Allison Gagnon, director of the Collaborative Piano
    Program, to finalize repertoire selection and partnering arrangements for the live audition. The audition should include:
    At least one selection with voice
    At least one selection with instrument
    One solo piano selection
    The program should present a variety of musical styles and collaborative situations. The audition will also include a short quick-study (music provided within 24 hours prepared onsite with a partner), sight reading, and a short interview.

    Auditions

    All auditions are held on the campus of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

    Applicants check in at 8 am at Watson Hall and may expect to spend the entire day on campus. Audition times are assigned at check-in.

    Brass applicants should call the School of Music at 336-770-3260 to schedule an audition. The Office of Admissions does not schedule brass auditions.

    Voice applicants visit www.fletcheropera.com for audition dates and locations.

    Instrumental and Composition Auditions

    Audition Dates Application Deadline
    Friday, January 15, 2010*  December 4, 2009
    Friday, February 5, 2010*   January 8, 2010
    Friday, February 26, 2010*  January 29, 2010
    Friday, April 9, 2010     March 19, 2010
    Friday, May 7, 2010  April 16, 2010

    *Priority for merit scholarship consideration will be given to applicants who audition between January 15 and February 26, 2009.

    International Applicants (applicants who do not hold United States citizenship)

    APPLICATION

    1. Complete a paper application or download an application from the following link: http://www.uncsa.edu/admissions/application.htm. 
    2. Submit with the application a nonrefundable application fee of $110 payable in U.S. dollars. 
    3. Checks or money orders should be made payable to UNCSA. 
    4. U.S. dollar checks accepted only from: Canada, England, France, Germany and Switzerland.
    5. Wiring instructions are available on this link: http://www.uncsa.edu/studentaccounts/wiring%20procedures.pdf.
    6. Complete the Required International Student Questions.

     

    TRANSCRIPTS

    1. Course work completed at institutions outside U.S. must be submitted with a notarized or certified English translation.  An accredited foreign educational credential evaluation service may also be used. 
    2. Submit an official translation in English of courses in which the applicant is enrolled at the time of application.

    TEST SCORES

    1. An official TOEFL score is required of all international applicants to the undergraduate program for whom English is not the first language.
    2. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 (paper-based) and 213 (computer-based).  The internet based test is evaluated on an individual basis.

    RESUME

    1. Each applicant provides a resume detailing artistic experience and educational objectives In addition to the above, School of Dance applicants must include on their resume the name of dance instructors, their addresses, dates of study and number of hours per week of study.

    OTHER DOCUMENTS

    1. Permanent Resident should send a copy of both sides of your permanent resident paperwork.
    2. A copy of your current passport.
    3. If you hold a visa and/or I-20 provide a copy.
    4. Verification of sufficient funds to cover the first year of enrollment or affidavit of support from a bank or sponsor is required.
    5. A completed UNC School of the Arts Financial Statement Form must be completed by the applicant and can be accessed on www.uncsa.edu/admissions/guidelines.

    Notification of Decision
    • Decisions concerning admission are made only after all candidates have auditioned.
    • The Admissions Review Committee (the Office of Admissions and Student Life) will review applicant files that are recommended for acceptance and make the final admission decision.
    • All required documentation must be on file in order for recommended applicants to be considered by the committee.
    • Notification of admission decisions will come from the Office of Admissions and will be made in writing. No decisions will be given over the phone or email.

    Other Requirements
    • If submitting an online application, print, sign and mail to the Office of Admissions immediately after submitting the application the Application Agreement Statement.
    • Complete and sign the Provision of Social Security Number form provided with the application.
    • Complete the top section of the Mandatory Information Form, sign and give the form to your guidance counselor or college advisor. If currently not enrolled in school, the form may be given to an employer, mentor, instructor, etc.
    • Signatures of family members or legal guardians will not be accepted. Form is required of ALL APPLICANTS.

    Final Steps
    • For your records keep copies of the application and all materials mailed to the Office of Admissions. Items can get lost in the mail.
    • Always address materials to the following mailing address:
      Office of Admissions
      North Carolina School of the Arts
      1533 S. Main St.
      Winston-Salem, NC 27127
    • Materials mailed to the North Carolina School of the Arts only may be distributed to other departments and delay processing of your application.