Admissions

gospel choir

Interested in studying music at UNC Charlotte? Fill out our interest form so we can send you information on your specific interests. And, we invite you to be a Music Major at UNC Charlotte for a day on October 9. Attend classes, play or sing in ensembles, meet faculty, and have lunch with current students. Details and registration here



9:1

student to teacher ratio in the College of Arts + Architecture

2 DEGREES

1 major. 7 concentrations. 1 minor. 2 certificates.

183

students enrolled in the Department of Music


AUDITIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

Admission to degree programs in the Department of Music requires an entrance audition and is contingent upon acceptance into the University. However, acceptance into the University is not required prior to your music audition. We will be holding in-person auditions for music majors and select minors throughout the year. Please note, we are not accepting auditions for minors in voice or percussion at this time. 

In-Person Audition Dates (2023-2024):

Alternate date auditions are available until Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Video auditions are accepted throughout the year with a submission deadline by Monday, August 5, 2024 for entrance to the Department in Fall 2024.

  • Saturday, January 20, 2024
  • Saturday, February 10, 2024 (scholarship consideration deadline)
  • Saturday, March 16, 2024

Requesting Your Audition

 Future Niners: These procedures are for first-year and transfer applicants.
  • Step 1: Complete an admissions application to UNC Charlotte and create your Future 49er account. We suggest applicants submit their university application by November 1st which is the submission deadline to receive a decision by January 30th.
  • Step 2: Review the Audition Requirements (see below) for the degree, instrument area, and level you intend to pursue to prepare for your audition.
  • Step 3: Using your Future 49er login credentials, request your audition (this includes video auditions) at least one week prior to the audition dateIt is very important that you select an audition time for your instrument area (i.e., brass, percussion, piano/organ, strings, vocal, woodwinds) from the options listed. If you would like to request an alternate audition date or if there are no available times for your instrument area on the date you would like to audition please email the Associate Chair, Dr. Jennifer Whitaker.  Additional information (e.g., campus map, parking instructions, driving directions) and reminder emails will be sent via email.
  • Step 4: Complete your audition. You will receive your results through your Future 49er portal within 10 business days. 
Current Niners: These procedures are for current Charlotte undergraduate students (non-music majors) who wish to apply to a new degree program in the Department of Music. A new university application is not required. 
  • Step 1: Review the Audition Requirements (see below) for the degree and instrument area you intend to pursue to prepare for your audition.
  • Step 2: Request your audition (this includes video auditions) at least one week prior to the audition dateIt is very important that you select an audition time for your instrument area (i.e., brass, percussion, piano/organ, strings, vocal, woodwinds) from the options listed. If you would like to request an alternate audition date or if there are no available times for your instrument area on the date you would like to audition please email the Associate Chair, Dr. Jennifer Whitaker.
  • Step 3: Complete your audition. You will receive your results via your Niner email account within 10 business days. 

Scholarships: In order to be considered for a music scholarship, interested students must create a profile in the NinerScholars Portal and audition by the scholarship consideration date listed above. Additional information is available on our Scholarships page.

Audition Repertoire: Students auditioning for the BA degree in Music or the Minor in Music should prepare one short piece of the student’s choosing following the Audition Repertoire for Bachelor of Arts Degree or Music Performance Minor Guidelines. Students auditioning for any concentration within the Bachelor of Music degree who have fewer than four semesters of college-level lessons should follow the Repertoire Guidelines (Freshman/Sophomore Level). Students auditioning for any concentration within the BM degree who have four or more semesters of college-level lessons should follow the Repertoire Guidelines (Junior/Senior Level)

Inclement Weather (In-Person Auditions): In the event of inclement weather, please check the UNC Charlotte homepage. If the campus is closed, all auditions will be postponed until the next audition date. If the campus is not closed, then the auditions will proceed as planned.  If you do not feel safe driving to campus, you may reschedule your audition by completing a new Request for Audition Form as soon as possible.

Recorded Auditions: A live audition is preferable, but prospective students may request to audition via video recording. Students submitting a video will follow the same procedure as scheduling an audition, but will include a link to a video that meets the Audition Repertoire Guidelines provided above. Complete the relevant process outlined above in Requesting Your Audition. Contact the Associate Chair, Dr. Jennifer Whitaker, with any questions.


CAMPUS EVENTS & TOURS

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MUSIC MAJOR FOR A DAY

The best way to discover what makes the college music experience at UNC Charlotte so special is to experience it for yourself! We will happily schedule opportunities for you to meet with professors, tour our facilities, observe a rehearsal, check out a college music class, meet current music students, and even schedule a free lesson with one of our outstanding faculty members! Check out our Music Major Preview Day on October 9!

If you want to visit us, please contact Associate Chair Dr. Jennifer Whitaker. Get a head start and check out our facilities, here!


CAMPUS TOURS

We strongly encourage you to visit our beautiful campus, take a tour, and attend the many concerts, recitals, and special events that we host throughout the year. Plan your visit and register for a campus tour with our office of undergraduate admissions! Your tour experience will highlight Charlotte’s robust 49er community, high-quality academics, and connection to the largest city in North Carolina.

New students are required to complete an orientation program over the summer before attending. The next University Open House is Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.


Transfer Students

UNC Charlotte enrolls more transfer students than any other school in North Carolina. The Department of Music is especially excited about helping you transition into our community, including facilitating the transfer of as many general education and music courses as possible from your previous institutions.

All transfer students who wish to major in music must first apply to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Once you have applied to the university, you must schedule an audition. Students with four + semesters of college-level lessons should follow these Repertoire Guidelines.

Transfer Students with A.F.A. Degrees in Music

Transfer students with Associate in Fine Arts degrees in Music who pursue the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree will be able to complete all coursework within two years at UNC Charlotte. Transfer students with A.F.A. degrees in Music who pursue either of the Music Education concentrations within the Bachelor of Music degree will take three years. The Music Performance concentrations may take two, two-and-a-half, or three years, depending on the results of each individual student’s entrance audition, which will indicate how much Advanced Applied Study will be necessary to successfully complete the Junior and Senior Recitals.

The UNC Charlotte Department of Music provides Baccalaureate Degree Plans to identify NC community college courses that lead to associate degree completion, admission into the music major, and baccalaureate completion in music. 

Transfer Students without A.F.A. Degrees in Music

Transfer students without Associate in Fine Arts degrees in Music should visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for information about the transferability of general education courses. The transferability of music courses may depend on the results of Placement Examinations that are administered during orientation.


GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT ADMISSIONS?

We encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions by email at admissions@charlotte.edu or by phone at 704-687-5507.

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!

For more information about advising, contact Performing Arts Advisor Hannah Harrell or Arts Education Specialist Tesh Ramey.