Application and Audition Process

Welcome!

Whether you want to major in music, minor in music, or simply audition for a music scholarship, there is one process to follow. All prospective students, both new and transfer, must complete the steps listed below.

Prospective GRADUATE STUDENTS should fill out the Music Department Application below (Step 2), but also contact the applied faculty member directly via e-mail.

Master of Music in Performance students are the only students that apply and audition BEFORE University acceptance.

All Applicants should complete these steps:

Step 1: Complete your application to Lamar University and be accepted. Start here!

Step 2: Once admitted to LU, submit the Music Department Application.

Step 3: Once admitted to LU, go to the LU Scholarship page and fill out these two scholarship applications:

  1. Lamar University General Scholarship Application 2023-24
  2. Music Department Scholarship Application 2023-24

Step 4: Attend Your Audition Day

Dr. Eric Shannon coordinates the auditions. Please contact him if you have questions.

 

Audition Days

Audition Day Explanation and General Information Sheet

 

What should you play or sing for your audition?

Instrumental & Piano Vocal Area Percussion
 

 

Audition Days take place on the LU Campus in the James M. "Jimmy" and Susan Simmons Music Building. They begin in the lobby with check-in at 9:00 a.m. Audition Days usually conclude by 12:30 p.m.

Note: We do not assign audition times. The reason is because we administer the music theory and piano assessments first (non-major scholarship applicants do not take these assessments). Because different students finish their assessments at different times, it creates a natural flow of who is ready to audition next. This flexibility allows us to be maximally efficient with applicants' time.

Spring 2024 Entrance:

  • December 2, 2023

Fall 2024 Entrance:

  • December 2, 2023
  • February 17, 2024
  • March 9, 2024
  • April 13, 2024 

Important:

  • Students must be accepted to Lamar University before they can apply to the LU Music Department. 
    • Master of Music in Performance is the only exception. MM Perf. students apply and audition before University acceptance. Enter L0000000 as your L# in the Music Department application.
  • Students must be accepted to Lamar University before they can perform an audition.
    • Master of Music in Performance is the only exception. MM Perf. students audition before University acceptance.
  • Students cannot be admitted to the music program or receive a music scholarship offer until they have auditioned.

 

Admission Results

How you will find out the results of your application/audition?

After your application has been received and you have submitted your audition video(s), you will receive an e-mail from "musicauditions@lamar.edu." This e-mail will let you know whether you were admitted to the Music Department or not. There will be one of three outcomes:

  1. Accepted with Scholarship Offer (the offer amount will be displayed)
  2. Accepted but with No Scholarship Offer
  3. Not Accepted

Each e-mail will have instructions for what to do next. Depending on the outcome, they will also contain options for other ways to participate in our music ensembles if admission to the Department is not granted.

How will you receive a Scholarship Offer?

If you receive a Department Acceptance E-mail stating that you are "Accepted with Scholarship Offer" you will receive a second e-mail with the official scholarship offer from the MyScholarship portal. It will be sent to your "@lamar.edu" e-mail address. This is why it is so important for you to setup your LU e-mail and complete the "Music Department Scholarship Application" in the MyScholarship portal (along with the "General Scholarship Application"). 

When will you receive a Scholarship Offer?

Acceptance E-mails will be sent within 10-14 days of your audition, however, Scholarship Offer E-mails may require a few more weeks to be sent to you. 

No admission results or scholarship offers will be made in-person or on the day you audition.

 


Music Theory and Piano Placement Exam Study Guides:

In addition to the audition, all prospective majors and minors will be given a theory placement exam and a piano placement exam (music minors and students whose principal instrument is piano are exempt from the piano placement exam). This is to determine the student's appropriate class level in music theory and class piano. Neither of these exams influences scholarships or admission to the music department. These tests merely determine which class section the student will be placed in during the first semester.

Music Theory Placement Exam Study Guides:

Theory Placement Information Sheet

Theory Placement Practice Exam

Answer Key


Piano Placement Exam Study Guide:

Piano Placement Exam/Proficiency Requirements Information Sheet

 


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