Music scholarship and admission auditions 2026
Scholarship auditions at Oregon State are open to all interested students, with funds primarily awarded to those seeking to major or minor in music. In addition, the auditions are for students interested in gaining admission to the Bachelor of Music degree program.
Music auditions are performance-based, for applicants to display musical skills in piano, guitar, strings, winds, percussion, and voice. Scholarship offers may either be one-year or multi-year agreements and come with required performance expectations such as participation in studio lessons and ensembles, as well as academic requirements such as declaring a minor or a major in music, maintaining a grade point average and being a fulltime student.
Performance-based music scholarships require an application submitted to Acceptd, a performance audition, and acceptance to OSU. If you have not already done so, apply to be accepted to OSU.
Scholarship Dates
Scholarship and Admissions Auditions for consideration in the Fall of 2026 are on the following dates.
Monday, February 16. Winds/Percussion/Strings only
- In Person: 10:00 am-noon & 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
- Virtual: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Saturday, February 21. All Performance Areas
- Piano/Guitar – In person. 10:00am-noon.
- Vocal – In person. 10:00 am – noon & 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Virtual. 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Winds/Percussion/Strings
- In person. 9:00 am – noon
Sunday, February 22.
- Piano/Guitar – In person. 10:00am-noon.
- Virtual. 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
- Vocal –1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Virtual. 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Winds/Percussion/Strings
- In person. 10:00 am – noon & 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
- Virtual. 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
After you complete the Accepdt application, you will be prompted to select a time that fits your performance area and your availability.
Start your OSU Acceptd Application
Other scholarship opportunities are available through the university. It is to your advantage to apply for early admission to the university to be eligible and considered for other scholarships. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Applying for Admission to the Bachelor of Music program and Music Scholarship Consideration
Students wishing to join the Bachelor of Music degree program or be considered for a music scholarship should follow the following steps.
- Apply for admission to Oregon State University. No action can be taken regarding admission or scholarship decisions until the applicant has been admitted to the university.
- Apply for admission to the Bachelor of Music program and/or music consideration through Acceptd. There is a $35 nonrefundable fee to submit an Acceptd application to Oregon State University Music. This is in addition to the general university admissions application fee. Music application fee waivers are available to applicants who qualify. Visit Acceptd to learn about their fee waiver policy. Fee waivers are subject to approval by the Acceptd Support Manager and are granted based on proper documentation, only if provided in advance to the submission of the application. Acceptd maintains a no-refund policy. Please allow 24 - 48 hours for a response to any fee waiver inquiries.
- Audition live Oregon State University faculty. 2026 auditions have been scheduled for February 16, February 21 & 22. You may elect to audition in person or virtually.
- Additionally, students planning to enter in the Fall of 2025 can schedule an audition as needed.
The music scholarship audition will consist of:
- A performance of up to 10 minutes of solo literature on your instrument or voice. A collaborative pianist will be provided for voice auditions. Include two works/songs of contrasting musical styles. Jazz players will be required to demonstrate classical music ability.
- You may also demonstrate your ability on a secondary instrument, but the main criteria for scholarship awards will be based on your primary instrument performance.
- An interview about your background and aspirations.
- A short sight-reading exercise.
Music Area Faculty Coordinators
We welcome your interest in music at Oregon State University. If you have questions regarding our programs, the scholarship audition procedure, or any other matter, please feel free to contact one of our area directors.
- Dr. Robert Brudvig – Orchestral Activities, Strings, Percussion & Coordinator of Music
- Dr. Jason Fick – Music Technology
- Dr. Nick Larson - Vocal Studies
- Dr. Erik Leung - Bands
- Elizabeth Moss - Piano Studies
- Dr. Cameron O'Connor – Guitar
- Dr. Dana Reason – Contemporary Music Industry
- Dr. Steven Zielke - Choral Studies & Scholarship Coordinator
Suggested Repertoire and Area-Specific Instructions
General Requirements-Vocalists
You should prepare two contrasting songs. One song in a language different than English is encouraged, but not required. The second selection may be in a different style, such as musical theater. A collaborative pianist will be provided, although if you prefer, you may bring your own accompanist. The use of backing tracks is not preferred. Please bring sheet music for the collaborative pianist. The sight singing exercise will be of simple melodies, and you may use the system of your choice, such as solfège or numbers.
General Requirements-Pianists
Prepare two advanced contrasting pieces from this list or something similar. New age, contemporary, and pop music are not acceptable substitutes.
- A Bach Prelude and Fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier or a Two/Three Part Invention (or equivalent)
- One movement from a Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven (or equivalent)
- Either a 19th-century or 20th-century piano work
We welcome and encourage works by underrepresented composers.
Students auditioning for a scholarship will be asked to sight-read a short excerpt.
General Requirements-Music Technology and Production
Please submit two characteristic creative works. This could include original compositions, songs, sound design, engineered projects, and other audio products. A follow-up Zoom interview with a MTP staff member will be scheduled with each candidate.
General Requirements-Contemporary Music Industry
Auditions are not required to enter the program. Prospective students, however, are encouraged to apply for scholarship assistance by submitting an original composition or songs for consideration.
General Requirements-Instrumentalists
You should perform two contrasting styles (one slow and lyrical, the other faster and technical). In addition, you will be asked to play scales up to 5 sharps and 5 flats. Percussionists auditioning on snare drum will be asked to play rudiments.
Below are suggestions for pieces appropriate for college-level music auditions. You may select from this list or choose another piece at the same level as those listed here. If you have specific questions about which piece you should perform, please consult with your band director or feel free to contact the OSU studio teacher on your instrument.
Flute
J.S. Bach, Sonata in E Major
J.S. Bach, Sonata in E minor
W.A. Mozart, Concerto in G Major
W.A. Mozart, Concerto in D Major
Howard Hanson, Serenade
Claude Debussy, Syrinx
Eric Ewazen, Night in New Orleans
Francis Poulenc, Un Joueur de Flute
Clarinet
W.A. Mozart, Concerto in A Major
C.M. von Weber, Concerto in F minor
C.M. von Weber, Concertino Clarinet
Francis Poulenc, Sonata Clarinet
Rose, 32 Etudes (choose 2 contrasting styles)
Rose, 40 Etudes (choose 2 contrasting styles)
Oboe
G.F. Handel, Six Partitas
Marcello, Concerto
Schumann, Three Romances
W.A. Mozart, Concerto
Bassoon
Saint-Saens, Concerto in B-flat
W.A. Mozart, Concerto Bassoon
Hummel, Concerto Bassoon
Any Saxophones
Bozza, Eugene, “Improvisation et Caprice”
Ferling, Wilhelm, “48 Famous Studies” (any slow/fast pair)
Alto or Baritone Saxophone
Bach, J.S./arr. Mule, M., “Sonata” No. 4 (flute)
Benson, Warren, “Concertino” (Aeolian Song)
Creston, Paul, “Sonata”
d'Indy, Vincent, “Choral Varié”
Glazunov, Alexander, “Concerto”
Ibert, Jacques, “Concertino da Camera”
Lantier, Pierre, “Sicilienne”
Rueff, Jeanine, “Chanson et Passepied”
Tomasi, Henri, “Ballade”
Soprano or Tenor Saxophone
Bach, J.S., “Sonata” in G minor
Clerisse, Robert, “Reverie”
Massenet, Jules/arr. Davis, S., “Meditation from Thaïs”
Villa-Lobos, Heitor, “Fantasia”
Tenor Saxophone
Bach, J.S./arr. Mule, M., “Suite in C, Bourrée”
Duckworth, William, “A Ballad in Time and Space”
Lacour, Guy, “Piece Concertante”
Schmidt, William, “Sonatina”
Singelée, J.B., “Solo de Concert”, op. 83
Baritone Saxophone
Bozza, Eugene, “Divertissement”
Singelée, J.B., “Allegro Spiritoso”
Tchaikovsky, P., “Impromptu”
Walters, Harold, “Forty Fathoms”
Trumpet
Arban, Complete Conservatory Method
Hummel, Concerto in Eb or E
Haydn, Concerto in Eb
Halsey Stevens, Sonata
Brandt, Technical Studies
Charlier, Etudes Trumpet
Horn
W.A. Mozart, Concertos 1,2,3,4
Strauss, Concerto No. 1 or 2
Schumann, Adagio and Allegro
Gliere, Concerto
Trombone
Guilmant, Moreceau Symphonique
Barat, Andante and Allegro
Jacob, Concerto Trombone
Melodius Etudes Book 1, Choose 1 (one)
Euphonium
Barat, Introduction and Dance
Bellstedt, Napoli
Guilmant, Morceau Symphonique
Saint-Saens, Morceau du Concours
Panofka 24 Progressive Vocalises Trombone, Choose 2 (two) contrasting styles
Tyrell 40 Progressive Studies Trombone, Choose 2 (two) contrasting styles
Tuba
Advanced Studies BBb Bass
Jacobs, Concone Solfeggi Tuba
Vivaldi, Sonata No. 3
J.S. Bach, Air and Bourree
G.F. Handel, Larghetto and Allegro
Choose 2 (two) Contrasting Styles,
Percussion
Snare, Cirone - Etudes from Portraits in Rhythm
Snare, Delecluse - Etudes from Douze Etudes
Mallet, Any 2 or 4 mallet solo
Mallet, Any etude from Goldenberg Modern School Xylophone, Marimba and Vibraphone
Timpani, Etude from Goodman Modern Method Timpani
Violin
Haydn, Concerto (1 movement)
Kabalevsky, Concerto (1 movement)
Mozart, Concerto (1 movement)
Mendelssohn, Concerto (1 movement)
J.S. Bach, Any Solo Sonata or Partita
Cello
Haydn, Sonata in C Major
Haydn, Sonata in G Major
J.S. Bach, Cello Suites
Saint-Saens, Concerto
Faure, Elegy
Double Bass
Marcello, Sonata in E minor
Corelli, Sonata in D minor
Vivaldi, Sonata No.3 in A minor
Capuzzi, Concerto in D Major
Guitar
Contact Dr. Cameron O'Connor if you have questions.
Suggested repertoire
Excerpts from Frederick Noad's Solo Guitar Playing, vol. 1
Leo Brouwer, Estudios Sencillos
Hirokazu Sato, Selections from Simple Songs
Fernando Sor, Selections from Op. 60 and 35
Selections from Parkening Method, books 1 and 2,
Tarrega, Preludes and Mazurkas (Lagrima, Adelita)
J.S. Bach, Selections from Cello Suites
Various pop or jazz fingerstyle arrangements
The Launchpad Scholars Program invites all First Gen, first-term, first-year Liberal Arts students to a training session for writing successful scholarship applications.