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Current UF Students

Current UF students are encouraged to reach out to School of Music Advising for questions about music majors, minors, and certificates, or for other opportunities within our program. Please see Undergraduate Advising for additional resources.

Auditions are subject to studio availability. Each instrument studio has a limited number of openings. Once a studio reaches capacity, the School of Music may no longer accept applications for that instrument. 

Music Majors

Please review our available Programs and Degrees

Because of the program length, students in their third UF semester or later may not be eligible to change majors. In these cases, we recommend exploring one of our music minors. 

Music Minors & Certificate

Please review our available Programs and Degrees

Music Performance Minor and Music Performance Certificate 
An audition is required for all students applying for a music performance minor and music performance certificate. Because space may be limited, applicants should confirm availability with musicadvising@arts.ufl.edu before submitting an application and scheduling an audition. 

Jazz, Music Theory, and Music History Minor or Music Business and Entrepreneurship Certificate 
Please contact the Undergraduate Music Advising office at musicadvising@arts.ufl.edu or visit MUB Room 106 to confirm eligibility and receive instructions for pursuing a music minor. 

STEP 1: Music Application and Schedule Your Audition


AUDITION DATES:

  • First week of classes (Fall/Spring dates TBD by area) 
  • End of term juries (in December or in April – dates TBD by area) 
  • Regular Scheduled Audition Dates for incoming first-year and transfer students

Complete the School of Music Audition Application.

Audition Application

Do I need to audition?

An audition is required for all students applying to the following programs: 

  • Bachelor of Music 
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music 
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education 
  • Bachelor of Science in Music 
  • Music Performance Minors 

Students applying to the Bachelor of Science in Music Business & Entrepreneurship must also submit a portfolio. 

Note: Students must demonstrate sufficient performance ability to be admitted as a music major. 

Pre-Screening Requirement  (See step 2 for details)

Students applying to the following programs must pass a pre-screening before they are eligible to attend one of our scheduled audition dates: 

  • Piano applicants to our traditional music degree programs 
  • Music Business and Entrepreneurship applicants 

All other instruments and degree programs do not require a pre-screening and may attend their audition as scheduled. 

STEP 2: Submitting Materials 

All materials should be submitted to music@arts.ufl.edu. 

Piano Pre-Screening Requirement

Applicants interested in pursuing a traditional music degree with piano as their primary instrument must pass a pre-screening before they are eligible to attend one of our scheduled audition dates. 

Submission Deadlines:  

  • Fall 2026 Start: August 10, 2026 
  • Spring 2027 Start: TBD 

Piano applicants must submit a video recording of at least 10 minutes of recent performance (recorded within the past six months). The video should include at least one complete piece or movement, though you may include multiple works if desired. 

Requirements: 

  • Memorization is mandatory. 
  • You may perform the same pieces in your live or recorded audition (if invited), but this is not required. 
  • If submitting a recorded audition, you may reuse any or all of your pre-screening recording as part of your final submission. 
  • Videos must be submitted via a video sharing platform such as YouTube or Vimeo. Please ensure that your link settings are marked “unlisted” or “public.” 

Send video links to music@arts.ufl.edu. 

BS Music Business & Entrepreneurship Pre-Screening Requirements and Audition

Applicants interested in pursuing the BS Music Business & Entrepreneurship degree must pass a pre-screening before they are eligible to attend one of our scheduled audition dates. 

Submission Deadlines:  

  • Fall 2027 Start: November 30, 2026 (applications accepted only once per year) 

All materials—including audio/video recordings submitted via cloud service or YouTube/Vimeo—must be emailed to music@arts.ufl.edu. 

Be sure your video and document settings are marked “unlisted” or “public.” 

Minimum Pre-Screening Requirements 

1. Creative Work: 

Minimum of two (2) representative examples of original or creative work, such as: 

Original compositions or songs, Music productions, Arrangements, Multimedia projects, Sound design, Other original creative works 

2. Musical Performance: 

Minimum of two (2) performance examples demonstrating current musical abilities, which may include: 

Solo performances, Ensemble performances, Live concerts or recitals, School performances, Festival performances, Performance videos 

3. Leadership or Professional Engagement: 

A written statement (250-500 words) detailing an initiative outside of classroom instruction, such as: 

Leadership roles, Student organizations, Community service, Volunteer activities, Event organization, Entrepreneurial initiatives, Professional work experiences 

4. Personal Statement: 

A written statement (250-500 words) describing: 

Career aspirations, Reasons for pursuing Music Business & Entrepreneurship, Professional interests, Why the applicant believes the University of Florida is an appropriate fit 

Other Preferred Portfolio Materials: 

While not required, applicants are encouraged to include additional materials that further demonstrate creativity, initiative, and professional potential. Examples include: 

  • Artist development or branding projects 
  • Marketing or promotional campaigns 
  • Original business concepts or entrepreneurial ventures 
  • Concert or event production experience 
  • Podcast, video, or digital media content 
  • Photography, graphic design, or visual media projects 
  • Research or interdisciplinary projects 
  • Press coverage or media features 
  • Professional résumé 
  • Professional website or digital portfolio 

Portfolio Philosophy  

Applicants are not expected to have experience in every category. The admissions committee evaluates portfolios holistically, recognizing that students have diverse educational, musical, and professional backgrounds. The strongest portfolios demonstrate creativity, initiative, curiosity, leadership, and evidence of continued growth rather than simply the number of accomplishments presented. Applicants are encouraged to submit work that reflects both breadth and depth—demonstrating versatility across multiple experiences while also highlighting areas of particular strength or specialization.  

Audition Requirements 

  • An instrumental or vocal audition in at least two contrasting musical styles. Auditions should demonstrate a level of musicianship appropriate for collaboration in commercial, world and traditional music ensembles. Improvisational skills are welcome but not required.  
  • Sight reading on your primary instrument or voice to demonstrate music literacy required for success in core courses (theory, aural skills and keyboard skills).

Equipment Provided 

The audition and interview room includes:  

  • A 12-channel mixing board  
  • Microphones  
  • A piano  
  • Several quarter-inch jack cables for amplified instruments  
  • A high-quality audio system for playback of tracks or backing tracks  

Backing Tracks 

Many students prefer to audition using play-along or YouTube backing tracks. If your track is not available online, please bring it on a flash drive. We’ll play your track directly from the drive.   

Auditioning on Drum Set 

A basic drum set is provided for all drum set auditions. 

FAQs 

Q: Do I need to bring my own amplifier for guitar or bass?  
A: No. You can plug directly into our sound system. If you prefer to use your own amp, you’re welcome to bring it. 

Q: Do I need to bring quarter-inch jack cables?  
A: No. Cables will be set up and ready in the audition room.  

Q: Can I play my backing track from my phone?  
A: We recommend bringing your track on a flash drive, as Bluetooth compatibility can vary. YouTube tracks are also fine if they are easily accessible online.   

Alternate or Recorded Audition

Participation in one of the scheduled audition days is strongly encouraged. Students not already living in Gainesville may travel to campus must submit high-quality video recordings via a cloud service or YouTube/Vimeo link to music@arts.ufl.edu.  

Please ensure that all videos are set to “unlisted” or “public” for access. 

STEP 3: Complete the Recommendation for Prospective Student Form


DEADLINE TO SUBMIT RECOMMENDATION:

Recommender must submit prior to student’s audition. 


Ask a prior music instructor or someone who knows you in a musical capacity to complete the Recommendation for Prospective Student form. 

The completed form must be emailed to music@arts.ufl.edu. 

Submission details are provided on the form itself. 

STEP 4: Prepare for Your Audition 

The audition consists of a live performance where students demonstrate proficiency on their principal instrument or voice. 

Students should be prepared to showcase their sight-reading abilities and should carefully review the specific audition requirements for their instrument or voice in advance. 

Note for voice students: A pianist will be provided for your audition. 

STEP 6: Audition 

Unless you’re notified otherwise, your audition will take place on the date you selected in your School of Music Audition Application. 

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