Music Major Entrance and Continuance Information
All students who wish to pursue a music major (either B.M. or B.A.) are required to perform an Entrance Examination. In addition, all Bachelor of Music students and all Music Education students must perform a Continuance Examination, generally in the second or third semester in the program.
For All Entrance & Continuance Exams
Specific repertoire requirements for entrance to a degree program can be found in Appendix A and specific repertoire requirements for continuance in a degree program can be found in Appendix B.
To change programs within the B.M. degree, you must meet all requirements for entrance into the new program. There is no generic acceptance into the Bachelor of Music program.
A student denied continuance in a program is no longer in that program. A student who wishes to reapply for entrance into that program may do so the following semester and may take the continuance exam in the subsequent semester, or later.
Entrance Exam for Bachelor of Arts – Music Major
All students wishing to major in music are encouraged to audition before the end of the first-year of study. The sequential nature of music course work is more easily accommodated if study begins no later than the first semester of the sophomore year. To initiate the entrance process, a student must complete an application form, a copy of which can be obtained online at (http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/music/resources/index.html). Applications must be returned to the Music Office by October 15 for processing in Semester 1 or by March 15 for processing in Semester 2. Applications received after these dates will be processed the following semester.
The application procedure includes the following:
- A level 2 jury on one’s principal instrument/voice
- An examination covering basic music knowledge
- An assessment of keyboard skills
Bachelor of Arts Music Majors wishing to pursue the History-Literature Emphasis must register with a member of the music history faculty before the end of the junior year, preferably earlier. In addition, students must complete an application in the Music Office. The due date for the History-Literature senior writing portfolio is typically May 1st. Consult your portfolio advisor for further details.
Bachelor of Arts Music Majors wishing to pursue the Theory-Composition Emphasis must register with a member of the theory-composition faculty before the end of the junior year, preferably earlier. In addition, students must complete an application in the Music Office.
Entrance Exam for Bachelor of Music in Theory-Composition
Theory-Composition students are usually admitted to the program after beginning their study at St. Olaf, typically after enrollment in a composition course. Application forms, available online at (http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/music/resources/index.html), must be completed and returned to the Music Office by October 15 for processing in Semester 1 or by March 15 for processing in Semester 2. Applications received after these dates will be processed the following semester.
The application procedure includes the following:
- An entrance file, created by the Music Office staff, which will include written comments from all music faculty who have worked with you and an academic record of all music courses completed to date
- A portfolio of recent work in composition and/or theory, as appropriate
- An optional performance on a Student Recital in the semester of the application on your principal instrument/voice. Consult your performance studies teacher
- An interview with the Theory-Composition faculty
The Theory-Composition faculty must approve all entrance applications. The Department Chair will inform you of the faculty’s decision.
Entrance Exam for Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Arts - Music: Teaching Credential
Applications for the Music Education program, both B.A. and B.M., are processed in the second semester of the sophomore year. Students who wish to apply to the Music Education program, either Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Music, must complete an application form, available online at (http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/music/resources/index.html). It is important to do this no later than February 15 of the sophomore year. Applicants will also need to consult with the professional Education Department to complete separate paperwork to meet their requirements. See pages 8-9 of this handbook for additional information about Music Education at St. Olaf College.
The application procedure includes the following:
- An entrance file, created by the Music Office staff, which will include written comments from all music faculty who have worked with you and an academic record of all music courses completed to date
- A performance on the principal instrument/voice on the Music Education Entrance Recital. (See the Student Recital and Events calendar posted outside CHM 101.) A student whose principal instrument is piano must perform only on the instrument of certification (voice or band/orchestral instrument)
- Mid-term examination in Music 251: Conducting
- A possible interview with members of the music faculty
The music faculty must approve all entrance applications. The Department Chair will inform you of the faculty’s decision.
Entrance Exam for Bachelor of Music in Performance and Bachelor of Music in Church Music
Students are encouraged to apply before the end of the first year. You should consult with your performance studies teacher about the decision.
Application forms, available online at (http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/music/resources/index.html), must be completed and returned to the Music Office by October 15 or processing in Semester 1 or by March 15 for processing in Semester 2. Applications received after these dates will be processed the following semester.
The application procedure includes the following:
- An entrance file, created by the Music Office staff, which will include written comments from all music faculty who have worked with you and an academic record of all music courses completed to date
- A performance on the principal instrument/voice on one of the Bachelor of Music Entrance/Continuance recitals. (See the Student Recitals and Events calendar posted outside CHM 101.)
- A possible interview with the faculty who have heard your recital performance
The interviewing faculty must approve all entrance examinations. The Department Chair will inform you of the faculty’s decision.
Go to Appendix A for Repertoire and Other Performance Requirements for Entrance to a Degree Program.
Continuance Exam for Bachelor of Music in Theory-Composition
Theory-Composition majors are generally reviewed for continuance at the end of the third semester in the program.
The application procedure includes the following:
- A continuance file, created by the Music Office staff, which will include written comments from all music faculty who have worked with you and an academic record of all music courses completed to date.
- A portfolio of recent work in composition and/or theory, as appropriate
- A performance on a Student Recital in the semester of continuance on your principal instrument/voice
- An interview with the Theory-Composition faculty
The Theory-Composition faculty must approve all continuance applications. The Department Chair will inform you of the faculty’s decision.
Continuance Exam for Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Arts - Music: Teaching credential
The continuance exam usually takes place during the first semester of the junior year.
The continuance procedure includes the following:
- A continuance file, created by the Music Office staff, which will include written comments from all music faculty who have worked with you and an academic record of all music courses completed to date
- A performance on the principal instrument/voice on the Music Education Continuance Recital (See the Student Recital and Events calendar posted outside CHM 101.) A student whose principal instrument is piano must perform only on the instrument of certification (voice or band/orchestral instrument).
- Assessment of teaching behaviors (assessed in Ed 330: Principals of Education)
- A possible interview with members of the music faculty.
The music faculty must approve all continuance applications. The Department Chair will inform you of the faculty’s decision.
Continuance Exam for Bachelor of Music in Performance and Bachelor of Music in Church Music
The continuance exam usually takes place during the third semester in the program. This must be successfully completed prior to performing the junior recital.
The application procedure includes the following:
- A continuance file, created by the Music Office staff, which will include written comments from all music faculty who have worked with you and an academic record of all music courses completed to date
- A performance on the principal instrument/voice on one of the Bachelor of Music Entrance/Continuance recitals. (See the Student Recital and Events calendar posted outside CHM 101.)
- A possible interview with the faculty who have heard your recital performance may be required.
The interviewing faculty must approve all continuance examinations. The Department Chair will inform you of the faculty’s decision.
Go to Appendix B for Repertoire and Other Performance Requirements for Continuance in a Degree Program.
