Audition appointment times range from late Friday afternoon to late Saturday afternoon. Audition requests are made in the Music Application.

A complete music application is due 10 days prior to the audition date requested on the music application. 

Audition Weekend I: November 22(graduate)/ November 23(undergraduate)

Audition Weekend II: February 7(graduate)/ February 8(undergraduate)

Audition Weekend III: February 14(graduate)/ February 15(undergraduate)

Apply to the University

Apply for admission to the university and declare a major housed within the Division of Music on your application. Your university application will give you access to a Samford-specific “Application Status Page.” Only when you submit the university application will you gain access to the Music Application.

Apply to Music

Submit the Music Application through your Samford-specific “Application Status Page.” Please answer all required fields including the selection of an audition date or the request of a non-traditional audition.

All music applicants are required to provide an artistic resume and headshot as part of the Music Application.

Complete an Audition and Interview

Attend your audition and interview date. Live, in-person auditions are preferred. However, if it is not possible for you to attend an in-person audition due to scheduling or finances, we will be more than happy to accommodate you!

Composition

2 Original Compositions + an audition on your primary instrument

• Upload 2 audio files of original compositions
• Upload 2 pdf files of the sheet music to your 2 original compositions
• All uploads will be to your Samford-specific “Application Status Page” portal

At Auditions

• You will be asked to give an audition on your primary instrument. Audition requirements are listed below.
• Be prepared for an interview with composition faculty to discuss your career goals and musical experiences that have shaped your goals and compositions.

Music & Worship

Interview + an audition on your primary instrument

• Upload a reference letter from a pastor, elder, deacon, church leader or one who can attest to your current service in the church.

At Auditions

• You will be asked to give an audition on your primary instrument. Audition requirements are listed below.
• Be prepared for an interview with worship faculty to discuss your calling to arts in worship.

Music Education

Interview + an audition on your primary instrument

At Auditions

• You will be asked to give an audition on your primary instrument. Audition requirements are listed below.
• Be prepared for an interview with worship faculty to discuss your calling to arts in worship.

Composition, Music (BA, BS), Music Education, Music & Worship, Performance, Performance & Pedagogy

Brass (euphonium, horn, trombone, trumpet, tuba)

2 Pieces

• Pieces should be solo music such as an etude, sonata, or movement from a concerto
• Two contrasting style periods or tempi must be represented

At Auditions

• Bring 3 copies of your sheet music for faculty.
• Perform your audition pieces.
• Be prepared to discuss your musical background and your goals for growing as a musician in college.

Guitar (acoustic)

2 Pieces

• Two solo pieces from contrasting style periods
• Both pieces should demonstrate strumming and picking techniques Major Segovia scales
• The applicant may choose to offer major Segovia scales, but they are not required

At Auditions

• Auditions should be played on a classical or acoustic guitar.
• Bring 3 copies of your sheet music for faculty.
• Be prepared to discuss your musical background and your goals for growing as a musician in college.

Organ

4 Pieces

• One free work (e.g., Prelude & Fugue, Fantasia & Fugue, Toccata & Fugue, etc.) or Trio Sonata by J. S. Bach
• Two other works in contrasting style from between the nineteenth through twenty-first centuries
• One traditional hymn with introduction and no less than three verses

At Auditions

• The hymn must be performed with music. All other works may be performed by memory or with music.
• Be prepared to discuss your musical goals with faculty.

Percussion

2 Pieces

• One selection for snare drum
• One selection for mallets
• If you have 4-mallet experience, we recommend a selection demonstrating your ability. 4-mallet technique is not required.
• An optional third selection for timpani or drum set is encouraged but not required

At Auditions

• Bring 3 copies of your sheet music for faculty.
• Be prepared to discuss your musical background and your goals for growing as a musician in college.

Piano

3 Pieces

• At least two contrasting style periods must be represented
• Two pieces must be from standard classical repertoire

At Auditions

• All pieces must be performed from memory
• Be prepared to discuss your musical goals with faculty.

Strings (cello, string bass, violin, viola)

• One piece of solo music such as an etude, sonata, or movement from a concerto
• One contrasting piece of solos music such an etude, sonata, or movement from a concerto

At Auditions

• Bring 3 copies of your sheet music for faculty.
• Perform your audition pieces. We prefer no accompaniment with your audition.
• Be prepared to discuss your musical background and your goals for growing as a musician in college.

Voice

2 Pieces

• One English art song
• One art song in a foreign language, preferably Italian

At Auditions

• Audition pieces must be performed from memory and with piano accompaniment. We will provide you an accompanist as well as give you a rehearsal period prior to your audition.
• Be prepared for a vocal and musical assessment with tonal memory exercises, sight-reading, and vocal range check.
• Be prepared to discuss your musical background and future goals.

Woodwinds (bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe)

2 Pieces

• Pieces should be solo music such as an etude, sonata, or movement from a concerto
• Two contrasting style periods or tempi must be represented

At Auditions

• Bring 3 copies of your sheet music for faculty.
• Perform your audition pieces. We prefer no accompaniment with your audition.
• Be prepared to discuss your musical background and your goals for growing as a musician in college.

Commercial Music

Performance concentration

2 pieces on your primary instrument

Before the audition

• Upload 2 pieces from any commercial music genre (pop, country/folk, funk/jazz, r&b/urban, etc.) that highlight your creative and musical abilities.
• The two pieces should be contrasting in style.
• If voice is your primary instrument, the audition pieces should be self-accompanied or accompanied by other musicians.

At Auditions

• No additional repertoire will be required for live auditions. You will audition live with the pieces that you submitted prior to your audition.
• If voice is your primary instrument live accompaniment will be provided. You may also self-accompany. Tracks will not be accepted.
• Be prepared for an interview with applied music faculty which may include musicianship tests on your primary instrument such as scales, tonal memory, and sight-reading. This is purely for placement.
• Be prepared for an interview with Professor Steven Potaczek where you will discuss your experience and goals as an artist.

Music Production concentration

2 produced songs

Before the audition

• Upload two WAV files of finished pieces on which the applicant has played a role in 50% or more of production.
• The two pieces should be contrasting in style and in the commercial music genre.
• The two pieces may be original or of other artists.
• Additionally, you may choose to submit two video recordings of yourself auditioning on your primary instrument.
  • Upload 2 pieces from any commercial music genre (pop, country/folk, funk/jazz, r&b/urban, etc.) that highlight your creative and musical abilities.
  • The two pieces should be contrasting in style.
  • If voice is your primary instrument, the audition pieces should be self-accompanied or accompanied by other musicians.
  • If voice is your primary instrument, please limit your two audition selections to be 32 bars each OR a verse and a chorus.
  • If you are an instrumentalist, please prepare two full songs.

At the audition

• Be prepared for an interview with Professor Steven Potaczek where you will discuss your experience and goals as an artist as well as the two WAV files that you submitted.
• If voice is your primary instrument live accompaniment will be provided. You may also self-accompany. Tracks will not be accepted.
• If you have elected to give an audition on a primary instrument no additional repertoire will be required for live auditions. You will audition live with the pieces that you submitted prior to your audition.
• Be prepared for an interview with applied music faculty which may include musicianship tests on your primary instrument such as scales, tonal memory, and sight-reading. This is purely for placement.

Songwriting concentration

1 original song + 1 cover OR original song

Before the audition

• Upload recordings of your two audition pieces . One of the two audition pieces should be an original song. At least 50% of the original song should be authored by the applicant. You may audition with two original songs.
• Upload one pdf file of the original or co-written song to your Samford-specific “Application Status Page” portal.

At the audition

• Be prepared for an interview with Professor Steven Potaczek where you will discuss your experience and goals as an artist as well as the original music you submitted.
• If voice is your primary instrument live accompaniment will be provided. You may also self-accompany. Tracks will not be accepted.
• If you have elected to give an audition on a primary instrument no additional repertoire will be required for live auditions. You will audition live with the pieces that you submitted prior to your audition.
• Be prepared for an interview with applied music faculty which may include musicianship tests on your primary instrument such as scales, tonal memory, and sight-reading. This is purely for placement.

Music Business concentrations

Required Interview + Optional- 2 pieces on your primary instrument

Before the audition

• You are NOT required to complete a musical audition for this degree concentration. However, in order to be considered for a talent scholarship from the school of the arts you will need to audition with two pieces on a primary instrument.
• The Scholarship Audition Requirements
  • Upload 2 pieces from any commercial music genre (pop, country/folk, funk/jazz, r&b/urban, etc.) that highlight your creative and musical abilities.
  • The two pieces should be contrasting in style.
  • If voice is your primary instrument, the audition pieces should be self-accompanied or accompanied by other musicians.
  • If voice is your primary instrument, the audition pieces should be self-accompanied or accompanied by other musicians.
  • If voice is your primary instrument, please limit your two audition selections to be 32 bars each OR a verse and a chorus.
  • If you are an instrumentalist, please prepare two full songs.

At Auditions

• Be prepared for an interview with Professor Steven Potaczek where you will discuss your experience and goals as an artist.
• If you choose to give a scholarship audition
  • No additional repertoire will be required for live auditions. You will audition live with the pieces that you submitted prior to your audition.
  • If voice is your primary instrument live accompaniment will be provided. You may also self-accompany. Tracks will not be accepted.
  • Be prepared for an interview with applied music faculty which may include musicianship tests on your primary instrument such as scales, tonal memory, and sight-reading. This is purely for placement.

Worship Leadership

Ministry concentrations

• Perform two pieces in contrasting style that showcase the best of the applicant’s abilities. Students have the option of choosing two of the following selections: a) a contemporary worship song; b) a standard hymn arrangement; or c) an art song.
• Perform exercises in sight-reading, ear-training and major scales as requested.
• Upload a reference letter from a pastor, elder, deacon or church leader who can attest to the student’s current service in the local church.
• Participate in an interview discussing interests in worship leadership and specific career goals.

Songwriting concentrations

• Perform two pieces in contrasting style that showcase the best of the applicant’s abilities. Students have the option of choosing two of the following selections: a) a contemporary worship song; b) a standard hymn arrangement; or c) an art song. One of these two pieces should be an original song. At least 50% of the original song should be authored by the applicant.
• Upload a PDF file of the student’s original song.
• Perform exercises in sight-reading, ear-training and major scales as requested.
• Upload a reference letter from a pastor, elder, deacon or church leader who can attest to the student’s current service in the local church.
• Participate in an interview discussing interests in worship leadership and specific career goals

Worship Production concentrations

• Perform two pieces in contrasting style that showcase the best of the applicant’s abilities. Students have the option of choosing two of the following selections: a) a contemporary worship song; b) a standard hymn arrangement; or c) an art song.
• Perform exercises in sight-reading, ear-training, and major scales as requested.
• Upload two, 1–3-minute samples of music you’ve recorded, composed, and/or produced. Include a description of the examples of technology you’ve developed (e.g., programming, electronics—the software projects or hardware/schematics of your past projects), or anything else that highlights your skills in music technology, production or STEM. If you are submitting a website link, upload it as a separate PDF file containing a clickable link.
• Upload a reference letter from a pastor, elder, deacon or church leader who can attest to the student’s current service in the local church.
• Participate in an interview discussing interests in worship leadership and specific career goals.

Music & Worship

Interview + an audition on your primary instrument

• Upload a reference letter from a pastor, elder, deacon, church leader or one who can attest to your current service in the church.

At Auditions

• You will be asked to give an audition on your primary instrument. To find audition requirements for your primary instrument please look under the “Music, Music Performance, Music Education, and Composition” tab to see the breakdown of what is expected for each audition.
• Be prepared for an interview with worship faculty to discuss your calling to arts in worship.

Schedule a Campus Visit

The Office of Admission offers on campus visit options most weekdays and some Saturdays. If you would like to schedule an appointment with faculty, staff, current students or sit in on a class within the Division of Music while visiting campus, we recommend scheduling a visit between Tuesday and Friday. You may request personalized academic appointments when scheduling your campus visit.

Attend a Concert

Visit our events page to plan your trip to a Samford Arts performance.

When will I find out if I am admitted to the Division of Music?

Music admission decisions are sent via email one to three weeks following your completed audition. Note that we cannot offer you a place in the program or scholarship award until you have received successful admission to the university. Admission decisions from the university are released as early as the first week of November. Students are encouraged to submit their university application prior to November if you are wishing to attend our earliest audition date.

What kind of scholarships are available?

School of the Arts Scholarships – When you apply to be a Music major and complete an audition and/or interview for admission, you are also being considered for Arts Scholarship. Arts scholarship awards will appear in addition to merit scholarships you receive from the Office of Admission and other scholarship programs on campus.

Honor Band Scholarship Competition – This scholarship may be applied to a student’s first year of study as a Music major at Samford University. If a student chooses to audition for admission to the Division of Music while attending Honor Band, they will automatically be considered for the Honor Band Scholarship. This award may be in addition to university merit scholarships and arts scholarship awards up to full tuition.

What instrument should I select as my primary or secondary instrument?

Your primary instrument will be the instrument (including voice) on which you have the most proficiency entering college and wish to be most competent on upon graduating from college. Your secondary instrument will be the instrument (including voice) on which you have less proficiency entering college.

Can I audition on two instruments?

Yes, you may audition on your primary and secondary instruments. You may designate in the Music Application if you wish to be considered for admission and scholarship on more than one instrument.

What if I do not know what major to select on my application?

If you are thinking about double majoring, select the major within the Division of Music on your application to progress through the admission and scholarship process. Should you declare an alternate major you wish to double in on the university application, you may miss valuable information about audition dates, deadlines and scholarships.

For more answers to questions about the admission process, music programs and scholarships, email arts@samford.edu or call (205) 726-4111.