Undergraduate Application
Undergraduate Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in Southern Oregon University, where you will be inspired to chart your own musical journey. Our Music Program features world-class faculty artists who will inspire you to be more than just a musician - you will become an artist.
In the Music Program, you can choose to major in the Bachelor of Arts program, Bachelor of Science program, or Bachelor of Music program with an emphasis in Performance or Music Education. Please see our website for more detailed information regarding the Music majors we offer.
Please note that SOU has rolling admissions, so you can apply to SOU and /or choose to be a music major or minor at any time.
THERE IS NO MUSIC PROGRAM APPLICATION - only a music scholarship application. Students planning to major (or minor) in Music can complete a scholarship application (step 2 below) if interested. Please note scholarship application deadlines.
To be considered for a Music Program Scholarship, please complete the first and second steps:
Step 1: Apply to SOU 
Apply for admission to Southern Oregon University. You do not have to wait for acceptance into SOU to be considered for a music scholarship. However, in Step 2 (below) you will be asked to enter the 9-digit SOU ID number you received upon submitting the SOU application.
Step 2: Apply for a Music Program Scholarship
Step 2:
Please apply for a Music Program Scholarship through
www.getacceptd.com You may save your application and return to it at any time. Priority consideration for
scholarship applications will be open from October 1, 2020 to January 22, 2021. You may either link/upload a video audition, or indicate you wish to attend an In-Person Audition on the date(s) below:
TIMELINE – Undergraduate Music Scholarship Applications
October 1, 2020-January 22, 2021 - Music Scholarship Applications and Video Auditions accepted.
January 22, 2021: Priority deadline for music scholarship applications. Students must have completed Step 1 AND Step 2 above.
January 25–27, 2021 - Audition times for In-Person Auditions on January 30 (all instruments/voice) and February 6 (Percussion only) will be emailed to you. If you have questions, please contact music@sou.edu
January 30, 2021 - In-person auditions (all instruments & voice) at the SOU campus in Ashland, Oregon. This is the SAME day as the SOU Honor Band Event.
February 6, 2021 Percussion only auditions will be held in-person at the SOU Percussion Festival.
February 8–March 5 - The Music Program will begin reviewing scholarship applications. Only students who have completed both application steps above, and have auditioned online or in-person will be given priority consideration.
March 5–12, 2021 - Scholarship decisions will be made, and students will be notified by email.
April 5, 2021 – Student scholarship acceptance/decline due to SOU. Please email to music@sou.edu
Southern Oregon University has rolling admissions, meaning you may apply and be admitted any time throughout the year. When your application (SOU and/or Music Scholarship) is complete and we have received all required documents, your admissions decision will take between two and three weeks. To declare a music major or minor please see Karen Bolda, OCA Student Success Coordinator at boldak@sou.edu or your faculty advisor.
Should you have any questions during the application process, please feel free to contact us at music@sou.edu or 541-552-6101.
Financial Aid
Southern Oregon University offers financial aid incentives to help with costs. This is not related to your music scholarship audition and is purely based on financial need. Please visit SOU Financial Aid for more information.
Graduate Application
Graduate Guidelines
The objective of the Master of Music in Performance is to equip students with professional-level skills in performance. Graduate students develop world-class artistic vision, technique, repertoire knowledge, and teaching abilities. Students benefit from both practical experience and academic studies with master teachers on their chosen instrument.
A 48-credit, six-quarter program, the Master of Music: Performance combines intensive performance with scholarly rigor. Applied study in your major area complements repertory study and related core coursework in music history and theory. Solo and chamber recitals, and comprehensive oral examinations are required.
Join a cadre of dedicated students who have traveled the globe to experience our attentive faculty-student mentoring, exceptional performance facilities, and gorgeous Rogue Valley setting. Spark your creativity through profound personal connections that will influence the course of your life.
To be fully admitted to the Music Graduate Program at Southern Oregon University you must complete two steps:
Step 1: Apply to SOU
Apply for admission to Southern Oregon University. You do not have to wait for acceptance into SOU to apply to the Music Graduate Program however, in Step 2 (below) you will be asked to enter the 9-digit SOU ID number you received upon submitting the SOU application.
Step 2: Apply to the Graduate Music Program
You may save your application and return to it at any time.
Timeline:
February 5, 2021: Priority Application and Audition Deadline for Graduate Music Program Applications for Graduate Assistantships (GA's) and Scholarships.
March 5, 2021: decisions made.
March 5-12, 2021: GA/Scholarship Applicants notified.
April 5, 2021: Student Acceptance/Declines due back to longshore@sou.edu
Submit Materials
Submit the following documents with your Graduate Music Program application:
- Auditions: An audio or video upload, website link, or live audition is acceptable. The purpose of the entrance audition is to demonstrate musical achievements and potential. To schedule an in-person audition, contact Dr. Longshore, Music Graduate Program Coordinator at longshore@sou.edu.
- Résumé: Upload a current résumé detailing your musical education, performance experience, awards, scholarships, and any teaching experience if applicable.
- Repertoire List: Upload a current repertoire list of significant solo and chamber works performed.
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. The purpose of these letters is to document musical achievements and potential. Emails will be sent to your recommenders and they may upload their letters directly to the Get Acceptd website.
Scheduling in In-Person Audition:
Please email the area director to schedule an audition:
Advising
After your acceptance into the Graduate Music Program, you will be assigned an advisor. Under this individualized guidance, you will develop a plan for mapping your academic progress throughout the program.
Completed application packets will be reviewed by Music Faculty, the Graduate Committee, and SOU Admissions Office staff. All applicants will receive official notification of their acceptance status via email by March 12, 2021. Acceptance/decline letters should be received by SOU by April 5, 2021 via email to longshore@sou.edu.
Accreditation
The SOU Music Program is fully accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the Oregon Center for the Arts at SOU Music Program offers an academic course of study that is recognized and accepted at the other 650+ NASM-accredited institutions nationwide.
