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.
Students planning to major in Music should complete a Music Scholarship / MUP (Applied Music Lessons) Placement application and audition (step 2 below). Students who have not completed the application/audition will enroll in MUP 170. Please note scholarship application deadlines.
Students may audition by submitting a video or scheduling an in-person audition.
Video auditions may be linked or uploaded in Step 2 below.
Or, In-person auditions may be scheduled by contacting one of the faculty members below for the student's main area. Steps 1 and 2 should be completed before the audition:
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 your 9-digit SOU ID number. It takes 24 hours from the time you apply for you to be assigned your student ID number. You can begin Step 2 now, and enter your ID number later.
Step 2: Apply for a Music Program Scholarship / MUP Placement 
SOU Music offers over $160,000 annually in Music Scholarships. Please apply for a Music Program Scholarship at the Step 2 link above. You may save your application and return to it at any time. You can link/upload a video audition (live, one-camera, unedited video recording) or select an in-person audition date. Once your date is selected, you will be contacted with an audition time.
For audition requirements/repertoire click here.
TIMELINE – Undergraduate Music Scholarship Applications
October 1, 2021-February 18, 2022 - Music scholarship applications/video auditions (live, one-camera, unedited video recording) are accepted.
February 18, 2022 - priority deadline for submission.
March 18, 2022 - Scholarship decisions will be made, and students will be notified by email.
April 18, 2022 – Student scholarship acceptance/decline due to SOU. Please email to music@sou.edu.
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
Master of Music in Performance 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 46-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.
Students may audition by submitting a video or scheduling an in-person audition. Video auditions may be linked or uploaded in Step 2 below.
Or, In-person auditions may be scheduled by contacting one of the faculty members below for the student's main area. Steps 1 and 2 should be completed before the audition:
- To be fully admitted to the Music Graduate Program at Southern Oregon University you must complete three 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. You can link/upload a video audition (live, one-camera, unedited video recording) to your getacceptd.com page.
- Step 3: Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.
- (If you hold an undergraduate degree from SOU, you do not need to request a transcript from SOU.) You may either:
- Send electronically to: admissions@sou.edu
- Send by mail to:
- Office of Admissions
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd
Ashland OR 97520
- Timeline for Graduate Music Program, GA's and Scholarships:
- February 18, 2022: Priority Application and Audition Deadline for Graduate Music Program, Graduate Assistantships (GAs), and Scholarships.
- March 18, 2022: Admission and GA/Scholarship Awards notified.
- April 18, 2022: Student Acceptance/Declines due back to longshore@sou.edu
- Submit the following documents with your Graduate Music Program application:
- Auditions: You can link/upload a video audition (live, one-camera, unedited video recording) to your getacceptd.com page. The purpose of the entrance audition is to demonstrate musical achievements and potential.
- 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 references and they may upload their recommendation letters directly to the application system.
- 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.
- 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.
