How to Apply

In order to major in music at IU Southeast, you must:

• Apply for admission to IU Southeast prior to applying to be a Music Major (For most concentrations in Music, there are no academic admissions requirements beyond those expected by IU Southeast. Students interested in Music Education must have a high school GPA of at least 2.0).
• Complete Music Department Application 
• Perform an audition. Admission to the Music Department is by audition only.
• Take the Music Theory Placement Exam
• Additional requirements are associated with majoring in Music Education. These are not required at the initial audition but exist as a second step once the student is matriculated at IU Southeast in the Music Dept.

It is expected that students wishing to pursue a degree in music will have a substantial background in music prior to seeking admission to a college music program. This background can include private music lessons, participation in school ensembles such as concert and/or marching band, orchestra, concert choir, show choir or musical theatre, music theory and/or music technology classes, or any other performing or educational background that included training in the fundamentals of music. Candidates are expected to read at least one clef well.

Music Education - students who have a successful audition/interview and a high school GPA of at least 2.0 will be admitted to the Music Department/School of Arts & Letters as a Pre-Music Education major in either the Vocal/General Music Track or the Instrumental Music Track. After completing the requirements noted below, they should apply for additional admission to the School of Education. (It is recommended that students do this at the earliest opportunity after meeting requirements noted below). Once they are successfully admitted into the School of Education students become full Music Education majors.

• Overall GPA in college matriculation of at least 2.5
• No grade in a music course of less than 2.0 (C)
• Completion of EDUC-F200 with an earned grade of at least 2.0 (C)
• GPA in professional education courses of at least 2.5
• Completion of ENG-W131, ENG-W231 and SPCH-S121 with a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) in each course
• Completion of the general education Quantitative Reasoning course with a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) – (M110 or higher)
• Passing scores on the CASA test or other state-approved alternatives based on Indiana standards (ACT Composite (no writing) Score of 24 or pre-2016 SAT score total of 1100 on Verbal and Math)
• Acceptable recommendations from instructors and field experience teachers in EDUC-F200 and the music education faculty advisor
• Additionally, once admitted to the School of Education, students in the Music Education program are expected to earn a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) in each required music course with a minimal overall GPA in music classes and professional education courses of 2.5 and maintain an overall college GPA of 2.5.

All students applying for admission as a music major must take a Music Theory Placement Exam whether or not they have taken a theory course in high school or in another college program. Results of the exam determine the music theory course the student will be placed into if accepted as a music major. Results of the theory placement exam are not generally a factor in the decision as to whether or not a student will be accepted as a music major.

The exam for entering freshman or those who have never taken a college theory course consists of basic music theory, such as: identifying key signatures, intervals, chord types, major and minor scales (natural, melodic and harmonic), and rhythm. Transfer students who have taken theory at the college level will be given a more comprehensive exam that includes analysis, writing four-part harmony or more advanced skills and knowledge depending on their level of previous theory study.

Music Theory 1 (T113) is not a beginning level course for musicians. Therefore, students not achieving a score on the exam to suggest a sufficient foundation of basic knowledge in theory to succeed in T113 will be required to enroll in MUS-T109 Rudiments of Music before being eligible to enroll in MUS-T113 Music Theory I. Students may NOT substitute MUS-E241 Intro to Music Fundamentals for MUS-T109. Transfer students from other college music programs may have taken one or more music theory classes. Even if the university grants general transfer credits for those classes, transfer students will be placed into the theory course reflected by the results of their placement exams.

Students may take the exam at the IU Southeast Student Success Center, located in room 203 in University Center South (US 203), during the Center's normal hours of operation. The exam must be taken within 4 weeks after the audition. Students wishing to be a music major must not register for any Music Theory course (MUS-T113, T114, T115, T116, T109, etc.) until they have taken this exam. When requesting the exam at the Student Success Center, students must specify if they are an incoming Freshman with no previous college experience, or if they are a student transferring from another college/university. For the Student Success Center's hours of operation, location, and other information, visit the Student Success Centeror call (812) 941-2312.

Students who are auditioning for scholarship consideration only — and not to be admitted as a music major — are not required to take the exam.

Music minors and students opting to enroll in Music Theory as an elective (majoring in a field other than music) should take the exam.

All students applying for admission to the Music Department must complete a performance audition regardless of the student's intended degree concentration. However, the performance standards and requirements do vary depending on which concentration the student intends to pursue.

• Performance of 2 contrasting works for your instrument or voice.
  • Memorization is encouraged but not required.
  • Accompaniment is required for vocal solos and optional for instrumental solos. You may arrange for you own pianist or use a pre-recorded accompaniment. (Include links to accompaniment tracks in your application. Pre-recorded accompaniment tracks must not include the solo part).
• Conversation with Music Faculty regarding your interest in becoming a music educator.