• Application
• Required Documentation
• Audition Information
• Audition Requirements
• Audition Dates
• International Applicants
• Notification of Decision
• Other Requirements
• Final Steps

• The application for admission must be completed in full.
• Applicant signature is required along with the parent signature if the applicant is under the age of 18 at the time of application.
• Mail the application to the Office of Admissions along with the nonrefundable application fee ($60 for U.S. Citizens/Permanent U.S. Resident/$110 for international applicants).
• Applications received without the application fee or all questions not answered will be returned to applicant.
• Applicants are encouraged to submit their application by the suggested application deadline to secure the audition date they desire and allow time for travel arrangements.
• All required documentation must be on file in order for the applicant to find out if they have been accepted by the Admissions Review Committee into the North Carolina School of the Arts.

Application Information in Admissions

• A resume detailing the applicant’s artistic experience and educational objectives. Include the names of private teachers, their address, and number of years you have studied with each individual.
• Repertoire list (title and composer).
• Audition repertoire (title and composer).
• Recommendation Letters:
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation are required.
    • One (1) letter is to come from an arts instructor
    • One (1) letter is to come from an academic instructor.
    • Applicants who are no longer enrolled in college and do not have contact with an academic or arts instructor should have a letter of recommendation from an employer, mentor, instructor, etc.
  • All letters are to be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions to be placed in the applicant’s file. Always list the Office of Admissions as the recipient.
    
    Note: A form is provided for recommendations. All recommendations should be dated and signed by the writer and mailed directly to the Office of Admissions. Materials that do not bear the Office of Admissions as the recipient may be sent to other departments.
    
• Transcripts:
  Official transcripts and courses in which the applicant is enrolled at the time of application are required.
  • All transcripts must bear a validation seal or signature of a school official or registrar.
  • Transcripts sent under separate cover must come in a sealed envelope and should be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions. Always list the Office of Admissions as the recipient.
  • Undergraduate applicants who have been home-schooled must provide proof of graduation from home school along with titles and course descriptions in each year of home-schooling, tests used and evaluation of knowledge that the applicant has completed the equivalent of the University of North Carolina’s Minimum Course Requirements
  • College transfer applicants must supply their official college transcript along with an official list of courses the student is taking at the time of application.
  • A high school transcript or GED is required of all applicants who are applying as a first time freshman or undergraduate transfer.
  • SAT or ACT. Official scores from the testing agency are required of all applicants to the Bachelor of Music (do not send student copy).

• Applicants must audition either in person or by audio or video recording.
• Applicants must write the date they choose to audition on the application.
• Applicants are encouraged to audition early for priority consideration for merit scholarship (see audition dates for specific information).
• Applicants are encouraged to provide all required documentation prior to their audition.
• Written confirmation of the audition date, time and location will be mailed to the applicant from the Office of Admissions after the application has been processed.
• Please allow ten working days for processing.
• Auditions will not be scheduled by phone.
• Applicants are encouraged to submit their application by the suggested deadline listed to secure the audition date desired and allow time for travel arrangements.
• If applicant has made individual arrangements with the School of Music or a faculty member the applicant should write this on the application.
• The North Carolina School of the Arts reserves the right to cancel and reschedule auditions, or make other arrangements with the applicant. If weather prohibits an audition from being held the cancellation notice will be placed on www.ncarts.edu.

The School of Music requires all candidates to audition either live or by sending an audio or video recording. Audition requirements for high school applicants can be found under the Audition Requirement section for their particular instrument.

Audio or Video Auditions

Applicants who wish to send an audition or video should follow the Audition Requirement section for their particular instrument.

• Audio or video auditions must be accompanied by a completed and signed application.
• All recordings should include the following: name, address and audition program.
• Video recordings must be in United States VHS or DVD format (if format option is available, the DVD must be region 1). Audio recordings may be a compact disc or cassette tape.
• Recordings will only be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed and postage-paid envelope at the time of application.
• Applicants submitting recorded auditions may, in exceptional cases, be asked to come for a live audition.

For more specific audition repertoire information please contact the respective faculty.
VIOLIN, VIOLA, VIOLONCELLO
Undergraduate
One movement from a Bach solo sonata or partita or suite preferably from memory
The first movement from a standard concerto
One work of the applicant’s own choosing
Applicants may be asked to demonstrate ability to sight-read.

DOUBLE BASS
Undergraduate
First movement from the Dittersdorf, Cimador, or Capuzzi concerto
Any movement from a Vivaldi sonata
Etude by Semandl.
Memorization is preferred.
Demonstrate the ability to sight-read.

FLUTE
Undergraduate
JS Bach Sonata; Mozart Concerti; Paris Conservatoire Pieces
Standard Orchestral Excerpts; Scales and Etudes; Sight-Reading
At least one selection to be performed by memory


CLARINET
Undergraduate
Two or three selections (including movements from sonatas and concertos)
Major and minor scales
Compositions should demonstrate the applicant's ability in phrasing, sustained playing and facility.

OBOE
Undergraduate
Two or three selections (including movements from sonatas and concertos)
Major and minor scales
Compositions should demonstrate the applicant’s ability in phrasing, sustained playing and facility.


BASSOON
Undergraduate
Two or three selections (including movements from sonatas and concertos)
Major and minor scales
Compositions should demonstrate the applicant’s ability in phrasing, sustained playing and facility.


SAXOPHONE
Undergraduate
Two or three selections (including movements from sonatas and concertos)
Major and minor scales
Compositions should demonstrate the applicant’s ability in phrasing, sustained playing and facility.


FRENCH HORN
Undergraduate
Two or three selections (including movements from sonatas and concertos)
Major and minor scales
Compositions should demonstrate the applicant’s ability in phrasing, sustained playing and facility.


TRUMPET
Undergraduate
• One complete solo trumpet work from standard literature (ex. Kennan, Arutunian)
• One movement from a sonata or concerto and
• One contrasting etude of choice
• Two standard orchestral excerpts
• Display proficiency in all major and minor scales
• Sight-reading

TROMBONE
Undergraduate
A major solo work for trombone (e.g. Grondahl, Hindemith)
Two or three etudes of contrasting styles
Display proficiency on all major and minor scales


BASS TROMBONE
Undergraduate
A major solo work for bass trombone (e.g. Lebedev, McCarty)
Two or three etudes of contrasting styles
Display proficiency on all major and minor scales
Demonstrate the ability to sight read.

TUBA
Undergraduate
Two or three selections (including movements from sonatas and concertos
Major and minor scales
Compositions should demonstrate the applicant’s ability in phrasing, sustained playing and facility.


PERCUSSION
Undergraduate
Etudes or solos (grade 5 or above)on the following: snare drum (rudimental and orchestral), timpani (2, 3, or 4 drums) and keyboard (marimba, vibes or xylophone)

• 2 mallet keyboard solo
• Demonstration on 4 mallet technique either through solo literature or at a minimum, chords and arpeggios
• A multiple percussion solo may replace the snare drum solos
• Sight-reading, timpani tuning, scales and rudiments will be part of the audition.
• Drum set is optional and is not required for acceptance, but is the fourth major area of study in the high school and undergraduate program
• For questions about the specific repertoire or for high school students who do not have access to keyboards or timpani contact the School of Music.

VOICE
Undergraduate

Applicants should be prepared to perform from memory at least three selections from the list below. Applicants should select only one from any single category. All voice applicants are required to have an accompanist.  The School of Music can provide one for a fee of $25, which will be collected at the time of the audition.  (Do not send the accompanist fee to the Office of Admissions.)

• Arias or songs from the classical Italian repertory of the 17th and 18th centuries
• Early English, i.e., Purcell, Arne, Elizabethan composers, or any other comparable work
• Standard oratorio arias from the Baroque, Classical or Romantic literature
• German lieder from the Classical or Romantic periods sung in German, or English translations
• French, Spanish, Russian, or Scandinavian arts songs in the original language or English translations
• American compositions of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, i.e., Barber, Rorem, Ives, Thompson, Copland, etc.
• Folk songs, written spiritual (no choral passages)
• Sight-reading

The composition program provides training in the craft and art of composition, with special emphasis on form, harmony, counterpoint, scoring, technology, innovation and genre-crossing.

• Submit 3 to 4 representative scores, with recordings, at least three weeks before the requested audition date.
• Selected applicants will be invited for an interview with the composition faculty on scheduled audition dates.
• Applicant should be prepared to discuss his/her musical background and training, influences, and compositional interests and goals.

Applicants check in at 8:00 a.m. and may expect to spend the entire day on campus.

Brass applicants should call the School of Music at 336.770.3260 to schedule an audition. The Office of Admissions does not schedule brass auditions.

In addition to the required documentation listed for the undergraduate international applicants must provide the following information:

• International applicants must complete the International Questions on the application.
• International Applicants must complete the North Carolina School of the Arts Safety Questions.
• International applicants must follow all of the program guidelines as outlined and submit all required documentation as stated.
• An official TOEFL score is required for undergraduate applicants for whom English is not the primary language.
• For information on TOEFL scores please go to the following web link: www.ncarts.edu/iss/esl.htm.
• An official SLEP score is required for high school applicant for whom English is not the primary language.
• For information on SLEP scores please go to the following web link: http://www.ncarts.edu/iss/esl.htm.
• Official transcripts from each school attended that bears a seal or registrar’s signature and a notarized English translation of each transcript.
• Transcript must include the courses in which the applicant is enrolled at the time if application.
• Verification of sufficient funds to cover the first year of enrollment or affidavit of support from a bank or sponsor is required.
• A North Carolina School of the Arts Financial Statement Form must be completed by the applicant. The link for the form is: www.ncarts.edu/admissions/guidelines.
• Applicant is to provide a copy of their current passport, visa and/or I-20.

• Decisions concerning admission are made only after all candidates have auditioned.
• The Admissions Review Committee (the Office of Admissions, Undergraduate Academic Program and Student Life) will review applicant files that are recommended for acceptance and make the final admission decision.
• All required documentation must be on file in order for recommended applicants to be considered by the committee.
• Notification of admission decisions will come from the Office of Admissions and will be made in writing. No decisions will be given over the phone or email.

• If submitting an online application, print, sign and mail to the Office of Admissions immediately after submitting the application the Application Agreement Statement.
• Complete and sign the Provision of Social Security Number form provided with the application.
• Complete the top section of the Mandatory Information Form, sign and give the form to your guidance counselor or college advisor. If currently not enrolled in school, the form may be given to an employer, mentor, instructor, etc.
• Signatures of family members or legal guardians will not be accepted. Form is required of ALL APPLICANTS.

• For your records keep copies of the application and all materials mailed to the Office of Admissions. Items can get lost in the mail.
• Always address materials to the following mailing address:
  Office of Admissions
  North Carolina School of the Arts
  1533 S. Main St.
  Winston-Salem, NC 27127
  
• Materials mailed to the North Carolina School of the Arts only may be distributed to other departments and delay processing of your application.