The School of Music prides itself in the individualized attention it provides to students majoring in liberal arts, music business, music education, music composition, music therapy, music performance, collaborative piano, and graduate conducting.
The Music Business sequence exposes musicians to the vast opportunities for careers in the music industry while enabling students to develop their musical skills and preparing them to become innovative leaders, thinkers, and creators in the field.
Students who enjoy improvising or learning about how music is put together may be composers.
Majoring in music composition with a theory emphasis will prepare a student to write music as a way of understanding its structure from the inside out.
The Jazz Studies program is designed to develop abilities as jazz performers, composers, and arrangers.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music and the Bachelor of Science in Music are for those students searching for a broad-based academic degree.
The New Media Composition sequence is designed for students interested in creating original music composition content for new media.
Performance majors are excited to spend the majority of their academic career rehearsing and practicing for the numerous performance opportunities here and at local performance venues.
Illinois State University is the largest teacher training institution in Illinois, and music faculty cooperate closely with professors in the College of Education.
The curriculum for the bachelor's degree is designed to impart entry level competencies in three main areas: musical foundations, clinical foundations, and music therapy foundations and principles.
The minor in Jazz Performance at Illinois State University focuses on the instruction of jazz for musicians who play the saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, keyboard, bass, and percussion.
The Music-Liberal Arts minor is for those students searching for a broad-based academic minor.
The Master of Music in Collaborative Piano focuses on accompanying and chamber music, collaborating with a wide range of instruments and voice, plus the opportunity to play in large ensembles and in operatic settings.
The Master of Music in Jazz Performance program helps students develop their professional abilities as jazz performers and improvisers with private jazz instruction, small and large ensemble participation, improvisation courses, and other traditional academic music courses.
The Master of Music in String Pedagogy trains students to become qualified and knowledgeable string teachers.
The Master's degree in Composition is a good program for students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in composition and would like to build their portfolio, or for students who are interested in pursuing teaching as a career.
Graduates of the conducting program often go on for doctoral studies in conducting, continue as conductors in school and community college settings, and/or conduct church or community choirs.
All Music Performance Majors at Illinois State University are afforded the opportunity of intensive study in their medium with a highly qualified and professionally accomplished artist-teacher.
While studying current issues in the profession, the student is given the opportunity to develop a specialized area of concentration.
The Master of Music in Music Therapy is designed to produce highly qualified and knowledgeable music therapists who have advanced training in music and its therapeutic applications.
Flute studio members develop into a musical family-like experience pursuing similar passions.
Oboe studio members share their musical growth through performance and around the reed making table.
Clarinet studio membership is fun, fulfilling, and foundational for the future you pursue in music.
Saxophone studio membership is comprised of a vibrant and talented group of students.
Studio membership for bassoonists enhances your passion for performing and appreciating the instrument.
Alumni of the horn studio are Fulbright Scholars and orchestrators/arrangers for the Academy Awards and American Idol, as well as the third Hobbit film.
Excellence in performance is a hallmark of the trumpet studio.
Trombone studio students experience the pursuit of excellence in purposeful preparation for a lifetime of music making.
The tuba and euphonium studio is a tight knit, supportive, positive musical environment that strives to help students achieve their highest level of performance possible.
Percussion studio members strive to develop musicianship and technical proficiency in performance and pedagogy in a myriad of styles and idioms.
Voice students are surrounded by positive and creative faculty members encouraging proper vocal development and performance.
Diverse pianists and organists comprise the piano studios where students celebrate their craft.
Guitarist studio members relish in honing their classical guitar performance skills both as a solo musician and in ensemble work.
Celebrating a long history of excellence in performance, the violin studio offers enrichment for future music professionals.
The viola studio is comprised of ambitious learners with diverse perspectives.
The cello studio includes students with a wide range of backgrounds and interests in the arts.
The double bass studio offers student musicians a broad range of training and experiences to encourage well-rounded musical development.
All School of Music ensembles are open to all university students by audition. All ensembles are registered courses for which grades are given and tuition is paid. Auditions occur just prior to the beginning of the semester. Music is provided for instrumental musicians. Vocalists must prepare one piece from memory.
To schedule a non-major ensemble audition or for more information, please contact:
Piano, guitar and voice lessons are open to all majors, as are choirs, orchestra and bands! Classes in black music, history of jazz and world arts in music can be taken to fulfill general education requirements!
A performance audition is required for admission to a music major or minor. Auditions for Spring 2021 or Fall 2021 admission will primarily occur virtually or by prerecorded audition.
You may choose one of the following scheduled virtual audition dates (conducted via Zoom):
Or, you may choose to submit a recorded video audition (audio-only not accepted). Percussion students needing to arrange an in-person audition can contact Music@IllinoisState.edu. Recorded auditions and in-person auditions must be received or completed by February 6 for scholarship consideration.
For tips on recording or streaming your audition, please review recommendations from our faculty.
Once your audition date has been confirmed by the School of Music, you will be asked to upload additional material which includes:
Students auditioning in Woodwind, Brass, Percussion Unified Ensemble Auditions will be considered for all major ensembles: Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, and Symphony Orchestra. All students regardless of major are welcome to audition for all major ensembles. All students participating in Unified Ensemble Auditions are required to prepare all provided excerpts. Music majors are required to participate in the Unified Ensemble Auditions.
Symphonic Band Only Auditions are open to students who are not music majors and wish to be considered only for Symphonic Band. Students participating in Symphonic Band Only Auditions will prepare SELECT excerpts as indicated in the Audition Packet. These auditions will happen at the same time as Unified Auditions. Music majors and percussionists are not permitted to use this audition option.
Students who wish to perform only in the University Band should register for the course as auditions are not required for participation in that ensemble. Further instructions will be emailed to all those enrolled in the course.
University Band: W; 7-9:50 p.m. (1 concert); MUS 181A03/281A03/481A03
All Auditions are held in Cook 212 unless otherwise specified. Unified and Symphonic Band Only auditions are held at the same times.
Horn 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. (Rachel Hockenberry)
Euphonium 8 p.m.-9 p.m. (Andy Rummel)
Bassoon 10 a.m.-11 a.m. (Michael Dicker)
Please contact Tony Marinello with any issues or questions.
Additional rehearsal times will be considered as warranted.
Sunday, August 16
Kemp Recital Hall
Basses: 11 a.m.–noon
Cellos: noon-1 p.m.
Violas: 1 p.m.-2 p.m.
Violins: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Returning and transferring students with voice as their primary instrument are expected to submit an ensemble placement audition, comprised of two brief audio-only recordings. Students new to college begin auditions spring semester, and do not need to submit audition recordings at this time. The audition recording components:
Audition Excerpts:
Two audio-only files are best submitted as .mp3
Please label files like this:
(your) LastName Song.mp3
(your) LastName Excerpt.mp3
Example:
Carlson Song.mp3
Carlson Excerpt.mp3
Drop your audio files in the appropriate section beginning August 13:
2020 Altos
2020 Sopranos
2020 Baritone/Bass
2020 Tenors
The Illinois State University choral faculty remain committed to your health, well-being, and continued learning. We will continue to explore choral repertoire of all styles. We know that all members of the choral family will continue to be empathetic, flexible, and understanding to our evolving circumstances.
Direct all inquiries to Karyl Carlson, director of Choral Activities.