About the School
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.
- Majors
- Minors
- Graduate
- Studios
- Non-Majors
- Auditions
Music Business
The sequence is intended for those who wish to pursue a career in business professions related to music.
Music Composition
Students who enjoy improvising or learning about how music is put together may be composers.
Music Teacher Education
Illinois State University is the largest teacher training institution in Illinois, and music faculty cooperate closely with professors in the College of Education.
Music - Liberal Arts
The Bachelor of Arts in Music and the Bachelor of Science in Music are for those students searching for a broad-based academic degree.
Music Performance
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.
Music Therapy
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.
Jazz Performance
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.
Music
The Music-Liberal Arts minor is for those students searching for a broad-based academic minor.
Music - Collaborative Piano
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.
Music Composition
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.
Music Conducting
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.
Music Performance
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.
Music Teacher Education
While studying current issues in the profession, the student is given the opportunity to develop a specialized area of concentration.
Music Therapy
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
Flute studio members develop into a musical family-like experience pursuing similar passions.
Oboe
Oboe studio members share their musical growth through performance and around the reed making table.
Clarinet
Clarinet studio membership is fun, fulfilling, and foundational for the future you pursue in music.
Saxophone
Saxophone studio membership is comprised of a vibrant and talented group of students.
Bassoon
Studio membership for bassoonists enhances your passion for performing and appreciating the instrument.
Horn
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.
Trumpet
Excellence in performance is a hallmark of the trumpet studio.
Trombone
Trombone studio students experience the pursuit of excellence in purposeful preparation for a lifetime of music making.
Tuba & Euphonium
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
Percussion studio members strive to develop musicianship and technical proficiency in performance and pedagogy in a myriad of styles and idioms.
Voice
Voice students are surrounded by positive and creative faculty members encouraging proper vocal development and performance.
Piano & Keyboard
Diverse pianists and organists comprise the piano studios where students celebrate their craft.
Guitar
Guitarist studio members relish in honing their classical guitar performance skills both as a solo musician and in ensemble work.
Violin
Celebrating a long history of excellence in performance, the violin studio offers enrichment for future music professionals.
Viola
The viola studio is comprised of ambitious learners with diverse perspectives.
Cello
The cello studio includes students with a wide range of backgrounds and interests in the arts.
Double Bass
The double bass studio offers student musicians a broad range of training and experiences to encourage well-rounded musical development.
Choirs, Orchestra, & Bands
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:
- Band Office - (309) 438-2166
- Director of Choral Activities - (309) 438-2012
- Director of Orchestras - (309) 438-2540
Music Classes
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!
2017 Ensemble Placement Auditions
Ensemble Placement auditions occur just as school begins.
August 1st Download Audition Materials
Choral Ensemble Hearings
Contact Dr. Karyl Carlson with questions about choral ensemble hearings.
Incoming freshmen non-music majors enroll in Women's Choir (for female voices) or Men's Glee (for male voices).
Incoming freshmen music majors enroll in Belle Voix (for female voices) or Men's Glee (for male voices).
- Haydn’s CREATION “Awake the Harp” m. 37 – end, in English
- Sight-singing
- Statement of purpose (what will be your contribution to the ensemble)
Woodwind, Brass, Percussion Ensemble Auditions
- See the Bands page for full audition requirements
- Secure the audition music (available July 15)
- Complete the on-line survey by August 14, 2017.
Thursday, August 17
10-11 a.m. – BASSOON, Kemp Recital Hall basement stage door - Prof. Michael Dicker
10 a.m.-12 p.m. – SAXOPHONE, Kemp Recital Hall - Dr. Paul Nolen
Jazz Ensemble
Strings
August 20, 2017
11 a.m., BASS - Kemp Recital Hall basement stage door, Centennial East
12 p.m., CELLO - Kemp Recital Hall basement stage door, Centennial East
1 p.m., VIOLA - Kemp Recital Hall basement stage door, Centennial East
2 p.m., VIOLIN - Kemp Recital Hall basement stage door, Centennial East
All string players should prepare select passages listed below from Beethoven- Symphony NO. 7 available from IMSLP on-line public domain orchestra library.
Mozart - Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter" (first and last movement expositions)
1) Movt. I - Begin at introduction and exposition: pp. 2 - 3 [EVERYONE]
2) Movt. IV - Begin at exposition to first 1st ending: pp. 12 - 13 [ONLY VIOLINS/VIOLAS]
Admission Auditions
How to be an Undergraduate Music Major
- New students, Apply to the University! On the University application you will be asked to choose your audition date. Current students can reserve their audition using My.IllinoisState.
- Sept. 30, 2017 (for spring 2018 only)
- December 2, 2017
- January 20, 2018
- February 3, 2018 (at Kelly High School, Chicago, IL)
- February 9, 2018
- February 10, 2018
- April 7, 2018 (not for scholarship consideration)
- If you live outside of Illinois, you may submit your audition via Acceptd.
- Review ‘Suggested Repertoire’ for your specific instrument (listed on the individual studio pages) to prepare for your audition.
- Provide us a letter of recommendation from a music professional, music@IllinoisState.edu.
- Bring your music resume to your audition.
- Students transferring from 4-year colleges and universities need to provide a Transfer Acknowledgement Form to us before scholarship consideration can be made.
How to be an Undergraduate Music Minor
- New freshmen and transfer students, Apply to the University! On the University application you will be asked to choose your audition date. Current students reserve your audition using My.IllinoisState.
- Sept. 30, 2017 (for spring 2018 only)
- December 2, 2017
- January 20, 2018
- February 3, 2018 (at Kelly High School, Chicago, IL)
- February 9, 2018
- February 10, 2018
- April 7, 2018 (not for scholarship consideration)
- If you live outside of Illinois, you may submit your audition via Acceptd
- Review ‘Suggested Repertoire’ for your specific instrument (listed on the individual studio pages) to prepare for your audition.
- Provide us a letter of recommendation from a music professional, music@IllinoisState.edu.
- Bring your music resume to your audition.
Contact Us
Music News
Future Stuff to kick off 2017 Concerts on the Quad series
Illinois State University’s Concerts on the Quad series begins Monday, July 3, with the breathtaking two-some Future Stuff. Future Stuff consists of Gabe Burdulis and Althea (Thea) Grace, who met each other at a band competition in Chicago five years ago. Individually, both Burdulis and Grace [...]
