Music Audition Requirements

Please review the options below and select the instrument or program for which you intend to audition. 

All students applying as a music major or music minor are required to participate in a live audition, either in-person or virtually. Please visit our Audition Registration page for more information on our Live Audition Days. If you are unable to attend a live audition day, either virtually or in-person, please contact the Fine Arts Recruitment Office at fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu to schedule an independent audition. For instrumentalists, this live audition may involve a sight reading test.

As part of your supplementary application, instrumentalists will be asked to provide a music resume and repertoire list. Should you like to substitute one of the required solo works with a standard orchestral/band excerpt, please contact the Fine Arts Recruitment Office at fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu. Below are some examples of what these items may look like, provided by current Pepperdine music students. 

All students applying as a music major or music minor are required to complete the Music Fundamentals & Skills Assessment. Those applying to join our instrumental ensembles but NOT seeking to add a music major or minor do not need to complete the MFSA. For specific questions about the MFSA, applicants may contact N. Lincoln Hanks, Associate Professor of Music, at lincoln.hanks@pepperdine.edu.

Those interested in pursuing a music minor should reach out to the Fine Arts Recruitment Office at fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu. All live audition requirements and required supplemental materials are the same as the requirements for the corresponding major. 

If you are interested in pursuing instrumental performance at Pepperdine but are not pursuing a music major or music minor, we encourage you to consider auditioning for our Instrumental Ensembles, which are open to all Seaver students regardless of major. Those interested in joining our Instrumental Ensembles should reach out to the Fine Arts Recruitment Office at fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu.