Instrumental Ensembles

This page is for all first-year applicants or current Seaver students who would like to participate in our instrumental ensembles. A full list of our ensembles can be found here.

You do not have to be a music major or minor to participate in our instrumental ensembles. All Seaver students, regardless of major, are encouraged to audition for our ensembles. 

For more information, please contact the Fine Arts Recruitment Office at 310.506.4111, or via email at fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu.

Application Deadlines

Instrumental ensemble applicants should submit all required audition materials by the standard Fine Arts audition deadlines for priority scholarship consideration. Any application not completed by the listed deadline may not be eligible for immediate scholarships.

Application Requirements for Instrumental Ensembles

Students applying for a music major or music minor will automatically be considered for ensemble placement. Please review the audition instructions for your selected major or minor here.

Students who do not wish to major or minor in Music who are still interested in participating in our instrumental ensembles should email fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu for further instructions. Applicants will receive detailed instructions via email, but should expect to complete one of the following audition options listed below.

The Music Fundamentals and Skills Assessment is only required for those applying as a Music major or Music minor. Applicants applying only for instrumental ensemble consideration do not need to complete the exam.

Transfer applicants are strongly encouraged to review Pepperdine’s transfer policies and to contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@pepperdine.edu with further questions.

Option 1: Digital Audition Submission

Applicants who choose to submit recorded materials will be expected to submit the following.

1. Two scales of your choosing
2. Two contrasting solos
3. A brief written description of your musical background

More information on how to submit a recorded audition will be provided by emailing fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu.

Option 2: Live Audition (Zoom or in-person)

Applicants who choose to audition live may do so over Zoom or in-person. Students participating in a live audition, either in-person or over Zoom, will be expected to perform the following:

1. These instructions will be updated by August 1st.

More information on how to schedule a live audition will be provided by emailing fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu. 

Recorded Video Guidelines

By the application deadline, all applicants auditioning for instrumental ensembles via digital submission must submit their recorded audition materials. Please read the following instructions carefully in preparation for your recorded materials. 

The following guidelines should be observed for all submitted videos.

• Please submit each piece of your video audition as an individual file. Record each of your selections in a single take, unedited and uninterrupted.
• Recordings must have been made within the past 12 months and must meet the repertoire requirements set by each department.
• We will not accept audio recordings in place of video recordings.
• All recordings must be self-tapes, recorded specifically for this audition. We will not accept recordings from previous performances.
• Be sure to review your entire recording for quality and completion before submitting! Applications that are incomplete will not be processed.

Your recorded video auditions should be recorded with accompaniment. Acceptable accompaniment options include: 

• in-person accompanist (preferred)
• a high-quality piano accompanying app, pre-recorded accompaniment tracks (ideally from an accompanist you have worked with)
• self-accompaniment at the piano. 

Please use your judgment and select the best accompaniment option that is available to you. 

For further guidance on how to best record your video audition, please consult the Virtual Audition Guidelines.

In-Person Audition Instructions 

Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your audition time in order to check in. Practice rooms may be available upon request. 

Instrumentalists have the option of performing with an accompanist provided by the university. If you would like to use our accompanist, you must provide sheet music at least one week prior to your audition, as well as bringing paper copies when you arrive for your audition. We will not be able to print your sheet music for you on campus. You can submit your sheet music by emailing the Fine Arts Recruitment Office at fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu. Failure to submit your sheet music prior to your audition may result in us not being able to support your request for an accompanist.

Please refer to the requirements listed above regarding repertoire expectations for live auditions. You may be asked to sight read as part of your live audition.

After the performance portion, each applicant for the music program will participate in a brief interview with the music faculty. 

Zoom Audition Instructions

If you are unable to participate in an in-person audition, you have the option to audition via Zoom. Applicants who audition virtually will be treated equitably to those who audition in-person. Those participating in a virtual live audition should observe the following instructions.

Log into the Zoom meeting 15 minutes prior to your audition time in order to check in. You will be kept in a waiting room, where you will be able to communicate with a Fine Arts team member. A team member will assist you with a live sound check prior to your audition.

A virtual audition requires adequate lighting, neutral background, strong wifi or ethernet connection as well as appropriate camera angle(s) and audio settings. We strongly encourage all applicants to test their video and audio settings independently prior to their audition. For further information, please reference our Virtual Audition Guidelines.

Please prepare to perform a selection of your repertoire for the live audition. All repertoire requirements for the live audition are the same as for the recorded video audition. You may use the same selections for both the recorded video audition and live audition if you wish, or you may choose different repertoire for the live audition that still fulfills the requirements.

After the performance portion, each applicant for the music program will participate in a brief interview with the music faculty. 

Scholarship Consideration

Additional scholarships may be available for ensemble members. By auditioning for our instrumental ensembles, you will automatically be considered for scholarships from the Fine Arts division unless you choose to opt out. No additional scholarship application process is necessary to be considered for scholarships from the Fine Arts division.