Piano

This page is for all first-year applicants applying to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music with an emphasis in instrumental performance for the fall semester whose primary instrument will be the piano, as well as those interested in pursuing a music minor in instrumental performance. All application and audition requirements apply to those who are applying to participate in our instrumental ensembles. Current Pepperdine students who wish to audition either as a minor or as a member of our instrumental ensembles should contact the Fine Arts Recruitment Office.

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

Application Requirements for Piano

All students applying for the Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in instrumental performance, or for the music minor in instrumental performance, must complete the following:

The application for Seaver College
The Fine Arts supplemental application
A live audition, either in-person or via Zoom
The Music Fundamentals and Skills Assessment

Those auditioning for instrumental ensembles must fulfill all requirements except for the Music Fundamentals and Skills Assessment.

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.

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.

Supplemental Application Requirements for Piano

You will receive access to your Application Portal after submitting your CommonApp. If you selected a Fine Arts major in your CommonApp, your Portal will include the Fine Arts Application Form. Those interested in pursuing a music minor or instrumental ensemble participation will need to reach out to the Fine Arts Recruitment Office to have the Fine Arts Application Form added to their Application Portal. Once you have submitted the Fine Arts Application Form, you will be able to submit your supplementary materials, including your recorded video auditions.

All students applying for the Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in instrumental performance, or for the music minor in instrumental performance, must submit the following as part of their supplemental Fine Arts application:

Music Resume
Repertoire List
Performance Portfolio
- Please review repertoire requirements below
Two Fine Arts Letters of Recommendations

Those auditioning for instrumental ensembles do NOT need to submit Fine Arts letters of recommendation. All other submission requirements apply.

Should you like to request a substitution to any portion of the required repertoire, please contact the Fine Arts Recruitment Office at fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu.

Application Deadlines

All required materials must be submitted by the listed deadline. Any application not completed by the listed deadline may be removed from consideration. For all current application deadlines, please visit this page.

Applicants experiencing hardship or extenuating circumstances due to natural disaster or public health concerns in their local area that may affect their ability to satisfy application requirements may contact the Fine Arts Recruitment Office at fineartsrecruitment@pepperdine.edu to explore possible accommodations. Though we cannot guarantee that accommodations/exceptions will be possible, applicants are encouraged to contact the Recruitment Office as soon as possible to allow the maximum amount of time to consider alternative options.

Recorded Video Guidelines

By the application deadline, all applicants pursuing an instrumental performance emphasis or instrumental ensemble participation must upload their recorded audition materials through the Pepperdine Application Portal. 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 an unedited, uninterrupted track.
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.
Be sure to review your entire recording for quality and completion before submitting! Applications that are incomplete will not be processed.

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

In-Person Audition Instructions

All students applying for the Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in instrumental performance, or for the music minor in instrumental performance, or for participation in our instrumental ensembles must participate in a live audition, either virtually or in-person. Those participating in an in-person audition can expect the following.

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

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.

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.

Immediately following the audition, students have the opportunity to complete the Music Fundamentals and Skills Assessment. You will have two hours to complete the exam. We encourage applicants to complete the MFSA prior to their live audition, but those who have not done so will be asked to participate in the exam following their in-person audition.

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, and a Fine Arts staff member will communicate with you via Zoom chat. If you need to communicate with Fine Arts staff, please call 310.506.4111.

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.

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

Piano Repertoire for Music Majors

Prospective performance majors must play a memorized audition that demonstrates technical facility, musicality, and understanding of musical styles.

A Prelude and Fugue from J.S Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier, or two movements from a Bach Suite or Partita
A fast movement from a Classical sonata
A work from the Romantic, Impressionist, or Contemporary Era

Piano Repertoire for Music Minors in Music and other music degree areas

Prospective piano minors or majors in all other degrees (music education and composition) must play a memorized audition that demonstrates technical facility, musicality, and understanding of musical styles consisting of the following works or their equivalents:

An Invention or Sinfonia by J.S. Bach or equivalent OR a fast movement from a Classical sonata
A work from the Romantic, Impressionist, or Contemporary Era

Audition Requirements for Piano

All materials must be submitted via the supplemental Fine Arts application.

Each applicant to the instrumental performance program is also required to participate in a live audition with the music faculty, in addition to the supplemental Fine Arts application. Participating in a live audition day, either virtually or in-person, will fulfill this requirement. If you are unable to participate in a live audition day, please reach out to the Fine Arts Recruitment Office to schedule your interview.

Those participating in an in-person audition may be asked to sight read.

Scholarship Consideration

Additional scholarships may be available for those pursuing a music major, music minor, or instrumental ensemble participation. By auditioning for the music major, music minor, or instrumental ensembles, you will automatically be considered for Fine Arts scholarships unless you choose to opt out. No additional scholarship application process is necessary to be considered for Fine Arts scholarships.

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