Voice

This page is for all first-year applicants applying to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music with an emphasis in vocal performance for the fall semester, as well as those interested in pursuing a music minor in vocal performance. Those interested in Musical Theatre should refer to the Musical Theatre program page. Current Pepperdine students who wish to audition either as a music minor 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 Voice

All students applying for the Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in vocal performance, or for the music minor in vocal 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

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 Voice

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 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 vocal performance, or for the music minor in vocal performance, must submit the following as part of their supplemental Fine Arts application:

Music Resume
Performance Portfolio
- English or American art song
- Art song or aria in a language other than English
- Song of the applicant’s choice, which could include a song from musical theatre
Two Fine Arts Letters of Recommendations

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 a vocal performance emphasis 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.

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.

Please submit a short introduction in which you state your name, the recording date (or dates), and list the selections recorded.

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 vocal performance, or for the music minor in vocal performance, 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.

You are to provide legible sheet music of your repertoire in a binder; the sheet music provided to the pianist at the time of the audition should include the vocal line as well as piano accompaniment. All other forms of sheet music will not be accepted.

Please dress appropriately for your audition.

Men: suits, with or without ties, dress shoes
Women: Mid or knee-length dresses, pants or pantsuits, dress shoes as is appropriate for the outfit

Please prepare to sing 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 singing portion, each applicant for the vocal 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.

Vocalists should perform 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), or self-accompaniment at the piano.

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 dress appropriately for your audition.

Men: suits, with or without ties, dress shoes
Women: Mid or knee-length dresses, pants or pantsuits, dress shoes as is appropriate for the outfit

Please prepare to sing 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 singing portion, each applicant for the vocal 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 virtual audition.

Scholarship Consideration

Additional scholarships may be available for those pursuing a music major or music minor. By auditioning for the music major or music minor, 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.