Students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy degree must submit both an IUPUI university online application and a Music and Arts Technology online application. If approved to do so via this application process, prospective students will also be required to take an audition/interview and two short online placement exams (see Audition Information below).
Application Process
Admission Requirements
- First, acceptance to IUPUI - Apply Here
- Second, submission of the Department of Music and Arts Technology application - Apply Here
- Third, if approved, complete a scheduled audition/interview session and two short online placement exams (see Audition Information below).
2023-2024 Music Therapy Audition dates (applications will be available starting Sept. 1)
Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 (for Spring 2024 entry) - application deadline Oct. 23*To audition for Music Therapy (BSMTh) on this date, you must have completed MUS-L 153 with a C or better or be enrolled in it for the fall 2023 semester.
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 (for Fall 2024 entry) - application deadline Jan. 20 Saturday, Mar. 23, 2024 (for Fall 2024 entry) - application deadline Mar. 2 Saturday, Apr. 27, 2024 (for Fall 2024 entry) - application deadline April 2
General Audition Information
Auditions will held in person unless a remote video audition request has been approved. If you need to request a remote video audition please contact Ms. Julie Wynn, Academic Advisor, Department of Music and Arts Technology julwynn@iupui.edu.
IUPUI policy requires all individuals to wear a mask inside buildings on campus.
The required audition session allows applicants to demonstrate interests, skills, and experiences in 1) music performance and creativity, 2) contemporary music technologies, 3) other arts-related creative, technological, and/or engineering fields, and 4) comprehension of music theory. Applicants are not required to demonstrate in all of these areas, though the audition committee is seeking applicants likely to excel in a degree balancing music technology course-work with music theory and performance/creative skills. If a student has college credit, a minimum 2.0 GPA is required to apply and audition.
A “primary instrument” declared for degree entry is to be used in the audition for a performance/creativity skill demonstration (i.e. a specific instrumental/voice, or “applied music technology” such as laptop/software, midi controllers, etc.). This choice determines a student’s path for individual studio instruction throughout the degree. Regardless of primary instrument, applicants are encouraged to bring computer-based demonstrations to illuminate skills and experiences in areas noted above.**See below for detailed primary instrument/technologies information**
Audition requests will be processed only after submitting your application. If an audition is approved and scheduled, you will receive information on how to take two short online placement exams related to the degree program. These online exams must be completed prior to the audition date. Note that 1) your acceptance into IUPUI as a student and 2) the departmental application must both be completed at least three weeks prior to the date of the requested audition.
Remote Auditions
If you live within a reasonable distance of Indianapolis, it is expected your audition will be in-person. If excessive travel distance to Indianapolis prohibits an in-person audition, or you require an accommodation due to a documented disability, you may contact the department to request a remote video audition. A remote audition is normally conducted on one of the specified departmental audition session dates.
For more info or questions, please contact Ms. Julie Wynn, Academic Advisor, Department of Music and Arts Technology 317-278-3264 julwynn@iupui.edu
What to Expect at the Audition
Auditions are planned for 15 minutes. Specific scheduling that day will be determined by our department audition administrator. An applicant should be prepared to address, though demonstrations and/or verbal responses:
- What is your interest in the field of music therapy?
- What is your background in music?
- What are your singing experiences and/or training?
- Do you have prior experience with music software and/or audio hardware?
- What music theory skills do you possess?
Equipment Provided at the Auditions:
- A small analog mixer connected to a stereo PA
- HDMI video cable connected to a large LCD screen
- a bass amp and a guitar amp
- grounded power outlets
- a table and X stand
- a piano
- a music stand
Please Note:
- A computer will not be provided for an applicant’s use in the audition
- Software-based work to be demonstrated must be shown to the audition panel in the native software. Rendered, bounced, or otherwise exported playback files do not represent an acceptable demonstration. Likewise, using playback files from a cellphone is not adequate, the audition panelists expect to “see” the development process of a work on the provided video monitor.
- Please bring any cables necessary for connections to your audio and computer equipment.
- Audition sessions are video recorded for possible review by department administrators or faculty. Under no conditions will these recordings be made available for any other purpose or to any other individual.
Specific Audition Requirements by Primary Instrument
Students are encouraged to choose repertoire that best represents their experience, skill level, and artistic range.
Instrumentalist (general)
- Perform one piece of your choosing for your instrument. This should be from a solo or ensemble competition list, or should be emblematic of your instrument if it is a non-symphonic instrument such as guitar. For examples of appropriate music, please visit the Indiana State School Music Association for a listing of Group I solos. The list of Group I vocal solos are found here: http://www.issma.net/semanuals.php
- Sing one of the following songs in the key of your choosing:
- America, the Beautiful, Down in the Valley, Home on the Range, Scarborough Fair, or This Land Is Your Land
- Perform major scales in 1-2 octaves
- Sight read 1-2 examples on the primary instrument
Note for percussionists: We can have a drum set and/or a marimba/vibraphone available for you to perform on for the audition. Percussionists are asked to specify if they will need a drum set and/or mallet percussion provided for the audition in the program application.
Note for guitarists: Examples from any of the following collections (or equivalent) would be appropriate audition material:
- Royal Conservatory of Music Guitar Repertoire Series, Grade 2 or above
- 100 Graded Classical Guitar Studies – Fredrick Noad
- Classical Studies for Pick Style Guitar – William Leavitt
- Jazz Songbook – William Leavitt
- Maiden Voyage, Volume 54 – Jamey Aebersold
- Killer Joe, Volume 70 – Jamey Aebersold
- Barry Galbraith Guitar Solos, Volume 1 and 2
If you have any further guitar-related questions please contact: John Alvarado, Senior Lecturer of Guitar joalvara@iupui.edu.
Vocalist
- Perform one piece of your choosing. You are encouraged to select a song from a solo or ensemble competition list; however, you are welcome to sing a piece not on a competition list so long as music is available for the faculty to see during the audition.
- You may sing unaccompanied, with self-accompaniment, or with an accompanist provided by the department. Request for an accompanist should be made when filling out the program application.
- Sing one of the following songs in the key of your choosing:
- America, the Beautiful, Down in the Valley, Home on the Range, Scarborough Fair, or This Land Is Your Land
- Perform a major scale in 1 octave
- Sight sing 1-2 examples
Applied Music Technologies as Primary Instrument
- Please demonstrate three different pieces of work representing a variety of experience and skill with music technologies. The applicant must clearly articulate their role(s) in each work and by what means they employed music technology.
- Essential demonstration items would include exhibiting competency with a fully featured digital audio workstation software, understanding basic concepts of mixing audio, work methods for digital and analog audio, and the ability to articulate standard functions of audio hardware.
- Experience with related fields of engineering and technology, one or more acoustic instruments, music theory, and/or composition is also to the advantage of the applicant. A student pursuing applied music technology as a performance medium will take private music technology lessons and serve performance, creative, and/or production roles with appropriate department ensembles.
ACCEPTANCE INTO THE MUSIC THERAPY PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM
While one may state that she or he is a Pre-Music Therapy major and be listed as such in the registrar’s office, a student must apply to move ahead in the professional program. The professional program is defined as starting with Practicum I. Admission to the professional program requires instructor permission. To get permission, the prospective student must apply to the professional program. The application normally takes place at the end of the sophomore year. Prior to application, students must:
- Pass a criminal background check
- Complete 6 credit hours of General Education Core with a minimum IUPUI GPA of 2.0
- Pass a playing exam (MUS-X298) with a score of at least 80% (see the exam later in this document)
Once admitted to the professional program, Music Therapy majors:
- Must continue to earn a “C” or better in all Music Therapy and Department of Music and Arts Technology courses.
- Successfully pass a background check every year.
- Cannot repeat or withdraw from a course more than one time per course to remain in the program.
- Must not engage in any of the behaviors listed in either the IUPUI or Music Therapy program dismissal policies.
Students seeking admission to the Music Therapy professional program must pass a criminal background check before admission is granted. Admission will be automatically denied to any student who fails to either complete the background check or who fails said check. Payment for the background check is the responsibility of the student (approximately $65/year).
Students who pass their initial background check but who later engage in criminal behaviors, which may result in the failure of a subsequent yearly background check, must notify the Music Therapy faculty of the incident so appropriate advising can take place. Engaging in any kind of criminal behavior may jeopardize the student’s ability to advance in the MT professional program, secure an internship, earn appropriate licensure, and/or gain employment as a music therapist. Faculty members are not liable for inaccurate or inappropriate advising arising from the failure of a student to report potential changes in his/her ability to pass a criminal background check.
