Admission to the Department

For full information of admissions procedures, further details of the required classes and general information about the IU Music School, please contact

IU School of Music Office of Admissions
Merrill Hall, MU101
East Third Street
Bloomington IN 47405
(812) 855-7998

Office of Admissions Website

Recording Arts Admission Requirements

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To attend the School of Music, undergraduate applicants must first gain admission to Indiana University. For university undergraduate admission requirements and an online application, go to www.admit.indiana.edu

Applicants for the Recording Arts program must complete the music audition/interview application and submit the following portfolio materials by December 1, 2009: Recording Arts applicant questionnaire, portfolio of artistic and creative work, two letters of recommendation, an essay, and a copy of your high school (and college if applicable) transcript. (please note that this is in addition to the transcript you send to university admissions). A musical audition is not required for admission.

Applicants for the Recording Arts program will be accepted for Fall admission only. It is not possible to begin the Recording Arts program at any other time. Following review of applications, students will be invited for an on-campus interview. Interviews are scheduled during audition weekends through the Office of Music Admissions and Financial Aid.

For further information you may contact the Recording Arts Office at the following telephone number: 812-855-1087 or e-mail audio@indiana.edu.

Recording Arts Application

1. Questionnaire
1. Describe your musical education and skills.
2. Describe your technical and audio skills and experience.
3. Describe your computer skills and experience.
4. What are your musical likes and dislikes?
5. What are your goals for entering the Recoding Arts program?
6. What are your career goals?
7. Why have you chosen Indiana University?
2. Portfolio
   The portfolio can include any of your artistic, creative, and technical work. Some examples might be CDs you have recorded, produced, or played on as a musician; musical repertoire; web design; computer programming; visual arts, film or video; electronics projects; etc. Submissions may be on CD, DVD, photographs, URLs, and print materials. Please include a complete description of your portfolio materials.
3. Two letters of recommendation from teachers or musical instructors.
4. Essay
   Write a paper of 3-5 pages on one of the following topics:
   1. Choose an artist or recording and discuss its significance to you as a musician.
   2. Choose a piece of equipment or technological innovation and discuss its impact on audio production and the entertainment industry.
   3. Choose a film or videogame and discuss its use of sound and how it enhances the storyline.
5. High School Transcript.
   Please note that this transcript is in addition to the transcript sent to Univeristy Admissions. Please request that a second copy be sent to the Jacobs School.

Interview Information

All interviews are held on campus in Bloomington, Indiana. The Indiana University School of Music Department of Recording Arts does not offer regional interviews. Specific information regarding interview requirements and dates is included in the School of Music bulletin; please read all instructions carefully. The Bulletin is available online here.

Interviews will be scheduled as soon as possible after an application is received. A confirmation letter will be mailed soon after your interview has been scheduled.

On your audition weekend you will be scheduled for an interview between 9 a.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday. Please make your travel plans after your receive an official confirmation of your interview date and time. Because of faculty availability and the number of applicants, it may not be possible to honor special requests for particular days or times within the weekend.

Audition and Interview Schedule

January 15, 16, 2010
February 5, 6, 2010
March 5, 6, 2010

Prospective Audio students are encouraged to sit in on audio classes. Please contact the Department of Recording Arts to make arrangements. It may be necessary to arrive on campus a few days early to observe an audio class.

Completed applications received by the December 1, 2009 deadline will receive priority treatment throughout the admissions process. Applications received after the deadline may not receive the audition/interview date of their choice and may be at a disadvantage for School of Music scholarship consideration. In addition, each request to reschedule any portion of your schedule will result in a $50.00 rescheduling fee.

Ad-Hoc Interviews and Telephone Interviews

If you are unable to attend one of the official audition dates sponsored by Music Admissions and Financial Aid, it may be possible to arrange an ad hoc interview. Students are strongly discouraged from arranging ad hoc interviews until after the final March audition weekend. Ad hoc interviews are arranged by the chair of the Department of Recording Arts. Contact the Department of Recording Arts to arrange an ad hoc interview. Once the Department of Recording Arts has granted the ad hoc interview, submit the audition application and indicate the date of the ad hoc interview and the name of the person who granted the interview. Please note that the Department of Recording Arts is neither required nor obligated to grant ad hoc interviews.

In some cases a telephone interview may be acceptable; however, it is the preference of the Department of Recording Arts that students come to the School of Music for on-campus interviews. This will give students a chance to view our facilities and meet faculty and audio students.

Admissions Decisions

Admission decisions will be made following the final audition weekend in March, In general students will be notified by the third week of March. An official letter will be sent by mail. Please be sure to keep your mailing address current with all admission offices.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

The School of Music administers merit-based scholarships. All applicants are automatically considered for scholarships. Decisions about scholarships are generally made by April 1st. Official award letters are sent via mail and are not given verbally

Need-based aid is offered to qualified applicants and their families from the Indiana University Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA). Although not required, we encourage you to apply for federal financial aid. To do so you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We recommend that you submit the FAFSA by March 1, 2010. The FAFSA form is available from most high school guidance offices or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Please note that international students are not eligible to submit the FAFSA.

For additional financial aid and scholarship information you should look into the Honors college. http://www.indiana.edu/~iubhonor/. Students from Indiana who are high academic achievers may apply for the Wells Scholar program: http://www.indiana.edu/~wsp/. and the Hudson and Holland Scholars program for minority applicants: http://www.indiana.edu/~hhsp/.