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Augustana College

Rock Island, IL

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Music Composition

Composition

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewScholarship PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

Training

67-credit composition major with the full theory sequence, history, conducting and applied composition lessons

Applied lessons on a secondary instrument or voice plus applied electronic-music lessons

Faculty co-chaired by composer Dr. Jacob Bancks

Annual student composition recitals

Performance & Productions

Original works read and performed by Augustana's 12+ ensembles

Electronic and acoustic composition studios in the renovated Bergendoff Hall

Professional Development

Recent music graduates accepted to New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Eastman, Indiana University, Cincinnati Conservatory and Northwestern

Facilities

New Hamann Concert Hall

Centennial Hall (1,600-seat)

Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts ($12-13M renovation)

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.44

Admit rate

63%

school-wide

Grad rate

73%

Enrollment

2.5K

Earnings

$63K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$55,218

Before aid

Average net price

$22,736

After aid

Student Charges 2026 27 · augustana.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 7, 2:04 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

Training

67-credit composition major with the full theory sequence, history, conducting and applied composition lessons

Applied lessons on a secondary instrument or voice plus applied electronic-music lessons

Faculty co-chaired by composer Dr. Jacob Bancks

Annual student composition recitals

Performance & Productions

Original works read and performed by Augustana's 12+ ensembles

Electronic and acoustic composition studios in the renovated Bergendoff Hall

Professional Development

Recent music graduates accepted to New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Eastman, Indiana University, Cincinnati Conservatory and Northwestern

Facilities

New Hamann Concert Hall

Centennial Hall (1,600-seat)

Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts ($12-13M renovation)

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

Training

67-credit composition major with the full theory sequence, history, conducting and applied composition lessons

Applied lessons on a secondary instrument or voice plus applied electronic-music lessons

Faculty co-chaired by composer Dr. Jacob Bancks

Annual student composition recitals

Performance & Productions

Original works read and performed by Augustana's 12+ ensembles

Electronic and acoustic composition studios in the renovated Bergendoff Hall

Professional Development

Recent music graduates accepted to New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Eastman, Indiana University, Cincinnati Conservatory and Northwestern

Facilities

New Hamann Concert Hall

Centennial Hall (1,600-seat)

Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts ($12-13M renovation)

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Early application deadlineNov 1, 2026

Regular DecisionApr 1, 2027

Process · augustana.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

Scholarship Audition Registration OpensSep 1, 2026

In-person auditions at Cary-Grove and Woodstock High SchoolsOct 26, 2026

Academic Scholarship Day

Nov 14, 2026Feb 13, 2027

Music auditions

Nov 17, 2026Feb 15 & 27, 2027Mar 1, 13 & 15, 2027

Scholarship Application DeadlineMar 15, 2027

Scholarships · augustana.edu

Scholarship Audition, Interview, and Portfolio Requirements

Optional audition, interview, and portfolio for scholarship consideration only; they are not required for program admission.

Portfolio / Creative Sample

Composition portfolio: submit one to three recent original compositions

Portfolio recordings: include audio or video recordings when available; live performances are preferred

Portfolio works list: include a list of submitted works

Scholarships · augustana.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to the college via Common App or school website

No separate program application required for admission to the major

$0 application fee

If you cannot attend a listed date, request an alternate date as soon as possible

Program Requirements

Augustana is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music

67-credit Composition major

Scholarship recipients must take applied lessons and participate in a major ensemble

Additional lesson fees apply

Important Notes

$1,000-$4,000 annual scholarships open to any major

What's The Process

Review Process

No audition required for admission to the Music Composition program

Acceptance to the college allows you to pursue any major

Optional scholarship review is completed in person on a selected music audition date

Composition candidates submit a portfolio and meet with composition faculty

Open to students of any major

Portfolio Review

Submit 1-3 recent compositions, recordings (if available) and a list of works

All composition candidates are encouraged to also present audition materials on an applied instrument or voice

Interview

In-person meeting with composition faculty during the scholarship audition

Contact

Margaretellis@augustana.edu

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarship

$1,000-$4,000 annually

Open to students of any major

Renewable for four years

Recipients must take applied lessons and participate in a major ensemble

Additional lesson fees apply

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.44

Admit rate

63%

school-wide

Grad rate

73%

Enrollment

2.5K

Earnings

$63K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$55,218

Before aid

Average net price

$22,736

After aid

Student Charges 2026 27 · augustana.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

Training

67-credit composition major with the full theory sequence, history, conducting and applied composition lessons

Applied lessons on a secondary instrument or voice plus applied electronic-music lessons

Faculty co-chaired by composer Dr. Jacob Bancks

Annual student composition recitals

Performance & Productions

Original works read and performed by Augustana's 12+ ensembles

Electronic and acoustic composition studios in the renovated Bergendoff Hall

Professional Development

Recent music graduates accepted to New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Eastman, Indiana University, Cincinnati Conservatory and Northwestern

Facilities

New Hamann Concert Hall

Centennial Hall (1,600-seat)

Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts ($12-13M renovation)

Updated Aug 7, 2:04 AM