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Concordia University - Chicago

River Forest, IL

HSIFaith-BasedTest-OptionalLGBTQ+

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Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

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Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

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BA Music

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Broad liberal arts BA Music degree with exposure to arts and sciences

Faith-based Lutheran (LCMS) university with a Christ-centered music mission

51-credit music major in the 2026-2027 catalog

Training

Academic core includes music theory, aural skills, music history and literature, conducting, applied study, and ensemble participation

All music majors study a primary instrument or voice, and many study a second instrument

Applied study is available in every instrument and voice

Performance & Productions

Senior capstone options include senior recital, senior composition project, or senior research project

Choral ensembles include Kapelle, Schola Cantorum, Laudate, and Mannerchor

Instrumental ensembles include Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, University Handbell Choirs, University Band, Jazz Band, Cougar Band, and Resonanz

Facilities

Kretzmann Hall houses rehearsal rooms, teaching studios, practice rooms, five pipe organs, 35 pianos, a music computer lab, and an electronic piano lab

Location

Chicago-area access includes student tickets to Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera, and other performance venues

Degree Flexibility

Students may emphasize another humanities area, add a minor or second major, or add certificates in parish music or piano pedagogy

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.14

Admit rate

93%

school-wide

Grad rate

36%

Enrollment

1.3K

Earnings

$54K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$39,898

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$54,778

Before aid

Average net price

$18,436

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · cuchicago.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 9, 4:27 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Broad liberal arts BA Music degree with exposure to arts and sciences

Faith-based Lutheran (LCMS) university with a Christ-centered music mission

51-credit music major in the 2026-2027 catalog

Training

Academic core includes music theory, aural skills, music history and literature, conducting, applied study, and ensemble participation

All music majors study a primary instrument or voice, and many study a second instrument

Applied study is available in every instrument and voice

Performance & Productions

Senior capstone options include senior recital, senior composition project, or senior research project

Choral ensembles include Kapelle, Schola Cantorum, Laudate, and Mannerchor

Instrumental ensembles include Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, University Handbell Choirs, University Band, Jazz Band, Cougar Band, and Resonanz

Facilities

Kretzmann Hall houses rehearsal rooms, teaching studios, practice rooms, five pipe organs, 35 pianos, a music computer lab, and an electronic piano lab

Location

Chicago-area access includes student tickets to Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera, and other performance venues

Degree Flexibility

Students may emphasize another humanities area, add a minor or second major, or add certificates in parish music or piano pedagogy

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Broad liberal arts BA Music degree with exposure to arts and sciences

Faith-based Lutheran (LCMS) university with a Christ-centered music mission

51-credit music major in the 2026-2027 catalog

Training

Academic core includes music theory, aural skills, music history and literature, conducting, applied study, and ensemble participation

All music majors study a primary instrument or voice, and many study a second instrument

Applied study is available in every instrument and voice

Performance & Productions

Senior capstone options include senior recital, senior composition project, or senior research project

Choral ensembles include Kapelle, Schola Cantorum, Laudate, and Mannerchor

Instrumental ensembles include Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, University Handbell Choirs, University Band, Jazz Band, Cougar Band, and Resonanz

Facilities

Kretzmann Hall houses rehearsal rooms, teaching studios, practice rooms, five pipe organs, 35 pianos, a music computer lab, and an electronic piano lab

Location

Chicago-area access includes student tickets to Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera, and other performance venues

Degree Flexibility

Students may emphasize another humanities area, add a minor or second major, or add certificates in parish music or piano pedagogy

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

High School Students · cuchicago.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the audition.

Apply

School Website

Auditions

Music Audition Registration OpensOct 1, 2026

In-Person Audition

Nov 14, 2026Feb 13 & 15, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Recorded Auditions BeginOct 1, 2026

Music Scholarships · cuchicago.edu

Audition Requirements

Repertoire List

Prepare two selections of contrasting styles from standard solo repertoire

Choose repertoire totaling 8-10 minutes for instrumentalists or 5-10 minutes for singers

Singers are encouraged to include one piece in a foreign language

Do not use etudes, pop tunes, show tunes, or Christian contemporary music

All auditions must use a live accompanist; instrumentalists may perform one piece unaccompanied only if it was written that way

Guitar, piano, organ, harp, and percussion auditions do not require accompaniment

Video

Begin the recording with a brief spoken introduction of yourself, your instrument or voice, and what you will perform

Video is required; audio-only recordings are not accepted

Keep the camera on you and your instrument at all times

Submit a YouTube link, mp4/equivalent file, Google Drive share, flash drive, or DVD to the Music Office

Music Scholarships · cuchicago.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit the university application through Common App or CUC's online application; CUC lists no application fee

Once admitted, register for a music audition through Concordia Connect

Students who have not yet been admitted but still want to audition should contact the Music Office

Transfer applicants can request an unofficial transfer-credit evaluation through Transferology or a CUC admissions counselor

Enrollment

New undergraduate students are accepted for fall and spring study

Important Notes

Recorded auditions open Oct. 1, 2026; in-person auditions are held on campus Nov. 14, 2026, Feb. 13, and Feb. 15, 2027

The scholarship page's $100 enrollment-deposit date (May 1, 2025) is leftover prior-cycle text; the National Candidate Reply Deadline of May 1 applies each year

Transfer Pathway

CUC offers an unofficial Transferology/course-mapping review and participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative, which can satisfy comparable lower-division general education requirements. BA Music major and applied-study requirements remain subject to CUC's degree evaluation after transfer credit is reviewed.

Undergraduate On Campus · cuchicago.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

An entrance audition is required for incoming music majors

The music scholarship audition also serves as the entrance audition for incoming music majors

Auditions may be completed in person or by recording

Audition Expectations

Faculty review musical ability, potential contribution to the music department, and fit with department needs

Recorded auditions must include video and should follow the same repertoire standards as in-person auditions

Post-Enrollment

Music majors complete the music fundamentals test for placement into Music Theory I and Aural Skills I

Prior keyboard experience is recommended; keyboard technique courses are available for piano proficiency

Decisions

Music scholarship decisions are announced after the audition window: end of December for November auditions and end of March for February auditions

Contact

Music Office contact for audition questions: Fiona.Chisholm@CUChicago.edu or 708-209-3062

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

Performance-based music scholarships are awarded by audition to students demonstrating musical talent and potential

Both music and non-music majors may audition; for incoming music majors, the scholarship audition also serves as the entrance audition

Awards depend on audition performance, department needs, applicant pool, and the student's total award package

Awards are divided between fall and spring semesters and may be renewed annually for four years if academic standards and participation requirements are met

Scholarship recipients take lessons on their instrument or voice and participate in an approved ensemble each semester

CUC offers renewable awards for qualified Lutheran Summer Music alumni and a specialized Trusheim Freshman Award for incoming organ students

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.14

Admit rate

93%

school-wide

Grad rate

36%

Enrollment

1.3K

Earnings

$54K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$39,898

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$54,778

Before aid

Average net price

$18,436

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · cuchicago.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Broad liberal arts BA Music degree with exposure to arts and sciences

Faith-based Lutheran (LCMS) university with a Christ-centered music mission

51-credit music major in the 2026-2027 catalog

Training

Academic core includes music theory, aural skills, music history and literature, conducting, applied study, and ensemble participation

All music majors study a primary instrument or voice, and many study a second instrument

Applied study is available in every instrument and voice

Performance & Productions

Senior capstone options include senior recital, senior composition project, or senior research project

Choral ensembles include Kapelle, Schola Cantorum, Laudate, and Mannerchor

Instrumental ensembles include Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, University Handbell Choirs, University Band, Jazz Band, Cougar Band, and Resonanz

Facilities

Kretzmann Hall houses rehearsal rooms, teaching studios, practice rooms, five pipe organs, 35 pianos, a music computer lab, and an electronic piano lab

Location

Chicago-area access includes student tickets to Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera, and other performance venues

Degree Flexibility

Students may emphasize another humanities area, add a minor or second major, or add certificates in parish music or piano pedagogy

Updated Sep 9, 4:27 PM