Private school1.3K

Concordia University - Chicago

River Forest, IL

HSIFaith-BasedTest-OptionalLGBTQ+

Start free

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In FriendlyPK-12Teacher Cert

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In FriendlyPK-12Teacher Cert

Browse programs

Quick links

BME Music Education with Cert

Choral Emphasis

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In FriendlyPK-12Teacher Cert

Training

Choral Emphasis includes Singer's Diction, PK-12 choral program repertoire and techniques, advanced choral conducting, applied percussion, and applied piano or voice coursework

Students continue the shared BME music core in theory, aural skills, history, conducting, applied study, and ensemble participation

Performance & Productions

Choral ensemble options include Kapelle, Schola Cantorum, Laudate, and Mannerchor, with additional instrumental ensemble participation required by the curriculum

Degree Flexibility

Emphasis supports the PK-12 Music Education licensure pathway for students preparing to teach choral music

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, 4:36 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Choral Emphasis includes Singer's Diction, PK-12 choral program repertoire and techniques, advanced choral conducting, applied percussion, and applied piano or voice coursework

Students continue the shared BME music core in theory, aural skills, history, conducting, applied study, and ensemble participation

Performance & Productions

Choral ensemble options include Kapelle, Schola Cantorum, Laudate, and Mannerchor, with additional instrumental ensemble participation required by the curriculum

Degree Flexibility

Emphasis supports the PK-12 Music Education licensure pathway for students preparing to teach choral music

Program Highlights

Training

Choral Emphasis includes Singer's Diction, PK-12 choral program repertoire and techniques, advanced choral conducting, applied percussion, and applied piano or voice coursework

Students continue the shared BME music core in theory, aural skills, history, conducting, applied study, and ensemble participation

Performance & Productions

Choral ensemble options include Kapelle, Schola Cantorum, Laudate, and Mannerchor, with additional instrumental ensemble participation required by the curriculum

Degree Flexibility

Emphasis supports the PK-12 Music Education licensure pathway for students preparing to teach choral music

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

CUC publishes suggested fall and spring material deadlines for undergraduate transfer applicants

Admission Pathway

BME students choose an Instrumental, Choral, or General Music emphasis within the degree

Admission to College of Education teacher candidacy is a later transition point and requires keyboard/piano proficiency

Program Requirements

The degree leads to the Illinois Professional Educator License in PK-12 Music Education

College of Education transfer coursework requires a grade of C or higher

BME candidates complete piano proficiency requirements before teacher candidacy and student teaching

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

For the Choral Emphasis, CUC offers an unofficial Transferology/course-mapping review and participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative for comparable lower-division general education credit; the BME's teacher-candidacy and music requirements remain after transfer credit is evaluated.

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

Training

Choral Emphasis includes Singer's Diction, PK-12 choral program repertoire and techniques, advanced choral conducting, applied percussion, and applied piano or voice coursework

Students continue the shared BME music core in theory, aural skills, history, conducting, applied study, and ensemble participation

Performance & Productions

Choral ensemble options include Kapelle, Schola Cantorum, Laudate, and Mannerchor, with additional instrumental ensemble participation required by the curriculum

Degree Flexibility

Emphasis supports the PK-12 Music Education licensure pathway for students preparing to teach choral music

Updated Sep 9, 4:36 PM