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Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Theatre

Music performance

Composition & music studies

Music education

Music technology

Quick links

BM Jazz Studies

Jazz Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

Nationally recognized jazz band and annual February Jazz Festival

Established reputation in America's signature art form

Training

Bachelor of music in jazz studies covering improvisation, jazz history and theory, and applied jazz lessons

Coursework in jazz fundamentals, keyboard, arranging, and improvisation

Six terms of applied jazz study plus two terms of classical study

Performance in small combos and large jazz ensembles each term

Senior recital required (junior recital optional)

Location

Campus located about 30 minutes from Chicago, drawing on the area's rich jazz scene and cultural opportunities

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.59

Admit rate

74%

school-wide

Grad rate

70%

Enrollment

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$46,158

Before aid

Average net price

$24,185

After aid

Undergraduate · elmhurst.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 8, 12:55 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Nationally recognized jazz band and annual February Jazz Festival

Established reputation in America's signature art form

Training

Bachelor of music in jazz studies covering improvisation, jazz history and theory, and applied jazz lessons

Coursework in jazz fundamentals, keyboard, arranging, and improvisation

Six terms of applied jazz study plus two terms of classical study

Performance in small combos and large jazz ensembles each term

Senior recital required (junior recital optional)

Location

Campus located about 30 minutes from Chicago, drawing on the area's rich jazz scene and cultural opportunities

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Nationally recognized jazz band and annual February Jazz Festival

Established reputation in America's signature art form

Training

Bachelor of music in jazz studies covering improvisation, jazz history and theory, and applied jazz lessons

Coursework in jazz fundamentals, keyboard, arranging, and improvisation

Six terms of applied jazz study plus two terms of classical study

Performance in small combos and large jazz ensembles each term

Senior recital required (junior recital optional)

Location

Campus located about 30 minutes from Chicago, drawing on the area's rich jazz scene and cultural opportunities

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Deadline

Early ActionNov 15, 2026

Regular DecisionRolling

Important Dates Deadlines · elmhurst.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

In-Person Audition

Dec 5, 2026Jan 18 & 23, 2027Feb 15 & 26, 2027Mar 6 & 13, 2027

Audition Process · elmhurst.edu

Audition Requirements

Repertoire

Saxophone/trumpet/trombone/guitar/piano: prepare "Autumn Leaves" (G minor) or "There Is No Greater Love" (Bb) — play the head, solo one chorus, accompanist solos over the two A sections, play the melody on the bridge to the end

Bass: prepare "Tenor Madness" (Bb) — play the head, walk for a piano solo, play a bass solo, play the head out; also "Autumn Leaves" as a bossa (comping only)

Drum set: prepared swing time and trade fours at quarter = 120, then half = 120 trading eights; demonstrate swing (brushes), ballad (brushes), 3/4 swing, bossa nova, samba, Afro-Cuban 6/8, mambo, songo, funk, and rock

Vocalists: prepare "Autumn Leaves" or "There Is No Greater Love" in your key — sing the head, scat one chorus, accompanist solos over the two A sections, sing the melody on the bridge to the end

Audition Process · elmhurst.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to Elmhurst University via Common App — no application fee

Schedule audition through the Music Department (separate from Theatre Department)

Encouraged to apply to Elmhurst before auditioning for financial aid purposes

Placement

Admitted students complete a brief Music Theory Assessment after auditioning — for placement only, not admission

Scholarships

Must audition prior to June for fall admission to be eligible for music scholarships

What's The Process

Audition Process

Request an audition via the Department of Music audition process

In-person and virtual audition options available

Personal appointments available upon request

Audition Expectations

In-person audition before a faculty panel

Maximum 10 minutes total audition time

Includes a brief interview with the director of music admissions and faculty

Music Theory Assessment completed after audition (non-binding)

Business casual dress recommended

Jeans, sneakers, shorts, and t-shirts discouraged

Sight-Reading

Sight-read a big band chart, as selected by the committee

Accompaniment

Faculty pianist provided at no cost — request in advance

May bring your own accompanist or use a CD track (instrument not present on track)

Accompanists are optional for instrumentalists

Microphones are not used

Bring four copies of each piece for the faculty panel

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarship

Awarded based on entrance audition performance

Available to first-year and transfer students majoring in music

Must audition prior to June for fall admission to be eligible

Summer (June) auditions may not be considered for music scholarships

Renewable by maintaining GPA associated with academic scholarship plus full-time enrollment

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.59

Admit rate

74%

school-wide

Grad rate

70%

Enrollment

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$46,158

Before aid

Average net price

$24,185

After aid

Undergraduate · elmhurst.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Nationally recognized jazz band and annual February Jazz Festival

Established reputation in America's signature art form

Training

Bachelor of music in jazz studies covering improvisation, jazz history and theory, and applied jazz lessons

Coursework in jazz fundamentals, keyboard, arranging, and improvisation

Six terms of applied jazz study plus two terms of classical study

Performance in small combos and large jazz ensembles each term

Senior recital required (junior recital optional)

Location

Campus located about 30 minutes from Chicago, drawing on the area's rich jazz scene and cultural opportunities

Updated Sep 8, 12:55 AM