Private school1.4K

Luther College

Decorah, IA

Faith-BasedTest-OptionalGreek LifeLGBTQ+

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Music

Jazz Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Training

Jazz students perform in two big bands plus combos and jam-session settings

Coursework and applied study include improvisation, theory/arranging, and jazz history

Performance & Productions

Jazz Orchestra is one of Luther's principal touring ensembles

Jazz Band covers swing, Latin jazz, and contemporary styles

Combos are coached weekly and perform multiple times each semester

Jazz Orchestra tours abroad every four years, most recently to Brazil in May 2024 for a three-week, 13-performance immersion in the musical cultures of Rio de Janeiro and three northeastern states

Professional Development

Guest artists and clinicians on campus in recent years include Danilo Pérez, Luciana Souza, Kenny Barron, David Sanchez, and Kurt Elling

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.54

Admit rate

72%

school-wide

Grad rate

71%

Enrollment

1.4K

Earnings

$60K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$56,260

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$68,970

Before aid

Average net price

$23,097

After aid

Tuition Fees · luther.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 3d ago

Program Highlights

Training

Jazz students perform in two big bands plus combos and jam-session settings

Coursework and applied study include improvisation, theory/arranging, and jazz history

Performance & Productions

Jazz Orchestra is one of Luther's principal touring ensembles

Jazz Band covers swing, Latin jazz, and contemporary styles

Combos are coached weekly and perform multiple times each semester

Jazz Orchestra tours abroad every four years, most recently to Brazil in May 2024 for a three-week, 13-performance immersion in the musical cultures of Rio de Janeiro and three northeastern states

Professional Development

Guest artists and clinicians on campus in recent years include Danilo Pérez, Luciana Souza, Kenny Barron, David Sanchez, and Kurt Elling

Program Highlights

Training

Jazz students perform in two big bands plus combos and jam-session settings

Coursework and applied study include improvisation, theory/arranging, and jazz history

Performance & Productions

Jazz Orchestra is one of Luther's principal touring ensembles

Jazz Band covers swing, Latin jazz, and contemporary styles

Combos are coached weekly and perform multiple times each semester

Jazz Orchestra tours abroad every four years, most recently to Brazil in May 2024 for a three-week, 13-performance immersion in the musical cultures of Rio de Janeiro and three northeastern states

Professional Development

Guest artists and clinicians on campus in recent years include Danilo Pérez, Luciana Souza, Kenny Barron, David Sanchez, and Kurt Elling

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

These Fall 2026 enrollment dates have passed — dates for the next cycle aren't available yet.

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Application · Common App

Program AppApplication

Audition

Music Scholarship Audition Deadline (last day to audition)Apr 11, 2026

Audition · luther.edu

Scholarship Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Optional audition for scholarship consideration only; it is not required for program admission.

Repertoire List

Repertoire list for jazz bass: three scales, two jazz-band pieces in contrasting styles, and improvisation on a blues form or dorian mode

Repertoire list for jazz guitar: one medium-tempo swing tune and one contrasting selection, with melody, improvisation, and comping

Repertoire list for other jazz instrumentalists follows the published Weston Noble requirements for the instrument area

Repertoire video links may be requested before a virtual audition appointment

Noble · luther.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply via Common App or Luther Norse Application

Luther has no application fee and uses rolling admission

Complete a separate music scholarship application if seeking music talent aid

Placement

Incoming music majors and minors take a music theory placement test before registering for classes; it is for course placement, not admission

Transfer Pathway

Transfer students in the BA Music program must meet with the Music department head before initial registration to determine which music credits and major requirements transfer; Luther requires at least 8 departmental hours and 3 semesters of applied music study in the student's primary performance area completed at Luther.

Ba.Mus · catalog.luther.edu

What's The Process

Scholarship Audition

No audition required for BA Music program admission

Optional Weston Noble Music Scholarship auditions are available for jazz and other instrument areas

Complete Luther admission application and the music scholarship application before selecting an audition date

In-person auditions are strongly encouraged; virtual auditions may be requested when necessary

Scholarship Info

Weston Noble Music Scholarship

$12,000-$28,000 over four years ($3,000-$7,000 per year)

Music faculty award scholarships in areas including jazz

Students may audition in up to two instrument areas; only the highest awarded amount is added to the financial aid offer

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.54

Admit rate

72%

school-wide

Grad rate

71%

Enrollment

1.4K

Earnings

$60K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$56,260

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$68,970

Before aid

Average net price

$23,097

After aid

Tuition Fees · luther.edu College Scorecard

Training

Jazz students perform in two big bands plus combos and jam-session settings

Coursework and applied study include improvisation, theory/arranging, and jazz history

Performance & Productions

Jazz Orchestra is one of Luther's principal touring ensembles

Jazz Band covers swing, Latin jazz, and contemporary styles

Combos are coached weekly and perform multiple times each semester

Jazz Orchestra tours abroad every four years, most recently to Brazil in May 2024 for a three-week, 13-performance immersion in the musical cultures of Rio de Janeiro and three northeastern states

Professional Development

Guest artists and clinicians on campus in recent years include Danilo Pérez, Luciana Souza, Kenny Barron, David Sanchez, and Kurt Elling

Updated 3d ago