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Northwestern College

Orange City, IA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Concentration

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Music

Brass

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Training

BA Music students study music theory, history, conducting, and applied lessons in voice and instrumentation

Private instruction is offered in keyboard, voice, brass, woodwind, percussion, and string performance

The published roster includes Kevin Linder for trumpet, Andrea Carlson for horn, and Vance Shoemaker for low brass

Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Raider Athletic Band provide concert, commercial, touring, and game-day settings for section playing

Performance & Productions

10+ ensembles including A cappella Choir, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Women's Choir, Jazz Band, and Heritage Singers

A cappella Choir and Symphonic Band tour nationally and internationally

Facilities

Christ Chapel concert hall includes a New York Steinway concert grand piano and a 45-stop tracker pipe organ

DeWitt Music Hall includes rehearsal studios, private practice rooms, and teaching studios

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.61

Admit rate

80%

school-wide

Grad rate

66%

Enrollment

1.2K

Earnings

$50K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$39,320

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$55,640

Before aid

Average net price

$25,907

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · nwciowa.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 6d ago

Program Highlights

Training

BA Music students study music theory, history, conducting, and applied lessons in voice and instrumentation

Private instruction is offered in keyboard, voice, brass, woodwind, percussion, and string performance

The published roster includes Kevin Linder for trumpet, Andrea Carlson for horn, and Vance Shoemaker for low brass

Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Raider Athletic Band provide concert, commercial, touring, and game-day settings for section playing

Performance & Productions

10+ ensembles including A cappella Choir, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Women's Choir, Jazz Band, and Heritage Singers

A cappella Choir and Symphonic Band tour nationally and internationally

Facilities

Christ Chapel concert hall includes a New York Steinway concert grand piano and a 45-stop tracker pipe organ

DeWitt Music Hall includes rehearsal studios, private practice rooms, and teaching studios

Program Highlights

Training

BA Music students study music theory, history, conducting, and applied lessons in voice and instrumentation

Private instruction is offered in keyboard, voice, brass, woodwind, percussion, and string performance

The published roster includes Kevin Linder for trumpet, Andrea Carlson for horn, and Vance Shoemaker for low brass

Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Raider Athletic Band provide concert, commercial, touring, and game-day settings for section playing

Performance & Productions

10+ ensembles including A cappella Choir, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Women's Choir, Jazz Band, and Heritage Singers

A cappella Choir and Symphonic Band tour nationally and internationally

Facilities

Christ Chapel concert hall includes a New York Steinway concert grand piano and a 45-stop tracker pipe organ

DeWitt Music Hall includes rehearsal studios, private practice rooms, and teaching studios

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Undergraduate · apply.nwciowa.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.

Letters of Recommendation

A minimum of one recommendation survey is required from a minister of music, private teacher, ensemble director, or other professional music mentor

Music · nwciowa.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply through the Northwestern College application portal

No separate audition submission portal required

Eligibility

Rolling admission, no application fee

Music major not required to participate in ensembles or receive music scholarships

What's The Process

Audition Process

Admission is through the university application only

No performance audition or prescreen is required for program admission

Music scholarships are available to any student regardless of major

Audition by Dec. 15 for the best scholarship offer

In-person audition: 2 major scales up to three flats or three sharps, a chromatic scale, sight reading, and a prepared piece or etude demonstrating two contrasting styles (or two contrasting pieces); bring an additional copy of your audition music for the faculty member

Video audition: two-octave major scales up to two flats or two sharps and the same prepared piece or etude requirement

Video auditions may be submitted by DVD or shared from YouTube

Schedule an audition through the music scholarship application, campus visit registration, or by contacting michelle.kelderman@nwciowa.edu or 712-707-7062

Scholarship Info

Music Performance Scholarship

Available to any student regardless of major

Renewable annually

Awarded based on past music experience, potential for further development, music teacher recommendation, and audition

Mcgilvra Music Scholarship

For incoming freshman music majors; music minors and transfer students may also be considered

Approximately $3,000 first year, $1,500 in subsequent years; renewable for four years

Available in vocal music, keyboard, percussion, strings, brass, and woodwinds

Preference given to students who apply and audition by Dec. 15

All-State Guarantee

All-State musicians guaranteed minimum $3,000 scholarship

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.61

Admit rate

80%

school-wide

Grad rate

66%

Enrollment

1.2K

Earnings

$50K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$39,320

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$55,640

Before aid

Average net price

$25,907

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · nwciowa.edu College Scorecard

Training

BA Music students study music theory, history, conducting, and applied lessons in voice and instrumentation

Private instruction is offered in keyboard, voice, brass, woodwind, percussion, and string performance

The published roster includes Kevin Linder for trumpet, Andrea Carlson for horn, and Vance Shoemaker for low brass

Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Raider Athletic Band provide concert, commercial, touring, and game-day settings for section playing

Performance & Productions

10+ ensembles including A cappella Choir, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Women's Choir, Jazz Band, and Heritage Singers

A cappella Choir and Symphonic Band tour nationally and internationally

Facilities

Christ Chapel concert hall includes a New York Steinway concert grand piano and a 45-stop tracker pipe organ

DeWitt Music Hall includes rehearsal studios, private practice rooms, and teaching studios

Updated 6d ago