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University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, SC

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program

Concentration

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

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BA Music

General

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program Recognition

Bachelor of Arts in Music at the USC School of Music — a liberal-arts music degree

Nationally recognized School of Music accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music

Training

Designed for students who want to major in music while earning a broad liberal-arts education

Applied study on a primary instrument or voice, ensembles, theory, aural skills, and music history

Students complete a cognate (12 credits) or a minor (18 credits) to round out the degree

Flexibility

An optional 18-credit Musical Theatre concentration is also available within the BA

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.69

Admit rate

60%

school-wide

Grad rate

79%

Enrollment

29.8K

Earnings

$62K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$12,688

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$37,376

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$39,364

Before aid

Average net price

$22,811

After aid

Cost To Attend · sc.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 9h ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Bachelor of Arts in Music at the USC School of Music — a liberal-arts music degree

Nationally recognized School of Music accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music

Training

Designed for students who want to major in music while earning a broad liberal-arts education

Applied study on a primary instrument or voice, ensembles, theory, aural skills, and music history

Students complete a cognate (12 credits) or a minor (18 credits) to round out the degree

Flexibility

An optional 18-credit Musical Theatre concentration is also available within the BA

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Bachelor of Arts in Music at the USC School of Music — a liberal-arts music degree

Nationally recognized School of Music accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music

Training

Designed for students who want to major in music while earning a broad liberal-arts education

Applied study on a primary instrument or voice, ensembles, theory, aural skills, and music history

Students complete a cognate (12 credits) or a minor (18 credits) to round out the degree

Flexibility

An optional 18-credit Musical Theatre concentration is also available within the BA

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

$65

Deadline

Early ActionOct 15, 2026

Regular DecisionDec 1, 2026

Index · sc.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the audition.

Deadline

Spring 2027 transfer materials and audition/interview deadlineDec 6, 2026

Fall 2027 transfer materials and audition/interview deadlineFeb 13, 2027

Auditions

All areas; Spring 2027 applicantsDec 5, 2026

All areasJan 23, 2027

All areas except Music Industry StudiesJan 30, 2027

All areas; final undergraduate audition dayFeb 13, 2027

Index · sc.edu

Audition Requirements

Repertoire

Prepare the audition repertoire for your primary instrument or voice (see that area requirements); all BA Music applicants audition on their principal instrument or voice for admission to the School of Music

String applicants (BA): violin/viola - two contrasting movements from the standard literature; cello - a 3-octave scale plus two contrasting works/movements

Piano applicants (BA): two works from contrasting style periods

Audition Info By Instrument · sc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit the university application to USC first

Complete the Music Application (opens September, accessible 24 hours after the university app is submitted)

Eligibility

Fall enrollment only

Transfer students must audition by February 13 for fall music admission and scholarships

Music minors are not required to audition unless seeking scholarships or private study credit

Admission Pathway

Admitted students take music theory and aural-skills (and group piano) placement diagnostics — for course placement only, not admission

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

In-person auditions at the USC School of Music

No pre-screening videos are required for undergraduate applicants

Sight-reading is assessed at the live audition

Audition day features an open house with Q&A, building and campus tours, and time with faculty and current students

Applicants living 500+ miles from Columbia, SC with extenuating circumstances may request a recorded or virtual audition

Requests must be sent to Associate Director Jennifer Mitchell at jmitchell@mozart.sc.edu

In-person audition is strongly preferred

Contact

Auditions: Jennifer Mitchell, jmitchell@mozart.sc.edu, 803-777-4281

Enrollment: Jennifer Jablonski, jjablonski@mozart.sc.edu, 803-777-6614

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

All auditions serve as both admission and scholarship auditions

All applicants are automatically reviewed for available USC music scholarships

Applicants may complete an audition on a strong secondary instrument (including voice) or a jazz audition for additional scholarship consideration

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.69

Admit rate

60%

school-wide

Grad rate

79%

Enrollment

29.8K

Earnings

$62K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$12,688

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$37,376

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$39,364

Before aid

Average net price

$22,811

After aid

Cost To Attend · sc.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Bachelor of Arts in Music at the USC School of Music — a liberal-arts music degree

Nationally recognized School of Music accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music

Training

Designed for students who want to major in music while earning a broad liberal-arts education

Applied study on a primary instrument or voice, ensembles, theory, aural skills, and music history

Students complete a cognate (12 credits) or a minor (18 credits) to round out the degree

Flexibility

An optional 18-credit Musical Theatre concentration is also available within the BA

Updated 9h ago