Private school3.1K

St. Olaf College

Northfield, MN

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredInternal AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredInternal AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Theatre

Dance

Music performance

Composition & music studies

Music education

Quick links

BM Composition

Composition

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredInternal AuditionInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

Home of the internationally renowned St. Olaf Choir, directed by Anton Armstrong

Annual Christmas Festival nationally broadcast on PBS

Training

Composition study with four semesters of composition lessons and a senior recital of original works

Coursework in electronic medium, orchestration, post-tonal analysis, and Musical Acoustics

Portfolio of at least three compositions submitted senior year

Professional Development

Prepares for graduate study and careers in film/media music, teaching, and conducting

Principal instrument lessons included via lesson scholarship

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.73

Admit rate

48%

school-wide

Grad rate

84%

Enrollment

3.1K

Earnings

$66K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$66,200

Before aid

Average net price

$23,874

After aid

Compfee 2 · wp.stolaf.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 3, 10:53 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

Home of the internationally renowned St. Olaf Choir, directed by Anton Armstrong

Annual Christmas Festival nationally broadcast on PBS

Training

Composition study with four semesters of composition lessons and a senior recital of original works

Coursework in electronic medium, orchestration, post-tonal analysis, and Musical Acoustics

Portfolio of at least three compositions submitted senior year

Professional Development

Prepares for graduate study and careers in film/media music, teaching, and conducting

Principal instrument lessons included via lesson scholarship

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

Home of the internationally renowned St. Olaf Choir, directed by Anton Armstrong

Annual Christmas Festival nationally broadcast on PBS

Training

Composition study with four semesters of composition lessons and a senior recital of original works

Coursework in electronic medium, orchestration, post-tonal analysis, and Musical Acoustics

Portfolio of at least three compositions submitted senior year

Professional Development

Prepares for graduate study and careers in film/media music, teaching, and conducting

Principal instrument lessons included via lesson scholarship

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website Coalition App

Deadline

Early application deadlineNov 1, 2026

Early Decision IIRegular DecisionJan 15, 2027

Faqs · wp.stolaf.edu

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

Apply

School Website

Composition Audition Requirements · wp.stolaf.edu

Prescreen 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.

No audition and interview is required for the initial application. This is an internal program gate students complete after enrolling at the university.Gateway source

Portfolio / Creative Sample

Submit a representative portfolio of original works, such as scores and/or recordings

A composition portfolio submitted with the music application supports admission on your primary instrument and is eligible for scholarship consideration

Resume

Upload music resumé with the online music application

Letters of Recommendation

Complete the Music Recommendation Request for your teacher

Composition Audition Requirements · wp.stolaf.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Audition on your principal instrument/voice and complete the online music application alongside the Common App

Indicate "Composition" as your secondary instrument choice on the music application

Composition Entrance

Apply to the BM Composition major during the first or second year, after completing one composition course

Admission is by composition portfolio and interview with the composition faculty

Placement

Music theory and keyboard skills screenings are for course placement only — they do not affect admission

What's The Process

Entrance (Post-Enrollment)

Audition on your principal instrument or voice to enter the music major, and indicate "Composition" as your secondary instrument on the music application

After completing a St. Olaf composition course, apply to the BM Composition major based on a composition portfolio and an interview with composition faculty

At the live audition, students who indicated composition present and discuss their portfolio (a portfolio of scores/recordings may be submitted in lieu of the interview)

Continuance

Reviewed for continuance generally during the third semester in the program; students not approved are no longer in the program

Contact

Music Admissions: 507-786-3297, music@stolaf.edu

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

Merit-based awards ranging from $2,000 to $12,000 per year (Christiansen, Cassler, and Recognition Scholarships)

Emerging Musician Scholarships: $5,000 per year

Open to students of any major; all music major applicants automatically considered based on audition

All BM students receive a lesson scholarship (private lesson fee waived for primary instrument/voice)

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.73

Admit rate

48%

school-wide

Grad rate

84%

Enrollment

3.1K

Earnings

$66K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$66,200

Before aid

Average net price

$23,874

After aid

Compfee 2 · wp.stolaf.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

Home of the internationally renowned St. Olaf Choir, directed by Anton Armstrong

Annual Christmas Festival nationally broadcast on PBS

Training

Composition study with four semesters of composition lessons and a senior recital of original works

Coursework in electronic medium, orchestration, post-tonal analysis, and Musical Acoustics

Portfolio of at least three compositions submitted senior year

Professional Development

Prepares for graduate study and careers in film/media music, teaching, and conducting

Principal instrument lessons included via lesson scholarship

Updated Sep 3, 10:53 PM