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The College of Wooster

Wooster, OH

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Composition & music studies

Music education

Music performance

Dance

Quick links

BM Composition

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

NASM accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

BM is the most musically complete degree, intended for students planning graduate study and a professional career as a composer

Liberal arts setting with intensive composition training and close faculty mentoring

Training

Dylan Findley, Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition — premiered an original ballet score with Utah Metropolitan Ballet

Alumnus Douglas Buchanan '06 won the 2024-2025 Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition

Professional Development

Year-long senior project with a 1:1 faculty mentor, ranked in U.S. News Top 10 for senior capstone

Often culminates in a senior recital of original works

Facilities

Scheide Music Center with recording and production resources

New works read and performed by Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and chamber groups

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.74

Admit rate

60%

school-wide

Grad rate

74%

Enrollment

1.7K

Earnings

$60K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$66,290

Before aid

Average net price

$23,458

After aid

Coa · wooster.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 13, 7:04 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

BM is the most musically complete degree, intended for students planning graduate study and a professional career as a composer

Liberal arts setting with intensive composition training and close faculty mentoring

Training

Dylan Findley, Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition — premiered an original ballet score with Utah Metropolitan Ballet

Alumnus Douglas Buchanan '06 won the 2024-2025 Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition

Professional Development

Year-long senior project with a 1:1 faculty mentor, ranked in U.S. News Top 10 for senior capstone

Often culminates in a senior recital of original works

Facilities

Scheide Music Center with recording and production resources

New works read and performed by Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and chamber groups

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

BM is the most musically complete degree, intended for students planning graduate study and a professional career as a composer

Liberal arts setting with intensive composition training and close faculty mentoring

Training

Dylan Findley, Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition — premiered an original ballet score with Utah Metropolitan Ballet

Alumnus Douglas Buchanan '06 won the 2024-2025 Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition

Professional Development

Year-long senior project with a 1:1 faculty mentor, ranked in U.S. News Top 10 for senior capstone

Often culminates in a senior recital of original works

Facilities

Scheide Music Center with recording and production resources

New works read and performed by Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and chamber groups

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App Coalition App School Website

Deadline

Early application deadlineNov 1, 2026

Early Decision IIJan 15, 2027

Regular DecisionFeb 15, 2027

Early Decision · wooster.edu Official page · wooster.edu

Post-Enrollment Audition Requirements

No audition is required for the initial application. The optional scholarship review (audition) is separate from the internal audition gate students complete after enrollment.Gateway source

Music · wooster.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

University application via Common App, Coalition App, or Wooster Priority App

No separate audition portal required

Fall 2027 Music Scholarship applications have not yet opened

Music Scholarship for composition is awarded on the basis of compositional skill evidenced by written scores submitted as an incoming first-year

Enrollment

Students enter as BA Music candidates and apply to the BM Composition program through a faculty portfolio review near the end of the third semester

Prospective candidates may declare Music as their major before passing the review but are listed as BA Music until the portfolio is approved

Admission Pathway

Admitted students take a music theory and aural-skills placement assessment for course placement only — it does not affect admission

What's The Process

Admission (No Audition Required)

Students apply to the College of Wooster and enter as BA Music candidates

No audition is required to enroll

Gateway Portfolio Review

Near the end of the third semester, submit a portfolio of two or more completed original scores to the chairperson

Include a letter stating your wish to seek the Bachelor of Music in Composition

A faculty committee of three reviews the portfolio

Only after the committee approves the works may the student declare the BM in Composition as their major

A second opportunity is available in the fourth semester if the first review is unsuccessful

Scholarship Audition (Optional)

Music Scholarship for incoming first-years: $2,000-$8,000 per year

On-campus audition at Scheide Music Center

Virtual auditions available by request (contact Melissa Puster)

Must audition as an incoming first-year (transfers not eligible)

Contact

Melissa Puster, Administrative Coordinator: 330-263-2419

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarship

$2,000-$8,000 per year for incoming first-year students

Awarded in music performance and music composition

Recipients may major in any academic area (not required to major or minor in music)

Transfer students are not eligible

Fall 2027 Music Scholarship applications have not yet opened

Applicants for interest-based scholarships must apply Early Decision or Early Action

Dramatically reduces private lesson fees ($30/semester vs. $780 regular)

Must enroll in private lessons on the awarded instrument/voice (or composition lessons) each semester

Must participate in a large ensemble each semester (Wooster Singers, Wooster Chorus, Symphony Orchestra, Scot Band, or Jazz Ensemble)

Earn minimum C- or satisfactory audit in lessons and ensembles each semester

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.74

Admit rate

60%

school-wide

Grad rate

74%

Enrollment

1.7K

Earnings

$60K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$66,290

Before aid

Average net price

$23,458

After aid

Coa · wooster.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

NASM accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

BM is the most musically complete degree, intended for students planning graduate study and a professional career as a composer

Liberal arts setting with intensive composition training and close faculty mentoring

Training

Dylan Findley, Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition — premiered an original ballet score with Utah Metropolitan Ballet

Alumnus Douglas Buchanan '06 won the 2024-2025 Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition

Professional Development

Year-long senior project with a 1:1 faculty mentor, ranked in U.S. News Top 10 for senior capstone

Often culminates in a senior recital of original works

Facilities

Scheide Music Center with recording and production resources

New works read and performed by Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and chamber groups

Updated Sep 13, 7:04 PM