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University of Oregon

Eugene, OR

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick links

BM Music Composition

Composition

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

Premier educational institution of music and dance in the Pacific Northwest

Largest full-time, in-residence music faculty on the West Coast north of Los Angeles

Training

Community of 40-45 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral composers

Integrates composition with theory, history, ethnomusicology, intermedia technology, and multimedia collaboration

Career development seminar prepares students for professional composition work

Senior recital of original works guided by the composition faculty

Professional Development

New-music performance through the Oregon Composers Forum, Music Today Festival, Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, and Pacific Rim Gamelan

Five student-run new-music ensembles perform composers' works

Facilities

40 practice rooms and 113 pianos (51 Steinways and 8 concert grands)

30+ ensembles for group performance opportunities

Performing Arts Collective first-year housing community

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.73

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

72%

Enrollment

20.5K

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$17,475

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$47,466

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$40,236

Before aid

Average net price

$22,182

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.uoregon.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 21, 12:06 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Premier educational institution of music and dance in the Pacific Northwest

Largest full-time, in-residence music faculty on the West Coast north of Los Angeles

Training

Community of 40-45 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral composers

Integrates composition with theory, history, ethnomusicology, intermedia technology, and multimedia collaboration

Career development seminar prepares students for professional composition work

Senior recital of original works guided by the composition faculty

Professional Development

New-music performance through the Oregon Composers Forum, Music Today Festival, Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, and Pacific Rim Gamelan

Five student-run new-music ensembles perform composers' works

Facilities

40 practice rooms and 113 pianos (51 Steinways and 8 concert grands)

30+ ensembles for group performance opportunities

Performing Arts Collective first-year housing community

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Premier educational institution of music and dance in the Pacific Northwest

Largest full-time, in-residence music faculty on the West Coast north of Los Angeles

Training

Community of 40-45 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral composers

Integrates composition with theory, history, ethnomusicology, intermedia technology, and multimedia collaboration

Career development seminar prepares students for professional composition work

Senior recital of original works guided by the composition faculty

Professional Development

New-music performance through the Oregon Composers Forum, Music Today Festival, Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, and Pacific Rim Gamelan

Five student-run new-music ensembles perform composers' works

Facilities

40 practice rooms and 113 pianos (51 Steinways and 8 concert grands)

30+ ensembles for group performance opportunities

Performing Arts Collective first-year housing community

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

Application Fee

$65

Deadline

Early ActionNov 1, 2026

Regular DecisionJan 15, 2027

Deadlines · admissions.uoregon.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

Qualtrics

Deadline

SOMD Application DeadlineJan 15, 2027

Portfolio / Recorded Audition Submission DeadlineJan 29, 2027

Auditions

Music and Dance Auditions

Jan 30, 2027Feb 20, 2027

Music auditionsFeb 6, 2027

Undergraduate Music · musicanddance.uoregon.edu Undergraduate Music Auditions And Portfolios · musicanddance.uoregon.edu

Interview Requirements

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

Portfolio / Creative Sample

Composition portfolio is required for admission; choose Option 1 or Option 2

Portfolio Option 1: submit 2-5 original works in any genre, including concert music, film, animation, or video game music

Portfolio Option 1: include a PDF score and either a live recording or MIDI mp3 for each work

Portfolio Option 1: include a 100-500 word written statement describing your intention and aesthetics

Portfolio Option 1 qualifies students to begin the Composition I sequence in the first year

Portfolio Option 2: submit a performance-proficiency video with at least two pieces that show basic-to-intermediate ability and music-reading skills

Portfolio Option 2: submit written responses about why you want to study composition, the music you hope to create, and your musical background

Portfolio Option 2 places admitted students into the Composition I sequence in the second year

Upload all portfolio scores, recordings, videos, and statements through the SOMD Admissions File Upload Page

Ug Aud And Port Req · musicanddance.uoregon.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Two-step: apply to UO (Common App or UO website) and complete the separate SOMD online application

Both applications due by January 15, 2027

Portfolios due by January 29, 2027

Fall 2027 SOMD application opens August 1, 2026

Portfolio upload instructions are emailed after the SOMD application

Eligibility

Fall enrollment only for incoming students

An optional audition on your primary instrument/voice qualifies you for SOMD performance scholarships

Must complete both UO and SOMD applications by January 15 (not the general Feb 15 transfer deadline)

Late applications risk non-admission and are generally not considered for scholarships

Placement

Admitted students complete a musicianship diagnostic and may take the music core placement exam during Week of Welcome — for course placement only, not admission

Piano proficiency for composers may be demonstrated by exam during Week of Welcome

What's The Process

Audition Process

Upload scores, recordings, and written statements via the SOMD Admissions File Upload Page (link emailed a few days after the SOMD application)

Most optional scholarship auditions are 10-15 minutes in duration

Audition Expectations

A portfolio is required for admission — no live audition is required

Composition applicants may optionally perform an audition on their primary instrument or voice for scholarship consideration

An optional primary-instrument audition follows that studio's published requirements (e.g., piano: three contrasting Baroque/Classic/Romantic/20th-21st-century works, scales, and sight-reading)

Portfolio Options (Choose One)

Option 1 — Portfolio of compositions: submit 2-5 original works (qualifies you to begin the Composition I sequence in your first year)

Option 2 — Background portfolio: a performance-proficiency video plus written responses (begin the Composition I sequence in your second year)

Decisions

March 19, 2027: SOMD issues admission decisions

April 1, 2027 (approx): Scholarship offers emailed

May 1, 2027: Enrollment deposit deadline and SOMD Admission Response form due

Scholarship Info

SOMD performance scholarships awarded based on audition — scholarship offers mailed approximately April 1

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.73

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

72%

Enrollment

20.5K

Earnings

$61K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$17,475

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$47,466

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$40,236

Before aid

Average net price

$22,182

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.uoregon.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Premier educational institution of music and dance in the Pacific Northwest

Largest full-time, in-residence music faculty on the West Coast north of Los Angeles

Training

Community of 40-45 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral composers

Integrates composition with theory, history, ethnomusicology, intermedia technology, and multimedia collaboration

Career development seminar prepares students for professional composition work

Senior recital of original works guided by the composition faculty

Professional Development

New-music performance through the Oregon Composers Forum, Music Today Festival, Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, and Pacific Rim Gamelan

Five student-run new-music ensembles perform composers' works

Facilities

40 practice rooms and 113 pianos (51 Steinways and 8 concert grands)

30+ ensembles for group performance opportunities

Performing Arts Collective first-year housing community

Updated Aug 21, 12:06 PM