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University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BM Music Performance

Brass

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Training

UK has a long history of excellence in trumpet — host of the International Trumpet Guild Conference (1982, 1998) and the National Trumpet Competition (2019)

Certificate in Baroque Trumpet; UK calls its Baroque Trumpet Ensemble "one of the largest in the world" (finearts.uky.edu/music/brass)

Faculty include Professor Jason Dovel, whose interests span Baroque trumpet, Renaissance cornetto, and contemporary music

Performance & Productions

UK Trumpet Ensemble has performed at International Trumpet Guild Conferences and won first prize at the National Trumpet Competition (2004)

Recent graduates hold positions including principal trumpet of the Kansas City Symphony and U.S. Marine Band

Degree Flexibility

BM Music Performance with a Brass concentration

Required sophomore faculty review and a full senior recital

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.58

Admit rate

93%

school-wide

Grad rate

71%

Enrollment

24.8K

Earnings

$59K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,177

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$35,846

Before aid

Average net price

$18,851

After aid

Undergraduate Tuition And Fees · studentaccount.uky.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 4d ago

Program Highlights

Training

UK has a long history of excellence in trumpet — host of the International Trumpet Guild Conference (1982, 1998) and the National Trumpet Competition (2019)

Certificate in Baroque Trumpet; UK calls its Baroque Trumpet Ensemble "one of the largest in the world" (finearts.uky.edu/music/brass)

Faculty include Professor Jason Dovel, whose interests span Baroque trumpet, Renaissance cornetto, and contemporary music

Performance & Productions

UK Trumpet Ensemble has performed at International Trumpet Guild Conferences and won first prize at the National Trumpet Competition (2004)

Recent graduates hold positions including principal trumpet of the Kansas City Symphony and U.S. Marine Band

Degree Flexibility

BM Music Performance with a Brass concentration

Required sophomore faculty review and a full senior recital

Program Highlights

Training

UK has a long history of excellence in trumpet — host of the International Trumpet Guild Conference (1982, 1998) and the National Trumpet Competition (2019)

Certificate in Baroque Trumpet; UK calls its Baroque Trumpet Ensemble "one of the largest in the world" (finearts.uky.edu/music/brass)

Faculty include Professor Jason Dovel, whose interests span Baroque trumpet, Renaissance cornetto, and contemporary music

Performance & Productions

UK Trumpet Ensemble has performed at International Trumpet Guild Conferences and won first prize at the National Trumpet Competition (2004)

Recent graduates hold positions including principal trumpet of the Kansas City Symphony and U.S. Marine Band

Degree Flexibility

BM Music Performance with a Brass concentration

Required sophomore faculty review and a full senior recital

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fees

Domestic Fee

$50

International Fee

$60

Deadline

Early ActionDec 1, 2026

Regular DecisionFeb 15, 2027

Freshman · admission.uky.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

Music Audition

Jan 22–23, 2027Feb 12–13 & 19–20, 2027

Music · finearts.uky.edu

Audition Requirements

Repertoire List

Trumpet: two contrasting works that demonstrate your musical and technical abilities; sight reading is possible; additional material that shows your musicianship and versatility (orchestral excerpts, jazz improvisation, lead trumpet) is optional

Trombone: two contrasting selections (etude, solo, etc.) and major scales

Tuba and euphonium: two contrasting works (etudes or contrasting movements/sections of a solo work); scales up to four sharps and four flats and sight reading may be asked

Horn: the exposition from a Mozart or Strauss horn concerto (or equivalent solo work), an etude (Kopprasch, Gallay, Kling, Maxime-Alphonse Book 2 or 3, Shoemaker, or equivalent), and 2-4 contrasting excerpts; major scales up to 4 sharps and flats may be asked, two octaves or three where possible; piano accompaniment is not required

Virtual Audition Repertoire

Trumpet: contact Dr. Jason Dovel (jason.dovel@uky.edu) to discuss your repertoire before scheduling a virtual audition

Trombone: two contrasting selections (etude, solo, etc.) and major scales (G and Eb, two octaves)

Horn: record a movement from a Mozart or Strauss horn concerto (or equivalent solo work), an etude (Kopprasch, Gallay, Kling, Maxime-Alphonse Book 2 or 3, Shoemaker, or equivalent), and 2 contrasting excerpts; each piece may be recorded separately

Horn: record two scales, at least one in 3 octaves; live performances from the past year may be submitted

Brass · finearts.uky.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

University Essays

The school's own essays for Fall 2027 entry aren't confirmed yet. Check its application before you write.

Common App personal essay

250–650 words · Choose 1 of 7 prompts · Written once for all your Common App schools

Background, identity, interest, or talent: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Facing adversity: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Challenging an idea: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Gratitude: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Personal growth: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Intellectual curiosity: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Topic of your choice: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Common App enforces the length inside the application. For Common App applicants.

Application · Common App

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Important Notes

Apply to UK and request your audition prior to February 1 for best consideration

Students are classified as "Pre-Music" pending audition results

Auditioning after the regularly scheduled dates may limit scholarship eligibility and program availability

Transfer students must obtain a letter of release from their current institution before scholarship consideration

Admitted students take a piano proficiency examination and music theory/aural-skills placement during study — for course placement, not admission

Contact

Brass area (Trumpet): Jason Dovel — jason.dovel@uky.edu

School of Music: 859-257-4900 / music@uky.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Apply to UK and select "Music Major" (classified as Pre-Music pending audition)

After applying to UK, complete the separate Audition Registration Form (apply.uky.edu/register/music), logging in with your UK application account

Current students changing/declaring a music major register via the School of Music Audition/Exam Request form

Confirmation email with date and time sent a week or two before your chosen date

Audition Expectations

In-person audition on campus in the Fine Arts Building

In-person auditions are strongly encouraged; an optional virtual audition is available for applicants who cannot audition on campus

If you submit a virtual audition, faculty may ask you to audition in person for music scholarship consideration

Perform your instrument's repertoire; scales and sight reading may be asked

Brass auditions are unaccompanied

Additional material that exemplifies your musicianship and versatility is welcome (e.g. excerpts, jazz)

Decisions

Notification by mail after all prospective students in your area have been heard

Auditions typically completed in early March; notices sent a few weeks after

Scholarship decisions for new students made by April 15

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

All audition candidates are automatically considered for School of Music scholarships and grants

Scholarship decisions for new students made by April 15

Auditioning after the scheduled dates may limit scholarship eligibility

Transfer students must obtain a letter of release from their current institution

Alltech Competition

Invitations to audition for the Alltech Competition are based on admissions audition performance

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.58

Admit rate

93%

school-wide

Grad rate

71%

Enrollment

24.8K

Earnings

$59K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,177

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$35,846

Before aid

Average net price

$18,851

After aid

Undergraduate Tuition And Fees · studentaccount.uky.edu College Scorecard

Training

UK has a long history of excellence in trumpet — host of the International Trumpet Guild Conference (1982, 1998) and the National Trumpet Competition (2019)

Certificate in Baroque Trumpet; UK calls its Baroque Trumpet Ensemble "one of the largest in the world" (finearts.uky.edu/music/brass)

Faculty include Professor Jason Dovel, whose interests span Baroque trumpet, Renaissance cornetto, and contemporary music

Performance & Productions

UK Trumpet Ensemble has performed at International Trumpet Guild Conferences and won first prize at the National Trumpet Competition (2004)

Recent graduates hold positions including principal trumpet of the Kansas City Symphony and U.S. Marine Band

Degree Flexibility

BM Music Performance with a Brass concentration

Required sophomore faculty review and a full senior recital

Updated 4d ago