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University of Minnesota Duluth

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Program

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Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BM Music Performance

Keyboard

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredNo PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

Fully accredited member of NASM (National Association of Schools of Music)

Training

Keyboard emphasis (84 credits in the major) prepares pianists for graduate study in performance or in accompanying and coaching, and for teaching piano to all ages and levels

Keyboard Core includes Art of Accompanying (Vocal and Instrumental, each taken twice), Piano Literature I and II, Piano Pedagogy and Practicum, and a choral or instrumental conducting course

Applied piano every semester for eight semesters, an advanced standing exam before upper-division lessons, and junior and senior recitals

Piano faculty include Dr. Osip Nikiforov (Piano Chair), Dr. Jian-Jun Chen-Edmund, and Department Head Ryan Frane (jazz piano); staff accompanist Victoria Wright is the department’s collaborative pianist

Performance & Productions

Piano Ensemble, required in both lower and upper division, builds four-hands and eight-hands collaborative playing, with additional ensemble credits on top

Over 200 department concerts and recitals a year in Weber Music Hall, recognized nationally for its acoustics

Value

A dedicated UMD Piano Music Scholarship sits among 36 named music scholarships, with talent awards made in the Piano/Keyboard area at the audition

School Info

Snapshot

3.50

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

65%

Grad Rate

7.3K

Enrollment

$63K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$15,540

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$21,430

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$31,100

Before aid

Average Net Price

$18,743

After aid

Cost Attendance · onestop.d.umn.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Fully accredited member of NASM (National Association of Schools of Music)

Training

Keyboard emphasis (84 credits in the major) prepares pianists for graduate study in performance or in accompanying and coaching, and for teaching piano to all ages and levels

Keyboard Core includes Art of Accompanying (Vocal and Instrumental, each taken twice), Piano Literature I and II, Piano Pedagogy and Practicum, and a choral or instrumental conducting course

Applied piano every semester for eight semesters, an advanced standing exam before upper-division lessons, and junior and senior recitals

Performance & Productions

Piano Ensemble, required in both lower and upper division, builds four-hands and eight-hands collaborative playing, with additional ensemble credits on top

Over 200 department concerts and recitals a year in Weber Music Hall, recognized nationally for its acoustics

Value

A dedicated UMD Piano Music Scholarship sits among 36 named music scholarships, with talent awards made in the Piano/Keyboard area at the audition

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Fully accredited member of NASM (National Association of Schools of Music)

Training

Keyboard emphasis (84 credits in the major) prepares pianists for graduate study in performance or in accompanying and coaching, and for teaching piano to all ages and levels

Keyboard Core includes Art of Accompanying (Vocal and Instrumental, each taken twice), Piano Literature I and II, Piano Pedagogy and Practicum, and a choral or instrumental conducting course

Applied piano every semester for eight semesters, an advanced standing exam before upper-division lessons, and junior and senior recitals

Performance & Productions

Piano Ensemble, required in both lower and upper division, builds four-hands and eight-hands collaborative playing, with additional ensemble credits on top

Over 200 department concerts and recitals a year in Weber Music Hall, recognized nationally for its acoustics

Value

A dedicated UMD Piano Music Scholarship sits among 36 named music scholarships, with talent awards made in the Piano/Keyboard area at the audition

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

These Fall 2026 enrollment dates have passed — dates for the next cycle aren't available yet.

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Early ActionDec 1, 2025

Regular DecisionJan 15, 2026

Confirm Deadline for Enrollment & HousingMay 1, 2026

Final Application DeadlineAug 1, 2026

First Year Students · admissions.d.umn.edu

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

Order

The audition may be submitted before the university application.

Apply

Google Forms

Audition Info · cahss.d.umn.edu

Audition 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.

Repertoire List

Minimum of 15 minutes of solo piano repertoire, played from memory

At least two complete memorized solo piano works from at least two different historical periods

Be prepared to perform sections as requested by the committee; the complete program may be heard

Scales & Technique

Four-octave major and harmonic minor scales, hands together, at a comfortable steady tempo

The audition committee selects two to three major and minor scales

Audition Info · cahss.d.umn.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

You may register for and perform an audition before being accepted by the university

After May 1, students planning to attend UMD and join the Music program in the fall register as Pre-Music majors

Freshmen and transfer students may be admitted to pre-major status before admission to the Performance major

Program Requirements

Download, complete, and submit the theory placement exam before your music audition, or take it proctored on campus after the audition

The exam covers theory, aural skills, and keyboard placement

What's The Process

Audition Process

Perform before a panel of music faculty; the same audition is used for admission to the Music program and for music scholarship consideration

Admission to the Department of Music is contingent on a successful audition, completion of the theory, aural-skills, and keyboard placement exam, and a departmental interview

Acceptance into all Music degrees also requires meeting UMD admission requirements

Audition Expectations

Auditions for 2026-2027 are offered on campus and online

Requirements vary by degree program, instrument, or voice

Piano auditions include a short sight-reading example with one minute of preparation time

Dress professionally, as you would for a formal job interview

Scholarship Info

Talent Scholarships

Music scholarships are awarded at the audition in Choral, Band, Orchestra, Piano/Keyboard, Theory/Composition, and Jazz

Awards range from $10,000 to $30,000 over four years ($2,500 to $7,500 per year); the department awarded over $300,000 for 2025-2026

36 named department scholarships, open to all music majors and stackable with university academic scholarships

Renewable for up to eight semesters for full-time music majors who maintain satisfactory progress, participate in assigned ensembles, and take applied lessons in the scholarship area

Scholarship notifications are sent by the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

School Info

Snapshot

3.50

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

65%

Grad Rate

7.3K

Enrollment

$63K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$15,540

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$21,430

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$31,100

Before aid

Average Net Price

$18,743

After aid

Cost Attendance · onestop.d.umn.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Fully accredited member of NASM (National Association of Schools of Music)

Training

Keyboard emphasis (84 credits in the major) prepares pianists for graduate study in performance or in accompanying and coaching, and for teaching piano to all ages and levels

Keyboard Core includes Art of Accompanying (Vocal and Instrumental, each taken twice), Piano Literature I and II, Piano Pedagogy and Practicum, and a choral or instrumental conducting course

Applied piano every semester for eight semesters, an advanced standing exam before upper-division lessons, and junior and senior recitals

Performance & Productions

Piano Ensemble, required in both lower and upper division, builds four-hands and eight-hands collaborative playing, with additional ensemble credits on top

Over 200 department concerts and recitals a year in Weber Music Hall, recognized nationally for its acoustics

Value

A dedicated UMD Piano Music Scholarship sits among 36 named music scholarships, with talent awards made in the Piano/Keyboard area at the audition

Updated 1d ago