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University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Winston-Salem, NC

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

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BM Music

Guitar

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Training

Guitar study is central to the undergraduate conservatory curriculum

Weekly private lessons and studio performance classes with guitar professor Joseph Pecoraro

Facilities

Guitarists receive weekly private lessons, studio performance classes and guitar skills classes with an acclaimed, active performing faculty member

Junior-year pedagogy coursework includes registered instruction in the Suzuki method, preparing students to teach professionally

UNCSA guitar graduates have earned prizes in international guitar competitions and gone on to teach in higher education

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.60

Admit rate

30%

school-wide

Grad rate

78%

Enrollment

945

Earnings

$38K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$9,701

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$27,841

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$27,398

Before aid

Average net price

$14,906

After aid

Cost Attendance Budgets College.Pdf · uncsa.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Training

Guitar study is central to the undergraduate conservatory curriculum

Weekly private lessons and studio performance classes with guitar professor Joseph Pecoraro

Facilities

Guitarists receive weekly private lessons, studio performance classes and guitar skills classes with an acclaimed, active performing faculty member

Junior-year pedagogy coursework includes registered instruction in the Suzuki method, preparing students to teach professionally

UNCSA guitar graduates have earned prizes in international guitar competitions and gone on to teach in higher education

Program Highlights

Training

Guitar study is central to the undergraduate conservatory curriculum

Weekly private lessons and studio performance classes with guitar professor Joseph Pecoraro

Facilities

Guitarists receive weekly private lessons, studio performance classes and guitar skills classes with an acclaimed, active performing faculty member

Junior-year pedagogy coursework includes registered instruction in the Suzuki method, preparing students to teach professionally

UNCSA guitar graduates have earned prizes in international guitar competitions and gone on to teach in higher education

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fees

Domestic Fee

$95

International Fee

$130

Deadline

Early Application Date (Music)Dec 1, 2026

Application Deadline (Music)Jan 20, 2027

Index · uncsa.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Deadline

Early Application DateDec 1, 2026

Application DeadlineJan 20, 2027

Auditions

Guitar audition (UNCSA campus)

Dec 11, 2026Feb 5 & 19, 2027

Guitar audition opportunity (Chicago)Feb 12, 2027

Index · uncsa.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Additional Materials

Repertoire

Include at least 2 excerpts from works written for solo guitar, performed using right-hand fingerstyle technique

Include 3–5 contrasting musical excerpts, 30 seconds to 1 minute long, highlighting as much variety as possible

Transcript

Upload unofficial transcripts for initial review; official final transcripts are required after admission

Letters of Recommendation

Two recommendations are required: provide contact information for one arts instructor and one academic instructor. For applicants no longer enrolled, eligible referees include an employer, mentor, instructor, or director

Statement

Submit a two-page artistic statement describing interests, goals, and information about your work; include your full name on the document

Resume

Detail artistic experience and educational objectives

Repertoire Lists

Studied/performed repertoire list: submit pieces and composers studied or performed, limited to the past five years if needed

Audition repertoire list: submit the pieces and composers prepared for the audition

Video Specifications

Video Format

A single Pre-screen Video file of approximately 5 minutes in length. Applicants are not to upload multiple files

A single-take recording of the entire submission is not expected. A Pre-screen Video compiled from excerpts from live performances or an applicant's informal run-through is acceptable

Required to include the player's full guitar and hands

Have reasonably clear sound quality, but professional production quality is not expected

Applicants are advised to include strong musical contrast in their Pre-screen Video, such as: fast and slow tempos; melodic and textural playing; single-line and polyphonic (multi-voice) music; different musical styles, techniques, and expressive approaches

Optional: Excerpts from works intended for ensemble performance are welcome, including performances with accompaniment or a backing track

Optional: If singing while playing guitar is a strength, applicants are welcome to include a brief example. However, this should represent a small portion of the Pre-screen Video, as the conservatory guitar program primarily evaluates instrumental performance rather than songwriting or vocal ability

Recording should be recent (within the past year)

Audition Requirements · uncsa.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Audition Requirements

Additional Materials

Repertoire

Prepare 3 contrasting selections

At least 2 selections must be works for solo guitar

Selections should demonstrate technical, interpretive, and overall performance abilities, may be in any musical style, and may include solo guitar works and works performed in ensemble settings

Applicants are also welcome to prepare a contrasting solo guitar work, an original composition, an improvisation, or a selection demonstrating artistic interests and musical strengths

Scales & Technique

Scales in first (open) position and movable positions

Current understanding of fundamental musical concepts including keys, chords, scales, intervals, and musical structure

Audition Requirements · uncsa.edu

University Essays

Artistic Statement

2 pages

Submit a two-page artistic statement expressing interests, goals, and other information providing insight into your work.

Include full name on the document.

Required Documents · uncsa.edu Main · uncsa.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit the 2027-28 UNCSA application and required materials by the early or final application deadline

Application fee: $95 for domestic applicants and $130 for international applicants

Fee waivers are accepted through SAT, ACT, or NACAC request processes

Submit the initial UNCSA application before uploading documents and recordings in the Admissions Portal

Applying to a second UNCSA arts school requires a separate application and fee

Referees receive a recommendation form and have the option to upload an additional letter

What's The Process

Audition Process

Faculty review the application, required documents, and recording before offering a live audition

Meeting the early application date provides earlier prescreen review and earlier access to audition scheduling

Contact guitar professor Joseph Pecoraro at pecorj@uncsa.edu with questions about the audition process or requirements

Audition Expectations

Approved applicants are contacted to schedule an in-person audition on campus or at the published Chicago audition opportunity

Live auditions are a recital-style performance

Sight-reading standard notation

Chordal accompaniment from lead sheets

Admission into the Undergraduate Guitar Studio is competitive and based on the strength of the applicant pool and the number of spaces available each year

There are no fixed minimum expectations for any individual component of the audition. Rather, applicants are evaluated holistically, with consideration given to their overall musical potential, current level of achievement, and capacity for future growth

Scholarship Info

Scholarship Consideration

Each UNCSA arts school may award institutional scholarships for artistic merit demonstrated through the audition

Undergraduate applicants may also be considered for need-based scholarships by filing the FAFSA

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.60

Admit rate

30%

school-wide

Grad rate

78%

Enrollment

945

Earnings

$38K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$9,701

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$27,841

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$27,398

Before aid

Average net price

$14,906

After aid

Cost Attendance Budgets College.Pdf · uncsa.edu College Scorecard

Training

Guitar study is central to the undergraduate conservatory curriculum

Weekly private lessons and studio performance classes with guitar professor Joseph Pecoraro

Facilities

Guitarists receive weekly private lessons, studio performance classes and guitar skills classes with an acclaimed, active performing faculty member

Junior-year pedagogy coursework includes registered instruction in the Suzuki method, preparing students to teach professionally

UNCSA guitar graduates have earned prizes in international guitar competitions and gone on to teach in higher education

Updated 1d ago