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University of Louisville

Louisville, KY

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Composition & music studies

Theatre

Music performance

Music education

Quick links

BM Music Composition

Composition

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Training

Study original composition with composition faculty alongside the full theory and music-history core

Opportunities to have works read and performed by School of Music ensembles

Degree Flexibility

Professional Bachelor of Music with a composition focus

Theory, music literature, and piano proficiency required of all majors

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.60

Admit rate

79%

school-wide

Grad rate

61%

Enrollment

14.7K

Earnings

$54K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$13,614

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$29,960

Before aid

Average net price

$17,988

After aid

Annual Undergraduate Tuition Fees · louisville.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 9, 7:37 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Training

Study original composition with composition faculty alongside the full theory and music-history core

Opportunities to have works read and performed by School of Music ensembles

Degree Flexibility

Professional Bachelor of Music with a composition focus

Theory, music literature, and piano proficiency required of all majors

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Training

Study original composition with composition faculty alongside the full theory and music-history core

Opportunities to have works read and performed by School of Music ensembles

Degree Flexibility

Professional Bachelor of Music with a composition focus

Theory, music literature, and piano proficiency required of all majors

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

Deadline

PriorityFeb 15, 2027

Regular DecisionRolling

First Time Freshman Applicants · louisville.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

Live Audition Date

Nov 21, 2026Jan 23, 2027Feb 13 & 20, 2027

Composition Portfolio — Scholarship Consideration DeadlineFeb 15, 2027

Audition Requirements · music.louisville.edu

Prescreen Requirements

Portfolio / Creative Sample

Portfolio should include three or four samples of original compositions

Portfolio recordings of the same works should be included where possible; live recordings are preferred, MIDI is acceptable if no live recording exists

Portfolio should include PDF scores uploaded alongside the recordings

Portfolio evidence of writing for various instrumental and/or vocal combinations is helpful

Submit your most advanced and sophisticated creative work samples

Audition Requirements · music.louisville.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to UofL via Common App or school portal first — the audition registration form becomes available through the Application Gateway once an application is submitted

University admission is not required before registering for an audition

Submit the composition portfolio by February 15 for scholarship consideration

Admitted students take a music theory and aural-skills placement exam at orientation — for course placement only, not admission

What's The Process

Audition Process

Composition is admitted by portfolio review rather than a performance audition

Applicants also complete the general School of Music admission process, which includes a performance audition on a primary instrument or voice

Prepare a shared cloud folder (Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive) with PDF scores and audio files, then send the link to the School of Music admissions office once the portfolio is complete

Composition faculty review the portfolio and may follow up with questions before a decision

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

Awarded based on portfolio review

Submit the application and composition portfolio by February 15 for scholarship consideration

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.60

Admit rate

79%

school-wide

Grad rate

61%

Enrollment

14.7K

Earnings

$54K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$13,614

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$29,960

Before aid

Average net price

$17,988

After aid

Annual Undergraduate Tuition Fees · louisville.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Training

Study original composition with composition faculty alongside the full theory and music-history core

Opportunities to have works read and performed by School of Music ensembles

Degree Flexibility

Professional Bachelor of Music with a composition focus

Theory, music literature, and piano proficiency required of all majors

Updated Sep 9, 7:37 PM