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University of Louisville

Louisville, KY

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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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

3.60

Avg GPA (W)

79%

Admit Rate

school-wide

61%

Grad Rate

14.7K

Enrollment

$54K

Earnings

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

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

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

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

Official Source

Prescreen 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.

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

Official Source

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

3.60

Avg GPA (W)

79%

Admit Rate

school-wide

61%

Grad Rate

14.7K

Enrollment

$54K

Earnings

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

Official source 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 1d ago