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University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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In-Person or Virtual

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BM Music Composition Comprehensive

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No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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BM Music Composition Comprehensive

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BM Music Education

General Music Studies

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PK-12

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BM Music Performance Comprehensive

Instrumental Emphasis

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No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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BM Music Performance Comprehensive

Vocal Emphasis

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No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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BM Music Performance Comprehensive

Piano Emphasis

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BA Music

General Music Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

•Bachelor of Music in Music Composition Comprehensive (120 credit hours)

•NASM-accredited music program since 1976

•Junior and senior recitals featuring the student's original compositions

•Exit portfolio required before graduation

Training

•Individual composition lessons plus a weekly composition seminar

•Master classes and lectures by nationally known guest composers

•Deep study of harmony, counterpoint, rhythm, form, and music's relationship to the other arts

•Private studio instruction on a principal instrument or voice and large-ensemble participation

Professional Development

•Preparation for master's-level study in composition and entry into many musical fields

•100% of music graduates found jobs in their fields upon graduation (2020-2024)

Value

•Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

•Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

•All undergraduates pay the in-state rate of $244 per credit hour through the New Nebraskan Scholarship

School Info

Snapshot

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

58%

Grad Rate

4.1K

Enrollment

$50K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$8,922

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$16,134

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$28,536

Before aid

Average Net Price

$16,242

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 11h ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Bachelor of Music in Music Composition Comprehensive (120 credit hours)

•NASM-accredited music program since 1976

•Junior and senior recitals featuring the student's original compositions

•Exit portfolio required before graduation

Training

•Individual composition lessons plus a weekly composition seminar

•Master classes and lectures by nationally known guest composers

•Deep study of harmony, counterpoint, rhythm, form, and music's relationship to the other arts

•Private studio instruction on a principal instrument or voice and large-ensemble participation

Professional Development

•Preparation for master's-level study in composition and entry into many musical fields

•100% of music graduates found jobs in their fields upon graduation (2020-2024)

Value

•Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

•Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

•All undergraduates pay the in-state rate of $244 per credit hour through the New Nebraskan Scholarship

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Bachelor of Music in Music Composition Comprehensive (120 credit hours)

•NASM-accredited music program since 1976

•Junior and senior recitals featuring the student's original compositions

•Exit portfolio required before graduation

Training

•Individual composition lessons plus a weekly composition seminar

•Master classes and lectures by nationally known guest composers

•Deep study of harmony, counterpoint, rhythm, form, and music's relationship to the other arts

•Private studio instruction on a principal instrument or voice and large-ensemble participation

Professional Development

•Preparation for master's-level study in composition and entry into many musical fields

•100% of music graduates found jobs in their fields upon graduation (2020-2024)

Value

•Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

•Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

•All undergraduates pay the in-state rate of $244 per credit hour through the New Nebraskan Scholarship

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

School Website

Fee

$45

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Auditions

On-Campus (Kearney)

Jan 23, 2026Feb 13 & 28, 2026Mar 2, 2026

OmahaFeb 14, 2026

ScottsbluffFeb 27, 2026

Official Source

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

•Prepare literature for an entrance audition on your principal instrument or voice (the performance area with which you most closely identify)

•Voice: two contrasting songs from memory — e.g. a folksong arrangement, an art song in English, or an old Italian song; a Broadway musical selection is also appropriate

•Brass: two etudes or short concert/contest pieces (one lyrical, one technical)

•Woodwinds: two movements or selections in contrasting styles

•Strings: two contrasting pieces or etudes at the minimum Suzuki Book III-IV level for your instrument

•Percussion: two short selections in contrasting styles at Grade 3-4 level on two instruments

•Guitar: two contrasting pieces using fingering and strumming techniques

•Organ: one Bach Little Prelude and Fugue (or comparable) and one hymn

•Piano: two short selections of comparable or greater difficulty than the two-part Inventions of J.S. Bach

Accompaniment

•Bring your own accompanist, use a UNK-provided accompanist, or perform with pre-recorded accompaniment you provide

•To use a UNK accompanist, email your audition selections to Dr. Tim Farrell at least two weeks before your audition

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply to UNK before auditioning

•Register for your audition via the music department's online Qualtrics form

•No separate audition application portal required

Program Requirements

•Admitted students take music theory and piano skills diagnostic exams on the audition day — for course placement and advising only, not admission

•Students who do not pass the theory placement exam enroll in MUS 098 Fundamentals of Music

Important Notes

•Rolling admissions. No fixed application deadline

•Students who do not meet admission requirements may be admitted provisionally

•Departmental approval required to change applied music area or academic program after acceptance

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•Admission to the music program as a major or minor requires an entrance audition on your principal instrument or voice

•In-person audition strongly encouraged for full consideration

•Remote audition possible only for students unable to attend due to extreme distance — contact Dr. John Petzet at petzetj@unk.edu to arrange

•Audition consists of an individual performance of prepared literature; instrumentalists also complete a short sight-reading demonstration, while vocalists do not sight-read

•Admitted students take theory and piano skills diagnostic exams on the audition day for placement and advising

•Plan to spend time on campus meeting music faculty and exploring the university

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

•Over $200,000 awarded annually across the music program

•Available to both majors and minors

•Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

•Some scholarships may require participation in two ensembles per semester

Tuition Benefit

•In-state tuition available to all students through New Nebraskan Scholarship ($234/credit hour)

School Info

Snapshot

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

58%

Grad Rate

4.1K

Enrollment

$50K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$8,922

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$16,134

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$28,536

Before aid

Average Net Price

$16,242

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Bachelor of Music in Music Composition Comprehensive (120 credit hours)

•NASM-accredited music program since 1976

•Junior and senior recitals featuring the student's original compositions

•Exit portfolio required before graduation

Training

•Individual composition lessons plus a weekly composition seminar

•Master classes and lectures by nationally known guest composers

•Deep study of harmony, counterpoint, rhythm, form, and music's relationship to the other arts

•Private studio instruction on a principal instrument or voice and large-ensemble participation

Professional Development

•Preparation for master's-level study in composition and entry into many musical fields

•100% of music graduates found jobs in their fields upon graduation (2020-2024)

Value

•Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

•Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

•All undergraduates pay the in-state rate of $244 per credit hour through the New Nebraskan Scholarship

Updated 11h ago