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University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

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BM Music Composition Comprehensive

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

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

3.54

Avg GPA (W)

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

Cost Of Attendance · unk.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 5, 12:01 AM

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

Apply · unk.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

On-Campus (Kearney)

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

OmahaFeb 14, 2026

ScottsbluffFeb 27, 2026

Audition Info · unk.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

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

Audition Info · unk.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to UNK before auditioning

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

3.54

Avg GPA (W)

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

Cost Of Attendance · unk.edu 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 Aug 5, 12:01 AM