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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

Program profile

Study Abroad

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

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BM Music Performance Comprehensive

Instrumental Emphasis

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

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BM Music Comprehensive

Music Business Emphasis

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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 Comprehensive

Music Composition Emphasis

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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 Education

General Music Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

PK-12

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BM Music Performance Comprehensive

Instrumental Emphasis

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BM Music Performance Comprehensive

Vocal Emphasis

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

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BM Music Performance Comprehensive

Piano Emphasis

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

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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 Performance with Instrumental Emphasis (120 credit hours)

•Designed for students demonstrating outstanding ability on an orchestral or band instrument

•NASM-accredited member institution

•Two full-length recitals required (junior and senior), plus group student recitals

•Eight semesters of private instruction on the principal instrument

Training & Ensembles

•Private studio instruction with experienced performing faculty

•Large ensembles: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Kearney Area Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra

•Small ensembles and chamber music

•Strong liberal arts curriculum alongside applied study

Career Preparation

•Graduates prepared for master's-level study or entry into performance and teaching positions

•100% employment rate for music graduates in their field (2020-2024)

Value

•Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

•Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

•In-state tuition available to all students through 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 Jun 23, 1:36 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Bachelor of Music in Performance with Instrumental Emphasis (120 credit hours)

•Designed for students demonstrating outstanding ability on an orchestral or band instrument

•NASM-accredited member institution

•Two full-length recitals required (junior and senior), plus group student recitals

•Eight semesters of private instruction on the principal instrument

Training & Ensembles

•Private studio instruction with experienced performing faculty

•Large ensembles: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Kearney Area Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra

•Small ensembles and chamber music

•Strong liberal arts curriculum alongside applied study

Career Preparation

•Graduates prepared for master's-level study or entry into performance and teaching positions

•100% employment rate for music graduates in their field (2020-2024)

Value

•Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

•Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

•In-state tuition available to all students through New Nebraskan Scholarship

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Bachelor of Music in Performance with Instrumental Emphasis (120 credit hours)

•Designed for students demonstrating outstanding ability on an orchestral or band instrument

•NASM-accredited member institution

•Two full-length recitals required (junior and senior), plus group student recitals

•Eight semesters of private instruction on the principal instrument

Training & Ensembles

•Private studio instruction with experienced performing faculty

•Large ensembles: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Kearney Area Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra

•Small ensembles and chamber music

•Strong liberal arts curriculum alongside applied study

Career Preparation

•Graduates prepared for master's-level study or entry into performance and teaching positions

•100% employment rate for music graduates in their field (2020-2024)

Value

•Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

•Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

•In-state tuition available to all students through New Nebraskan Scholarship

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$45

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Program AppApplication

Auditions

On-Campus (Kearney)Jan 23, 2026

On-Campus (Kearney)Feb 13, 2026

OmahaFeb 14, 2026

ScottsbluffFeb 27, 2026

On-Campus (Kearney)Feb 28, 2026

On-Campus (Kearney)Mar 2, 2026

Audition Requirements

Repertoire

•Prepare prepared literature on your principal instrument (the instrument with which you most closely identify)

•Brass: two etudes or short concert/contest pieces — one lyrical and one technical, or one solo with both a lyrical and a technical section

•Woodwinds: two movements or selections in contrasting styles

•Strings: two contrasting pieces or etudes at the minimum level of Vivaldi Violin Concerto in A Minor, Mvt. I / Suzuki Book IV (violin); Suzuki Book III (viola); Suzuki Book IV (cello); Suzuki Book III (bass)

•Percussion: two short selections in contrasting styles at Grade 3-4 level on two instruments (mallet keyboard, timpani, snare, multi-percussion, or trap set)

•Guitar: two contrasting pieces using both fingering and strumming techniques

•Organ: one selection from Bach's Little Preludes and Fugues (or comparable difficulty) and one hymn

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

Placement Exams

•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

•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 plus a short sight-reading demonstration

•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 Performance with Instrumental Emphasis (120 credit hours)

•Designed for students demonstrating outstanding ability on an orchestral or band instrument

•NASM-accredited member institution

•Two full-length recitals required (junior and senior), plus group student recitals

•Eight semesters of private instruction on the principal instrument

Training & Ensembles

•Private studio instruction with experienced performing faculty

•Large ensembles: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Kearney Area Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra

•Small ensembles and chamber music

•Strong liberal arts curriculum alongside applied study

Career Preparation

•Graduates prepared for master's-level study or entry into performance and teaching positions

•100% employment rate for music graduates in their field (2020-2024)

Value

•Over $200,000 in music scholarships awarded annually

•Entrance audition doubles as scholarship audition

•In-state tuition available to all students through New Nebraskan Scholarship

Updated Jun 23, 1:36 AM