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University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE

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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

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Browse programs

Quick links

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

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

Avg GPA (W)

3.54

Admit rate

89%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

4.1K

Earnings

$50K

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 5d ago

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

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$45

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Apply · unk.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

On-Campus (Kearney)

Jan 22, 2027Feb 12 & 27, 2027Mar 1, 2027

Remote/ZoomFeb 20, 2027

Audition Info · unk.edu

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. John Petzet at least two weeks before your audition

Audition Info · unk.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to UNK before auditioning

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

Avg GPA (W)

3.54

Admit rate

89%

school-wide

Grad rate

58%

Enrollment

4.1K

Earnings

$50K

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 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 5d ago