Music Auditions & Scholarships

Music Department Admission & Scholarship Auditions

Awards $500-2,000 per year to accomplished piano students, selected by audition. This award is renewable. Open to new, full-time freshmen or transfer students. Students must maintain enrollment in MUS 258 Collaborative Piano and may serve as accompanists to choral students, in the voice studio, or work with jazz or other ensembles as assigned by the piano instructor.

Apply to Lakeland University

Awards vary between $500 - $3,000 per year to selected, qualified music students. Continued enrollment and participation in a band or choral group at Lakeland is required. Open to new, full-time freshmen or transfer students and is renewable.

Music Contributor Scholarship

Awarding: The Contributor Scholarship is worth up to $1000 annually, and is renewable as long as the recipient maintains enrollment in a major ensemble at Lakeland University (i.e. University Band or The Lakeland Choir). New incoming students who have been active members playing or singing in their high school ensembles (or prior college for transfer students), private lessons, or church/community ensembles are encouraged to apply.

Application: Student should fill out the interest form in the Admissions application and will be asked to meet for an interview with Music faculty, either in person or virtually. We would love to hear you play as part of this interview but there is not a set repertoire requirement.

Music Leaders Scholarship

Awarding: The Leaders Scholarship is worth up to $2,000 annually and is renewable as long as the recipient maintains enrollment in a major ensemble (i.e. University Band or The Lakeland Choir). This award is open to new incoming students and can be awarded by meeting one of the following requirements:

  1. Satisfactorily perform in a competitive audition before enrolling
    1. Refer to "What should I prepare for my audition?" section below.
  2. OR, perform in an honors ensemble
    1. Participate in a recognized conference, regional, or state honors ensemble selected by audition or director recommendation
  3. OR, attend a Lakeland University Music Camp
    1. As a high school student, attend a Lakeland University week-long summer Music Camp and place into top ensemble in their area
Music Honors Scholarship

Awarding: The Honors Scholarship is worth up to $3,000 annually. There is a limit to the number of this scholarship awarded annually. This award is renewable as long as the recipient maintains enrollment in a major ensemble (i.e. University Band or The Lakeland Choir) and enrollment either in applied lessons or a second ensemble.

Eligibility: Students must perform a satisfactory audition for Music faculty or be recognized as a winner for John Michael Kohler Arts Center Senior Honors Recital.

Audition: Refer to "What should I prepare for my audition?" section below.

    Accompanist Requirements

    Vocal auditions require an accompanist. Pre-recorded accompaniments are not allowed. Students are advised to bring their own accompanist for their vocal audition. However, in the event the student does not have an accompanist, the Department of Music will provide one upon request, at no charge. Students who require an accompanist must mail or email legible copies of their music to the Department of Music. Music must arrive two weeks prior to each audition date. If the deadline is not met, the accompanist may not play for the audition.

    Students who have requested an accompanist will be assigned a brief rehearsal time with the accompanist prior to the audition.

    Please send your audition music (must be legible copies) to the address below:

    Mailing address:
    Attn: Dr. Evan Chancellor
    Assistant Professor of Music
    Lakeland University
    W3718 South Drive
    Plymouth, WI 53073
    ChancellorE@lakeland.edu

    Music at Lakeland University

    Questions?

    Contact our Music Department Staff


    Apply for Music Department Scholarships and select an audition time at your Future Muskie Portal.

    Please contact our staff with any and all questions:
    Instrumental: Evan Chancellor, chancellore@lakeland.edu
    Vocal: Emily Alvarez, alvareze@lakeland.edu

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Yes, students only need to audition once. That audition will be considered both for scholarship awards, as well as for music study, lesson and ensemble placement.

    No. If you want to play in band or choir as a non-music major/minor, we have a spot for you, and placement auditions/hearings for ensembles typically take place the first few days of classes. However, if you want to be considered for a scholarship (even available to non-music majors/minors) you MUST audition.

    Take a look at the tab for "Audition Requirements" – typically if you have participated in solo/ensemble in your high school experience, you will have the materials and repertoire necessary for a successful audition.

    • Band Competitive Audition:
      • Play two contrasting solos, using the WSMA Class A solo list or equivalent or the WSMA State Honors Audition etudes as a guideline
      • Scales
      • Sight-reading
    • Vocal Competitive Audition:
      • Sing two memorized contrasting classical art songs OR musical theatre solos with an accompanist, using WSMA Solo/Ensemble list or equivalent as a guideline
      • Testing of range, vocal timbre, flexibility, and sight-reading

    Auditions are about 20 minutes in length, you'll want to arrive early to Lakeland and the Verhulst Music Building to warm-up and be comfortable. We'll have you play/sing/perform for the faculty, and there will be time after your audition performance to ask questions.