Audition Preparation

Schedule your audition using the application portal.

Email musicadmissions@lawrence.edu to cancel or reschedule your audition.

No, Lawrence does not require pre-screening.

Each instrument has different requirements for the number and types of scales. Please refer to the audition requirements.

• Instrumentalists: An accompanist is not required.
• Vocalists: Lawrence will provide an accompanist for vocalists auditioning on campus. You will be asked to upload music in advance of your audition. Please carefully read this document to prepare your music for your accompanist.

Audition days at Lawrence are full, vibrant days that start bright and early at 8 a.m. and conclude by 4 p.m. While your audition itself is the main event, we warmly invite you to spend the whole day exploring campus and getting a feel for what it's like to be a part of the Conservatory community. Your day might include (subject to change):

• Welcome and Orientation
• Audition
• Campus Tour
• Voice and Piano Department Meetings
• Financial Aid, Off-Campus Programs, and Career Services Information Session
• Remarks from the Dean of the Conservatory
• Lunch with Current Students
• Music Education Workshop
• Conservatory Academics Panel and Q&A
• Jazz Jam
• Current Student Panel
• Ensemble Experience
• Optional Faculty and Student Recitals

Auditions are approximately 15-30 minutes in length but may vary depending on instrument/studio. Auditions are often interactive, with faculty asking questions and/or providing a mini lesson. Several faculty members may be present for piano, strings, jazz, and voice auditions.

Your audition may be recorded for future review by faculty.

Practice rooms will be available the day of your audition. You’ll have plenty of time to warm up before you perform. Just check in early (we open at 8 a.m.!) to grab a space and get settled. Our staff and student guides will be nearby to help you find your way.

Wear something that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and like yourself. There’s no formal dress code, but we recommend you dress as you would for a concert or recital performance.

Keep in mind you'll be moving around campus and possibly sitting in on information sessions or events, so choose something that’s polished but easy to move in. And most importantly: wear shoes you can walk in!

You’re welcome to audition on more than one instrument, but a separate audition is only required if you’re hoping to major on each instrument. If you’re interested in playing in ensembles or taking optional lessons on a second instrument, you do not need to complete a full audition for it.

If you do plan to audition on more than one instrument, we’ll make sure you have ample warm-up time for each and help you feel prepared throughout the day.

Students interested in the Jazz Emphasis in the Bachelor of Music degree must perform a complete classical audition on their primary instrument and attend the Jazz Jam ready to perform the required repertoire. Lawrence jazz students will provide accompaniment.

Lawrence University does not provide verbal or written critiques of audition performances.

Yes, you're welcome to record each audition requirement as a separate video, no need to edit them together. In fact, we prefer that each selection is recorded in a single, unedited take without mixing and reverb. This helps us get the clearest sense of your musical preparation and performance style.

• Making a good audition recording takes time, preparation, and planning. Record yourself regularly for practice and ask your teacher to help you with the process of preparation and evaluation as needed. The more experienced you are with this, the more relaxed and confident you will be in preparing any recorded audition.
• If you are performing any part of the audition from memory, remember to place the music stand well away from you so that it does not distract either you or the viewers.
• It may be helpful to have another person with you to hit the start and stop button on your recorder.
• If possible, send your recordings to a music teacher for their review before submitting it for consideration.

• Find a space where you like your sound as heard in your trial-run recording sessions. Remember that microphone placement can be important; too close may cause a distorted, brash sound and too far away may sound unclear. If spaces in your home are not working well for you, consider a space where you can do your work with focus and achieve a good result. Your teacher may be able to recommend a space, or consider meeting spaces or sanctuaries in houses of worship, schools or libraries nearby.
• Good lighting is important, and those viewing your recording need to see you clearly. Take care to avoid backlighting that is too bright or distracting.
• Position yourself about 6-7 feet away from the camera. Be sure that when you play viewers can observe the full range of motion of your body and instrument. For any instrument, the music stand should not obscure what your hands are doing while playing.
• While speaking, take time to breathe well, and to be clear and deliberate. When adrenaline is flowing it is easy to rush things!

After you submit your application and select the self-recorded audition option within your application status portal, you will find a link to recording tips that will have information specific to your instrument(s).