Music Scholarship Auditions
Your path to musical excellence begins here. Audition for scholarships in voice, orchestral instruments, Jazz, piano, and organ.
How the Scholarship Audition Process Works
All Hillsdale College applicants may apply for a music scholarship, regardless of intended major or minor. There are two parts to a complete music scholarship application: the Music Supplement and a live audition. Here is what each one means.
Music Supplement & Scholarship Application
The Music Supplement consists of three items: 1) a pre-screening video of your playing or singing, 2) a music résumé, and 3) a letter of recommendation from a music teacher or ensemble director. You may also submit an optional personal statement related to your life in music. These materials introduce the faculty to your musical abilities and strengthen your overall profile in the applicant pool.
Live Audition
An in-person audition for the music faculty. This is required for scholarship consideration. You will register for a specific audition date on campus — either during our scheduled Audition Days, or scheduled individually. In special circumstances, a remote live audition may be arranged for Regular cycle applicants — please contact Music Admissions Coordinator, Stacey Jones-Garrison, [email protected].
Choose Your Audition Path
There are two ways to audition — choose the timeline that works best for you. Auditioning early gives you the strongest position in the scholarship awarding cycle, but both paths offer scholarship consideration. Students may submit a Music Supplement in more than one performance area; a separate pre-screening video is required for each.
Priority Scholarship Audition
November 15–16, 2026
The Priority Scholarship Audition is your best opportunity to compete for music scholarships. Because you are auditioning at the beginning of the awarding cycle, you will have access to the fullest range of available scholarship funding.
You will audition live on campus, and no pre-screening video is required.
Priority Audition Process
1. Register for the Audition
Register for the Priority Scholarship Audition by November 1, 2026.
2. Complete Your College Application
We recommend submitting your application to Hillsdale College by November 15, 2026. No music scholarship can be awarded until a student has been accepted to the College.
3. Submit Your Supporting Materials
Submit your music résumé and letter of recommendation to complete your Music Supplement.
No pre-screening video is necessary for Priority Scholarship applicants. After you register, an upload link will be sent to your email address for your résumé and letter of recommendation.
4. Audition in Person
Audition on campus on November 15 or 16. During your visit, you will meet faculty members, sit in with ensembles, and perform your audition.
Your in-person audition also fulfills the pre-screening requirement, so no separate video submission is required.
Alternate Priority Audition Dates
If you are unable to attend November 15–16, you may schedule a separate Priority Scholarship Audition through November 22, 2026.
Please note that remote auditions are not available for Priority Scholarship consideration. All Priority auditions must be completed in person.
Regular Scholarship Audition
February 7–8, 2027
If you are unable to attend the Priority Audition in November, you may audition through the regular scholarship cycle.
Scholarship consideration during the regular cycle is based on the funding still available later in the award process. We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible.
Regular Audition Process
1. Submit Your Music Supplement
Submit your complete Music Supplement, including:
- A pre-screening video
- A music résumé
- A letter of recommendation
We recommend submitting all materials by November 29, 2026 for the fullest consideration.
Music Supplements are accepted on a rolling basis, but all materials must be received by January 15, 2027 to be considered for Scholarship Audition Days.
2. Complete Your College Application
Your application to Hillsdale College should be submitted by the College’s priority scholarship deadline of December 15, 2026.
3. Receive an Invitation to Audition
After reviewing the pre-screening videos, the music faculty will invite selected applicants to audition live on campus.
An upload link will be sent to your email address if additional materials are required.
4. Register and Audition
The primary audition dates are Scholarship Audition Days on February 7–8, 2027. Invited applicants should register by January 15, 2027.
Individual auditions may also be scheduled for invited students through March 10, 2027.
In special circumstances, a remote live audition may be arranged. Contact Music Admissions Coordinator Stacey Jones-Garrison at [email protected].
Why Attend Audition Days?
Your visit is about more than the audition. Audition Days give you an opportunity to experience life at Hillsdale, meet members of the music community, and learn more about the College.
01
Hear from Campus Leaders
Learn more about Financial Aid, Student Life, and other offices that support Hillsdale students.
02
See Musicians Perform
Attend performances featuring Hillsdale ensembles, soloists, and chamber musicians.
03
Attend Classes
Visit music and academic courses and experience Hillsdale’s approach to learning.
04
Meet the Music Faculty
Speak with faculty members and begin getting to know your potential teachers and mentors.
05
Tour Music Facilities
Explore the rehearsal spaces, practice rooms, classrooms, and performance venues used by Hillsdale musicians.
06
Meet Fellow Applicants
Connect with other prospective students who may become your classmates and ensemble partners.
07
Experience Campus Life
Enjoy campus dining, guided tours, and opportunities to experience the Hillsdale community.
Complete Your Admissions Interview
Applicants who have not already completed an admissions interview may have an opportunity to do so during their visit.
Award Notification
Students who audition during the Priority Audition period and who have already been accepted to Hillsdale College will be notified of their award status—awarded, waitlisted, or denied—by January 1.
Scholarship offers can only be made to students who have been accepted to the College. For this reason, award notifications are made on a rolling basis.
If you are waitlisted for a scholarship, that is good news—it means we want you on our team. As other students finalize their enrollment decisions, scholarship funds may become available, and you may move next in line.
The award notification deadline for all music scholarships is April 1.
Voice Scholarship Opportunities
All choral and voice applicants who audition—whether at the Priority Audition or during the regular cycle—will be considered for a range of music scholarship opportunities.
Our premier vocal award is the Choral Scholars designation, which carries a scholarship of $10,000 per year.
String Scholarship Opportunities
Every violin, viola, and cello applicant who auditions is eligible for multiple scholarship awards.
The most prestigious of these is the Joy String Quartet scholarship, valued at $10,000 per year.
Audition Areas
Music scholarship auditions are available in the following vocal and instrumental areas. Applicants will also have opportunities to learn more about the ensembles and performance experiences available at Hillsdale.
Choir & Voice
Solo auditions are available for all voice types. All vocalists are considered for a range of scholarship opportunities, including Choral Scholars.
Performance Opportunities
- College Choir
- Chamber Choir
- Choral Scholars
- Opera Workshop
Orchestral Instruments
Auditions are available for strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp.
Performance Opportunities
- Symphony Orchestra
- Chamber Orchestra
- Chamber Music
Jazz Ensembles
Jazz auditions are available for trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, guitar, saxophones, drums, and voice.
Performance Opportunities
- Big Band
- Jazz Combos
Keyboard Instruments
Keyboard auditions are available for piano, organ, and harpsichord.
Collaborative Opportunities
- Accompanying
- Chamber Music
- Percussion Ensemble
Key Dates at a Glance
Important dates are organized by audition path so that you can see what is due and when.
Priority Track
November 1
Registration deadline for the Priority Scholarship Audition.
November 15
Recommended deadline for submitting your Hillsdale College application.
November 15–16
Priority Scholarship Audition Days. Auditions are held live and in person.
Through November 22
Individual Priority Scholarship Auditions are available for applicants who cannot attend the primary audition dates.
January 1
Award notification for Priority applicants who have already been admitted to the College.
April 1
Award notification deadline for all music scholarships.
Regular Track
November 29
Recommended deadline for submitting the Music Supplement, including the pre-screening video.
December 15
Hillsdale College priority scholarship application deadline.
January 15
Deadline for the Music Supplement and registration for Scholarship Audition Days.
February 7–8
Scholarship Audition Days. Auditions are held live and in person.
Through March 10
Music Supplements are accepted on a rolling basis. Individual auditions for invited applicants may be available through March 10.
April 1
Award notification deadline for all music scholarships.