FAQs

Program Information | Audition Process | Performing Opportunities | Lessons

Program Information

For in-depth information about individual degree offerings, visit the Programs of Study page.

Yes. Musical theatre majors must audition with the theatre department, not the music department. For more information about the musical theatre program and audition process, please contact Janice Pohl, director of theatre, via email or by phone at (630) 617-3008.

Absolutely. For transfer information, please contact Gayle Bisesi, director of music admission, via email or phone at (630) 617-3524.

Gayle Bisesi, director of music admission, will notify you via e-mail approximately two weeks after your music audition.

Music majors who audition for acceptance into the music department.

Yes.

The music education faculty at Elmhurst consists of teachers who have a proven track record of highly successful teaching careers in the public schools.

We provide live, hands-on teaching experiences each year for our students. We are also one of the few schools that require three conducting courses. In Conducting II & III our students have the opportunity to conduct middle school and high school bands, choirs and orchestras on and off campus.

Yes, with careful planning students can successfully complete their coursework, student teaching, earn a degree in music education and be state certified to teach in grades K-12.

We have over a 90% placement rate of our music education graduates into teaching positions.

Audition Process

We encourage all students to apply to Elmhurst University before auditioning. If you are admitted at the time of your audition, you will receive information about your financial aid and music scholarship approximately two weeks after the audition. The Office of Admission and Office of Student Financial Services will put together your complete financial package after you have been admitted and your audition results have been reviewed.

Auditions take place at:

Elmhurst University
Irion Hall (music building)
190 Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126

Check directions on the campus map.

Please check the audition process page of the music department’s website.

There are no time requirements on any piece, but the audition itself will not exceed 10 minutes.

If you would like to use your own accompanist, that is fine. If not, upon request, an Elmhurst University accompanist will be provided. This is complimentary and must be requested no later than three weeks prior to your audition. Please notify Gayle Bisesi, director of music admission, via email or phone at 630-617-3524.

No, it is the same process whether for music business, music education, jazz studies or general music. Please see guidelines on the audition process webpage.

Yes, all music majors must audition for acceptance into the music department.

No.

Yes.

It would benefit you to demonstrate your abilities on as many percussion instruments as possible.

Yes.

Performing Opportunities

Ensemble auditions take place during the first week of class. All students, including non-majors, are welcome to audition for ensembles.

No.

No. We encourage all Elmhurst University students who are interested to audition for the ensembles, regardless of major.

Yes, for the first two years.

Lessons

Yes. Please contact Gayle Bisesi, director of music admission, by email or phone at (630) 617-3524. Professor Bisesi will arrange this complimentary lesson for you. These lessons are available only to high school seniors and transfer students interested in majoring in music.

Yes.

For music majors, lessons are taken just like classes, as long as there is space in the student’s schedule. The only added fee is the $100 applied music fee for credit lessons and $200 applied music fee for non-credit lessons charged once per semester.

Students can take up to 4.75 credit hours before any extra charges, not including the $75 applied lesson fee.

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