Undergraduate Conservatory Audition Guidelines
All audition confirmation materials will be sent to the applicant via the student e-mail as listed on the application.
Undergraduate Application Process
- Complete the Undergraduate Application for Admission
- Musical Theatre applicants must complete a prescreening audition. Firm deadline was December 3, 2020. Applicants will be notified of prescreening results, on a rolling basis via the email address listed on their application. You may not schedule an audition until you have been contacted with your prescreening results.
- Submit official high school transcripts from each institution attended
- Optional: Submit official SAT or ACT test scores
- Register for an Audition via our Audition Registration Form. Audition dates are limited and may fill and close well in advance of the audition date. All of the 2020-2021 auditions will be live, virtual.
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- Once you’ve filled out the Audition Registration Form via Acceptd, click the scheduling tab at the top of the screen to choose your audition date and time.
Changes Due to COVID-19
As federal, state and local approaches to combatting the spread of COVID-19 evolve over the coming year, it has become necessary for Shenandoah Conservatory to modify the ways in which auditions and interviews are held. All auditions for the 2020-2021 cycle will be live, virtual. Core program requirements will not be altered.
- Non-musical theatre applicants are encouraged to submit application materials and register for the audition/portfolio review concurrently.
- No audition will be scheduled without submission of the Shenandoah University Application for Admission and the audition will not be confirmed until all application materials have been received.
Musical Theatre applicants must first submit a recorded video prescreening audition.
The firm deadline for application and prescreen submission was December 3, 2020. The musical theatre application and prescreen is now closed. We are no longer accepting musical theatre applications for Fall 2021.
No tapes, DVDs, YouTube videos, or submissions through other websites will be accepted. Prescreening audition selections must follow the Undergraduate Conservatory Audition Guidelines.
Applicants who successfully pass the recorded prescreening audition will be invited to complete a live audition with the Shenandoah Conservatory faculty.
Changes Due to COVID-19
As federal, state and local approaches to combatting the spread of COVID-19 evolve over the coming year, it has become necessary for Shenandoah Conservatory to modify the ways in which auditions and interviews are held. All auditions for the 2020-2021 cycle will be live, virtual.
Live audition dates will be virtual.
Whenever possible, auditions, interviews and portfolio reviews will be held live online via Acceptd’s online platform, Audition Room. Students with internet stability issues or audition day conflicts may email Admissions (auditions@su.edu) to request to submit a recorded audition or alternative interview date.
Voice applicants (all majors): live or recorded accompaniment is required.
Woodwind, Brass, Strings, Percussion, Piano applicants (all majors): accompaniment is not required.
All virtual auditions will take place in Zoom software. You must download the Zoom application and all updates prior to your audition date.
Undergraduate Audition Dates
Music Programs
- December 5, 2020
- January 23, 2021
- January 30, 2021
- February 6, 2021
- February 13, 2021
- February 27, 2021
Dance Programs
- October 23, 2020
- January 29, 2021
- February 13, 2021
- February 27, 2021
Theatre Programs
- January 23, 2021
- January 24, 2021
- January 30, 2021
- February 6, 2021
- February 27, 2021
New York City Regional Theatre Auditions
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be holding NYC regional auditions during the 2020/21 audition cycle. However, we are holding live, virtual auditions on those dates–January 23 & January 24.
All applicants must follow the Shenandoah Conservatory Undergraduate Audition Guidelines as they prepare for their audition.
Applicants will be emailed an audition confirmation once all of the application materials have been received. The confirmation will include the schedule for the day.
Registrations for auditions must be received at least two weeks prior to the audition date. Again, the audition registration will not be confirmed until all admissions materials have been received.
Applicants are strongly recommended to complete their audition live, virtual on one of the official audition dates.
Whenever possible, auditions, interviews and portfolio reviews will be held live online via Acceptd’s online platform, Audition Room. Students with internet stability issues or audition day conflicts may email Admissions (auditions@su.edu) to request to submit a recorded audition or alternative interview date.
It is strongly recommended that applicants verify the requirements with their admissions counselor prior to submitting a recorded audition.
Musical Theatre DOES NOT accept recorded auditions.
Submit a video recording electronically through the Shenandoah University Recorded Audition Form.
Videos must be prepared following the Shenandoah Conservatory Undergraduate Audition Guidelines and may be produced with home recording equipment; studio-quality recording is not necessary. We will NOT accept any other type of recorded audition.
Admission Decisions
Admission decisions are sent to students in early March for students who have applied for the fall semester. Review of applications and subsequent admission status notification continues until all programs are full.
Fall Semester/Spring Semester Applications
Shenandoah Conservatory accepts applications and admits students to all conservatory programs in the Fall (August) semester. Shenandoah accepts applications for some programs for the Spring (January) semester depending on availability. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions to determine if their program of interest has openings for the spring semester.
Not sure what to major in?
Find a major that fits your instrument, and learn more about your instrument’s faculty.
Questions?
If you have questions about our admission or audition process, we invite you to call or email us so we can help you navigate the process and prepare as best possible for your audition. You can contact the Office of Admissions at 540-665-4581 or e-mail admit@su.edu or auditions@su.edu.
View the 2020/21 conservatory brochure