Shenandoah Conservatory’s focus on professional arts training began 135 years ago as Virginia’s first flagship school of music.
A Shenandoah Conservatory graduate education will elevate you artistry and provide you with a rigorous learning experience.
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. Core program requirements will not be altered.
Audition Information
All Conducting, Piano Performance and Voice applicants must submit a Prescreening on the Shenandoah University Recorded/Prescreening Submission Form.
You must first submit the prescreening. After successful completion of the prescreening, you will be invited for an audition. You WILL NOT be able to register for an audition before successfully completing your prescreening.
The deadline to submit a composition, conducting, collaborative piano, piano performance, voice performance or vocal pedagogy prescreening was February 1, 2021. At this time we are no longer accepting applications or prescreenings for these programs.
If you have questions, please contact the office of Graduate admissions, at admit@su.edu.
Register for your Audition
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.
- 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.
Graduate Audition Dates
- February 6, 2021
- February 13, 2021
- February 15, 2021
Review the Graduate Audition Guidelines for audition requirement details.
Voice applicants (all majors): live or recorded accompaniment is required.
Woodwind, Brass, Strings, Percussion, Piano applicants (all majors): accompaniment is not required.
If you have questions, please contact Holly Johnson, Assistant Director, at auditions@su.edu.
Your audition registration will be confirmed via email once we have received all required application materials. Before your audition day, you will be emailed a schedule and confirmation. Please set your spam blocker to accept emails from su.edu.
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.
Videos must be prepared following the Graduate Audition Guidelines. We will NOT accept any other type of recorded audition. Recorded auditions must be submitted through Shenandoah University Recorded Audition Form.
Program Applications and Prerequisites
| PROGRAM | START TERM | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLY NOW |
| Performance (Instrumental, Keyboard, Voice & Conducting) | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Fall 2021 admission cycle is closed. |
| Pedagogy | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Fall 2021 admission cycle is closed. |
| PROGRAM | START TERM | INFORMATION | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLY NOW |
| Music Education | Summer (May) | Program Specifics PDF | April 15, 2022 |
The 2022 application will open in September. |
| Music Therapy | Fall (August) | Program Specifics PDF | April 15, 2021 | APPLY |
| Performing Arts Leadership & Management |
Fall (August) | Program Specifics PDF | Rolling Admission | APPLY |
| PROGRAM | START TERM | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLY NOW |
| Collaborative Piano | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Fall 2021 admission cycle is closed. |
| Composition | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Fall 2021 admission cycle is closed. |
| Conducting | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Fall 2021 admission cycle is closed. |
| Pedagogy (Classical Voice) | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Fall 2021 admission cycle is closed. |
| Pedagogy (Contemporary Commercial Music Voice) |
Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Fall 2021 admission cycle is closed. |
| Performance (Conducting, Instrumental, Keyboard, Voice) |
Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Fall 2021 admission cycle is closed. |
| PROGRAM | START TERM | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLY NOW |
| Church Music | Summer (May) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines |
The 2022 application will open in September. |
| PROGRAM | START TERM | INFORMATION | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLY NOW |
| Music Therapy Certification Eligibility |
Fall (August) | Program Specifics PDF | April 15, 2021 | APPLY |
| PROGRAM | START TERM | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLY NOW |
| Artist Diploma | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Fall 2021 admission cycle is closed. |
Learn more about Shenandoah Conservatory
Financial Aid
- Graduate Assistantships, both full and partial, are awarded to masters, doctoral, and artist diploma students. The award (which includes full or partial tuition and a stipend) is renewable for up to three years pending satisfactory academic progress and the recommendation of the immediate supervisor.
- DMA/Artist Diploma (Post-Master’s) Teaching Assistantships are awarded to doctoral and artist diploma students and consist of a full tuition waiver and a $9000 annual stipend. The award is renewable for three years pending satisfactory academic progress and the recommendation of the immediate supervisor.
- Shenandoah Conservatory strongly recommends that all entering students submit a FAFSA to the Shenandoah University Office of Financial Aid.
Contact the Graduate Admissions Team
View the Shenandoah Conservatory Graduate Programs Information Booklet:
View the Audition, Interview, & Portfolio Guidelines Information Booklet: