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 your artistry and provide you with a rigorous learning experience.
Changes Due to COVID-19
As federal, state and local approaches to combating the spread of COVID-19 evolve over the coming year, it may become necessary for Shenandoah Conservatory to modify the ways in which auditions and interviews are held. Core program requirements would not be altered.
Audition Information
All Conducting, Piano Performance and Voice applicants must submit a Prescreening on the Shenandoah University Recorded/Prescreening Submission Form.
Prescreening submissions will be accepted beginning on September 16, 2021. You must prepare your prescreening materials as outlined in the Graduate Audition Guidelines.
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 prescreening for a composition, conducting, collaborative piano, piano performance, voice performance or vocal pedagogy is
January 14, 2022.
Recorded/Prescreening Submission Form
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions, at SUGradAdmissions@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. Virtual audition registration will be available on November 1, 2021.
Graduate Audition Dates
- February 5, 2022
- February 19, 2022 (virtual only)
- February 21, 2022
Virtual audition registration will be available on November 1, 2021.
Review the Graduate Audition Guidelines for audition requirement details.
Voice applicants (all majors): live accompaniment is required. A limited number of accompanists are available at the applicant’s expense.
Woodwind, Brass, Strings, Percussion, Piano applicants (all majors): accompaniment is not required.
If you have questions, please contact the Admissions Auditions Team 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 the offered virtual audition date if you are unable to come to campus.
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. Virtual audition registration will open on October 1.
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 | Apply |
| Pedagogy | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Apply |
| PROGRAM | START TERM | INFORMATION | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLY NOW |
| Music Therapy | Fall (August) | Program Specifics PDF | April 15, 2022 | Apply |
| Performing Arts Leadership & Management |
Fall (August) | Program Specifics PDF | Rolling Admission | Apply |
| Music Education | Summer (May) | Program Specifics PDF | April 15, 2023 |
The 2022 Admissions cycle for this program is closed. The 2023 application will open in September. |
| PROGRAM | START TERM | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLY NOW |
| Collaborative Piano | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Apply |
| Composition | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Apply |
| Conducting | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Apply |
| Pedagogy (Classical Voice) | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Apply |
| Pedagogy (Contemporary Commercial Music Voice) |
Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Apply |
| Performance (Conducting, Instrumental, Keyboard, Voice) |
Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Apply |
| PROGRAM | START TERM | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLY NOW |
| Church Music | Summer (May) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines |
The 2022 Admissions cycle for this program is closed. The 2023 application will open in September. |
| PROGRAM | START TERM | INFORMATION | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLY NOW |
| Music Therapy Certification Eligibility |
Fall (August) | Program Specifics PDF | April 15, 2022 | Apply |
| PROGRAM | START TERM | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLY NOW |
| Artist Diploma | Fall (August) | See Graduate Audition Guidelines | Apply |
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:
