Prospective Students
The Lionel Hampton School of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music, and the standards of the school are consistent with those set by the association.
Students involved in our undergraduate programs learn by performing, listening to, analyzing and creating music.
Undergraduate students develop a broad understanding of musical styles and techniques of all eras, including contemporary music, participate in studios with instruction from our expert faculty and participate in the university's unique General Education program, taking courses in a wide range of topics. The undergraduate degrees include music courses in theory, history, composition and performance.
Welcome to Idaho, Future Vandals!
The Lionel Hampton School of Music offers you the opportunity to learn by performing, listening to, analyzing and creating music.
Becoming a Music Major
To become a music major, there are three steps to follow:
- Apply online to the School of Music and register for an audition. Auditions on the student's main instrument or voice are required for all undergraduate degrees in music.
- Apply online to the University of Idaho.
- Complete an in-person or Zoom or recorded audition, which is detailed below.
Audition Deadline (for priority consideration for admission and scholarships): Feb. 24, 2024.
All prospective undergraduate music majors are required to audition for admittance into the Lionel Hampton School of Music on a primary instrument or voice. Please see audition requirements and forms below.
- Audition Days Information
- Recommended Audition Repertoire
- Criteria for Admission and Advancement in Studio Instruction
List of Primary Instruments
Student must audition for admission to the School of Music on one of these instruments or voice:
Brass
- Horn
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
Keyboard
- Piano
- Organ
Strings
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass (String Bass)
- Guitar (Classical)
Voice
- Soprano
- Alto
- Tenor
- Baritone
- Bass
Woodwinds
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Bassoon
- Saxophone
In-Person Auditions
Schedule an audition by completing the Music School Application. Options for in-person auditions include attending our 2024 Audition Day in person or via Zoom sessions. You may schedule an alternate audition time during the week or weekend, depending on the faculty's availability. Instrumental auditions are normally unaccompanied.
Voice
Vocalists are welcome to bring their own accompanists to campus, but if this is not possible a pianist will be provided to sight-read the accompaniment.
Recorded Auditions
Since in-person auditions are not possible for all students, we also welcome auditions via video recording. Please complete the Music School Application prior to sending in your video recording. Please email your digital files, YouTube videos and dropbox links to music@uidaho.edu.
If you are auditioning on more than one instrument, put each instrument in a separate video. Remember to view your video recording before sending it; video recordings are sometimes inaudible. All recordings become the property of the Lionel Hampton School of Music and will not be returned.
Piano Placement Exam
The Piano Placement Exam is for students who wish to place out of some but not all required class piano courses.
The Challenge By Exam Form is necessary only when testing out of all four semesters for majors and two semesters for minors. This form must be filled out prior to taking the challenge exam. No exam may be conducted during the last two weeks of any academic session.
Scholarships
Over 150 merit–based scholarships are awarded to music students each year. Awards are based on entrance auditions. Priority consideration is given to those who audition by the last Saturday of February and have a 3.0 high school GPA.
Transfer Students
Transferring to the University of Idaho is easy – and it's a good choice.
The School of Music provides you with a transfer advisor to ease the transition from your previous institution. We normally accept transfer music credits from NASM-accredited institutions.
On this page, you will find guidelines for admission, information about class piano and study guides for the exams that transfer students are expected to take at University of Idaho.
Theory and Aural Skills Diagnostic Exam and Study Guides
The goal of this exam is to advise transfer students regarding deficiencies in their prior theory training. The exam is given during the first week of classes each semester, as needed.