Popular instruments
If you play violin, piano, cello, flute, trumpet or guitar seriously, it can be part of your college path even if you don't plan to major in music.
Your options
Major in music
Apply to the college and audition for its school of music, or apply to a conservatory. Your playing carries the most weight.
- Regular application
- Music supplement
- Prescreen video at some schools
- Live or recorded audition
Double or dual degree
A music degree plus a second degree, usually over five years. Some universities partner with conservatories, such as Harvard with NEC.
- Applications to both schools
- An audition
- Each school admits you separately
Major in something else and keep playing
Apply normally. Many selective colleges accept an optional arts supplement, though some review it only when the rest of your application is already strong. Once you enroll, many schools offer lessons and ensembles to non-majors.
- Regular application
- Arts supplement where accepted
When it happens
- 19th–10th
Private lessons; an orchestra, band or other ensemble; start standard repertoire for your instrument.
- 211th
Research schools by their teacher for your instrument; summer music program; practice recording.
- 312th fall
Regular application plus the music school's own application; prescreens often due around Dec 1, some earlier.
- 412th winter
Live or recorded auditions, usually late Jan–Feb; some add sight-reading.
- 512th spring
Decisions by about April 1; compare music awards with financial aid; deposit by May 1.
Do you need a prescreen video?
Undergraduate performance degree, Fall 2027 entry.
| Eastman | NEC | Indiana | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Yes, by Dec 1 | Yes | Yes, by Dec 1 |
| Piano | Yes, by Dec 1 | Yes | Yes, by Dec 1 |
| Cello | Yes, by Dec 1 | Yes | No |
| Flute | Yes, by Dec 1 | Yes | Yes, by Dec 1 |
| Trumpet | Yes | Yes | No |
| Guitar | No | Yes | Yes, by Dec 1 |
What you'd need
- A private teacher who knows college audition repertoire for your instrument
- Prepared pieces: usually a concerto or sonata, a Bach or other standard work, and etudes
- Orchestral excerpts if you play a wind or brass instrument
- Pieces memorized, which most string and piano auditions require
- Scales, which some auditions ask for
- Clean, unedited video recordings
- Strong grades, since music adds to the application but doesn't replace academics
Myth vs. what's true
“Every music school wants a prescreen.”
It depends on the school and the instrument. Indiana asks none from undergraduate cellists or trumpeters, and Eastman asks none from guitarists.
“I can play whatever pieces I like.”
Most schools list required repertoire for each instrument, such as a concerto movement, Bach and an etude.
“An edited phone video is fine.”
Schools ask for unedited takes. Indiana's piano page also rules out added echo or reverb.
“If I'm not a music major I'll have to stop playing.”
Many colleges offer lessons and ensembles to students in any major.
Where to look
| Official page | Last checked |
|---|---|
| Eastman Violin | Oct 2026 |
| Eastman Piano | Oct 2026 |
| Eastman Cello | Oct 2026 |
| Eastman Flute | Oct 2026 |
| Eastman Trumpet | Oct 2026 |
| Eastman Guitar | Oct 2026 |
| NEC Violin | Oct 2026 |
| NEC Piano | Oct 2026 |
| NEC Cello | Oct 2026 |
| NEC Flute | Oct 2026 |
| NEC Trumpet | Oct 2026 |
| NEC Guitar | Oct 2026 |
| Indiana Jacobs Strings | Oct 2026 |
| Indiana Jacobs Piano | Oct 2026 |
| Indiana Jacobs Woodwinds | Oct 2026 |
| Indiana Jacobs Brass | Oct 2026 |
| Indiana Jacobs Guitar | Oct 2026 |
| Indiana Jacobs Auditions | Oct 2026 |
| Indiana Jacobs: music for non-majors | Oct 2026 |
| Harvard–NEC Dual Degree | Oct 2026 |
| Yale Supplementary Materials | Oct 2026 |