At this time, we are offering in-person early decision auditions at Peabody. We will accept video-recorded auditions for students who are unable to attend a live audition, except in the areas of piano, percussion, flute, harpsichord or from students who live within a 150-mile radius of Peabody. We will reach out and post online if this needs to change due to the evolving situation with COVID-19
On-campus auditions for students applying early decision will be held on Sunday, December 5, 2021. Recorded auditions will be available for selected programs.
Early Decision Information and Obligations
Welcome to Early Decision Auditions at the Peabody Conservatory! To make the experience as smooth as possible, we have prepared this information to help you navigate the more routine aspects of your visit, including transportation and lodging.
When you first arrive on campus, come directly to 17 E. Mt. Vernon Place. Walk straight ahead and down the stairs into the Arcade, then exit through the double doors into the Plaza. Check-In will be to your right in the Admissions Office, located inside the Peabody Inn (the building with the ramp). From the Parking lot, go to the far corner of the second floor and follow signs saying âMain Entrance,â âConcert Hall,â âCheck-Inâ or âArcade.â Itâs all the same place. Then exit through the double doors to your left into the Plaza and follow the ramp into the Peabody Inn. The Admissions office will be on your right past the lobby. The check-in process is important, even for current Peabody students. If you do not check in, we may mistake you for a âno-showâ and assign your audition time to someone else.
Be on site 45-minutes early to warm up. Practice rooms in Leakin Hall will be available to our visitors during audition week. We have asked you to prepare much more music than can be performed in the time allotted for your audition, so expect the faculty to ask for excerpts from your audition repertoire. Each faculty member will evaluate your acceptability to the school, as well as to their teaching studios. Finally, each faculty member will give you a one-to-10 rating. Taken together, this will be the primary data used for accept/reject decisions, teacher assignments, and the awarding of performance scholarships.
No-shows can cause major issues on audition day. If you must cancel, please notify us as soon as able. This is essential for creating a smooth, enjoyable audition for everyone.
Scheduling constraints and the vastly different set-up requirements for each major make arranging auditions a challenge. However, if you have a mandatory conflict that cannot be rescheduled, call us, and we will try to work out a solution.
The entrance process for special degree programs (eg. Recording Arts) includes a scheduled interview. The faculty will explore your interest in the subject areas, looking for students likely to have a positive experience if accepted to Peabody. Here are some details:
Recording Arts and SciencesÂ
Success in this program requires an aptitude for math and science, as well as musical interests in keeping with the classical and/or jazz styles taught at Peabody. The faculty will be looking at your background in hopes of determining your fit for the program.
Music for New Media
Applicants for this program can expect an interview based on their submitted portfolio materials. Faculty will review the applicantâs compositional process and creative goals as well as their knowledge of music notation and theory.
Music EducationÂ
Interviews for music education will not take place during the Early Decision audition day. You will have the opportunity to interview for the Music Education program during fall orientation.
CompositionÂ
Faculty members will interview prospective students based on their submitted portfolio items. Undergraduates can expect to be questioned on their knowledge of reading and writing music, while graduate students will be asked in- depth questions to demonstrate their knowledge of all musical styles, including contemporary through the present day.
Computer MusicÂ
Prospective students in Computer Music will be scheduled for an interview. During this time, applicants can expect to be interviewed based on their portfolio submissions as well as their knowledge of theory and history.
Peabody has negotiated special rates at the following hotels. All are within walking distance of the Conservatory. When making reservations, tell them you are auditioning at Peabody. Please click on the hotel name to reserve the reservation.
101 W. Monument St. Baltimore, MD 21201
410-727-7101
Please use Corporate/Group Code 33761 under “Special Rates.”
24 W. Franklin Street Baltimore, MD 21201
855-914-1370
Price: $101 per night
8 East Pleasant Street Baltimore, MD 21202
410-576-1200
Price: $109 per night
120 E Lombard St. Baltimore, MD 21202
(800) 914-1370
222 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21202
410-727-2222 or 800-873-6668
2 North Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21201
888-752-2636
NOTE: Due to a heavy volume of negative feedback, we strongly advise against making any reservation at the Midtown Inn on St. Paul Street.
Take I-70 East to I-695 South. Exit at I-95 North and follow the directions given below for the South.
Take Interstate 95 north to I-395. Turn right on Conway Street off of I-395 and follow it until it ends at the Harbor. Turn left and stay on the left so that you follow Calvert Street as it heads north from the Harbor (you will be turning left onto Calvert). After approximately ten blocks north on Calvert Street, turn left on Monument Street (the Washington monument should appear directly ahead of you). Take your first left onto St. Paul Street and turn right into the Peabody Garage. If there is no room in the Peabody lot (which gets pretty crowded) you may be asked to park in an alternate location.
Take interstate 95 South to the Baltimore Beltway, I-695. Go west. The Beltway will merge with Interstate 83. After a few miles, take I-83 South into the city. Exit at St. Paul Street. Approximately ten blocks south on St. Paul Street you will cross Mt. Vernon Place (there will be a park and a tall monument to your right). At the end of the next block, turn right into our parking garage. If there is no room in the Peabody lot (which gets pretty crowded) you may be asked to park in an alternate location.
Peabody is located only a few blocks from the Amtrak station in Baltimore. It is an easy walk in good weather if you are not carrying much. However, we recommend a taxi if you have your instrument with you and want to keep your ears warm.
When you arrive at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, check with the ground transportation desk in the baggage area by belts number six and seven (near Pier C). There is a âSupreme Shuttleâ service that costs about $25.00 one way and around $18.00 for each additional person. It will drop you off at any major hotel in the downtown area. Total travel time is about an hour. You must arrange a pick up by the Supreme Shuttle to get back to the airport. The phone number is 800-590-0000. You can also make on-line reservations at: supremeairportshuttle.com. Of course, you can also take a taxi cab which will drop you off at the door. The cost is roughly double that of the Supreme Shuttle. Another option is the Light Rail, which recently opened service from the airport to Baltimore Penn Station. The fare is $1.70 each way. It leaves the airport every 17 minutes and the total travel time is 45 minutes. Call 410-539- 5000 for the latest, or check the web at mtamaryland.com. Cabs are readily available from the train station to Mt. Vernon Place (near all the hotels listed) for around $10.00.