On-campus auditions for students applying early decision will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Recorded auditions/remote interviews are available for select programs.

As a reminder, Early Decision is open to undergraduate applicants only. Please ensure that you are familiar with the Early Decision Information and Obligations. 

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.

Checking in

When you first arrive on campus, come directly to 17 E. Mt. Vernon Place. Walk straight ahead and down the stairs into the Arcade for check-in. From the Parking lot, go to the far corner of the second floor and follow signs saying “Main Entrance,“ “Concert Hall,” “Check-In” or “Arcade.” It’s all the same place. The check-in process is important, even for current Peabody students. If you do not check in, we may mistake you for a “no-show” and re-assign your audition time to someone else.

Audition Day Events

We are happy to provide an opportunity for you to tour the Peabody Campus and ask questions of our students and admissions staff. If you are unable to join us for the scheduled events, please let us know ahead of time and we will try to accommodate another option.

  • 12:30pm – Campus Tour
    • Meet in the Arcade, near the check-in table
  • 1:15pm (immediately following the tour) – Q&A
    • Located in the Marbury Room, 2nd floor of the Arthur Friedheim Library

The Audition

Be on site 45-minutes early to warm up. Practice rooms will be available to our visitors on audition day. 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 1-to-10 rating. Taken together, this will be the primary data used for admission decisions, teacher assignments, and the awarding of Peabody scholarships.

Canceling Your Audition

“No-shows” create havoc with the audition schedule. If you must cancel, please notify us at the earliest moment. You will help us with our planning, and you will also help others who may be on a waiting list for an audition time.

Changing Your Audition Time

Scheduling constraints and the vastly different set-up requirements for each major make arranging auditions a real mess. However, if you have a totally miserable conflict with another activity, call us and we will see if anything can be done.

Interviews

The entrance process for non-performance degree programs 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 Sciences

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 applicant’s compositional process and creative goals as well as their knowledge of music notation and theory.

Music Education

The faculty will be looking for your interpersonal skills and will assess your potential as a teacher. You must be approved by the music education faculty to be accepted into the music education program. The best candidates may be offered supplemental music education scholarships.

Composition

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.

Computer Music

Prospective students in Computer Music will be scheduled for a full day of activities. During this time, applicants can expect to be interviewed based on their portfolio submissions as well as their knowledge of theory and history. Students will get a chance to meet current students and faculty members.

Nuts and Bolts

Visit this page for more information about directions, parking, and hotels.