School of Music Scholarships & Auditions

The Augustana University School of Music (SoM) has scholarships available for students beginning their first-year and beyond. These scholarships are designed to reward musical talent and help make an Augustana education more affordable.

The best way to see if Augustana is the right fit is to schedule a campus visit, audition or answer any questions.

Scholarship Eligibility

Complete the admission application.
Be offered admission to Augustana University.
For virtual/recorded auditions, please complete the School of Music Scholarship Form and attach your video.
For in-person auditions, contact Kiley Coyne at kiley.coyne@augie.edu.
Maintain Eligibility: Students who are awarded a School of Music scholarship are required to participate in a musical ensemble and private lesson instruction every semester. For more information on the cost of private lessons, visit the Payment Information webpage under "Fee Schedules." Music majors and minors must enroll in 50-minute lessons for $910/semester. Non-music majors may enroll in 30-minute lessons for $525/semester.

Admission Application School of Music Scholarship Form

Scholarship Opportunities

Bach Collegium Scholarship

Media Production & Entrepreneurship (MPRO) Scholarship

Music Ensemble Scholarship

Music Honors Scholarship*

$4,000 per year, renewable (plus $1,000 with Viking Marching Band participation)
Available to those who have participated in an All-State or honor band, choir or orchestra
School of Music ensemble placement audition each semester
Five hours per week; 2-3 concerts per semester; one tour per year
Enroll in and complete private lessons each semester of first and second year
Complete the Registration Form

*Previously known as the All-State Music Scholarship.

Pro Musica Scholarship

$8,000 per year, renewable (plus $1,000 with Viking Marching Band participation)
School of Music ensemble placement audition each semester
Five hours per week; 2-3 concerts per semester; one tour per year
Enroll in and complete private lessons each semester
Complete the Registration Form.

Submission Instructions

The School of Music is currently accepting audition submissions for students enrolling in the upcoming academic year. Students may audition in-person or submit an online video audition.

In-person auditions will be held in February.
Online auditions are being accepted immediately. Video recordings should be uploaded as an .mp4 file format or can be linked to media that is uploaded to locations such as Vimeo or YouTube.

Audition Submission & Notification Timeline

Spring Audition | Submissions taken through Pro Musica Audition Day

Studio Scholarship

Viking Marching Band (VMB) Scholarship

$4,000 per year, renewable
No audition required
Participate in the Viking Marching Band each fall semester — this includes arriving early (up to one full week) to campus for a week-long intensive fall camp.
Fall Semester: nine hours per week; 15 hours during game weeks
Spring Semester: Up to three required appearances
Complete the Registration Form

School of Music Scholarship FAQs

How are music scholarships distributed?

Like most AU scholarships, annual music scholarships are awarded in equal halves each semester. School of Music scholarships are only applicable during semesters of full-time enrollment, and do not apply to semesters in which the student studies away.

What are the requirements associated with each of the five types of SoM scholarship?

Pro-Musica Scholarship

Audition for and participate in the ensemble of placement each semester.
Enroll in and complete private lessons* each semester.

Viking Marching Band Scholarship

No audition required.
Participate in the Viking Marching Band each fall semester. This includes arriving early (up to one full week) to campus for a week-long intensive fall camp.
Studio Scholarship
Audition for and participate in the ensemble of placement each semester.
Enroll in and complete private lessons* each semester of the freshman and sophomore years.

Ensemble Scholarship

Audition for and participate in the ensemble of placement each semester.
Lessons are encouraged, but not required at this scholarship level.

Music Honors Scholarship

Automatically awarded to students who are selected for participation in an All-State or Honors Band, Orchestra or Choir.
Audition for and participate in the ensemble of placement each semester.
Enroll in and complete private lessons* each semester of the freshman and sophomore years.

What are the lesson fees associated with the various scholarships?

Non-music majors and minors must enroll in a 30-minute lesson. You may elect to take an hour lesson instead. Music majors and minors must enroll in 50-minute lessons.

Lesson Fees for Academic Year 2026-27

30-minute lessons are $525/semester
50-minute lessons are $910/semester

What should I expect for the time commitment with my SoM participation?

Viking Marching Band
- Fall commitment: 4 hours per week; 12 hours during game weeks
- Spring commitment: Up to 3 required appearances on campus/in the community
Augustana Choirs: 5 hrs/week, 3 concerts/semester, 1 tour per year*
Augustana Bands: 5 hrs/week, 3 concerts/semester, 1 tour per year*
Augustana Orchestra: 5 hrs/week, 2-3 concerts/semester
All ensembles: Up to 2 recording sessions per year

*The Augustana Band and Choir have a 4-year touring cycle: local, regional, international and no tour in the fourth sequence.

What counts as an ensemble for scholarship purposes?

Qualifying Vocal Ensembles

Augustana Choir
Angelus Choir
VikingKor

Qualifying Instrumental Ensembles

Augustana Band
Blue & Gold Band
Augustana Orchestra
Northlanders Jazz Band

Students are required to participate in the ensemble in which they are placed based on their audition.

If I have a music scholarship, will I still audition for placement in an ensemble?

Yes. Auditions are held during the first week of each academic semester for ensemble placement.

Can I participate in marching band and an ensemble in the fall?

Yes.

What should I prepare and submit for my Pro-Musica Scholarship audition?

→ View audition requirements

Are lesson(s) and ensemble(s) taken for credit?

Students have the option to take lesson(s) for credit or not for credit. Lesson fees apply if taken for credit or not for credit.

Students must take major ensembles for credit to satisfy scholarship and registration requirements.

Can multiple music scholarships be combined?

Unfortunately, we are unable to stack all kinds of music scholarships; however, there the Viking Marching Band Scholarship for $1,000 can be stacked with other scholarship. Reach out to your admission counselor for more information.

Additionally, there are academic scholarships and endowed funds that may be added to your financial aid package. Reach out to your admission counselor to learn more.

Where can I find details about early move-in for Viking Marching Band?

Additional information about Viking Marching Band, including the early move-in requirement, can be found on the marching band page.

Can I be in both an instrumental and vocal ensemble? Do I choose one scholarship that covers both?

The School of Music faculty will work with you to find a way to make most situations work. It is possible for instrumental students to participate in both the Augustana Band and the Augustana Orchestra. Additionally, with the cooperation with the directors, students can participate in the Augustana Choir or Angelus and the Augustana Band, despite overlapping rehearsal schedules. Students may also participate in instrumental chamber ensembles and Viking Kor choir without a scheduling issue.

Reach out to your admission counselor for specific details on current scholarship requirements.

Are there ways to earn additional funds using my musical talents?

Students have the opportunity to earn additional funds through federal work-study, ensemble manager positions, Augustana Basketball Pep Band, Viking Hockey Band and requests for musical services within the community.