School of Music Scholarships & Auditions

• $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. You must be accepted to the university and submit your audition application by Feb. 16.

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

• Up to $5,000 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 of first and second year
• Complete the Registration Form

• $3,000 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.

• $3,000 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

• $1,000 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
• Private lessons each semester are encouraged
• Complete the Registration Form

Details coming soon!

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.

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. 

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 2024-25

• 30-minute lessons are $500/semester
• 50-minute lessons are $850/semester

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.

Qualifying Vocal Ensembles

• Augustana Choir
• Angelus Choir
• VikingKor

Qualifying Instrumental Ensembles

• Augustana Band
• Blue and Gold Band
• Augustana Orchestra
• Northlanders Jazz Band

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

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

Yes.

Please read our audition requirements.

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.

Unfortunately, we are unable to stack all kinds of music scholarships; however, there the Viking Marching Band Scholarship for $1 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.

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

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 admissions counselor for specific details on current scholarship requirements.  

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.