Music & Theatre Scholarships and Auditions
For majors and minors
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John Brown University
2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761479-524-9500
jbuinfo@jbu.edu
Your journey as a music and theatre student begins with an audition. Upon auditioning, you'll be awarded a scholarship starting at $3,000/year for majors and $1,000/year for minors (renewable for up to four years).
The scholarships and auditions described on this page apply only to students with a major or minor in the Music & Theatre Department. Opportunities to perform and scholarships are also available to non-majors. Explore JBU's music and theatre performance opportunities to learn more.
Scholarships for music and theatre students
Scholarships for majors
Degrees: B.M.E Music Education, B.A. Integrated Music Studies, B.A. Performing Arts
Starting at $3,000/year
- Scholarships are awarded upon completed audition for the program
- Awards start at $3,000/year for all first-time college students and transfer students
- Award amount is based on demonstrated talent and potential, assessed by faculty at the audition
- Scholarships for majors increase by $1,000/year for every year the student stays in the degree program (ex, an incoming freshman awarded $4,000 will have an increase to $5,000 for their 2nd academic year, $6,000 for their 3rd year, and $7,000 for their 4th year)
- Award is revoked if the student drops the program
Scholarships for minors
Minors: Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre, Worship Arts
Starting at $1,000/year
- Scholarships are awarded upon completed audition for the program
- Awards start at $1,000/year for all first-time college students and transfer students
- Award amount is based on demonstrated talent and potential, assessed by faculty at the audition
- Scholarships for minors are fixed and do not increase year over year
- Award cannot be stacked with a music and theatre major scholarship
- Award is revoked if the student drops the program
How to schedule your audition
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Register for a Preview Day
Auditions are hosted at each Preview Day. If you have been invited to a Scholarship Competition, you may audition during that event.
Upcoming Preview Days
Loading...Can’t make it to a Preview Day?
Email us to request a special appointment or virtual audition.
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Submit the Pre-Audition Form
After registering for a Preview Day, submit the Pre-Audition Form to communicate your audition plans and preferences. To proceed, you must have an active account for JBU Admissions. If you do not have account, continue by creating one. If you already have an account, you may submit the form.
Please review the audition guidelines for more information about the audition itself.
Audition guidelines
Voice auditions
- Perform two songs in contrasting styles in any language. Classical art songs, musical theatre selections, contemporary commercial music and worship music are all acceptable audition selections.
- Complete a brief vocal and aural skills assessment (scales and arpeggios, pitch matching and recall).
Piano auditions
- Perform two prepared selections from traditional literature, representing contrasting style periods. One of the prepared selections may be an arrangement of a praise and worship song or traditional hymn.
- Prepare four major and four harmonic minor scales.
- Sight-read a short excerpt.
- Complete a brief aural skills assessment.
Guitar auditions
- Perform two prepared selections of contrasting style. You may bring a backing track to perform with.
- Perform four major and four minor scales
- Perform various chords as called by the auditioner (e.g. “play a G-major chord; play a Bb minor-7 chord)
- Sight-read a lead sheet
- Complete a brief aural skills assessment.
NOTE: You may send a recording consisting of a demonstration of playing in contemporary styles and improvising. Recorded excerpts from ensembles such as jazz bands, combos and worship teams may be included to demonstrate abilities in ensemble playing.
Theatre auditions
- Perform a two-minute monologue.
- Technical theatre students do not need to prepare a monologue
- Music Theatre minors only: perform one musical theatre song.
Frequently asked questions
Is an audition required to major or minor in music or theatre?
Yes, an audition is required to major in music education, integrated music studies, or performing arts. An audition is also required to minor in music, worship arts, theatre or musical theatre.
What if I can't come to a Preview Day?
Email us to request a special appointment or virtual audition.
Resources
Policy Information
JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.
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