Students majoring in Music Industry should submit their most up to date portfolio through the scholarship application form by the March 31 deadline. Your portfolio should include concerts you’ve promoted, musical groups you’ve managed, web designs, music composed for films and/or advertising, music published, etc. Samples of you performing on your primary instrument/voice are not required but will be considered if included. Portfolios will be reviewed by the Music Industry faculty and award notifications will be sent out April 15. Please refer to the FAQs tab if you have any questions about the application process. Any further questions can be sent to Professor Allison Betsold ([email protected]).

Students majoring in Music Technology and Composition should submit their most up to date portfolio through the scholarship application form by the March 31 deadline. Your portfolio should contain audio samples of your compositions, scores and sketches, performance accolades, etc. Samples of you performing on your primary instrument/voice are not required but will be considered if included. Portfolios will be reviewed by the Music T&C faculty, and award notifications will be sent out April 15. Please refer to the FAQs tab if you have any questions about the application process. Any further questions can be sent to Professor Allison Betsold ([email protected]).

Students pursuing a BA in music should record a 5 minute video showcasing their performance ability. The video should include a portion of slow and lyrical music as well as faster more technical music. The video must show the student physically playing the instrument. Accompaniment is not required. Audio files will not be considered when reviewing applications. Videos should be uploaded to YouTube or a similar application and submitted through the scholarship application form by the March 31 deadline. Award notifications will be sent out April 15. Please refer to the FAQs tab if you have any questions about the application process. Any further questions can be sent to Professor Allison Betsold ([email protected]).

Students interested in performing with the Wind Ensemble should record a 4 minute video showcasing their performance ability.

• The video should include 2 minutes of slow and lyrical music as well as 2 minutes of faster more technical music.
• The video must show the student physically playing the instrument
• Accompaniment is not required.

Audio files will not be considered when reviewing applicants.

To Apply, complete and submit video to the NU Ensemble Scholarship Application.

Students interested in performing with the Symphony Orchestra should record a 4 minute video showcasing their performance ability.

• The video should include 2 minutes of slow and lyrical music as well as 2 minutes of faster more technical music.
• The video must show the student physically playing the instrument
• Accompaniment is not required.

Audio files will not be considered when reviewing applicants.

To Apply, complete and submit video to the NU Ensemble Scholarship Application.

Students holding a Choral Society scholarship are required to sing in both NU Chorus and Chamber Singers. To audition for a choral scholarship, students must first submit a pre-screening audition video. The video must show the student singing live. Accompaniment is not required. Audio files will not be considered.

Pre-screen video requirements:

• Perform 2 songs choices, contrasting in style
• One piece must be in a language other than English.
• One piece should be lyrical. Suggestion of repertoire: Art Song, Folk Song.

Selected students will then be shortlisted for a live (zoom) audition with Professor Katherine Chan. In this zoom audition, you will need to:

• Perform a major scale, one octave ascending and descending, on a vowel of your choice, according to your voice part.
  • Soprano: G major or Ab major (G4 to G5 range)
  • Alto: Eb Major or F major (Eb4 to Eb5 range)
  • Tenor: F major or G major (in F3 to F4 range)
  • Bass:  F major or G major (F2 – F3 range)   [Baritones can choose their starting pitch]
  • Perform one of the pieces from your pre-screen video (your choice)
  • Sing vocalise (range check)
  • Sight-sing (to be given on the spot)

To Apply, complete and submit video to the NU Ensemble Scholarship Application.

The video should include the following: Three song choices, contrasting in style (one must be in a language other than English). One piece should be lyrical. Suggestion of repertoire: Art Song, Folk Song.

Selected students will then be shortlisted for a live audition on NU Campus prior to the semester commencing. Live auditions will be held the week before the semester starts and into the first week of the semester. For the live audition, students will be required to:

• Perform a major scale, one octave ascending and descending, on a vowel of your choice, according to your voice part.
  • Soprano: G major or Ab major (G4 to G5 range)
  • Alto: Eb Major or F major (Eb4 to Eb5 range)
  • Tenor: F major or G major (in F3 to F4 range)
  • Bass:  F major or G major (F2 – F3 range)   [Baritones can choose their starting pitch]
• Perform one of the pieces from your pre-screen video (your choice)
• Sing through vocal exercises to check range
• Sight-sing (to be given on the spot)

Students interested in performing with the Pep Band should record a 4 minute video showcasing their performance ability.

The video should include 2 minutes of slow and lyrical music as well as 2 minutes of faster more technical music.
The video must show the student physically playing the instrument
Accompaniment is not required.
Audio files will not be considered when reviewing applicants.

To Apply, complete and submit video to the NU Ensemble Scholarship Application.

A. No. All full-time entering freshmen are eligible.

A. No.

A. Yes. Eligible instruments include flute/piccolo, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, A/T/B saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, concert percussion. Students who perform on these instruments may audition for Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Pep Band, or any combination of the three. In the case of the Pep Band, we are also interested in Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, and Drum Set.

A. Yes. Students receiving a scholarship will be expected to perform as a member of the NU Symphony Orchestra. 

A. Yes. Students receiving a scholarship will be expected to sing as a member of the NU Choral Society and the NU Chamber Singers.

A. Scholarships are renewable on a semester to semester basis. If you continue to meet the requirements put in place by your ensemble director your scholarship will remain in tact. If you fail to meet the course requirements, your director reserves the right to withdraw your scholarship.

A. If you are on co-op, but are still involved with your designated ensemble, your scholarship will continue to be applied. If you are not able to participate in your ensemble during your co-op, your scholarship will be placed on hold and will be reactivated once you are able to re-enroll. Students majoring in Music Industry, Music Comp/Tech, or enrolled in the BA program will have their scholarships placed on hold during co-op. Scholarships will be reactivated upon re-enrollment in fall/spring classes.

A. Percussionists auditioning for Wind Ensemble and/or Symphony Orchestra should show examples of playing concert snare drum, mallet percussion, and timpani.

A. Drummers should exhibit knowledge of several different groove styles including, but not limited to, rock and roll, pop, funk, and swing. Players should also demonstrate the ability to solo in a pop-rock style.

A. Yes. In the case of the Pep Band, we are considering guitarists with a strong background in rock and roll, pop, funk, and jazz. You must be able to read music (both notation and chord changes) and have a strong concept of the guitarists’ role within the rhythm section, and with the various tones that are capable from the pickups, pedals, and amps available. Please submit a video which demonstrates your knowledge of the various musical styles mentioned above. The video should contain 4 minutes of music. Ability to improvise a solo is preferred.

A. Yes. In the case of the Pep Band, we are considering bass guitarists with a strong background in rock and roll, pop, funk, and jazz. You must be able to read music (both notation and chord changes) and have a strong concept of the bass guitarists’ role within the rhythm section, and with the various tones that are capable from the pickups, pedals, and amps available. Please submit a video containing 4 minutes of music that demonstrates impeccable time, knowledge of style, great tone, and aggressive playing. We’re looking for great rhythm section playing, not solo bass etudes.

A. There are no scholarships available for pianists

A. Yes. Please submit separate applications for each instrument, and indicate on each submission which ensemble you would like to be considered for. 

A. If you have questions about the musical part of the audition, or questions about our program, and audition scheduling, email Allison Betsold ([email protected]).