Your Music Major Audition is the beginning of a conversation—not merely a performance. We want to hear your musicianship, learn about your goals, and help you picture your place in the C-N Music community.
Reserve early even if your university application is still in progress. The reservation form initiates your C-N Music audition journey.
2026–27 Cycle
For the fullest C-N experience, choose one of our two on-campus audition dates.
Reserve the day now. Our auditions team will send your exact schedule approximately two weeks before the audition.
Reserve the day now. Our auditions team will send your exact schedule approximately two weeks before the audition.
You may request an individual on-campus appointment when the published dates conflict. Students who live three or more hours from campus may request a video audition, and a hardship exception may also be requested. Our faculty will review video and exception requests and follow up. Attending a published audition date is highly encouraged for the full C-N experience.
Four Steps
These four steps guide you from your university application through audition day.
Begin your university application at cn.edu.
Complete the reservation form. After it is saved, we’ll take you to C-N Music to create a password or sign in.
Band-instrument applicants receive screening instructions in the portal after reserving.
Meet our faculty and share the music you have prepared.
You may apply to Carson-Newman and reserve your music audition in either order.
Audition Day
Your exact schedule may vary, but a published audition day typically includes these experiences.
FAQ
Answers about eligibility, scheduling, video auditions, scholarships, and accompanists.
Every prospective Music Major or Music Minor—including transfer students and current C-N students changing or adding a program—must successfully complete a Music Major Audition.
Published dates reserve your audition day, not an automatic time slot. Our auditions team sends exact schedules approximately two weeks before each published audition date. Appointment students receive a directly arranged time.
Students who live three or more hours from campus may request a video audition. Our faculty review each request and may consider a hardship exception. We strongly encourage an on-campus audition for the fullest experience and scholarship consideration.
Woodwind, brass, and percussion applicants submit a one-minute playing sample after reserving. It is not a separate pass-or-fail audition and will not prevent you from auditioning. Your audition portal will provide the instructions and deadline.
Every student auditioning for a music major is considered for available talent scholarship funding. Our faculty make recommendations, and the Department of Music will share any available music scholarship offer with you.
An accompanist is provided at no charge for on-campus voice auditions. Bring neat score copies in the correct keys. Students may bring their own accompanist; classical instrumental auditions are normally unaccompanied.
Why C-N
Your audition introduces you to a community built around mentorship, faith, and meaningful musical work.
A close student-to-faculty community means individual mentorship in your academic, musical, and professional growth.
Faith and learning come together as you develop your gifts in a community committed to servant-leadership.
Perform, teach, lead worship, compose, conduct, and collaborate across a wide range of degrees and ensembles.
Before You Audition
Visit for a sample lesson, observe a rehearsal, or spend a day as a C-N Music Major before you reserve.
