Questions About C-N Music

You may apply to Carson-Newman and reserve your Music Major Audition in either order. Review the audition process when you are ready to choose a date.

Music Major for a Day is a scheduled group experience on selected dates. A Sample Lesson is focused one-on-one time with a faculty member. Build Your C-N Music Visit combines activities around your interests and availability.

Request as early as you can. Lessons, classes, and rehearsals depend on faculty and academic-calendar availability, so an early request provides the best scheduling opportunity.

Every prospective Music Major or Music Minor—including transfer students and current C-N students changing or adding a music program—must successfully complete a Music Major Audition.

A published on-campus audition date is preferred and offers the fullest C-N experience. See the current dates on the Music Major Auditions page.

You may request an individual on-campus appointment when the published dates conflict. Students living three or more hours from campus may request a video audition, and a hardship exception may also be requested. Faculty review video and exception requests; an alternative format or appointment is not guaranteed.

For a published audition date, the auditions team sends your exact schedule approximately two weeks beforehand. Individually arranged auditions receive a directly coordinated date and time.

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.

Music majors typically receive $2,000–$10,000 in music scholarships per academic year, with select students awarded full-tuition music scholarships. See our Financial Aid & Scholarships page for award context and next steps.

Yes. University merit awards are separate from music scholarships and use academic qualifications. Both may be considered as part of your complete financial-aid package.

Eligible students may use the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship at C-N. Tennessee Promise may be used only for eligible associate-degree programs, not automatically for every bachelor’s degree or Music Major. Review the state-aid guidance and confirm your program with Financial Aid.

Your music scholarship remains “under review” in the audition journey until it is officially released. Only an official award notice from Carson-Newman states your final award.

Yes. Non-majors may participate in many C-N ensembles, subject to each ensemble’s placement or audition rules. Explore ensemble opportunities for details.

Visit Degree Programs to explore Music Education, Performance, Worship Leadership, Church Music, BA, and Music Minor pathways.