Music Auditions are open to all first-year applicants – intended music majors and non-music majors, alike. Recommended music scholarship recipients and amounts are determined both by the quality of the audition and the core needs of the music program. In addition to scholarship consideration, a student must audition and be approved on any instrument for which they seek approval for applied study or to be a music major.
Auditions
In-person Auditions
There will be 4 in-person audition weekends in 2025-2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year. To register for one of the audition weekends, you must first apply to the university. After submitting your admissions application, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access your Online Status Page, where you will find the audition registration form.
Audition weekend dates:
- Friday, December 5
- Friday, January 23- Saturday, January 24
- Friday, January 30 – Saturday, January 31
- Friday, February 13 – Saturday, February 14
As a part of your Audition Day experience, the Music Department is excited to offer you and your family an opportunity to tour campus, attend a performance, and eat lunch or at a catered reception with members of the music faculty.
In the event you are no longer able to attend a live audition, you may follow the steps below to submit a recorded audition. Recorded auditions will be reviewed with equal weight as live auditions. Faculty may schedule live, virtual elements for select students. If requested by the faculty, you will be contacted by the department.
Recorded Auditions
In order to submit your recorded audition for consideration, you must submit an audition registration form, as well as your recorded audition media. Registration steps, audition criteria, and additional information are outlined below.
- February 1, 2026 – Deadline to Submit Your Recorded Audition Registration Form
- February 1, 2026 – Deadline to Submit Your Recorded Audition Media Files
- February 1, 2026 – Deadline for Recommender(s) to Submit Your Music Letter(s) of Recommendation (optional)
Registration Steps
See what is expected for your specific interest and discuss those criteria with your teacher. Review the audition criteria.
You must gain access to your Online Status Page in order to submit either an in-person or recorded audition registration form. After submitting your admissions application, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access your Online Status Page, where you will be able to submit your preferred music audition registration form and your recorded audition media, if selecting a recorded audition.
Log into your Online Status Page, to which you gained access after submitting your Admissions Application. There you will find the in-person audition day registration form and the recorded audition registration form. Select which method you prefer and submit the appropriate audition registration form.
If you selected the recorded audition method, Music Recorded Audition Media must be submitted via your Online Status Page. After submitting the Music Recorded Audition Registration, a section titled “Music Portfolio” will appear towards the bottom of your Online Status Page. In that section, select “Edit” and then “Upload Media.”
Though not required for admission to the university, Furman Music encourages students to submit at least one letter of recommendation from a current or recent music instructor. Recommendation(s) may be submitted online or by email.
Online:
Via the Common Application or Coalition Application
Email:
Suggestions:
- Ask early and share your college goals with your recommenders.
- Communicate the deadline to submit their letter of recommendation.
- Supply your recommender with the contact information listed above. They may wish to submit their recommendation to the Furman Music Department directly.
- Don’t forget to thank them!
Recommendations are due by February 1, 2026.
Audition Outcomes
By 3/1/2026
Audition outcomes will be communicated by March 1, 2026, with the potential for some adjustments prior to May 1, 2026.
As a result of your audition, you may be approved for study or approved for the music major. You may also be selected to receive a Furman Music Scholarship, a Herring Music Fellowship, or a Presidential Music Scholarship. If you are awarded a music scholarship, your audition outcome will include a revised Financial Aid Package outlining your recently awarded music scholarship.
Furman Music Scholars
Eligibility
Any high school senior applying for admission to Furman is eligible to submit their recorded audition or audition in person for consideration. Furman Music Scholars may major in any discipline but are required to register for the appropriate ensemble for their instrument in addition to private lessons on that instrument.
Awards
Furman Music Scholars are given priority consideration for music class registration, applied music instruction and ensemble participation. Furman Music Scholars are also awarded a Furman Music Scholarship from $1,000 up to $15,000 per year, which is renewable for up to four years, and awarded in addition to Bell Tower Scholarships (merit-based scholarship) and Financial Aid (need-based aid). These awards are determined by both quality of audition and the core needs of the music program.
Herring Music Fellowship
Furman University is proud to offer the Herring Music Fellowships. Thanks to the generosity of Gordon Herring ’65 and Sarah Herring ’66, these fellowships are funded by the Herring Music Fellowship Fund, established to support exceptionally high-achieving and talented student scholar-musicians at Furman, building on generations of excellence in musical and academic instruction.
Eligibility
Any high school senior applying for admission to Furman is eligible to submit their recorded audition or audition in person for consideration. Herring Music Fellows may major in any discipline, but are required to register for the appropriate ensemble for their instrument in addition to private lessons on that instrument.
Awards
Several student scholar-musicians are selected as Herring Music Fellows annually. Each are given priority consideration for music class registration, applied music instruction and ensemble participation; and are awarded between $5,000 and $25,000 awards, renewable for up to four years.
Herring Music Fellowships are awarded in addition to Bell Tower Scholarships (merit-based scholarship) and Financial Aid (need-based aid). These awards are determined by both quality of audition and the core needs of the music program.
Presidential Music Scholars
Furman University is proud to offer the Presidential Music Scholarship, Furman’s most prestigious talent-based award. Thanks to the generosity of Gordon Herring ’65 and Sarah Herring ’66, Furman created Presidential Music Scholarships to support exceptionally high-achieving and talented student scholar-musicians at Furman, building on generations of excellence in musical and academic instruction.
Eligibility
Any high school senior applying for admission to Furman is eligible to submit their recorded audition or audition in person for consideration. Presidential Music Scholars may major in any discipline but are required to register for the appropriate ensemble for their instrument in addition to private lessons on that instrument.
Awards
Ten exceptionally high-achieving and talented student scholar-musicians are selected as Presidential Music Scholars annually. Each are given priority consideration for music class registration, applied music instruction and ensemble participation; and are awarded a $25,000 Presidential Music Scholarship, which is renewable for up to four years.
Presidential Music Scholarships are awarded in addition to Bell Tower Scholarships (merit-based scholarship) and Financial Aid (need-based aid). These awards are determined by both quality of audition and the core needs of the music program.