Auditions & Scholarships

The Performing Arts Department awards several Music, Theatre, and Dance scholarships to incoming students each year. Auditions, interviews, or portfolios are required. Auditions are also required for all students planning to major in music.

The awarding of a Performing Arts merit scholarship is contingent upon an audition (see details below), an interview with Performing Arts faculty, and admission with subsequent enrollment at Ohio Wesleyan University.

The Financial Aid Office, in consultation with the Performing Arts Department, will administer the merit scholarship. The scholarship will be credited as a tuition waiver if you are not receiving need-based aid. In the event that you qualify for need-based financial assistance in excess of the scholarship, the Financial Aid Office will determine your total financial aid package, incorporating the merit scholarship, grants (if applicable), loans and work/study. Fifty percent of the scholarship will be given in each of the two semesters.

It is expected that you will accept or reject the scholarship offer as soon as possible, but no later than May 1.

To get more information about the audition process, please contact the Performing Arts academic assistant, Lisa Hill, at lahill@owu.edu or call (740) 368-3700.

Music Scholarships and Auditions

Apply for a Music Scholarship

All students have the opportunity to audition for a music scholarship either as a music major or a performance minor. Music awards range up to $7,500 for music majors and up to $1,500 for performance minors, and are added to any scholarships you receive with your admission decision from OWU. The award will be renewed each year for no more than four years provided the student:

• Maintains a major or performance minor in music.
• Achieves a minimum GPA in music courses of 2.75 at the end of their first year and 3.00 at the end of succeeding years.

Auditions must be completed by February 29, 2024. We strongly encourage in-person auditions, though virtual auditions are also accepted.

2023–2024 Audition Dates

• Saturday, November 11, 2023 – CLOSED
• Sunday, February 4, 2024 – CLOSED
• Monday, February 19, 2024 (President's Day) – CLOSED
• Sunday, February 25, 2024 – CLOSED

After the March 1 deadline, scholarship awards are no longer available, but students interested in a music major at OWU may still audition before May 1. Students may also pursue a music major without a spring audition by electing fall courses typical of a first-semester music major and auditioning for the music faculty by the end of the semester. (The first-semester jury often serves as the audition.)

To sign up for an audition or get more information, please contact Lisa Hill at lahill@owu.edu or call (740) 368-3700.

Audition Requirements

In-person auditions are 10 minutes in length. If your program exceeds this amount, please be advised that pieces may not be heard in their entirety. If submitting a video recording, all works should be performed in full. However, in either case, appropriate cuts should be made to the piano accompaniment part so that the soloist is not idle for more than about 20 seconds.

Applicants for the performance minor scholarship may prepare either one or two pieces from the requirements list. For instrumentalists, if only one piece is offered, it should be a non-etude work.

For more information, here is a tip sheet (PDF) for making recordings.

• Brass
• Composition
• Keyboard
• Percussion
• Strings
• Voice
• Woodwinds

Theatre Scholarships

Apply for a Theatre Scholarship

Scholarships of up to $7,500 are available for incoming theatre majors. The scholarship will be renewed each year for no more than four years provided the student:

• Maintains a major in theatre by enrolling in at least 2 courses in the department each year.
• Achieves a minimum GPA of 2.50
• Participates regularly in theatre productions

Scholarships are not available for minors.

The audition for a theatre scholarship will consist of a 1- to 2-minute monologue and/or presentation of a portfolio of original tech/design work, playwriting, or theatre research, followed by an interview with Performing Arts faculty. Auditions may be in-person or virtual, though we highly encourage the in-person experience. You will be contacted about scheduling after your scholarship application has been received.

2023–2024 Audition Dates

• Sunday, February 4, 2024 – CLOSED
• Monday, February 19, 2024 (President's Day) – CLOSED
• Sunday, February 25, 2024 – CLOSED

Dance Scholarships

Apply for a Dance Scholarship

Scholarships of up to $1,500 are available for incoming dance minors. The scholarship will be renewed each year for no more than four years provided the student:

• Maintains a minor in dance by enrolling in at least 1 course in the department each year
• Achieves a minimum GPA of 2.50
• Participates in the yearly dance concert

The audition consists of a 1- to 2-minute solo, followed by an interview with Performing Arts faculty. Auditions may be in-person or virtual, though we highly encourage the in-person experience. You will be contacted about scheduling after your scholarship application has been received.

2023–2024 Audition Dates

• Monday, February 19, 2024 (President's Day) – CLOSED
• Sunday, February 25, 2024 – CLOSED

For further information, please contact Lisa Hill at lahill@owu.edu.