Prospective Students

Contact: john.cipolla@wku.edu

HOW TO APPLY TO WKU

Students interested in studying at WKU will need to:

    *Apply and be accepted to WKU

    *Fill out the Application for Admission to the Music Program

    *Audition for the Music Department (schedule an audition here)

Audition Tips and Suggested audition Repertoire

Thank you for your interest in studying music at Western Kentucky University. I am looking forward to meeting you if you come for an audition. All Students must audition to be a music major. The audition dates are listed on the application. If you can't make one of these dates, please call or email me. We'll find a time for you to audition on another date.

 

The audition takes about 15 minutes. After you play, we'll talk a bit about why you want to be a music major. We want to hear about how passionate you are about being a music major in college and what your goals and aspirations are. Personal statements are not necessary, but if it helps organize your thoughts, you can come to your audition with a one-page essay about "why you want to be a music major at Western Kentucky University."

 

Accompanists are not necessary for your audition. You may bring an accompanist if you like, but not having one will NOT put you be at a disadvantage.

 

Scholarships: The music department offers competitive scholarships that are based on high school grade point average, ACT/SAT scores, playing ability and the sincere interest of that student to graduate with a major in music at WKU.

 

Clarinet & Saxophone Audition Repertoire:

1. •chromatic scale
   

2. •major scales up to 4 sharps & flats
   

3. •contrasting lyrical and technical pieces (can be solos or etudes)
   

1. ◦Clarinet suggested audition repertoire
   

1. ■Stamitz Concerto No. 3, Weber, Concertino; Weber, Concerto No. 1; Mozart Clarinet Concerto
   

2. ◦Saxophone suggested audition repertoire
   

1. ■Handel/Gee, Adagio & Allegro; Aria, Bozza; Eccels/Rascher, Sonata, Elkan-Vogel ; Bozza, Improvisation et Caprice, Leduc; Creston, Sonata, Shawnee
   

4. •sightreading
   

About the Program

 

My mission as the clarinet and saxophone professor at Western Kentucky University is to help my students to be comprehensive and highly skilled musicians, teachers and performers. I am very proud of our program. We are an undergraduate focused school and our undergrads perform in all of our ensembles. In lessons, we work on sight-singing, scales, etudes, solo and chamber repertoire, orchestral studies and improvisation. I really try hard to help my students develop into comprehensive musicians who can teach well because they understand music through the skills that they develop as a player themselves. I use technology continually in my studios, including Podcasts, video and audio recording of the lessons, use of SmartMusic Accompanist...and even that magical invention...the metronome!

Over all, I simply care about my students. I make sure they are on track with their course work and that they are adjusting to college life as they enter and progress through college.

Our students come from Kentucky, Tennessee and numerous other states throughout the US to study music at Western Kentucky University.

The clarinet and saxophone students are serious students-coming to college with solid academic backgrounds, musical talent and a strong desire to major in music. Our graduates are teaching in public schools, playing in various military bands and many pursue graduate degrees.

 

About Western Kentucky University

WKU has been an educational leader since its beginning. Its roots come from the Southern Normal School of Bowling Green, and WKU has been broadening horizons throughout the region since its founding in 1906.

The school's first president, Henry Hardin Cherry, expressed a theme for Western's educational commitment that is a constant inspiration to faculty, students and alumni: "The Spirit Makes the Master."

Western grew in distinction with each decade. The institution changed locations, acquired other schools and became a teacher's college by 1922. In 1948, Western was elevated to Western Kentucky State College by the Kentucky General Assembly. Acquiring Bowling Green Business University, Western achieved university status in 1966.

As a university, Western has produced educational opportunities to more than 110,000 alumni who proudly call WKU "the home of the Hilltoppers."

WKU's campus crowns a hill overlooking the city of Bowling Green and is proclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the nation.

DEGREES

Bachelor of Music Performance (Instrumental or Vocal) [#593] 129-131 credit hours total, 73-75 in Music

The Bachelor of Music in Performance provides preparation for graduate study in music performance. Students earning this degree are preparing for careers as college studio teachers and/or professional performers as soloists or members of professional ensembles: opera, chorus, chamber ensemble, orchestra, band, service groups.

Bachelor of Music in Music Education (Instrumental, Vocal, or Integrated) [#593] 138-144 credit hours total, 72-77 in Music

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education provides preparation for Music Teacher Certification and graduate study. Three concentrations are offered and lead to differentiated certifications as listed below.

All 3 Concentrations (Instrumental, Vocal, or Integrated): General Music and A&H, P-12

     Instrumental concentration = Band and Orchestra, P-12

     Vocal concentration = Choir, P-12

     Integrated concentration = Band, Choir and Orchestra, P-12

Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music

The Bachelor of Arts, major in Music is a Liberal Arts degree. [#583] 120 credit hours total, 48 in Music. This degree allows for a strong liberal arts education with a non-professional emphasis in music. Requiring 48 hours in music and 44 hours in General Education, it includes 28 elective hours, thus allowing students to pursue a second major, a minor, or simply elective study in music or other areas. WKU students earning this degree have moved on to graduate study in Music (history, theory/composition, performance), Performing Arts Management, medical school, retail and banking positions, and university staff positions in admissions, graduate studies, development, and alumni relations.

Graduate Degrees

    WKU offers a Master of Music Degree with four specializations: 

1. •Music Education
   

2. •Conducting (Teacher/Leader)
   

3. •Conducting
   

4. •Pedagogy
   

Admission into either the Conducting (Teacher/Leader) or the Music Education specialization require a valid teaching certificate. These degrees will train young professional musicians who have already received undergraduate degrees in music to further hone their skills. Contact the Department of Music to learn more.