Select Dual-Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Music and Other Academic Subjects Dual-Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Music and Other Academic Subjects (revised: 7-14-25)


7/14/25

Hi Sasha,

Here is my curated list of the best choices in the United States for dual degree programs in music and bachelor of arts. I’ve annotated each selection with my impressions. The audition requirements and timeline for submission for each institution were drawn from chatGPT. Be sure to double check all that with each institution you’re interested in.

Audition requirements for almost all of these institutions consist of two-four classical songs in various combinations of Italian, French, German, and English. An English language selection is always required. One may include an aria or an oratorio piece. Some encourage you to include a selection that is culturally relevant to your identity. This will help us structure our work, going forward.

Here is the short list TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Below, I’ve also listed several conservatories of music offering just bachelor of music degrees in performance with no double-degree option. I’ve added these to help you compare and contrast, especially concerning the audition repertoire.

Happy hunting!

Best wishes,

Bonnie

🎤 Oberlin Conservatory of Music (Oberlin, OH)

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[NOTE! My favorite. A well-established double degree program with an excellent reputation. This is where I got my education.]

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• Prescreening: Required via video submission by December 4.
• Final Audition: Recorded auditions due by February 1. In-person auditions are scheduled for February 8–9 and 15–16, 2025.
• Repertoire:
• One 17th- or 18th-century Italian art song or aria.
• Two contrasting selections, which may include a French, German, or English art song; an arranged folk song or spiritual; or an opera or oratorio aria.
• Notes: All pieces must be memorized. Repertoire should reflect the applicant’s cultural identity and may include works by underrepresented composers.

🎵 Boston Conservatory at Berklee (Boston, MA)

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[NOTE! Looks good! I like that the dual degree component is collaborative with Boston University]

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• Prescreening: Typically required.
• Audition Repertoire:
• A selection of classical pieces demonstrating vocal range and musicality.
• Pieces in multiple languages, including English, Italian, French, and German.
• Additional Requirements: Sight-reading and possible interview.

🎤 University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Cincinnati, OH)

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[NOTE! Strong choice “B.” Dual degree program not well-established but is certainly doable. Here is how ChatGPT described it: While CCM doesn’t offer a formal “five-year dual-degree” program, you can pursue both degrees concurrently—completing the performance-heavy B.M. and the liberal-arts B.A. in about five years if strategically planned.]

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• Prescreening: Required for voice applicants.
• Audition Repertoire:
• Four classical pieces, including arias and art songs.
• Selections in English, Italian, French, and German.
• Additional Requirements: Sight-reading and interview.

🎙️ 1. for B.M. in Voice

🗓️ Prescreening Materials (Due Early December)
• Submit via CCM’s portal (Accepted) by December 3 .
• You must provide two art songs:
• One in English
• One in another language (Italian, French, German, Spanish, etc.)
• Repertoire may include standalone arias from standard art-song collections or pre‑1750 oratorio arias .

🎧 Live On-Campus Audition (Invite Only, February)
• Same two art songs may be used live ().
• Accompaniment provided.
• Recording auditions are not allowed (you must be present) .
• No sight‑singing required for B.M. Voice (only required for Music Education applicants) .

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📚 2. B.A. Degree (Music or Other Field)
• The B.A. in Music focuses on liberal-arts exploration—music theory, history, culture, etc.—with fewer performance prerequisites ().
• You apply using CCM’s standard admissions process. The same prescreen and audition are used to evaluate eligibility for both B.M. Voice and B.A. Music.
• Admission into the B.A. alone is less performance-intensive, but the audition is required for B.M. Voice.

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🎓 3. Pursuing Both Degrees (Dual Study Strategy)
• Many students pursue the B.M. (Voice) and the B.A. simultaneously.
• CCM supports combined study in performance and liberal arts—but you need to plan carefully, as B.M. in Voice requires language coursework (Italian, French, German) in addition to major and general education classes .
• With strong academic planning and possible credit overload, completing both in five years is achievable ().


🎶 University of Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) (Cleveland, OH)

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[NOTE! Very credible dual degree program paired with Case Western Reserve University. Cleveland may not be thrilling for everybody, but it is the place that gave us the Cleveland Orchestra. Well established five-year dual degree program. This looks good.]

Five-year dual‑degree program in Voice Performance (B.M.) paired with a Bachelor of Arts (via Case Western Reserve University – CWRU)

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• Prescreening: Required for voice applicants.
• Audition Repertoire:
• Three classical pieces in contrasting styles and languages.
• At least one piece in English.
• Additional Requirements: Sight-reading and interview.

🎤 1. Voice AUDITION REQUIREMENTS at CIM (B.M. in Voice)

📹 Prescreening Video (Due Dec 1)
• Mandatory video submission — audio-only is not accepted for voice  .
• Include two memorized art songs:
• One in English
• One in another language (e.g., Italian, French, German, Spanish)  .
• Must have piano accompaniment (live or recorded).
• Video specs: single fixed-focus camera, full-body view, unedited, separate files per piece, ≤5 GB each  .
• Faculty reviews submissions by late December  .

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🎙️ Live In‑Person Audition (February Dates)
• Occurs in-person in Cleveland after video prescreen  .
• Perform the same two songs (memorized, piano-accompanied)  .
• Benediction: no sight‐singing required for voice (unlike music education auditions)  .
• The audition includes a faculty panel evaluation, an interview, and placement tests in music theory and aural skills  .


🎵 Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ)

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[NOTE! Five-year dual degree program not formally established, but doable. Possibly less expensive and it’s close to home. Here is chatGPT’s input: Rowan offers a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Vocal Performance, a Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.), and dual-degree possibilities—though there is no formal five-year structured dual B.M.+B.A. program, students often pursue both sequentially or with careful advising .]

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• Prescreening: May be required.
• Audition Repertoire:
• Two classical pieces in contrasting styles and languages.
• At least one piece in English.
• Additional Requirements: Sight-reading and interview.
Audition Requirements for B.M. in Vocal Performance

From Rowan’s official audition guidelines :

You must prepare and perform three contrasting classical pieces:
1. One Italian song (17th or 18th century)
2. One English art song (Baroque–Contemporary)
3. One additional classical repertoire piece of your choice
(Musical theater, jazz, pop, or originals are not permitted.)

Requirements for all selections:
• Must be memorized
• Demonstrate accurate pitch & rhythm, clear diction, and expressive interpretation
• Bring sheet music for the accompanist upon entry

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🎤 3. AUDITION REQUIREMENTS for B.A. in Music (Scholarship Eligibility)

If you’re applying for a B.A. in Music and wish to be considered for scholarships, you must audition, following a scaled-down version of the B.M. requirements :
• Two contrasting classical pieces:
• One Italian art song (17th/18th century)
• One English art song (Baroque–Contemporary)
Same performance standards: memorize, pitch/rhythm accuracy, clear diction, expressive text, and sheet music for accompanist

If you’re not seeking scholarships, the B.A. program does not require an audition .


Bard Conservatory of Music (Annandale-on-Hudson, NY)

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[NOTE! Very formal and credible program. Here’s the quote from their own material: Bard Conservatory is unique in that all undergraduates complete a five-year dual degree, earning both a B.M. and a B.A.]

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

🎤 1. Prescreening Recording (Due Jan 1)
• Submit audio or video of your vocal performance—studio quality not required, just clear home recordings are fine .
• Typical repertoire for voice (inferred from graduate guidance; undergrad likely similar):
• At least two to three contrasting pieces, often including:
• Art songs in multiple languages (e.g., English, French, German, Italian)
• Possibly an aria (oratorio/ensemble), though specific rules may vary by undergrad/grad level—Bard expects variety in languages and styles


Boston University (BUCOP) (Boston, MA)

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[NOTE! Great, well-established five-year dual degree program. This looks very good!]

🎓 1. Program Structure & Admissions Overview
• You’ll earn a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Voice through the College of Fine Arts (CFA) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in another field (e.g., English, Psychology, Economics) from the College of Arts & Sciences.
• This is a 5‑year dual degree option—plan to complete around 160 credits total .
• You must be admitted separately to both the CFA (Voice Performance) and your selected Arts & Sciences major.

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

🎤 2. Voice B.M

📝 Pre-screening (Video):
• Required for all voice applicants.
• Submit a recorded video (un-edited) featuring three memorized art songs, ALL accompanied:
• 1 in Italian
• 1 in French or German
• 1 in English (in original language)
• Opera arias are not acceptable. Oratorio arias are allowed as substitute options .
• At least one selection must be composed by someone from an underrepresented background (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, etc.) .

🎶 Live Audition (if invited):
• Same repertoire as pre-screen—three contrasting, piano-accompanied, memorized art songs.
• After performing, you’ll have a brief conversation with current Voice Department students .
• Pianist provided on-campus; you’re also welcome to bring your own accompanist and sheet music .

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📋 3. Additional Admission Components
• Submit your Common App (for dual application) and designate both schools.
• Provide academic transcripts, test scores (SAT/ACT if required), recommendation letters, and a performing arts supplement via SlideRoom .
• Additional requirements: juries and performances during your degree, such as juries each semester and junior/senior recitals .

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⚖️ 4. Evaluation Criteria

Audition and pre-screen submissions are reviewed for:
• Tone quality, intonation, and phrasing
• Language accuracy and expressivity in Italian, French/German, and English
• Memorization and musicality
• Inclusivity element: at least one underrepresented composer
• Live conversation evaluates musical personality and fit within the studio .

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🔄 5. Comparison & Key Differences
• BA-only applicants (non-CFA) do not audition for music; they may interview as part of liberal-arts admission.
• Voice B.M. (CFA) candidates must complete both the pre-screen video and a live audition (if invited) .
• Accepted voice majors can add a BA degree concurrently—but must manage the heavier course load and extra credits (~160 total) .

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🧭 6. Summary Checklist

Northwestern University (Evanston, IL)

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[NOTE! Great, well-established five-year dual degree program. This looks very good!]

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

🎓 1. Dual-Degree Framework
• You apply to both Bienen (B.M. in Voice & Opera Performance) and a B.A. program (e.g., in Weinberg). You can indicate your intent to pursue a dual degree on the Common App .
• Admission requires acceptance from both schools, which may occur concurrently or sequentially (You can add a dual degree after matriculation, but applying early is advantageous) ().

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🎤 2. AUDITION REQUIREMENTS at Bienen (B.M. Voice)

🔹 Prescreen (Video Submission)
• Required for all Voice applicants.
• Submit a full-body video with piano accompaniment, ideally with each selection separated into individual files .
• You must perform four memorized selections, covering:
1. Italian
2. French or German
3. English
4. A “language of your choice”
• Repertoire may include art songs and/or opera/oratorio arias—but no more than two arias; no musical theatre allowed .

🔹 Live Audition (On-Campus)
• If invited, perform a live audition on campus (Bienen provides an accompanist) .
• Repertoire requirements are identical to the prescreen—but you may choose different pieces as long as they meet the outlined criteria ().
• Memorization is mandatory for both prescreen and live auditions .

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🗓️ 3. Key Dates (2025–26 Entry)
• Early Decision Auditions: November 10 & 17 (Voice)
• Regular Decision Auditions: February 6–7, 9, 13–14 (Voice)
• Supplements and application materials deadlines:
• Bienen Supplement (with prescreen materials): October 15 (ED), December 1 (RD)
• Common App: November 1 (ED), January 2 (RD)

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🎓 4. B.A. (Weinberg or other) Admission
• No formal audition required for the B.A.
• As a Bienen/B.A. dual-degree applicant, all applicants—from both Bienen and BA programs—use the same Common App and supplementary materials .
• B.A. in Music (non-performance) does not include private lessons and requires a non-accompanied musicianship recording, a short essay, statement of purpose, and an example of musical ability .

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✅ 5. What Bienen Faculty Evaluates
• Vocal tone quality, diction, stylistic nuance
• Musicality and expressive depth
• Memorization across four languages
• Versatility in repertoire and language choices
• Presentation and poise during live performance

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👁️ Student Insights

“When I auditioned … I had to sing two pieces and then answer some questions about why I was auditioning at Northwestern…”

Additionally:
• Northwestern values fit for both academic and musical profile—strong but not necessarily perfect grades, offset by musical excellence and essay quality .
• Low-grade/high-skill Bienen candidates may still be accepted when demonstrating strong dual-purpose intent.

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Bard Conservatory of Music in New York

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[NOTE! Well established double degree program? Unclear where you get the BA? You’ll need to call.]

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

🎶 1. Prescreen Recording (Due January 1)

All applicants must submit a prescreening recording via the Conservatory portal—no audio-only submissions accepted for voice.
• Format: Audio or video (studio quality not required) .
• The recording should feature your best vocal performance. While specific repertoire recommendations for voice aren’t listed broadly, Bard expects selections that showcase strong expression, technical proficiency, and musicianship, typically including art songs and/or arias. If in doubt, choose two to three contrasting pieces in varied languages and styles.
• Also include:
• Musical résumé or bio
• At least one professional recommendation (e.g., from your voice teacher) .

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🎤 2. Final Audition (By Invitation, Mid-January)

If you’re shortlisted:
• You’ll receive an invitation by mid-January to either:
• Perform live on‑campus, or
• Perform live via Zoom, or
• Submit a new recorded video .
• Recorded videos must upload by February 1, and will be reviewed alongside live auditions; all formats receive equal consideration .
• Voice applicants submitting recordings may also be asked to schedule a Zoom interview with faculty .

Repertoire for final auditions:
• Typically expands on prescreen repertoire.
• Expect additional contrasting pieces to demonstrate versatility—commonly including arias, art songs (across languages), and possibly a contemporary piece.

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🎓 3. Program Context & Location
• Bard Conservatory is unique in that all undergraduates complete a five-year dual degree, earning both a B.M. and a B.A. .
• It’s located in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, on Bard College’s scenic Hudson Valley campus .

Lawrence University

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[NOTE! Well established five-year dual degree program]

5-year dual-degree program (B.Mus. in Voice Performance + B.A.), drawn from the Conservatory’s policies

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

🎓 1. Who Needs to Audition
• B.Mus. (Voice Performance) and dual-degree B.A./B.Mus. applicants must complete a formal audition.
• A standalone B.A. in Music (no performance emphasis) does not require an audition .

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🎤 2. Audition Formats & Scheduling
• Choose between a live on-campus audition (in-person) or a self-recorded video audition—both are equally considered .
• Audition Dates & Deadlines for 2025–26 (Regular Decision):
• Self-recorded video due by Feb 6, 2026, with registration by Jan 28, 2026
• On-campus auditions on Feb 7 and Feb 21, 2026 .

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🎵 3. Repertoire Requirements (Voice)
• Applicants must prepare three contrasting memorized songs, all with piano accompaniment :
1. One English art song
2. Two foreign-language songs (e.g., Italian, French, German, Spanish)
• Selections should display range, technique, diction, musical expression, and stylistic variety, and sheet music must be provided for the accompanist .

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📝 4. Audition Day Structure
• On-campus auditions include a 15–30 minute session with faculty, possibly featuring interactive coaching or demonstration .
• For video auditions, submit separate, unedited takes of each song in a quiet, well-lit setting—Lawrence provides detailed guidance once you register .

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🎯 5. What They Assess

Voice auditions are evaluated on:
• Vocal technical control
• Intonation and clarity of diction
• Expressivity and stylistic nuance
• Musicality and stage presence
Faculty may provide feedback during the session to gauge each student’s responsiveness .

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⏳ 6. Dual-Degree Logistics
• Admission into the Conservatory’s voice program automatically includes the opportunity to pursue the dual B.Mus./B.A., typically over five years .
• The B.A. portion integrates liberal-arts coursework, while the B.Mus. emphasizes performance, languages, theory, and ensembles.

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✅ 7. Preparation Checklist
• [ ] Apply via Common App (ED-EA1 or RD)
• [ ] Register for audition (on-campus/video) through portal by the deadline
• [ ] Select 3 memorized, contrasting songs: 1 English + 2 foreign languages
• [ ] Practice with piano accompaniment
• [ ] If video audition: record unedited, separate takes in a clear environment
• [ ] If on-campus: prepare for a ~15–30-minute session (possible mini coaching, Q&A)
• [ ] Be ready to adapt to faculty feedback during audition

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💡 Tips for Success
• Choose repertoire that highlights different vocal colors and eras (e.g., Renaissance, Romantic, Contemporary).
• Memorization is essential—place music out of sight to avoid distractions.
• For video auditions: use a stable setup with good lighting, clear audio, and full-body visibility.
• Display openness to coaching when interacting with faculty—it reflects adaptability and musical growth potential .


🎤 Mannes School of Music (New York, NY)

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• Prescreening: Required; a video up to 30 minutes featuring three arias or art songs in different languages (French, German, Italian, or English), with at least one opera aria.
• Audition: Details on final audition requirements are not specified in the available information.

🎼 Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (Bloomington, IN)

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• Prescreening: Required for voice applicants.
• Audition Repertoire:
• At least one, but no more than two, operatic arias.
• Selections in English, Italian, French, and German.
• One German piece may be replaced by Slavic or Scandinavian repertoire.
• One Italian piece may be replaced by Spanish, Latin-American, or Latin repertoire.
• Audition Format: Live or recorded auditions accepted.

🎶 San Francisco Conservatory of Music (San Francisco, CA)

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• Prescreening: Required for voice applicants.
• Audition Repertoire:
• Two operatic arias in contrasting styles.
• Three art songs in contrasting styles and languages, one of which must be in English.
• One additional song of the applicant’s choice.
• At least one piece must be composed by a woman and/or a person from a historically underrepresented racial/ethnic group.
• Additional Requirements: Sight-reading assessment on the day of the audition.