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Department of Music • Notre Dame, Indiana
Quick Take
Notre Dame's music department offers classical performance, composition, and music theory within one of America's most academically elite Catholic universities, with strong need-based financial aid. The department is embedded in a faith-rooted institution whose Basilica choir and campus musical traditions are inseparable from the university's identity, a distinctive setting for musically serious Catholic students.
Notre Dame at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | University of Notre Dame Department of Music |
| Setting | private |
| Reliigous Affliation | Roman Catholic |
| Program Size | small |
| Genres / Styles | classical |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | composition, music theory, performance |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Doctorate, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | selective |
| NASM Accreditation | no |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | elite |
| Average GPA | 3.95 |
| Application Deadline | Nov 1 (EA) | Jan 1 (RD) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | competitive |
| Audition Window | Feb–Mar |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Notre Dame, Indiana |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Notre Dame website
.
Program Overview
The music program at Notre Dame is small in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Notre Dame supports the following musical genres/styles: classical. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Notre Dame website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Notre Dame can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the Notre Dame website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Notre Dame
Students at Notre Dame can pursue degrees focused on composition, music theory, performance. Music degree programs typically combine private instruction, ensemble participation, music theory coursework, and performance opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in music.
Visit the Notre Dame website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Notre Dame is selective. Academically, it is elite, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.95. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for Notre Dame is Nov 1 (EA) | Jan 1 (RD) of each year.
Visit the Notre Dame website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at Notre Dame, and the school's auditions are considered to be competitive. The audition window is Feb–Mar of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is not required.
Visit the Notre Dame website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
Notre Dame Music sits on one of the most beautiful campuses in America in the South Bend region, where the university's cultural resources, the Basilica choir tradition, and Chicago's proximity define the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Notre Dame hard to get into?
Admission to Notre Dame is considered selective for music and elite academically. At most schools, the audition carries significant weight. Admitted students need to demonstrate performance ability and artistic potential in addition to meeting academic requirements.
Do I need a prescreening video to audition at Notre Dame?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at Notre Dame.
Prescreening requirements vary significantly from school to school, and sometimes by instrument or area of study, so it's worth checking directly with the admissions office to confirm what's expected for your specific application.
What instruments can I study at Notre Dame?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students typically study privately with a faculty member on their primary instrument while also participating in ensembles and collaborative performance opportunities.
Instrument availability and faculty depth can vary. If you play something less common, it's worth reaching out to the department directly to confirm faculty availability before you apply.
What GPA do I need for Notre Dame?
Admitted students at Notre Dame have an average GPA of 3.95. Keep in mind that this is an average. Some admitted students come in above it, some below, depending on the strength of the overall application and, especially, the audition.
Music programs tend to weigh audition performance heavily, which means a particularly strong musical candidate may be admitted even if their GPA is below the typical range. The reverse is also true. Academic strength alone won't compensate for a weak audition.
What is the application deadline for Notre Dame?
The application deadline for Notre Dame is Nov 1 (EA) | Jan 1 (RD), with live auditions typically held Feb–Mar. These dates can shift year to year, so it's important to verify directly with the admissions office well in advance.
Music school deadlines often arrive earlier than general college application deadlines, and audition slots can fill up quickly, especially at competitive programs. Getting your application in early is rarely a bad idea.
Information on this page is updated periodically. Always confirm details directly with the school's admissions office.
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