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Bienen School of Music • Evanston, Illinois
Quick Take
Northwestern's Bienen School combines elite university academics with premier conservatory training in performance, composition, and music education in Evanston, with Chicago's full cultural resources steps away. Admission is highly competitive, and students enjoy extraordinary faculty, world-class facilities including Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, and the combined prestige of a top research university and a serious conservatory environment.
Northwestern at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | Northwestern University Bienen School of Music |
| Setting | private |
| Reliigous Affliation | none |
| Program Size | medium |
| Genres / Styles | classical, contemporary, electronic, jazz, opera, world |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, harpsichord, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | composition, conducting, engineering/technology, ethnomusicology, jazz, music education, music theory, musical theatre, opera, performance |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Doctoral Degrees, Master’s Degrees |
| Musical Selectivity | elite |
| NASM Accreditation | Yes |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | elite |
| Average GPA | 3.95 |
| Application Deadline | Nov 1 (ED) | Jan 1 (regular) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | highly competitive |
| Audition Window | Nov | Feb |
| Prescreening | is required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Evanston, Illinois |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Northwestern website
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Program Overview
The music program at Northwestern is medium in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Northwestern supports the following musical genres/styles: classical, contemporary, electronic, jazz, opera, world. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Northwestern website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Northwestern can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, harpsichord, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the Northwestern website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Northwestern
Students at Northwestern can pursue degrees focused on composition, conducting, engineering/technology, ethnomusicology, jazz, music education, music theory, musical theatre, opera, 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 Northwestern website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Northwestern is elite. 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 Northwestern is Nov 1 (ED) | Jan 1 (regular) of each year.
Visit the Northwestern website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at Northwestern, and the school's auditions are considered to be highly competitive. The audition window is Nov | Feb of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is required.
Visit the Northwestern website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
Bienen sits on the lakefront in Evanston, minutes from Chicago by train, with the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera, jazz clubs, and one of the world's greatest music cities as a daily resource.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northwestern hard to get into?
Admission to Northwestern is considered elite 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 Northwestern?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at Northwestern.
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 Northwestern?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, harpsichord, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, 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 Northwestern?
Admitted students at Northwestern 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 Northwestern?
The application deadline for Northwestern is Nov 1 (ED) | Jan 1 (regular), with live auditions typically held Nov | Feb. 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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