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School of Music • Tacoma, Washington
Quick Take
Pacific Lutheran University's School of Music in Tacoma integrates Lutheran heritage with rigorous choral, classical, and Scandinavian folk traditions, celebrated for its renowned Choir of the West. The school is nationally respected for choral excellence, with strong music education and music therapy programs, merit scholarships, and a Pacific Northwest campus that combines faith-rooted community with access to Seattle's world-class arts scene.
Pacific Lutheran at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | Pacific Lutheran University School of Music |
| Setting | private |
| Program Size | small |
| Genres / Styles | choral, classical, folk, jazz, sacred, Scandinavian |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | church music, composition, conducting, jazz, music education, performance |
| Musical Selectivity | selective |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | selective |
| Average GPA | 3.55 |
| Application Deadline | Nov 1 (EA) | Feb 1 (regular) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | moderately competitive |
| Audition Window | Jan–Mar |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Tacoma, Washington |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Pacific Lutheran website
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Program Overview
The music program at Pacific Lutheran is small in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Pacific Lutheran supports the following musical genres/styles: choral, classical, folk, jazz, sacred, Scandinavian. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Pacific Lutheran website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Pacific Lutheran can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, 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 Pacific Lutheran website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Pacific Lutheran
Students at Pacific Lutheran can pursue degrees focused on church music, composition, conducting, jazz, music education, 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 Pacific Lutheran website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Pacific Lutheran is selective. Academically, it is selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.55. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for Pacific Lutheran is Nov 1 (EA) | Feb 1 (regular) of each year.
Visit the Shenandoah website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at Pacific Lutheran, and the school's auditions are considered to be moderately competitive. The audition window is Jan–Mar of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is not required.
Visit the Pacific Lutheran website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
PLU sits in Parkland south of Tacoma, near the sound and the mountains, with direct access to Seattle's major arts organizations and one of the Pacific Northwest's most beautiful natural settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pacific Lutheran hard to get into?
Admission to Pacific Lutheran is considered selective for music and selective 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 Pacific Lutheran?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at Pacific Lutheran.
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 Pacific Lutheran?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, 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 Pacific Lutheran?
Admitted students at Pacific Lutheran have an average GPA of 3.55. 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 Pacific Lutheran?
The application deadline for Pacific Lutheran is Nov 1 (EA) | Feb 1 (regular), with live auditions typically held Jan–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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