Applying to The Honors Music Program
All auditions will be held between 6:00pm and 8:00pm at Westminster Conservatory of Music, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540.
Financial aid may be available. Forms are available in the office and must be submitted at the time of application.
Information about the Honors Music Program Divisions
All HMP applications require:
- Private teacher recommendation form
- HMP student information form
- Westminster Conservatory registration form with “HMP” written under “Class or group requests”
- $60 application fee (checks should be made payable to Rider University)
Once the four items are received, a staff member will contact you to either schedule an audition or approve submission of a composer’s Composition Portfolio.
On the day of the audition, the student will be asked to complete his or her performance of solo repertoire (see below), a sight reading skills evaluation, a brief interview, and a theory placement test. Theory test results are used for class placement and do not impact acceptance decisions.
Pianists and singers must perform all pieces by memory. No exception will be acceptable.
HMP Audition Requirements
Performance Majors
On the day of the audition, the student will be asked to complete his or her performance of solo repertoire (see below), a sight reading skills evaluation, a brief interview, and a theory placement test. Theory test results are used for class placement and do not impact acceptance decisions.
Instrumentalists perform:
- An etude
- Two contrasting pieces
- Corresponding scales & arpeggios
- Vocalists perform:
- A 17th or 18th century Italian or English song
- An art song of contrasting style in any language, from any period
Composition Majors
By May 31, 2018, composers must submit:
- A portfolio containing three original compositions
- A completed theory placement test
- Theory tests are self-scheduled and may be taken during regular Conservatory hours in Princeton. Composers must test out of or have completed Theory Level 3.
Following review of these materials, the student may be contacted for an interview.
Young Music Scholar (Musicianship Studies Majors)
Students complete the theory placement test. Theory tests are self-scheduled and may be taken during regular Conservatory hours in Princeton.
Following review of these materials, the student may be contacted for an interview.
2018 Audition Dates
All auditions will be held between 6:00pm and 8:00pm at Westminster Conservatory of Music, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540.
Admission Decisions and Registration
Applicants are admitted to an HMP division based on the panel’s recommendation following the assessment. Applicants receive their admissions decision and theory placement results in a letter emailed to the family. If the student’s theory knowledge falls between HMP class levels, the family may choose to accelerate the student to a higher level through summer theory tutorials or to enroll the student in the lower level class in September. Fees for any summer tutorials are not included in the HMP tuition.
By July 1, 2018, newly accepted students must submit two fees to reserve their place in HMP:
- $40 Westminster Conservatory registration fee (not required for Conservatory students already enrolled in another offering for 2018 -19)
- Non-refundable tuition deposit, applied to program tuition: $500 for Young Artists or Young Musician Students, $150 for Young Music Scholar Students
2018-19 HMP Tuition
Young Artist Division $2,850
Young Musician Division $2,100
Young Music Scholar Division $1,260
Fees for private lessons, outside theory exams, or music scores are not included in tuition. Scholarship opportunities are available.
View and Download the 2018-19 Honors Music Program Brochure here
View and Download the Honors Music Program Admission Forms here
Register online for other lessons and classes at the Conservatory here.