Program Overview

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Program Details

The Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University offers various programs for students.

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Music: Horn

• Prescreening required; must be video recording. All repertoire must be recorded in the same room to maintain a consistent acoustic environment across requirements, but repertoire can be uploaded in separate video files.
• Prescreening and audition unaccompanied.

Fall 2026 Audition Dates:

• Early Decision: November 15
• Regular Decision: February 6, 7, 13, & 14

For Prescreening:

• One solo movement demonstrating style, tone, range, rhythm, and technique, such as Strauss Horn Concerto No.1, first movement or Hindemith Sonata in F, first movement
• First-movement exposition from any Mozart concerto
• One étude from Maxime Alphonse Book No.3

Required Orchestral Excerpts:

• Beethoven, Symphony No. 6, 3rd movement (scherzo)
• Brahms, Symphony No. 3, solo beginning at measure 98 or rehearsal F (poco allegretto)
• Strauss, Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks , opening first horn solo

For Final Audition:

• Two contrasting solo pieces demonstrating style, tone, range, rhythm, and technique, such as Strauss Horn Concerto No.1, first movement and Hindemith Sonata in F, first movement
• First movement exposition section from any Mozart concerto
• One étude from Maxime Alphonse Book No. 3
• Sight-reading

Required Orchestral Excerpts:

• Beethoven, Symphony No. 6, 3rd movement (scherzo)
• Brahms, Symphony No. 3, solo beginning at measure 98 or rehearsal F (poco Allegretto)
• Strauss, Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks , opening first horn solo

Other Degrees

• Master of Music: Horn

Areas of Study

• Brass
• Composition & Music Technology
• Conducting & Ensembles
• Jazz Studies
• Music Education
• Music Theory & Cognition
• Musicology
• Percussion
• Piano
• Strings, Harp & Guitar
• Voice & Opera
• Woodwinds

Academics Utility

• Degrees
• Dual Degrees / Double Majors
• Minors & Certificates
• Performing Ensembles
• Opportunities for Nonmajors
• Summer Session
• Study Abroad

Faculty Areas of Study

• All Faculty
• Brass
• Composition & Music Technology
• Conducting & Ensembles
• Faculty Emeriti
• Jazz Studies
• Music Education
• Music Theory & Cognition
• Musicology
• Nonmajor
• Percussion
• Piano
• Strings, Harp & Guitar
• Voice & Opera
• Woodwinds

Concerts & Events

• Concerts & Events Calendar
• Subscription Series
• Ticket Office & Information
• Live Stream

Bienen Ensembles

• Bands
• Choirs
• Jazz
• Opera
• Orchestras
• Contemporary Music Ensemble
• Studio Ensembles

Recitals & Lectures

• Visiting Artists
• Faculty Recitals
• Student Recitals
• Lectures

Festivals & Series

• Institute for New Music
• Keyboard Conversations
• Segovia Classical Guitar Series
• Skyline Piano Artist Series
• Tichio-Finnie Vocal Master Class Series
• Winter Chamber Music Festival

Davee Media Library

• All Videos
• Bands
• Choirs
• Jazz
• Lectures & Interviews
• Master Classes
• New Music
• Opera
• Orchestras
• Recitals & Chamber Music
• Visiting Artists

About

• About the Bienen School
• Our Values
• History
• Leadership
• Facilities
• International Prizes
• Institute For New Music
• Fanfare

Admission

Undergrad Admission

• Application & Timeline
• Auditions
• Program Requirements
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• FAQ

Graduate Admission

• Application & Timeline
• Auditions
• Program Requirements
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• FAQ

PhD Admission

• Application & Timeline
• Admission Requirements
• Financial Aid
• FAQ

International Students

• Resources for international students are available.