As you explore this area, you will find everything you need to know about the Department of Music at Spelman College - a great place to learn, grow and develop as a musician. Applied lessons and ensembles are open by audition to all students of the College, regardless of their degree program or major, for credit or for non-credit. A full year of commitment is expected.
The Department of Music offers curricula leading to a bachelor of arts degree in music. Students may either major or minor in music.
Friday, August 15, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in music with five concentration areas:
• Performance
• Composition/Songwriting
• Music Technology
• Choral Conducting
• Research
The final audition for the 2025 - 2026 academic year will take place on Friday, August 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. in CI&A room 200.
Contact
Dawn Garvin | dgarvin@spelman.edu
404-270-5476 | #spelmanmusic
Music
350 Spelman Lane, S.W., Atlanta, GA. 30314
Box 979
404-270-5476
dgarvin@spelman.edu
Mon. - Fri. | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
This is in addition to the general requirements for admission to the College, the incoming music major and minor students must do the following:
Auditions will be evaluated by department faculty members. Auditions are held in November and February. Additional auditions are offered during the First-Year Orientation Week and again during the first week of classes in the Spring Semester for students who change their major or minor to music. If you miss the designated audition dates/times, please contact the department chair to arrange an audition date.
Potential music students will be expected to perform two works, based on the following criteria:
Voice: two contrasting songs in style and period (both memorized)
Piano: two contrasting pieces, choosing at least one selection from the Baroque, Classical, or Romantic periods
Strings: major and minor scales in a minimum of two octaves, and an etude and/or one work from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or Contemporary periods
Woodwinds and Brass: etudes or a solo demonstrating contrasting musical styles
Percussion: solos and/or etudes demonstrating proficiency in snare drum, timpani and mallet percussion; major scales on mallets
Songwriting/Composition, Music Technology, and Choral Conducting concentrations: select one of the applied areas mentioned above. All students should bring music scores to their audition.
Students with insufficient music training should plan to enroll in Keyboard Skills 1 (SMUS 111A) before taking Music Theory and Musicianship I (SMUS 113A). The tests should be completed on the audition day.
Admission to the Department of Music is dependent on acceptance into Spelman College. Applicants are required to meet the admission standards set by Spelman College.
For transfer students, all credits in music from another institution are subject to evaluation by the Department of Music and must be validated upon entrance by examination and audition. Transfer students may have to spend longer than the customary four years to complete the music requirements for the baccalaureate degree at Spelman College.
The AUC Orchestra is comprised of students from each of the undergraduate institutions within the Atlanta University Center - Spelman College, Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University. Emphasis is placed on developing performance skills and study of a variety of styles and periods from the symphonic orchestra literature. Live auditions are open to all interested students, regardless of major. Please follow audition instructions specified for your instrument(s).
To schedule an audition, please contact Dr. Alvoy Bryan, director of the AUC Symphony Orchestra, at abryan@aucenter.edu.
Contemporary Popular Music Ensemble is open to all students (music majors and non-music majors) capable of performing music from various stylistic periods and genres. Students who are interested in becoming a member of the Contemporary Popular Music Ensemble must participate in an audition evaluated by the director of the ensemble. All instruments are welcome, including those performing on non-conventional instruments, such as computer or MIDI controllers. Please follow audition instructions specified for your instrument(s).
To schedule an audition, please contact Dr. Christina Butera, director of Noire: Contemporary Pop Music Ensemble, at cbutera@spelman.edu.
The Spelman College Glee Club is the premier performance organization for the College and sings for most campus events. Open by audition to all students of the College community, the Glee Club performs a repertoire that includes selections from world cultures, commissioned works, sacred and secular choral literature, Negro spirituals, and music by African American composers, with a particular focus on harmonies that complement women’s voices. The director of the Glee Club, as well as selected music faculty evaluates virtual auditions.
The Spelman Chamber Players is a dynamic chamber music ensemble comprised of women of color who are passionate about making music together. Spelman College students have the exciting opportunity to join the Spelman Chamber Players by enrolling in the Chamber Music course (SMUS 090, 0-1 credit).
For more information or to get involved with the Spelman Chamber Players, please email Dr. Hyunjung Rachel Chung at hchung@spelman.edu .
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