General Information
Eligibility
Students in grades 9 through 12 may apply for admission; 2025 graduates are included. Enrollment decisions are based on a recorded audition and music teacher endorsement letters.
Application
The application deadline is May 1. Applications will continue to be accepted if vacancies exist. Candidates must submit a completed application, music teacher endorsement letter, deposit (which does apply to the total tuition due), and a recorded audition. See additional details below on the Apply Page. Acceptance letters and scholarship offers will be mailed later in May.
Tuition
Deposit is $600
- March 21 early registration deadline and scholarship consideration (The early registration deadline has been extended to May 1. Apply now!)
- $1,800 resident
- $1,400 commuter
- After May 1
- $1,950 resident
- $1,550 commuter
- May 1 is late registration deadline
Program Content and Instruction
Most students are involved in six class experiences daily. Private lessons are an option for an additional expense. Most rehearsals and classes are conducted by faculty members and teaching assistants from the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music at Western Michigan University. Course descriptions, sample schedules and a list of the faculty (as appointments are finalized) are included on the sample class schedules page.
Housing and meals
Students are housed in WMU residence hall facilities and have access to many University services including libraries, health service and the student center. The residence hall is supervised by a carefully selected counseling staff of WMU music students. Meals are served cafeteria style. Summer dining hours can be found on the WMU dining services page.
Commuting option
Candidates may enroll as commuting students. They enjoy all program privileges (classes and activities), but do not sleep in the residence hall. Cafeteria meals and a parking permit are included.
Evening activities
Students benefit from a variety of evening activities designed to create a cultural, social, and recreational balance to the daily schedule of classes. The recreational and social schedule includes swimming, ice skating, open mic night, etc.
Evening events which are cultural are usually required, while social and recreational events are optional. Residence hall activities and practice room facilities are available on nights when no evening event is required.
"This is a must for any student interested in pursuing music as a career. There were scholarships available that helped defray some of the costs. If you haven't let you child try this out yet please reconsider. My son is now doing jazz, classical, and made awesome friends. I saw kids emerge from their cocoons as the most beautiful confident musicians." – Jacki R., parent of 2016 Student