As we are a department of music at a liberal arts college, students apply to and are accepted by the College, not the department. An audition is not part of the application process. Students who excel in musical performance, composition, or music production, however, may wish to supplement their applications with a recording and/or musical score. These students do so by using Slideroom, part of the Common Application.
For Prospective Students
Supplement Submission
Students should submit recordings only if they believe that their musical abilities will enhance their application and, if they are performers, they are committed to continuing to perform while in college. These materials are evaluated by faculty members in Music and the evaluations are then forwarded to the College’s Admissions Office.
Start an online portfolio submission through Slideroom.
Recordings and scores submitted as part of the admissions process do not replace live auditions for ensembles or lessons; these auditions take place at the start of each academic year. No audition is required to declare the Music major as all students declare their major only after arriving at Occidental, at some point during the first two years.
Submitting Recordings
Recordings must isolate and highlight the applicant; group performances that obscure the ability to assess an individual’s level of talent will not receive evaluation.
Performers should submit a recording of two or three contrasting selections, or portions thereof, that are diverse in style, character, etc. The total length of your submission should not exceed 10 minutes. We prefer a video recording and one that is not overly produced.
Composers should submit a PDF file containing one to three scores and, if available, MP3 recordings of the work(s), live recording or MIDI realization.
Those interested in the Music Production program should submit one to three MP3 recordings of recent work.
Recordings will not be considered if received after November 15 for Early Decision I; January 1 for Early Decision II; January 10 for Regular Decision; or March 1 for Transfer Decision.
Meeting Music Faculty & Sitting in on Classes
If you are interested in meeting the Music faculty and perhaps sitting in on classes, please make these arrangements well in advance so that we can best accommodate you. Take a look at our events calendar to see if there will be any performances in the department, which will provide a glimpse of life as a music student at Oxy. You are welcome to contact any of our faculty to set up a meeting or to sit in on a class.
Contact Information
| General Information | Noelle Pangilinan | |
| Composition | Adam Schoenberg | aschoenberg@oxy.edu |
| Ethnomusicology & Popular Music | Shanna Lorenz | lorenz@oxy.edu |
| Instrumental Activities | Chris Kim | ckim2@oxy.edu |
| Musicology | David Kasunic | kasunic@oxy.edu |
| Music Production | Max Foreman | mforeman@oxy.edu |
| Music Theory | Stephen Hudson | shudson@oxy.edu |
| Choral & Vocal Activities | Desiree LaVertu | lavertu@oxy.edu |