Scholarships and Auditions
Students seeking admission as music majors at Washburn University must complete an audition to be accepted into the Department of Music & Theatre. A single audition serves both as the admission requirement for music major status and as consideration for music scholarships.
Scholarship opportunities are available to both music majors and non-music majors, and all interested students are encouraged to audition. Auditions may include prepared repertoire, sight-reading, and the performance of major and minor scales, depending on the student's area of study. Students who do not complete an audition prior to the eighth day of regularly scheduled classes will automatically be placed in non-major status.
Music scholarship awards are based on the quality and strength of the audition. High school seniors, transfer students, and current Washburn students are invited to participate in designated scholarship audition days throughout the academic year. For students who are unable to audition in person, high-quality audio or video recordings may be submitted for consideration.
In addition to music scholarships, students who participate in the Marching Blues receive separate participation-based scholarships that do not require an audition. Students interested in the Basketball Pep Band may audition during the fall semester, with selected members receiving a stipend for each game performed.
Washburn’s music faculty are committed to helping students find opportunities to develop their talents while making a college education more affordable through scholarships, ensemble participation, and performance experiences.
Please use the links below to view audition requirements, suggested repertoire, and contact information for your specific area of study.
Scholarship audition dates for 2026-27 school year:
Please select an option below to register for an audition.
For further information, use the contacts found in the drop-downs below.William E. and Emilie F. Gahnstrom Music Scholarship
Through the generosity of William and Emilie Gahnstrom, Washburn University offers a prestigious scholarship opportunity for talented students pursuing careers in music. Established to support exceptional young musicians, the scholarship is intended primarily for students whose principal instrument is bassoon, oboe, or violin. Students performing on other orchestral instruments may also be considered based on demonstrated musical excellence and the specific needs of the Washburn University Orchestra.
The Gahnstrom Scholarship is awarded to a single recipient through a competitive audition process. The award may be renewed annually for up to four years, provided the recipient maintains full-time status as a music major and earns a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 throughout their academic career at Washburn.
Applicants should prepare a significant solo work that demonstrates their musical and technical abilities. Appropriate repertoire may include a complete sonata, concerto, variation set, or a work of comparable scope and difficulty. Auditions for the scholarship will be held on February 6, 2027, in White Concert Hall.
The Gahnstrom Scholarship reflects Washburn University's commitment to attracting and supporting outstanding musicians who will contribute to the artistic excellence of the Department of Music & Theatre and the Washburn University Orchestra.
Scholarship decisions are made by the audition committee and are final.
For additional information or to schedule an audition, please contact Dr. Craig Treinen at craig.treinen@washburn.edu.
Please provide one of the following options:
- Two (2) solo vocal pieces of any style (e.g. classical, musical theatre, opera, folk)
- Two (2) Regional or all-state excerpts
- Two (2) choral pieces (singing your part) in songs you have sung in choir at school
Note: At least one selection should be in English. No foreign language is required.
An accompanist is provided free of charge. When you register for the audition, you will be contacted regarding your sheet music and how to provide it for the accompanist.
Voice Contact: Joseph DeSota, Vocal Division Coordinator, joseph.desota@washburn.edu
Trumpet: F.J. Haydn Concerto in Eb; Goedicke Concert Etude; A. Arutunian Concerto; H.L. Clarke Carnival of Venice; G. Balay Prelude Et Ballade; Handel/Fitzgerald Aria Con Variazioni; Arban - etudes from 14 Characteristic Studies (from the Arban's Complete Method), Goldman- etudes from Practical Studies for Trumpet.
Horn: Kopprasch 60 Studies for Horn; Maxime-Alphonse 200 New Melodic and Gradual Studies - Book 1 or 2, Max Pottag etude books, Any Mozart horn concerto - 1st movement - exposition, 3rd movement of 2, 3, or 4; Strauss Horn Concerto No. 1; Haydn Horn Concerto No. 1 or 2.
Trombone: Galliard Sonatas (one), Grafe Grand Concerto, Guillmant Morceau Symphonique, Ropartz Andante and Allegro, Hasse Suite, Barat Andante et Allegro, Telemann, G.P. Sonata in f Minor, Rimsky-Korsakov Concerto; David Concertino. And/or etudes from the following books:Rochut Melodious Etudes - Book I, Tyrell 40 Progressive Studies, Blazehevich Clef Studies.
Euphonium: Galliard Sonatas (one) Guillmant Morceau Symphonique, Ropartz Andante and Allegro, Barat Andante et Allegro. Any selections from the following etude collections: Tyrell Advanced Studies, Kopprasch 60 Selected Studies, Rochut Melodious Etudes Book 1.
Tuba: Bach/Bell Air and Bouree, Haddad Suite for Tuba, Beethoven/Bell Variations on Judas Maccabaeus, Jacob Tuba Suite, any Wilder Sonata or Suite, any selections from the following etude collections:Tyrell Advanced Studies; Blazevich 70 Studies; Kopprasch 60 Selected Studies.
Brass Contact: Coleman Scott, coleman.scott@washburn.edu
You should be prepared to perform a short piece on snare drum, keyboard percussion and timpani. Sight-reading may be included. Students who have not yet studied in all of these areas should prepare what they can. Suggested literature:
Snare Drum: solos or etudes by Cirone, Pratt, Morgan;
Keyboard Percussion: solos or etudes from Kite Reading Mallet Percussion Music, Goldenberg Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba and Vibraphone, 4-Mallet solos by Peters, Abe, Smadbeck, Tanaka, Stout; Timpani: solos or etudes from Firth, Peters, Goodman, Carroll. Students who play drumset should be able to demonstrate swing, rock/funk, and ethnic styles.
Percussion Contact: Von Hanson, 785.670.1847, von.hansen@washburn.edu.
Non-Majors and Minors: One musical selection of your choice
Music Education and Bachelor of Arts: One musical selection of your choice + One scale of your choice
Music Performance: Two musical selections of your choice + One scale of your choice
String Contact: Caroline Beckman, caroline.beckman@washburn.eduStudents with organ experience: One organ piece from the Baroque Era (preferably by Bach) plus another selection in contrasting style; two hymns in contrasting style.
Pianists wishing to begin organ study: Two contrasting works from separate eras of music, memorized. Examples of audition literature may include, but is not limited to, a movement from a classical sonata, a two-part invention by J. S. Bach, or a nocturne by Frédéric Chopin.
Note: All organ students will be asked to sight-read a short, simple piece at the organ.
Organ Contact: Lucy Tan, lucy.tan@washburn.edu
Bachelor of Music - Music Education (piano emphasis): Two contrasting piano works, at least one piece should be memorized. Diagnostic sight-reading exam.
Bachelor of Arts & Music Minor: One or two contrasting works of the student's choice, memorization is optional. Diagnostic sight-reading exam.
Any questions about audition repertoire may be directed to Dr. Lucy Tan.
Piano Contact: Dr. Lucy Tan, lucy.tan@washburn.edu
Flute: J. S. Bach Sonatas, Handel Sonatas, Telemann Sonatas or Fantasies, Mozart Concertos or Andante in C, Flute Music by French Composers (pub: Schirmer), Debussy Syrinx, etudes from Selected Studies for Flute (H. Voxman, Pub: Rubank).
Oboe: Selections demonstrating student's most advanced level: one lyrical and one technical.
Clarinet: C. M. Weber Concertino or Concertos, Mozart Concerto, Finzi Five Bagatelles, Tartini Concertino, Wagner Adagio, Concert and Contest Collection (H. Voxman, pub: Rubank), 16 Grand Solos de Concert (Published Southern Music Co.).
Bassoon: Mozart Concerto in B flat, C. M. Weber Concerto, Telemann Sonata in f minor, Galliard or Marcello Sonatas, Vivaldi Concertos, etudes from the Weissenborn 50 Studies.
Saxophone: Bozza Aria, Creston Sonata, J. Rueff Chanson et Passepied, etudes from Selected Studies for Saxophone (H. Voxman, Pub: Rubank), 48 Studies after Ferling (M. Mule, pub: Leduc), 27 Virtuoso Studies for Saxophone (L. Bassi, pub: Carl Fischer).
Woodwind Contact: Rebecca Meador, 785.670.1518; rebecca.meador@washburn.edu
Sight-reading will be part of all jazz auditions.
Horn players: Play the melody and improvise over one selection from the Jamey Aebersold play-along of your choice.
Pianists: Be able to "comp" chord changes.
Bassists and Drummers: Be able to demonstrate swing, rock/funk, and ethnic styles.
Jazz Contact: Craig Treinen, 785.670.1520; craig.treinen@washburn.edu
GET IN TOUCH WITH The Department of Music & Theatre
Music Program
Garvey Fine Arts Center, Room 211
Washburn University
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
Phone & Email
785.670.1511
music.theatre@washburn.edu
