The University of Texas at Austin Application Deadline: March 1, 2021

Butler School of Music Application & Video Audition Deadline: December 1, 2020

The Butler School does not accept music applications from prospective students who have not applied to the university, therefore, applicants applying for fall admission must submit the university application and Butler School of Music application prior to the Butler School of Music deadline (Dec. 1) in order to request an interview. Supporting materials for the university application, such as essays, transcripts and other supplemental documents may be submitted to the Office of Admissions through March 1.

Transfer Eligibility

If you have already started your post-secondary studies at another college or university after graduating from high school or earning a GED, and have or will have earned 24 semester hours of required transferable coursework at another college or university, apply for transfer admission.

Transcript Evaluations

Evaluation of individual courses is not available over the phone, in person or by email from the Butler School of Music. Specific course evaluations and decisions about the transferability of individual courses are made only by the university's Office of Admissions after an applicant has been admitted. The Transfer Resources page offers several suggestions for self-evaluation of transcripts for transfer credit.

Upon entering the Butler School of Music, your transcript will be evaluated by a faculty committee to determine which previous music coursework is equivalent to our courses. There are many factors in these decisions, including your grades, how recently the course was taken, the workload of the course, etc. Up to two semesters of ensemble credits may transfer and apply toward your degree. You won't know how much credit you will receive for your performance lessons (if you've had any) until you have studied for one semester and performed a jury.

Application Instructions

Applying to The University of Texas at Austin as a music major is a two-part process that requires separate applications to the university and the Butler School of Music. The Butler School of Music accepts applications for fall semesters only.

To be considered, complete and submit the following:

The University of Texas at Austin Application

Follow the Office of Admissions instructions to submit the online application, application fee, essays, transcripts, résumé and other required materials.

To be seriously considered for admission to the Butler School of Music, select a music major as your first-choice major.


ApplyTexas Application

  1. Begin a new application for the Fall (Aug - Dec) 2021 semester.
  2. Select "College of Fine Arts" as your first-choice school and continue.
  3. Select your desired music degree.

Coalition Application

  1. Complete your Coalition profile for The University of Texas at Austin and navigate to the "Program" page.
  2. Enter "Music" or "Jazz" as your search term or select "Fine Arts" as your academic interest.
  3. Select your desired music degree.

Butler School of Music Application

The Butler School of Music application will allow you to upload your video audition, letters of recommendation, portfolio and résumé, as applicable to your program. You will also have the opportunity to select your preferred Zoom (virtual) interview date.

  • All applicants are required to submit:
    • Audition video(s)
    • Introductory video
    • Three letters of recommendation
  • Composition applicants must also submit a composition portfolio.
  • All required materials, including audition videos, must be attached to your application before it can be submitted for review.
  • Do not complete more than one application without requesting approval.

start my application

Open Dates

  • The Butler School of Music fall application opens on Aug. 1. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1. 

Processing Time

  • Applications are generally processed within five business days of receipt.

Video Auditions and Zoom (Virtual) Interviews

All Butler School of Music applicants will audition by video recording. In-person auditions for fall 2021 admission consideration are not available.

  • Video auditions are due December 1 with the Butler School of Music application.
  • All applicants will be prescreened based upon the audition videos and other materials submitted with the application.
  • Applicants who pass the prescreen round will be invited to interview with the faculty. The interview may also include a virtual audition or lesson. Review your repertoire requirements for details.

Repertoire Requirements for B.M. Performance, B.M. Music Studies, B.M. Jazz and B.A. in Music Applicants

Repertoire Requirements for B.M. Composition and B.A. in Music - Emphasis in Composition applicants

Video Submission Instructions

  • Each audition selection may be recorded in a separate video unless otherwise noted.
  • Upload and attach your audition video(s) to the Butler School of Music application prior to submission.

Decision Timeline & Interview Invitations

  • Audition videos and application materials will be reviewed after December 1.
  • All applicants will receive their prescreen results by email in mid December.
  • Those with positive results will be invited to interview with the faculty.
  • The interview will be scheduled on the date pre-selected in the application.
  • Email uga@mail.music.utexas.edu if you would like to request to reschedule your interview to another official date.

Introductory Video

Submit a one to three minute video recording on which you verbally introduce yourself and discuss your musical and non-musical interests, goals, creative or volunteer work and reasons for applying to UT Austin.

Submission Instructions

  • Upload and attach your introductory video to the Butler School of Music application prior to submission.

Composition Portfolio

In addition to the required audition video(s), applicants to the B.A. in Music - Emphasis in Composition, B.M. Composition and B.M. Jazz Composition degrees must submit a composition portfolio with recorded performances.

Submission Instructions

  • Upload and attach your portfolio to the Butler School of Music application prior to submission.

Letters of Recommendation

Ask three references to provide a concise statement concerning your musical ability, diligence as a student, potential for future development and any other information that may be pertinent to our consideration of your application. Avoid recommendations from those who know you too well to be unbiased—family members, for instance. If possible, these letters should come from references who know your work as a musician.

Submission Instructions

  • Upload and attach your letters to the Butler School of Music application -or-
  • Enter your references' email addresses directly into the application. Once your complete application is submitted, references will receive an email invitation that will allow them to upload a private recommendation directly to your application.
  • Letters that are sent by mail, fax or email will not be reviewed.

Timeline for Submission

  • Letters are due December 1.
  • Keep in mind that letter of recommendation email invitations sent through the music application are only delivered after the application is submitted. If your application is submitted on Nov. 30, your references will have only one day to upload letters of recommendation.

Résumé

Although submitting a résumé to the Butler School is not required to complete your application for admission, we strongly encourage you to submit one. Keep in mind that a résumé is required to complete your application to the Office of Admissions. You may submit the same résumé to the Office of Admissions and the Butler School of Music.

What to Include

Your résumé should include your previous five years of musical, academic, extracurricular, community and work activities and your honors and awards—including your high school accomplishments if they took place within the last five years. 

Be sure to incorporate:

  • All your achievements, not just those that didn’t fit on the university application
  • Details about what each activity involved rather than a general description
  • The number of hours per week and weeks per year you spent on each activity

Submission Instructions

  • Butler School of Music (optional): Upload and attach your résumé to the Butler School of Music application.
  • Office of Admissions (required): Submit your résumé using the Document Upload System.

Helpful Hints for a Smooth Application Process

  • Include your UT EID and full name on any document you submit to the Office of Admissions or the Butler School of Music.
  • Check your application status regularly. MyStatus is a secure online tool that lets you follow the progress of your admission application and related processes from initial submission to your final admission decision and beyond.
  • Print this webpage for your fridge or bulletin board.
  • Add "uga@mail.music.utexas.edu" to your safe senders list.