Hayes School of Music

In addition to the audition on their principal instrument or voice, incoming students interested in Music Industry Studies must upload a resume and a biography as part of the application process. Focus your materials on professionalism, leadership, work ethic, spelling/grammar/vocabulary, hard skills, soft skills, and technical aspects of your background. Your audition demonstrates your musicianship. We will evaluate your aptitude for the Music Industry. 

If you are currently an App State student applying for the MIS degree program, please email your documents to processing@appstate.edu.

• Your resume – Your one-page resume should outline (1) your school(s), (2) work experiences (both volunteer and paid), (3) leadership experiences, and (4) hard skills such as software programs, A/V equipment you've used, visual media usage, additional instruments you play, and (5) Awards/Professional Recognition/Civic Memberships.
  
  Highlight experiences related to the music industry, such as working a soundboard at church, creative writing for school magazines, advertising a school/place of worship/civic event, or design concepts for a product/service. You may include any information that demonstrates your readiness to pursue a demanding, competitive career field. Use any format you would like – show us your creativity.
  
  Note: Please name your file as HSOM-FirstLastName.MIS.Resume.docx (Word file format) or HSOM-FirstLastName.MIS.Resume.pdf (PDF file format). For example, HSOM-JayJohnson.MIS.Resume.docx (Word file format)
  
  
• Your biography – Tell us about yourself in this essay, using the format outlined below. Please use a professional-looking font type and size (i.e., Times New Roman 11pt, Arial 10pt, Courier 12pt, etc).
  • Paragraph 1: Provide an introduction of who you are, which concentration/s you are applying for (which can include a dual concentration), what instrument you play and for how long, and where you have grown up.
  • Paragraph 2: What is your career goal at this point in your life, and what industry or arts experiences have you had so far that support this goal?
  • Paragraph 3: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? Your thoughtful response demonstrates your plan for success in your chosen career path.
  
  Note: Please name your file as HSOM-FirstLastName.MIS.Bio.docx (Word file format) or HSOM-FirstLastName.MIS.Bio.pdf (PDF file format). For example, HSOM-JayJohnson.MIS.Bio.docx (Word file format)

(updated August 2025)

In addition to the audition on their principal instrument or voice, students interested in majoring in Music Therapy are required to participate in an interview with members of the music therapy faculty. The interview typically takes place on the day of the audition. The interview will include questions related to the applicant's understanding of music therapy,  why they are choosing a career in music therapy, and the strengths they would bring to the Music Therapy Program and the field of music therapy.  All prospective students will be asked to sing a simple, familiar song seleted by tne student and sung with live or pre-recorded accompaniment.

NOTE: Our university encourages all students, faculty and staff to receive the covid vaccination, but does not require it. However, our clinical partners are legally free to require proof of covid vaccination, as well as other health and safety measures and onboarding requirements, such as drug screens and background checks. We cannot guarantee a path through our program that avoids the requirement that students show proof of vaccination.

Graduate student requirements

Second Degree Students
Applicants interested in pursuing a second degree in Music Therapy need to EITHER a) submit a video recording of their principal instrument or voice OR b) audition on their principal instrument or voice. This audition will assess the applicants’ acceptance into the Hayes School of Music, as well as a determination if additional applied music lessons or ensembles will be required to complete the necessary second degree requirements. Applicants will also need to submit a recording of their piano skills and voice or audition in front of the music therapy faculty demonstrating these skills. Finally, applicants will participate in an interview with the music therapy faculty related to their understanding of music therapy, why they are choosing a career in music therapy, and the strengths they would bring to the Music Therapy Program and the field of music therapy.

(updated August 2025)

In addition to successfully completing an audition on their principal instrument or voice, prospective students will also submit a portfolio and complete an interview with the composition faculty. The interview and audition will be scheduled for the same day.

Prospective students will submit their portfolio materials in their MyMountaineer portal. If you are a current App State student, please email your portfolio materials to processing@appstate.edu. The portfolio should include scores and recordings of 2-4 compositions (in both PDF and MP3 formats). Contact Dr. Andrew Hannon at hannonac@appstate.edu with questions.

(updated August 2025)

Resume:

In addition to the audition on their principal instrument or voice, incoming students interested in Music Education must submit a resume as part of the application process in their MyMountaineer portal. A Word document or a PDF may be submitted.

• If you are currently an App State student applying for the Music Education degree program, please email your documents to processing@appstate.edu.

Your resume should be one page, outlining (1) your school(s), (2) musical experiences, and (3) teaching/leadership experiences, and (4) names and contact information for two references. 

1. For school(s): List your school(s), start with current high school or college and work backward to any other high schools, and the townships where the school(s) is(are) located.
2. For musical experiences: We value a wide range of musical experiences, whether formal or informal, traditional or community-based. This might include in-school ensembles and extracurricular musical experiences, e.g., private lessons, summer programs like Cannon Music Camp, community-based ensembles, district or All-State ensemble, Governors School, etc.
3. For teaching/leadership experiences: We value a wide range of teaching and/or leadership experiences, whether formal or informal, traditional or community-based. This can include peer teaching/leadership opportunities like section leadership or drum major, jobs you have or currently hold, leading informal or formal ensembles, teaching private lessons, or anything else that shows you are ready to pursue a demanding and rewarding career as a music teacher.
4. For References: include the name, position, phone number, and email address for a music teacher and for another non-related adult who agrees to serve as a reference and who can speak to your interest and potential to teach music in K-12 school settings.

Please name your file as:

• HSOM-FirstLastName.BME.Resume.docx (Word file format) or HSOM-FirstLastName.BME.Resume.pdf (PDF file format). For example, HSOM-JayJohnson.BME.Resume.docx (Word file format)

Here is a sample resume for your reference, and a resume template with more examples of what information to include. 

Interview:

On your audition day, you will also attend a music education interview - a conversation with two music education faculty members that lasts about 15 minutes. Be prepared to tell us about yourself, including your current GPA and interest in academic studies, and ways your experiences have inspired you to pursue a career as a music teacher. Be prepared to ask questions about the music education degree program at Appalachian State University. 

We’re looking for your genuine reasons for wanting to teach music. There are many paths into this field, and we want to hear yours. Here are the questions that we will ask during your 15-minute interview:

1. Why do you love music and what experiences have led you to want to teach music?
2. Why do you want to teach music and what do you hope students will learn from your teaching?
3. What grade levels are you currently interested in teaching?
4. What teaching/leadership experiences have you had?  (section leader, field commander, teaching intern, etc.)
5. What questions do you have for us? 

Uncertain how to prepare for this type of interview? Consider the following suggestions:

• Talk with your music teachers about the process of selecting a college music education program and preparing for a music education career. What do they feel is most important?  What questions did they wish they had asked when selecting a college?  
• Think about how past leadership experiences in an educational setting have influenced your desire to teach.
• Educate yourself about the professional organizations for music educators such as:
  • NAfME (the National Association for Music Educators). NAfME offers professional development and advocates for ALL music educators – band, choir, orchestra, and general music.
  • NCMEA (the North Carolina Music Educators Association). NCMEA (or your own states’ MEA) is NAfME’s state level affiliate.
  • ACDA (the American Choral Directors Association).
  • ASTA (the American String Teachers Association).
  • NBA (the National Band Association).

(updated August 2025)