Scholarship packages are available for music and non-music majors. Do not be discouraged by the cost of tuition--the C-N Office of Financial Assistance may be able to offer an award package which makes your cost of attending Carson-Newman the same or less than the cost of attending a state university or community college. But you will not know unless you apply!

CLICK HERE to jump to the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS section below.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS to receive a scholarship offer from the Music Department:

Instrumental Music Majors

1. Fill out the online Music Department form at www.cn.edu/music/audition.cfm.
   or click HERE to download and print the form, fill out, and mail to the music department.
2. Click here and follow the steps to apply for Admission and Financial Assistance.
3. Audition. Send an email to pbivens@cn.edu, listing your instrument and your experience on that instrument. Prof. Bivens will schedule a music major audition.
4. Once you complete these steps, you will receive a scholarship offer from C-N.

Band Members majoring in something besides Instrumental Music

1. Fill out This Form (you will need your current band director's email address).
2. Prof. Bivens will contact your band director and then recommend a band scholarship on your behalf to the C-N Office of Financial Assistance. This recommendation becomes an official offer only after you have completed the Admissions and Financial Assistance process.

• WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE LIKE? The Marching Band rehearses during the three days before classes begin, and after that meets during class time--only three hours per week! It does not rule your life like high school band. Students of all majors enjoy being able to participate with a limited time commitment. The typical schedule for the band calendar year is:
  • Percussion and Auxiliary - move in & practice 5 days before classes begin
  • Band "Camp" (it's only three days long!)
    • Practice Sunday evening 6-8 pm (3 days before classes begin)
    • Practice about 4 hours per day on Monday and Tuesday- we coordinate times with orientation - you won't miss anything vital!
  • Classes begin--Marching Band meets 4-5 pm four days per week (MTWTh)
  • The band performs an average of five Saturdays (home games) each fall:
    • Call time 3 hours before kickoff (kickoff typically is at 1 pm)
    • Typically 10 am run-thru, eat lunch, dress, to stadium at 12:30
  • Symphonic Band meets in the same time slot beginning in mid-October
    • 4-5 pm rehearsals four days per week (MTWTh)
    • Only one "dress rehearsal" outside of class for each performance
    • Concerts typically in early December, February, and April

• WHAT IF I AM AN ACCOMPLISHED PLAYER? The Wind Ensemble is the select instrumental ensemble of the college and meets from August through May at noon MWF. The class is for music majors and advanced non-majors. Enrollment is by audition or permission of the instructors.

• WHAT IF I WANT TO TAKE PRIVATE LESSONS? Private lessons with the C-N Instrumental Faculty are available on all instruments . Because private lessons are "one-on-one" time-intensive, an additional fee is required to offset the cost - the fee is $100 per credit hour per semester. Non-majors typically take a one-credit hour lesson, which involves a half-hour lesson each week, and for which one hour of practice is expected each day. If you are interested, send a message to band@cn.edu, and your request will be forwarded to the Instrumental Faculty. Music majors are automatically enrolled for a two-credit hour lesson, and are expected to practice two hours per day.

• WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR A MINOR IN MUSIC? Minoring in music requires 18 credit hours, which consist of two 3-hour music theory classes, two 1-hour music history classes, four semesters of 1-hour private lessons, and 6 hours of electives (for which band counts as one credit each semester).

• DO YOU PROVIDE INSTRUMENTS and LOCKERS? College-owned instruments are available free of charge for use in the marching and concert bands. Lockers for personal instruments are available near the band room free of charge.

• WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING INVOLVED? The people and the music, of course! We perform a wide variety of music and musical styles, and at a pace that will keep you interested and challenged. Getting to know the other 120 students involved in band is about the best orientation to college life you can have--you get to meet students of every major, from freshmen to seniors--it's like a built-in study and social support group.