Bring the energy with the Spirit of the Carolinas, UNCP’s premier marching band. Whether you play brass, woodwinds, percussion or perform with the colorguard, you’ll be part of a dynamic team that lights up game days, parades and campus events. Build friendships, grow as a performer and take pride in representing BraveNation.
Department of Music
Play VideoUNC Pembroke is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). This accreditation ensures that we have top-quality music faculty, curriculum, facilities and support for your music study. We offer degrees in Music (BA), Musical Theatre (BM), Music with Music Industry Emphasis (BA) and Music Education (BM) along with a variety of minors and academic concentrations. With vibrant ensembles, small‐class instruction and hands-on opportunities, you’ll find the support and experiences you need aim to to grow as a musician and launch your career.
Audition Requirements
If you're ready to turn your passion for music into a college experience, you'll need
to apply to both UNC Pembroke and the Music department. All prospective music majors
must also complete an audition as part of the admission process. It's your first step
toward joining a vibrant community of performers, educators and creators. Music Application
Sing two songs from memory with piano accompaniment:
- Selection 1 may be anything that shows off your voice to its fullest. This could be a popular song, a song from a Broadway show, a sacred selection, etc. Selection 2 should be from the standard repertoire for voice. We strongly recommend the inclusion of one song in a foreign language.
- Suggested collections include 1) The First Book of Baritone (or Soprano, etc.); 2) The Young Singer, Tenor (or Bass ) Songs (Boosey & Hawkes); Expressive Singing Song Anthology; 24 Classic Italian Songs; Fifty Selected Songs; etc.
- Sightreading will be required of vocal students who are requesting a music scholarship.
Contact: Dr. Jaeyoon Kim
Perform two songs from memory with piano accompaniment:
- First selection should be from Broadway/musical theatre repertoire.
Second selection can be either from Broadway/musical theatre or from classical repertoire.
Perform a memorized monologue approximately one-minute in duration. - Sightread a short selection.
- A dance call is not required for acceptance into the program.
Contact: Dr. Piper Pack-Smith
- Perform two selections of contrasting styles, preferably by memory for pianists.
- Play major scales, hands together, two octaves.
- Sight read a short selection.
Contact: Dr. Mark Tollefsen
- Play a selection from the standard repertoire for your instrument. The use of accompaniment is encouraged but not required.
- Play major scales and arpeggios (number of octaves determined by instrument).
- Sight read a short selection.
Contact: Dr. Tim Altman
- Play two selections from the standard repertoire for your instrument.
- Play major scales.
- Sight read a short selection.
Contact: Dr. Aaron Vandermeer
- Play one selection from the standard repertoire for your instrument.
- Play one major scale and the corresponding arpeggio.
- Sight read a short selection.
Contact: Dr. Holland Phillips at 910.775.4285 or lucy.phillips@uncp.edu
All students wishing to major in music with a percussion emphasis, or to perform with the UNCP Percussion Ensemble must audition on snare drum, mallets and timpani. Suggested repertoire is as follows:
Snare Drum:
- 1 concert solo or etude (Cirone, Delecluse, Lepak, Firth, etc.)
- Play a concert style roll which crescendos from piano to fortissimo and decrescendos back to piano over one minute.
- Optional: Rudimental Solo (Pratt, Wilcoxon, etc.)
Keyboards:
- 1 two-mallet solo or etude (ragtime solos, all state etudes, etc.)
- Major scales and arpeggios
- Optional: Four-mallet solo (Peters, Smadbeck, Rife, etc.)
Timpani:
- 1 solo or etude (Firth, Goodman, Hinger, Beck, etc.)
- Tuning and pitch matching will be tested.
Optional Areas:
- Drumset
- World Percussion
- Mallet Improvisation
Keyboard and snare drum sight reading will be required of all who audition.
Contact: Dr. Joseph Van Hassel
Students in either of the BA degrees may choose drumset as their principal instrument. There will be sightreading of both drumset charts and snare drum music on the audition.
- Rock/Funk Style
- Slow and Fast 4/4 Swing
- Swing/Blues in an AABA Form, with contrast at the bridge
- Additional Styles of the student's choice (Bossa Nova, Samba, etc.)
- Snare Drum Rudiments (from the 26 Original Rudiments)
Contact: Dr. Joseph Van Hassel
In addition to the requirements for auditioning on your chosen instrument:
- Present 1-2 original compositions (compositions should be performed live if possible; recorded or notated compositions can be used if live performance is not feasible. If applicable, accompanying notation such as printed lyrics or lead sheets should be provided).
- Be prepared to discuss your work and goals in Songwriting.
Contact: Dr. Garrison Gerard
- Prepare two selections that demonstrate your ability to perform using electronics (some examples include: performing using a synthesizer, live processing, control surfaces, drum triggering, or software platforms such as Ableton, Max, or MainStage).
- (for pitch-based instruments) Two major scales and accompanying arpeggios.
- (for rhythmic or noise-based instruments) Perform a sustained or repeated sound which crescendos from piano to fortissimo, and decrescendos back to piano over one minute.
- Sight read a short selection.
- Be prepared to discuss your work and goals in performing electronics.
Contact: Dr. Garrison Gerard
The Sound of UNCP
Our students perform with pride — from Pembroke to Carnegie Hall.
UNCP’s Pembroke Singers take the stage at world-renowned Carnegie Hall.
The Pembroke Singers perform in the breathtaking setting of Duke Chapel.
UNCP singers shine at the Honor Choir Festival.
The Pembroke Singers perform for university leadership at the chancellor’s residence.
The annual Spring Concert showcases the talent and dedication of UNCP’s vocal and
instrumental ensembles.
Step Into The Spotlight
UNCP Music puts you center stage — with opportunities to lead, perform and connect
through student clubs, festivals and public events.
Festivals & Special Events
Music hosts a dynamic series of annual festivals and special events that celebrate musical talent and foster community engagement.
- Honor Band Festival – This long‑standing event (46th annual in 2025) welcomes talented middle- and high-school musicians to campus each spring for an immersive day of ensemble rehearsal under expert clinicians.
- Honor Choir Festival - Brings together outstanding singers from across the region for a day of collaborative rehearsal, expert clinician-led workshops and culminating concert performances.
- Honor Jazz Festival – Held in early April (16th annual in 2025), featuring live performances, guest clinicians like acclaimed trumpeter Graham Breedlove and opportunities for young jazz students to showcase their talents.
- Piano Day & Composition Competitions – These on-campus events spotlight pianists and composers through masterclasses, recitals and juried contests, with all activities staged in the intimate setting of Moore Hall Auditorium.
- Festival at Old Main – Though not directly under Music, this free campus-wide spring festival includes live music, food trucks, family activities and community engagement — usually held in April.
Clubs & Organizations
Music offers several vibrant clubs and organizations that enrich students’ academic, social and professional experiences. Together, these clubs and ensembles foster professional growth, peer camaraderie and real-world music-making experiences beyond the classroom.
- Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) – Known on campus as the Eta Beta chapter (chartered in 1980), SAI supports female students dedicated to music through leadership development, academic scholarships and service outreach. Its members promote excellence in musical scholarship and engage in performances, philanthropy and the sorority’s historic rituals and events
- NAfME (National Association for Music Education) – As part of the world’s largest arts-education organization, this chapter provides networking, advocacy resources, and access to state and national professional development through the North Carolina Music Educators Association.
- Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia – A national men’s music fraternity offering leadership development, brotherhood and deeper involvement in musical traditions within a statewide Sinfonia network .
Diverse Ensembles. One Musical Community.
The UNC Pembroke Department of Music Ensembles section shines a spotlight on the diverse
performance opportunities available to both music majors and non-majors. It highlights
instrumental groups — such as band, orchestra, jazz, chamber, percussion and more
— as well as vocal ensembles including chorale, singers, jazz and world‑music ensembles.
Each group features its own repertoire, rehearsal schedule and performance profile,
offering students hands-on experience and creative growth.
Marching Strong with
the Spirit of the Carolinas
Play Video
Facilities
Moore Hall
Moore Hall is the home of Music. The building includes all faculty teaching studios,
a state-of-the-art instrumental rehearsal hall, and two classrooms. The classrooms
are wired with internet access as well as projection, audio and video playback capabilities.
A Baldwin grand piano is located in the rehearsal hall for student and ensemble use.
Steinway grands are in the piano teaching studios and Boston grands are in the vocal
studios. Our keyboard lab is equipped with 16 Roland electric pianos. The Music Resource
Center includes 12 Apple iMac desktop computers for student use. The UNCP Project
Studio is a full-featured recording facility that consists of a control room and a
live room. Studio operations are based on the digital audio software MOTU Digital
Performer, software processing plug-ins from Waves, and professional quality microphones
and outboard equipment.
Moore Hall Auditorium
Contained within Moore Hall, the Moore Hall Auditorium (MHA) is the major performance
space for solo and small ensemble recitals. With seating for 204, it is an excellent
environment for small ensemble performances, in addition to guest artists and the
Moore Hall Recital Series programs. The acoustics include shells and clouds designed
and installed by the Wenger Corporation. A newly installed computerized light board
can be operated manually and/or with sub masters and has top and front lighting. A
projector permanently placed in the ceiling of the auditorium is available for use
with a laptop for meetings, instruction, and entertainment. The stage features a Steinway
concert grand (Model D) and a Yamaha concert grand (Model C7). MHA also includes an
Allen electronic organ, with speakers carefully placed to maximize their acoustical
impact.
Music Annex
The Music Annex includes the newly renovated major practice room area for UNCP students.
Every room, except those designated for percussion majors, includes a piano. In addition,
the Music Annex includes the rehearsal hall for vocal ensembles which include: Pembroke
Singers; University Chorale; University Jazz Choir; and Musical Theater classes. The
rehearsal hall has also been newly renovated with seated risers and a new floor.
Music Resource Center
The Music Resource Center (MRC), located on the first floor of Moore Hall, is a multi-purpose facility that serves the needs of both music students and faculty. Housed therein are:
- the department's collection of music scores
- the department's computer lab
The MRC is open during the regular semester Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.. The MRC's holdings can be searched through the Mary Livermore Library online catalog.
The large ensemble sheet music library can be searched through Music Librarian, using the login UNCP (no password required). This catalog is updated regularly. www.musiclibrarian.net
Givens Performing Arts Center
The Paul R. Givens Performing Arts Center (GPAC) is the premier performance venue
in southeastern North Carolina, offering a professional-grade stage with seating for
over 1,600 guests. As a cultural cornerstone of the region, GPAC hosts a wide range
of events throughout the year — including three professional performing arts series
that bring Broadway productions, nationally touring acts and renowned artists to Pembroke.
It serves as the primary performance hall for UNC Pembroke’s large ensemble concerts,
including the university’s bands, choirs and orchestras. GPAC is also the proud home
of the annual UNCP Honor Band Festival, welcoming talented student musicians from
across the state. With its exceptional acoustics, state-of-the-art production capabilities
and diverse programming, GPAC provides students, faculty and the surrounding community
with a first-class performing arts experience.
Moore Hall
Moore Hall is the home of Music. The building includes all faculty teaching studios,
a state-of-the-art instrumental rehearsal hall, and two classrooms. The classrooms
are wired with internet access as well as projection, audio and video playback capabilities.
A Baldwin grand piano is located in the rehearsal hall for student and ensemble use.
Steinway grands are in the piano teaching studios and Boston grands are in the vocal
studios. Our keyboard lab is equipped with 16 Roland electric pianos. The Music Resource
Center includes 12 Apple iMac desktop computers for student use. The UNCP Project
Studio is a full-featured recording facility that consists of a control room and a
live room. Studio operations are based on the digital audio software MOTU Digital
Performer, software processing plug-ins from Waves, and professional quality microphones
and outboard equipment.
Moore Hall Auditorium
Contained within Moore Hall, the Moore Hall Auditorium (MHA) is the major performance
space for solo and small ensemble recitals. With seating for 204, it is an excellent
environment for small ensemble performances, in addition to guest artists and the
Moore Hall Recital Series programs. The acoustics include shells and clouds designed
and installed by the Wenger Corporation. A newly installed computerized light board
can be operated manually and/or with sub masters and has top and front lighting. A
projector permanently placed in the ceiling of the auditorium is available for use
with a laptop for meetings, instruction, and entertainment. The stage features a Steinway
concert grand (Model D) and a Yamaha concert grand (Model C7). MHA also includes an
Allen electronic organ, with speakers carefully placed to maximize their acoustical
impact.
Music Annex
The Music Annex includes the newly renovated major practice room area for UNCP students.
Every room, except those designated for percussion majors, includes a piano. In addition,
the Music Annex includes the rehearsal hall for vocal ensembles which include: Pembroke
Singers; University Chorale; University Jazz Choir; and Musical Theater classes. The
rehearsal hall has also been newly renovated with seated risers and a new floor.
Music Resource Center
The Music Resource Center (MRC), located on the first floor of Moore Hall, is a multi-purpose facility that serves the needs of both music students and faculty. Housed therein are:
- the department's collection of music scores
- the department's computer lab
The MRC is open during the regular semester Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.. The MRC's holdings can be searched through the Mary Livermore Library online catalog.
The large ensemble sheet music library can be searched through Music Librarian, using the login UNCP (no password required). This catalog is updated regularly. www.musiclibrarian.net
Givens Performing Arts Center
The Paul R. Givens Performing Arts Center (GPAC) is the premier performance venue
in southeastern North Carolina, offering a professional-grade stage with seating for
over 1,600 guests. As a cultural cornerstone of the region, GPAC hosts a wide range
of events throughout the year — including three professional performing arts series
that bring Broadway productions, nationally touring acts and renowned artists to Pembroke.
It serves as the primary performance hall for UNC Pembroke’s large ensemble concerts,
including the university’s bands, choirs and orchestras. GPAC is also the proud home
of the annual UNCP Honor Band Festival, welcoming talented student musicians from
across the state. With its exceptional acoustics, state-of-the-art production capabilities
and diverse programming, GPAC provides students, faculty and the surrounding community
with a first-class performing arts experience.
Join us for a performance
October
01
Guest Artist Recital: Ivano Ascari, trumpet, with Dr. Van Hassel, Dr. Altman and Dr. Tollefsen
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Moore Hall
Department Chair
Connect With Us
Moore Hall
PO Box 1510
PO Box 1510
Latest News
Sep 22 Mark Locklear
Prepared for the Stage and Beyond: Dr. Jonathan Drahos Receives URTA Award in Undergraduate Training in Acting
When Cameron Holder arrived at graduate school, she was ready. Confident, disciplined and equipped with the tools to thrive, she credits her preparation to the rigorous theatre arts training she received under Dr. Jonathan Drahos at UNC Pembroke.
UNCP to Host Author Carrie Lowry Schuettpelz for Book Talk on The Indian Card
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke will welcome author and policy scholar Carrie Lowry Schuettpelz to campus to discuss her debut nonfiction book, The Indian Card: Who Gets to Be Native in America
Sep 15 James Bass
The Addams Family Musical Brings Spooky Fun to GPAC
They’re creepy, they’re kooky, they’re mysterious, and they’re coming to the Givens Performing Arts Center (GPAC) at UNC Pembroke on September 18 at 7:30 p.m. Join everyone’s favorite wacky family on the national Broadway musical tour of The Addams Family.