School of Music

Organ

Organ

Learn everything about your application process:

BM in Theory

BM in Theory

The Bachelor of Music (BM) in Theory degree plan provides additional training in the discipline on top of a robust theory core curriculum that serves all of our undergraduate music majors at Baylor University. Through specialized courses in theory and analysis, we prepare students majoring in music theory for advanced studies in music in the graduate level. Our master’s program in music theory is designed to equip the student with knowledge of both traditional sectors and current trends of the discipline, as well as the ability to engage in independent research of the highest level.

Resources

Additional Opportunities

  • The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is designed in the liberal arts tradition and is a good fit for students who want a music degree and who want to take additional courses outside of their major course of study. Choose BA in Music above for more details.
  • Declare a Double Major. Find out more on our Double Major in Music page.
  • The Secondary Major in Instrumental, Keyboard, or Vocal Performance allows advanced performers (piano, organ, voice, winds, brass, strings, or percussion) to continue their interest in music performance while pursuing another academic career path. Choose Secondary Major above for more details.
  • Certificate of Orchestral Conducting
  • Certificate in Jazz Studies

How to Apply

Step 1: Start your Baylor University application

Studying music at Baylor is a dual admission process, meaning you must apply and be admitted to both Baylor University and the School of Music. You may apply through GoBaylor, CommonApp, or ApplyTexas. You must begin your Baylor application in order to receive your “Bear ID” (firstname_lastname#) to link your BU application to your School of Music application.

  • If you apply through GoBaylor, you will receive your BearID immediately
  • If you apply through CommonApp or ApplyTexas, Baylor will send you an email with your BearID and instructions on creating a GoBaylor account to track your BU admissions status

Start your Baylor University Application

Steps to Success:

  • Choose the Baylor Early Action application track! Apply by November 1st!
  • Complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile as early as possible. See below for more information.

Step 2: Submit your School of Music application

Deadlines:

  • All trumpet and trombone applicants: Submit your School of Music application by December 15, which includes your prescreening videos.

  • All other applicants: Submit your School of Music application at least 2 weeks before your preferred audition date. Applicants who submit a School of Music application within 2 weeks of the preferred audition date are not guaranteed a timeslot for that date.

  • The application portal closes on February 1st.

Start your School of Music Application

BM in Theory Additional Requirements
Request an interview with Eric Lai.

Step 3: Audition

All prospective first-year students and transfer music majors are required to audition on their principal instrument for acceptance into the School of Music. The audition is the most important factor in determining whether a student will be accepted as a music major. In-person auditions are strongly encouraged. Applicants seeking to audition via recorded video or live-virtual via Zoom must contact the applied professor directly. Applicants can select their preferred audition date on the School of Music application.

Audition Materials and Dates

Decisions Timeline

First-year and transfer School of Music admissions decisions (March) Admissions decisions are sent via email and updated in GoBaylor accounts
School of Music Merit Scholarship offers (March) Scholarship offers are send via email provided on School of Music application
First-year Decision Deadline (May 1) Commit to Baylor by depositing at *website*

Scholarship & Financial Aid Information

Scholarships

We're glad you are considering Baylor. All undergraduate students who complete the following are considered for Music Merit Scholarships and Baylor University Scholarships:

  1. Apply to the School of Music
  2. Apply to Baylor University
  3. Audition for the School of Music with the intent to major in music
    • Outstanding applicants pursuing a music degree that will enroll as full-time students may be recommended for music scholarships based on their performance ability and the programmatic needs of the School of Music.
  4. We HIGHLY recommend completing both the FAFSA and CSS Profile .

Financial Aid

To be considered for all possible scholarship and financial aid opportunities, undergraduates must complete both the FAFSA and CSS Profile. You may complete them before you get accepted or audition (the earlier you complete these applications, the better). We recommend completing before February 1 for those wanting to begin school in the Fall.

Baylor University maintains a student financial aid program including scholarships, grants, on-campus employment, and loans totaling approximately $60 million dollars annually. 92% of Baylor students receive financial aid.

Organ Audition Information

Directly contact Jens Korndörfer if you have any questions.

Organ Program

The organ program at Baylor University offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Degrees and an Advanced Performer’s Certificate. Students can major in organ performance, church music with organ concentration, or organ as a secondary major. In addition to applied lessons, classes in service playing/improvisation, choir conducting, harpsichord, (jazz-) piano, etc., prepare students for successful careers as church musicians, concert organists, and educators.

Performance and Service Opportunities

Organ majors regularly perform with Baylor University’s choirs and orchestras, in chamber music and early music ensembles, and as soloists, both on and off campus. Students usually hold positions in one of the many churches in the Waco area, where they can apply their skills and gather valuable practical experience.

Travel Opportunities

The organ studio regularly goes on study trips to major instruments in the US and in Europe.

Past destinations include Paris, London, Haarlem, Leipzig, New York and Philadelphia. These trips offer students the possibility to experience first-hand the sounds of the instruments that inspired many of the masterworks of the organ repertoire. Encounters with local organists and visits to major monuments, museums, and operas/concert halls provide students with an immersive experience in the culture of the respective destinations.

Guest Artists

We offer many opportunities to learn from other leading professional teachers and performers in the field. Recent distinguished guests have included Paul Jacobs, Ken Cowan, Alan Morrison, Johann Vexo, Jean-Baptiste Robin and Simon Johnson.

Alumni Success

Our alumni currently hold positions with the Nashville and Dallas Symphony Orchestras, as faculty and adjunct faculty in U.S. universities, and at numerous churches across the country. Baylor organ graduates pursuing higher education have been accepted into advanced degree programs at many of our nation’s finest institutions.

Organs

McLane Organ
Jones Concert Hall

Petty-Madden, Op. 34
Built 1993
Electro-pneumatic action
IV/92
Markham Organ Studio
McCrary Music Building
Travis Johnson Memorial Organ
Recital Hall II (Waco Hall Complex)
Powell Chapel Organ
Truett Seminary
Practice Organs
McCrary Music Building

Organ Faculty

Jens Korndörfer, DMus

Associate Professor of Organ

Jens Korndörfer, DMus

Associate Professor of Organ

Praised as “a virtuoso in the grand Romantic tradition” who creates “performances that are deeply musically satisfying as well as exciting” (The American Organist), German organist Dr. Jens Korndörfer is regularly invited at the most prestigious venues and festivals around the world.

A top-honor graduate from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, the Oberlin Conservatory, the Musikhochschule in Bayreuth, and McGill University in Montreal, Korndörfer’s teachers include Olivier Latry, Michel Bouvard, James David Christie, and Ludger Lohmann. Prior to his appointment at Baylor University, he was Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta - where he also directed a highly successful concert series -, and taught at Georgia State University. Korndörfer recently founded the National High School Organ Competition at Baylor University.

jens_korndoerfer@baylor.edu

McCrary Music Building 159

jenskorndoefer.com

National High School Organ Competition

An opportunity for talented young organists to gain valuable performance experience and recognition.

Learn More

Events for Prospective Students

BearShadow
College Fairs
Schmidt Vocal Competition

Undergraduate Admissions FAQs

Graduate Admissions FAQs

School of Music

 
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678