Navigating College Fairs for Aspiring Music Majors
Thinking about majoring in music? College fairs are one of the best places to start your journey. Each fall, students and families across the country attend these events to connect with colleges, meet recruiters, and ask real questions about their future.
Some fairs are even designed just for students like you—those interested in music, theater, or the arts. Whether you're curious, committed, or still figuring things out, college fairs can open doors you didn’t know existed.
One of the biggest names in the game is the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). They host large-scale college fairs across the country that include a wide variety of schools.
For future music majors, there are even more specific options:
Even if you’re not in All-State, you can often still attend—some events offer free or low-cost day passes for students and families. And trust us: these recruiters want to meet you.
Begin exploring as early as sophomore or junior year. Use these fairs to discover schools and build your college list. Seniors can focus on asking audition and application questions. Even freshmen—and their families—are welcome.
Bring name and contact labels with your:
This saves time and keeps your conversations focused. Some fairs use QR codes—others might not.
Through the “HiHello” app and/or at HiHello.com, anyone can receive a HiHello card—even if they don’t have the app. Great idea for college fairs.
Look up the schools attending. Choose 5–8 to visit so you’re not overwhelmed. Read their websites and jot down questions ahead of time. Don’t just say, “Tell me about your school.” Ask what matters to you.
Your parents can help—but make sure you’re the one having the conversation. Admissions reps want to talk to you and hear your goals, interests, and questions.
College fairs are more than just a bunch of tables—they’re full of opportunities. The reps you meet might be the same people reviewing your application or hearing your audition down the line.
Be curious. Be prepared. Be bold.
Truly, they can’t wait to see you at an upcoming college fair — this is where your journey as an aspiring music major truly begins.
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ARTICLE GLOSSARY
ACDA (American Choral Directors Association): A national organization that supports choral music and education. They host conventions and events where students may perform in honor choirs and meet college recruiters.
All-State Ensemble: A top-level group of student musicians selected from across a state to perform together. Being accepted into All-State is an honor that often attracts the attention of college recruiters.
Audition: A performance by a student in front of judges or faculty to demonstrate their musical skill. Auditions are usually required for acceptance into college music programs.
College Fair: An event where multiple colleges set up booths or tables so students and families can ask questions, meet representatives, and collect information about programs.
Composition: A music major focused on writing and creating original music, often studied alongside theory and orchestration.
Honor Ensemble: A selective group of student musicians chosen to perform together based on their skills. These groups may perform at state or national events and often include opportunities to meet college recruiters.
Instrument: In this context, a student’s primary instrument of study, such as trumpet, violin, voice, or piano. Colleges often ask for this in applications and at fairs.
Intended Major: The college subject a student plans to study, such as music education, music performance, or composition.
Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic: A prestigious national convention held in Chicago each December, bringing together music educators, students, and college representatives. It often includes performances and a college fair.
Music Admissions Roundtable: An organization that provides resources for music college admissions. They host virtual Performing Arts College Fairs in the fall to connect students with college recruiters online.
NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling): A national organization that organizes college fairs across the U.S., often including a wide variety of schools. Some of their events also highlight performing arts programs.
Performing Arts College Fair: A college fair specifically focused on students interested in music, theater, dance, and visual arts. These events feature schools with strong arts programs and representatives who understand creative disciplines.
Recruiter: A college representative—often an admissions counselor or faculty member—who attends events to speak with prospective students and encourage them to apply to their school.
QR Code: A scannable square barcode that stores information like contact details or registration confirmations. Students can use a QR code to share their info quickly with college reps.
Virtual Card (HiHello Card): A digital version of a business card that includes a student’s contact info, graduation year, and interests. It can be shared easily with recruiters using a phone or computer.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the purpose, structure, and value of music-focused college fairs and create a personalized plan to participate in one, including questions to ask and schools of interest.
Assignment:
Read the article “Hitting the Right Note: Navigating College Fairs for Aspiring Music Majors” on Accoladi.com. Then write a three to four sentence response to the following questions:
Dear Parents,
As we settle into another exciting school year, many of our students—especially our juniors and seniors—are beginning to think seriously about what comes next. For those considering music in college, I want to share a powerful resource that could truly guide their path forward.
There’s a wonderful article now available on Accoladi.com titled "Hitting the Right Note: Navigating College Fairs for Aspiring Music Majors." It’s written with students and parents in mind and offers clear, practical guidance on how to approach college fairs with purpose—especially those designed for students pursuing music.
You may not realize this, but some of the best opportunities to connect with college music programs don’t start with a college visit—they start at college fairs. From national events hosted by organizations like NACAC to music-specific gatherings at All-State weekends, conventions, and even virtual fairs, these events give our students a chance to speak with actual music faculty, learn about audition expectations, and start to envision where their talents might take them.
The article also includes helpful tips like:
Even if your child is still a sophomore—or simply exploring whether music is in their future—it’s never too early to start the conversation. I encourage every parent to take five minutes and read this article. Then, talk with your child about it. Attending a college fair together, even just one, could be the spark that sets their future in motion.
You can find the full article here:
Hitting the Right Note: Navigating College Fairs for Aspiring Music Majors
Let’s help our young musicians take the stage not only in performance, but in planning for what comes next.
Musically Yours,
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(Director’s Name)
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(School Name)
