Thanks for you reply. However, what I meant when I said I have a background in music but not academically is that I never majored in music.
I could easily pass any theory or musicianship placement, and took courses in my undergrad in theory and musicianship, but was never any kind of music major. Other than my undergrad institution's music theory sequence, I don't have any academic background in music. Both my undergraduate degree and MA are in humanities outside of music. I am an amateur musician I suppose, and have never taken any performance classes since high school...so it's been many years!
Best of luck to you too! I won't be applying until next cycle for the 2020-21 year.