Queens College | Aaron Copland School of Music

The Aaron Copland School of Music - Queens College (CUNY), located in Queens, New York, is arguably  the highest quality music conservatory for the lowest cost in the United States. Our school is ranked among the best in the country for debt-free graduation. Study with world-class faculty for a fraction of the price! 

Though we are part of the world’s largest urban university, we offer an intimate college experience with low student to teacher ratios in all of our classes. All of our students take classes with familiar faces throughout the entirety of the program. At the Aaron Copland School of Music, you will foster musical connections that will last a lifetime because of our supportive community of students, faculty, and alumni, who all agree that the feeling of camaraderie makes the Aaron Copland School of Music such a special place.  

Our program is hidden safely in the heart of Queens, the most diverse borough on Earth. The best of both worlds, our eighty-acre campus offers the classic college feel while being just a stone’s throw from the excitement of New York City. Our campus provides a quiet neighborhood in which to study while only being a subway ride to midtown Manhattan. Our modern facility is equipped with ample rehearsal space, a Steinway piano in every classroom and rehearsal studio, recording studios, one of the most comprehensive music libraries in the NY area, and four performance spaces — including the visually and acoustically stunning LeFrak Concert Hall. 

IMPORTANT: In order to be accepted to the Aaron Copland School of Music, you must also apply to Queens College using one of the links below.  You should NOT wait for the result of that application to schedule your audition. 
 
(Undergraduate Programs General Queens College Application)

(Graduate/Certificate Programs General Queens College Application)

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Informational Links

Our Degrees

Audition Requirements (Undergraduate Performance)

Audition Requirements (Undergraduate Music Education/General Music)

Audition Requirements (Graduate Performance)

Audition Requirements (Graduate Jazz) 

Program Requirement (Jazz)

Sample Undergraduate Theory Exam

Sample Graduate Theory Exam

Tuition and Fees

Excelsior Scholarship - Free Tuition for NY State Residents 

Macaulay Honors College - Free Tuition for High Academic Achievers (Apply Early)

On-Campus Housing

Foreign Language Requirements 

Audition Dates By Instrument: 

Undergraduate And Graduate Placement Exams:

Spring Entry:
CLOSED

Fall Entry:
Sunday February 25, 2024 -  (in person applicants) 
Sunday March 3, 2024 - (in person applicants)
Monday March 11, 2024- 10AM - 2pm (out-of-state applicants)

Voice

Spring Entry:
CLOSED

Fall Entry:
IN PERSON | Sunday February 25, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Piano Performance: BMus (including 5 yr program), MM, Adv Cert/Dipl

Spring Entry:
CLOSED

Fall Entry
Sunday February 25, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM - In Person

Piano Music Ed and BA General Music

Spring Entry:
CLOSED 

Fall Entry:
Sunday February 25, 2024 | 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Strings Performance: BMus (including 5 yr program), MM, Adv Cert/Dipl

Spring Entry:
CLOSED

Fall Entry:
Sunday March 3, 2024 | 10AM - 5PM

Strings Music Ed and BA General Music 

Spring Entry:
CLOSED

Fall Entry:
Sunday March 3, 2024 | 10AM - 5PM

Brass 

Spring Entry:
CLOSED

Fall Entry:
Sunday February 25, 2024 | 10AM - 5PM | In Person

Woodwinds

Spring Entry:
CLOSED

Fall Entry:
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon | Sunday February 25, 2024 | 10AM - 5PM
Saxophone (Classical) | Sunday March 3, 2024 | 10AM - 3PM 

Guitar 

Spring Entry:
CLOSED

Fall Entry:
Sunday March 3, 2024 | 10AM - 3PM 

Percussion 

Spring Entry:
CLOSED

Fall Entry:
Sunday March 3, 2024 | 10AM - 3PM 

Jazz Master of Music (Prescreen required):

Spring Entry: 
TBD

Fall Entry:
TBD

• Undergraduate and Graduate Classical Programs- Email TLee1@qc.cuny.edu
• Master of Music Jazz Program- Email Teresa.Sanchez@qc.cuny.edu

For technical questions, please check out our Acceptd Applicant Support Help Desk!