Colorado State University Music

Welcome to the Colorado State University Music Program Application and Audition/Interview portal.

This application will open in September.

CSU Music is holding auditions on the following dates for Fall 2025 Start:

If you have extenuating circumstances that limit your availability to audition on one of these days, please contact SMTD@colostate.edu.

Undergraduate Degrees Application

• Admission into most music degree programs as an undergraduate major or minor requires a playing audition and interview for acceptance into the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. 
  • The "no studio" Music Therapy Concentration only requires an interview (no playing audition).
  • The minor in music track WITHOUT applied studio lessons on your instrument/voice does NOT require an audition. Students pursuing the "minor: no applied studio" track should fill out this form instead.
• Admission into CSU Music as an undergraduate major or minor also requires acceptance to Colorado State University by the Office of Admissions. We encourage you to apply for admission to the University as soon as possible during your senior year (for fall entry, please apply by Nov. 15 for early action and Jan. 15 for regular decision). 
• We understand that your audition/interview date might take place prior to your acceptance by the university.

• Admission into the Master of Music, Music Performance requires a playing audition and interview for acceptance into the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.
• Admission into CSU Music as a graduate student also requires acceptance to Colorado State University by the Graduate School

Audition Process

• For Fall 2025 start, students have the option to audition/interview either in-person or virtually for most programs and instruments (virtual percussion auditions are not allowed at this time).
• For virtual auditions, your playing video will be uploaded as part of your audition registration application.   
• Time slots fill up quickly, so please complete the application registration as soon as possible. Application registrations must be completed no later than two days prior to an audition/interview date so that schedules can be confirmed.
• Admission into Music Education or Music Therapy requires an interview with area faculty members as a part of the audition process. This is in addition to the instrument/voice playing audition for all degrees except the "no studio" Music Therapy Concentration, which only requires an interview.
• Scholarships are awarded based on audition results. There is no separate audition for scholarships. Full list of undergraduate scholarships.
• Notification: Decision letters for many of our instruments will be distributed on an ongoing basis throughout the acceptance process. Some studios may elect to complete the audition cycle before sending decisions. Notifications of scholarships awarded will be sent by March 18.

Audition InformationIn-person Audition Details

• All prospective students will submit an application in the Acceptd audition portal.
• Please refer to the audition requirements for suggested repertoire, etudes, and scales for your instrument/voice and degree area LISTED HERE.
• Once the application is complete, you will schedule your in-person audition and interview sessions.
• Session Details:
  • Students will have an instrument/voice playing audition and interview with an applied music faculty panel. Additional scales and sight reading may be requested. Voice students will be vocalized during the interview.
  • Music Education applicants will have an additional interview with faculty. Sight-reading and pitch-matching abilities will be assessed during the interview. Please refer to music education audition details here.
  • All Music Therapy applicants (studio and no studio options) have a 20-minute interview with music therapy faculty. The interview includes singing three songs and sight-reading. Please refer to music therapy audition details here.

Virtual Audition Details

PLEASE NOTE: VIRTUAL AUDITIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PERCUSSION APPLICANTS. PERCUSSION AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD IN PERSON ONLY.

• Prospective students choosing to audition virtually will submit an application and video audition through the Acceptd audition portal.
• Please refer to the audition requirements and suggested repertoire for your instrument/voice and degree area LISTED HERE.
• Video audition length should be approximately ten minutes and selected pieces should be representative of your best ability. Please see your instrument area requirements for repertoire, etudes, and scales. 
• After your application is submitted, including your audition video, you will be able to schedule your virtual (Zoom) interview session(s).
  • The virtual (Zoom) interview with an applied music faculty panel may include additional scales and sight reading. Voice students will be vocalized during the interview.
  • Music Education applicants will have an additional virtual (Zoom) interview with faculty. Sight-reading and pitch-matching abilities will be assessed during the interview. Please refer to music education audition details here.
  • All Music Therapy applicants (studio and no studio options) have a virtual (Zoom) interview with music therapy faculty. 
  • The interview includes singing three songs and sight-reading. Please refer to music therapy audition details here.

If you have questions about this process, please contact SMTD@colostate.edu.For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.

Music Theory Diagnostics Exam (Undergraduate Only):

Students accepted into the music major or minor must complete a short online music theory exam for diagnostic purposes. This ensures that students are placed in the proper course in the fall for their level of experience with music theory. Results assist us with advising and fostering student success. Results of the exam are not used in determining acceptance into a music degree program. Students accepted into the music program will be sent a link to the diagnostic exam, which will take about half an hour to complete.