CU Denver - Music & Entertainment Industry Studies Department

The Music & Entertainment Industry Studies (MEIS) Department at the University of Colorado Denver prepares students for careers in the modern music and entertainment industries. We are internationally known as one of the best contemporary college music programs in the U.S. Students choose from four emphasis areas of study: Performance, Singer/Songwriter, Music Business, and Recording Arts. 

We offer both audition track and non-audition track programs. We offer two non-audition track programs: Music Business and Recording Arts. The non-audition track programs are designed for students who hope to have careers working behind-the-scenes in the music industry. Students just need to be accepted to CU Denver to start in one of these programs.

Our audition track programs are selective and competitive. We offer four audition track programs: Music Performance, Singer/Songwriter, Music Business-Audition Track, and Recording Arts-Audition Track. Also, in Fall 2020 we launched a new Electronic Digital Instrument performance program! Our audition track programs are designed for students who want performance to be a big part of their future music career. In addition to being admitted to CU Denver, audition track must complete and pass an audition. Please review the MEIS Entrance Requirements for complete information. Also, make out to check out the Frequently Asked Questions page on our website for answers to many common questions.

All students applying for an audition track program must either audition by video (here through Acceptd) or schedule a live audition with our faculty. Information about how to schedule a live/virtual audition is listed on our website here. MEIS faculty will review audition videos within a month after submission. Applicants will be contacted about next steps. Many applicants will be admitted just based on the audition video, while some may also be asked to conduct a live/virtual audition.

Important Deadline Information for Audition Track Applicants

Early Application Period: The early application period deadline for audition track applicants is January 1st. Applicants who have been admitted to CU Denver and have completed all of the MEIS application requirements by January 1st will be notified of their MEIS admission status by January 20th. Please note that it's not easier to be admitted if you apply early. The benefit of applying early is that you find out if you are admitted to MEIS sooner.

Regular Application Period: The MEIS Regular Application Period deadline for audition track applicants is April 1st. All application materials must be received by the final application deadline. 

Audition Dates and MEIS Open Houses: The audition dates for Fall 2023 applicants are scheduled for:

Friday, December 2, 2022
Friday, February 3, 2023
Friday, February 24, 2023
Friday, March 10, 2023

We will host MEIS Open Houses on each of our audition dates. The MEIS Open House events will feature a MEIS Department Overview session, a student panel, a faculty panel, and a music facility tour!  Learn more about the MEIS Open House events and RSVP on our website here. 

Thank you for your interest in CU Denver's Music & Entertainment Industry Studies Department. We look forward to receiving your application! Please contact us if you have any questions.

Dave Walter - Director of Enrollment Management, CU Denver College of Arts & Media. Phone: 303-315-7487; E-mail: david.walter@ucdenver.edu

Music & Entertainment Industry Studies Department. Phone: 303-315-7450; E-mail: meis.dept@ucdenver.edu 

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.