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CSUN MUSIC recognized by Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter 2025

CSUN Music is honored to again be recognized by Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter as a top music school in Fall 2025, with special commendations for our Music Industry and Media Composition programs.

    HOW TO APPLY TO CSUN MUSIC 

    The Music Department application deadlines are earlier than—and separate from—CSUN (University) deadlines. Please see the FAQs below. Applicants must complete both:

    • CSUN Application (Cal State Apply)
    • Music Department Application (Audition + materials)

    After submitting your CSU/CSUN application:

    • You will receive an email from CSUN Admissions with a link to the Music Department Supplemental Application
    • Check your CSUN email and spam folder
    • You must have your CSUN ID before starting the Music Application 
      • Applications started without a CSUN ID will not be reviewed

    GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION (and see FAQs below)

    • All applicants must audition
    • CSUN does not offer a standalone music production/technology degree.
    • CSUN does not offer a double major or minor. 
    • Review: 

    INTERVIEWS

    • Some programs require interviews or a portfolio 
    • For video auditions to programs that require an interview: 
      • You may need to pass the audition first before being invited to virtual interview 

    ACCOMPANISTS

    • Provided only for voice auditions
    • Optional (not required) for other areas

    AFTER ACCEPTANCE

    Once admitted to the Music Department, after submitting your Intent to Enroll and contingent upon acceptance to the University:

    SCHOLARSHIPS

    APPLY for SPRING 2027

    IMPORTANT NOTE: The Music Department deadlines are earlier than and separate from CSUN Deadlines.

    ELIGIBILITY

    • Open to: 
      • Current CSUN students (change of major) 
      • Transfer students 
      • Graduate applicants 
    • No Music Therapy applications for Spring entry 

    KEY DATES

    • August 1, 2026 – CSU Applications open 
    • September 15, 2026 (11:59 PM) – Jazz pre-screen video due
    • October 15, 2026 – CSUN deadline (non-Jazz undergrad/transfer) 
    • October 17, 2026 – Music Application upload deadline + in person Audition Day 

    AUDITIONS

    • Saturday, October 17, 2026 – All areas (including required Jazz final rounds, in person) 
      • In-person auditions are encouraged 
      • Video auditions accepted for all areas except Jazz

    JAZZ APPLICANTS (Special Requirement)

    • Jazz is the only program with a pre-screen requirement: due September 15, 2026
    • Applicants who pass the pre-screen are invited to: 
      • Live final round jazz audition on October 17
      • For select programs, advanced to a virtual interview

    DEADLINES (NON-JAZZ)

    • CSUN Application (Cal State Apply): October 15, 2026 
    • Music Application (including video audition/scores): October 17, 2026

    GRADUATE & INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

    Apply as early as possible for best consideration. Note deadline for Jazz.

    APPLY for FALL 2027

    IMPORTANT NOTE: The Music Department deadlines are earlier than and separate from CSUN Deadlines.

    ELIGIBILITY

    • All music programs and degree levels are open for Fall

    KEY DATES – FALL 2027

    • October 1, 2026 – CSU Applications open 
    • Early January 2027 (TBA) – Jazz pre-screen due
    • January 15, 2027 – Music application deadline (NOTE: this is earlier than the general CSUN deadline)
    • February 20, 2027 – Music supplemental items due by this first Audition Day

    AUDITIONS

    • SAT February 20, 2027 – morning to midday
    • FRI February 26, 2027 - all day for STRINGS applicants (NOTE: If your program requires an interview, you can choose a virtual interview or a Saturday Audition Day)
    • SAT February 27, 2027 – all day
    • SAT March 6, 2027 – all day
    • Video auditions accepted for all areas except Jazz
      • Video auditions due uploaded by FEB 20, 2027

    JAZZ APPLICANTS (Special Requirement)

    • Jazz is the only program with a pre-screen requirement: due: Early January 2027 (exact date/time TBA)
    • Applicants who pass the pre-screen may be invited to: 
      • Required live auditions (FEB 20, 27, MAR 6 2027), or 
      • Virtual interviews (for select programs: Music Industry, Music Therapy, Composition, Media Composition) 

    APPLICATION DEADLINES (NON-JAZZ)

    • CSUN Application for Music (Cal State Apply): January 15, 2027 
    • Music Application (uploads including video audition/materials): February 20, 2027 

    GRADUATE & INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

    • Apply as early as possible for best consideration. Note the early deadline for jazz.
    • All questions regarding international visas, language, transcripts are directed to International or Graduate Admissions.

    PROGRAM DIRECTORS

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    After you apply to CSU Apply, you will be sent an email with a link to our Music Department Audition Site. If you are auditioning in-person, you will choose your preferred audition day/time there, or if you are auditioning by video, you will upload your video/s there. In some cases we may need to adjust your time slot as we get closer to the actual Audition Day. Jazz final round auditions are always scheduled by us due to combo requirements.

    NOTE: If you schedule an in-person audition and do not show up, we will assume you are no longer interested in CSUN Music and close your application.

    VIDEO APPLICANTS will (if required for your program) have a VIDEO Interview scheduled.

    Be sure to review your specific audition requirements.

     

    Only JAZZ programs require a pre-screen video submission, roughly two-three weeks prior to the regular deadline - check the yearly deadlines. 

    Applicants for Jazz Performance B.M. who pass the pre-screen will be scheduled in specific instrument groups to play with live combos. You will choose your preferred Audition Day.

    Applicants for Jazz B.A. programs (such as Music Education or Music Industry Studies) who pass the pre-screen may be passed to the next stage, such as for an interview or essay, as required by each program. In such cases, no second round live audition will be required, and your second stage (if required) can be done either in person or remotely. However, we reserve the right to require a jazz final round in person, pending numbers of applicants on a particular instrument and so forth, so applicants are advised to be available on the Audition Days.

     

    Yes, you may schedule a short TOUR - please use the link in the sidebar of this page. We do our best to accommodate drop-in requests, but we strongly prefer that you schedule in advance.

    Unfortunately, a second Bachelor's is not available at this time.

    The Music Therapy Certificate Program does offer a certificate program for qualified students who have a Bachelor's Degree.

    Or, you may wish to pursue a Master's Degree.

    Music performance majors will receive lessons on a single instrument. Please select an audition for the instrument you would like to take lessons for.

    Once accepted, you are encouraged to audition for additional ensembles (but this is not required).

    Please complete the CSU application, and indicate Music. When you are sent the audition application link, you will choose your music program option and instrument. 

    Unfortunately, those options are not available at this time.

    Your CSUN email and CSUN ID# is an important part of your application and you may receive important notifications there. In correspondence, please include your CSUN ID# (and program/level) whenever possible.

    Your CSUN email will be sent to you during the CSU Application process, and you must have your CSUN ID# in hand before starting the Music Department application. 

    Please contact Admissions/Registrar regarding instructions on how to access your new CSUN Email – so that you don’t miss any important information. 

    Contact Registrar@csun.edu (and provide name, DoB, CSUN ID#)

     

    We'll do our best to help you, but you will also need to connect with University Admissions. A few helpful emails are:

    We are proud to have a lot of international students. All questions regarding visas, transcripts, TOEFL and so forth are handled by the CSUN International Admissions Office or by email: intladm@csun.edu

    Newly accepted students – and returning students – can apply for Music Department Scholarships each spring for the coming year. Directions will be sent via your music department audition application. All other scholarships should be pursued directly with the CSUN Financial Aid Office.

    All Audition Results for the primary Audition Season are sent at one time, through our audition software to your email. We do our very best to announce results as soon as we can, typically about 3 weeks after the final in-person Audition Day. Your patience is appreciated.