Introduction
We are excited that you are considering Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, as the place to pursue your passion for music. Our program is built on excellence, and we are proud to see so many talented students eager to be part of it each year. At Cal Poly, you will study with outstanding faculty, collaborate with dedicated peers, and grow as both a musician and a scholar. Beyond the classroom, you will have numerous opportunities to perform and to experience inspiring concerts by local, national, and international artists.
Becoming a music major requires two separate applications.
- First, submit an application to CSU/Cal Poly. Go to the Cal Poly Admissions Office website for more information about applying to Cal Poly. The deadline for submitting this application is Dec. 1, 2025.
- Upon completion of the Cal State Apply application, you will be prompted to complete the required Music Department supplementary application process, via the Cal Poly Application Status Portal.
Please read the information and deadlines below carefully. Although applicants will be invited to submit the online supplementary application via the Application Status Portal, it is highly recommended that you begin familiarizing yourself with our supplementary materials now. Please note, your supplementary application and supplementary materials are due Jan. 31.
Acceptance into the music major program requires a demonstrated ability on an instrument, in voice, or talent through other musical media, plus the ability to read music at a fundamental level. An audition is required before admission to evaluate whether a student meets the program's expected level of musical abilities.
Students applying to the music major begin taking classes on campus during the fall term only. Lack of any required materials will affect consideration of an applicant’s acceptance. If you have any questions about applying as a music major or about the program in particular, do not hesitate to give us a call at 805-756-2406.
Supplementary Application
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- Complete the Supplementary Application carefully, taking into consideration details that will present your music experience most accurately and most persuasively.
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- Dates
- Audition dates are Saturday, Feb. 21, and Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026
- Be sure to indicate your audition preference in the audition survey, which you’ll find in the Cal Poly Application Status Portal. On your audition day, plan to spend a few hours on campus. In addition to your audition, you’ll have opportunities to meet faculty and students, explore the campus, and take part in other audition-day activities. The timeframes below ensure you’ll have enough time to complete your audition requirements and experience what Cal Poly has to offer.
- For morning auditions, we recommend setting aside 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- For afternoon auditions, we recommend 12:00–4:00 p.m.
- For morning auditions, we recommend setting aside 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- In-person audition
- We strongly encourage you to audition in person, as it is preferred over a video submission. If you are unable to attend in person, please note this in the Supplementary Application and follow the required steps to upload a video audition.
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Guidelines for choosing audition pieces
- Vocal and Instrumental applicants: For your audition, prepare two pieces of a contrasting nature (i.e., one fast, one slow, or other contrasting characteristics), not to exceed eight minutes total. If the music is notated, you will be asked to submit the scores as PDFs (lead sheets and fake book charts are suitable for jazz pieces, as are fully notated pieces, such as études, big band parts, etc.) by the deadline.
- Composition and Music Technology applicants: Prepare two contrasting pieces with a combined total of no more than 8 minutes. For each piece, clearly indicate your role — whether as composer, performer, or producer. If creating notated scores is part of your practice, at least one of your submissions should include a score.
- Piece One: An original composition or a performance of an existing work, performed on your primary instrument or voice if possible.
- Piece Two: Either a live performance of an original composition or a stereo audio file to be played in the audition room (recordings are acceptable).
- Piece One: An original composition or a performance of an existing work, performed on your primary instrument or voice if possible.
- Your performance and the pieces you select should help indicate that you have the potential to successfully participate in one of the Music Department’s major ensembles (symphony orchestra, wind orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz big band, choir, electronic music ensemble, vocal jazz, and Arab music ensemble) on the instrument that you play at the audition, or by singing if you audition as a vocalist.
- Vocal and Instrumental applicants: For your audition, prepare two pieces of a contrasting nature (i.e., one fast, one slow, or other contrasting characteristics), not to exceed eight minutes total. If the music is notated, you will be asked to submit the scores as PDFs (lead sheets and fake book charts are suitable for jazz pieces, as are fully notated pieces, such as études, big band parts, etc.) by the deadline.
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Accompaniment
- If your audition pieces are written with piano accompaniment, then you should perform your audition with an accompanist, and request an accompanist in the application. The department has a staff accompanist who will perform non-jazz works with you free of charge. You will need to upload PDFs of the piano music for the accompanist.
- For students performing a jazz piece at the in-person auditions, you may do any of the following:
- Bring your own rhythm-section play-along recording (on a CD, MP3 player, or smart phone). This recording can be a commercial one, or homemade. The department has playback equipment and amps available.
- Bring fully notated piano accompaniment for a single accompanist.
- Play unaccompanied.
- For students auditioning virtually, any accompaniment or backing ensemble is acceptable.
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Original compositions (only for those who are applying to have composition lessons)
- Original compositions may be submitted as a supplement to — not replacing — your performance audition. They may be submitted as notated scores, lead sheets, or as recordings (performed by either the applicant or by others). Recordings should be of the highest quality. Applicants may choose their own compositions for their performance audition but should be aware that the performance audition should demonstrate the potential to successfully participate as a performer in one of the music department’s major ensembles.
- Interview
- In-person auditions will include a brief interview and musicianship assessment. Virtual applicants will be asked to respond to a short video musicianship assessment.
- Resource links for practicing the fundamentals of music theory and notation
- Dates
- Recommendations
- Letters of recommendation are strongly recommended, but not required. Letters can be uploaded by the student, or sent directly to us by the by regular mail or by email.
- Letter of recommendation template
- Transfer applicants
- Accepted transfer students will take theory, musicianship and piano placement exams prior to fall registration.
- Deadline
- Jan. 31, 2026 is the deadline to complete the Supplementary Application and submit all supplementary materials via the Application Status Portal.
- Acceptance Notifications
- You will be notified as to whether you are conditionally accepted into the music major at Cal Poly on or before April 1, 2026.
- Communicating with the Music Department
- Check the Application Status Portal and your email frequently.