Public school5.6K

California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt

Arcata, CA

HSITest-FreeGreek LifeLGBTQ+

Start free

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Music

Applied Music

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Department accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Faculty are active musicians and scholars

Training

Concentration for students who want to develop advanced skills as performers or composers

Available for voice, all orchestral and band instruments, piano, guitar, and composition

Instrument-specific audition requirements benchmarked to Carnegie Hall/Royal Conservatory of Music levels 8-10

Culminates in a Senior Recital and career preparation coursework

Performance & Productions

Solo and ensemble performance opportunities every semester

Low-pressure studio recitals, juries, Concerto/Aria competition, and Honors Recital

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.42

Admit rate

98%

school-wide

Grad rate

49%

Enrollment

5.6K

Earnings

$48K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$9,290

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,850

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$29,894

Before aid

Average net price

$13,171

After aid

Attendance Cost · humboldt.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 6, 12:27 AM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Department accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Faculty are active musicians and scholars

Training

Concentration for students who want to develop advanced skills as performers or composers

Available for voice, all orchestral and band instruments, piano, guitar, and composition

Instrument-specific audition requirements benchmarked to Carnegie Hall/Royal Conservatory of Music levels 8-10

Culminates in a Senior Recital and career preparation coursework

Performance & Productions

Solo and ensemble performance opportunities every semester

Low-pressure studio recitals, juries, Concerto/Aria competition, and Honors Recital

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Department accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Faculty are active musicians and scholars

Training

Concentration for students who want to develop advanced skills as performers or composers

Available for voice, all orchestral and band instruments, piano, guitar, and composition

Instrument-specific audition requirements benchmarked to Carnegie Hall/Royal Conservatory of Music levels 8-10

Culminates in a Senior Recital and career preparation coursework

Performance & Productions

Solo and ensemble performance opportunities every semester

Low-pressure studio recitals, juries, Concerto/Aria competition, and Honors Recital

Key Info

Enrollment Term

These Fall 2027 enrollment dates have passed — dates for the next cycle aren't available yet.

University AppApplication

Apply

Cal State Apply· Only option

Fee

$70

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

How To Apply · humboldt.edu

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

Applied Music Performance Audition Requirements · humboldt.edu

Post-Enrollment Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

No audition is required for the initial application. The optional scholarship review (audition) is separate from the internal audition gate students complete after enrollment.Gateway source

Songs

Voice Audition (18 Min Minimum)

Minimum of 18 minutes of music in at least three different languages

Repertoire categories: German, French, Italian, English, other languages, and Musical Theater

Examples include art songs by Schubert, Faure, Debussy, Poulenc, Copland, and Vaughan Williams

Sight reading and aural skills (Royal Conservatory of Music level 8 equivalent)

Note

Voice is one of many instruments eligible for the Applied Music (Performance) concentration

Full instrument-specific requirements available on the department audition page

Applied Music Performance Audition Requirements · humboldt.edu

Good to Know

Program Requirements

Applied Music students complete a Senior Recital

Capstone course: Career Skills for Performing Artists

Gateway Process

This is an internal post-enrollment audition, not part of the initial university application

Applied Music offers two tracks: Performance and Composition

Maximum of four semesters of upper division studio lessons or composition lessons

Transfer Pathway

The Applied Music concentration publishes a Transfer MAP. Transfer students who are ready may arrange the post-enrollment Applied Music audition before starting at Humboldt; otherwise acceptance is needed by the end of the first semester to stay on the two-year path.

Preview Program · catalog.humboldt.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

All music majors start in the Music Studies concentration; Applied Music requires a separate internal audition after enrollment

Must audition and be accepted by the end of the 4th semester (or 1st semester for transfers) to graduate on time

Students may audition later but will need additional semesters to complete the degree

Audition Expectations

15-minute audition held during finals week each semester

Includes scales and/or technical exercises, sight reading, and solo repertoire appropriate to the student's instrument

Submit application to the Music Program Chair with an academic plan for remaining semesters

Composition Track

Students auditioning for Applied Music in Composition submit a portfolio of compositions

Contact Michael Fabian, head of the composition area

Transfer Students

Transfer students who are prepared to audition before starting classes should contact the department chair to arrange an audition time

Scholarship Info

Departmental Scholarships

Music awards include the Barlow Music Award, Allen Music Scholarship, Music Department Scholarship, and instrument/voice-specific scholarships

Awards are available for piano, brass, voice, woodwind, percussion, string, and composition areas

Incoming and transfer applicants upload two contrasting audio/video examples for music scholarship review; accompaniment is welcome but not required

Application

Apply through the Cal Poly Humboldt Scholarship Website

The published 2026/27 application opened October 1, 2025 and closed January 30, 2026

The next scholarship cycle is not yet published

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.42

Admit rate

98%

school-wide

Grad rate

49%

Enrollment

5.6K

Earnings

$48K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$9,290

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,850

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$29,894

Before aid

Average net price

$13,171

After aid

Attendance Cost · humboldt.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Department accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Faculty are active musicians and scholars

Training

Concentration for students who want to develop advanced skills as performers or composers

Available for voice, all orchestral and band instruments, piano, guitar, and composition

Instrument-specific audition requirements benchmarked to Carnegie Hall/Royal Conservatory of Music levels 8-10

Culminates in a Senior Recital and career preparation coursework

Performance & Productions

Solo and ensemble performance opportunities every semester

Low-pressure studio recitals, juries, Concerto/Aria competition, and Honors Recital

Updated Aug 6, 12:27 AM