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California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BA Music

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Training

•Cal Poly's signature hands-on philosophy — perform, compose, and create from day one

•Private lessons included at no extra cost with experienced faculty mentors

•Senior capstone project tailored to individual interests

Performance & Productions

•Major ensembles: symphony orchestra, wind orchestra/ensemble, jazz big band, choir, electronic music ensemble, vocal jazz, and Arab music ensemble

•Annual solo competition for a chance to perform with the Cal Poly Symphony

•Student Opera Theatre production and annual Bach Week festival

•Faculty-coached chamber groups and student-formed ensembles

Notable Alumni

•Corrie Stallings ('09) — mezzo-soprano

•Kristen Choi ('09) — mezzo-soprano

•Anna Binneweg ('98) — conductor

•Mark Miller ('07) — trombonist and educator

•Mike Leopold ('96) — lute and theorbo

Degree Flexibility

•Seven areas of focus: Composition, Jazz, Music Education, Music History, Ethnomusicology, Performance, and Music Technology

•Flexible elective system lets students concentrate in a particular area or combine music with other subjects

School Info

Snapshot

4.12

Avg GPA (W)

31%

Admit Rate

school-wide

86%

Grad Rate

22K

Enrollment

$91K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$14,682

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$37,616

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$40,304

Before aid

Average Net Price

$16,665

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 5d ago

Program Highlights

Training

•Cal Poly's signature hands-on philosophy — perform, compose, and create from day one

•Private lessons included at no extra cost with experienced faculty mentors

•Senior capstone project tailored to individual interests

Performance & Productions

•Major ensembles: symphony orchestra, wind orchestra/ensemble, jazz big band, choir, electronic music ensemble, vocal jazz, and Arab music ensemble

•Annual solo competition for a chance to perform with the Cal Poly Symphony

•Student Opera Theatre production and annual Bach Week festival

•Faculty-coached chamber groups and student-formed ensembles

Notable Alumni

•Corrie Stallings ('09) — mezzo-soprano

•Kristen Choi ('09) — mezzo-soprano

•Anna Binneweg ('98) — conductor

•Mark Miller ('07) — trombonist and educator

•Mike Leopold ('96) — lute and theorbo

Degree Flexibility

•Seven areas of focus: Composition, Jazz, Music Education, Music History, Ethnomusicology, Performance, and Music Technology

•Flexible elective system lets students concentrate in a particular area or combine music with other subjects

Program Highlights

Training

•Cal Poly's signature hands-on philosophy — perform, compose, and create from day one

•Private lessons included at no extra cost with experienced faculty mentors

•Senior capstone project tailored to individual interests

Performance & Productions

•Major ensembles: symphony orchestra, wind orchestra/ensemble, jazz big band, choir, electronic music ensemble, vocal jazz, and Arab music ensemble

•Annual solo competition for a chance to perform with the Cal Poly Symphony

•Student Opera Theatre production and annual Bach Week festival

•Faculty-coached chamber groups and student-formed ensembles

Notable Alumni

•Corrie Stallings ('09) — mezzo-soprano

•Kristen Choi ('09) — mezzo-soprano

•Anna Binneweg ('98) — conductor

•Mark Miller ('07) — trombonist and educator

•Mike Leopold ('96) — lute and theorbo

Degree Flexibility

•Seven areas of focus: Composition, Jazz, Music Education, Music History, Ethnomusicology, Performance, and Music Technology

•Flexible elective system lets students concentrate in a particular area or combine music with other subjects

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

www2.calstate.edu

Fee

$70

Deadline

Regular DecisionDec 1, 2026

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Cycle

Next cycle TBA

Apply

School Website

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.

Songs

Requirements

•Two Contrasting PIECES, 8 min max total

•Prepare two pieces of a contrasting nature (e.g., one fast, one slow)

•Vocal and instrumental applicants perform on their primary instrument or voice

•If music is notated, submit scores as PDFs by the Jan 31 deadline

-Lead sheets and fake book charts acceptable for jazz pieces

Composition / Music Technology Applicants

•Two contrasting pieces, 8 min combined maximum

•Clearly indicate your role — composer, performer, or producer

•Piece One: original composition or performance of existing work on primary instrument/voice

•Piece Two: live performance of original composition or stereo audio file

•If creating notated scores is part of your practice, at least one submission should include a score

Accompaniment

•Piano accompaniment available free of charge from department staff accompanist

-Upload PDF piano scores by the deadline

•Jazz pieces: bring your own rhythm-section recording, bring notated piano part, or play unaccompanied

•Virtual auditions: any accompaniment or backing ensemble acceptable

Additional Materials

Sheet Music

•Sheet music is required if audition music is notated

•Upload PDF sheet music for all audition pieces by the Jan. 31 supplementary materials deadline

-Lead sheet music and fake book charts are acceptable for jazz pieces

-PDF piano sheet music is required if using the department staff pianist

Letters of Recommendation

•Recommendation letters are strongly recommended, but not required

•Recommendation letters may be uploaded directly via the Application Status Portal, or sent by mail/email to music@calpoly.edu

•Recommendation template available on the Music Department application page

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Two-step process: Cal State Apply first, then Music Department Supplementary Application

•Cal State Apply deadline: Dec 1, 2025

•Supplementary Application and all materials due Jan 31, 2026 via Application Status Portal

•Complete the Supplementary Application via Cal Poly Application Status Portal

•Indicate audition preference (in-person or video) in the audition survey

•Conditional acceptance notification by April 1, 2026

•Check Application Status Portal and email frequently

Eligibility

•Fall enrollment only

•Transfer students take theory, musicianship, and piano placement exams prior to fall registration

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•In-person audition strongly preferred — held on campus in San Luis Obispo

•Video audition accepted if unable to attend in person

•Note video preference in the Supplementary Application

•Plan to spend a few hours on campus

•Morning auditions: 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

•Afternoon auditions: 12:00 - 4:00 PM

•Includes brief interview and musicianship assessment

•Opportunities to meet faculty, students, and explore campus

•Upload video audition via Application Status Portal

•Includes short video musicianship assessment

•Study fundamentals of music theory and notation before the assessment

•Recommended resources: teoria.com and musictheory.net

Contact

•Music Department: 805-756-2406 or music@calpoly.edu

Scholarship Info

Music Department Scholarships

•$500-$2,400/year for new and continuing music majors

•Awarded by faculty Scholarship Committee based on musical talent and/or academic achievement

•Financial need considered for some scholarships

•Separate scholarship audition required — two contrasting pieces, 8-10 min total

•Must maintain 3.0 GPA in music and fulfill concert attendance requirement

•Must be enrolled full-time with at least 6 units of music classes

•Over 30 named scholarships covering voice, piano, strings, winds, brass, percussion, jazz, composition, and music technology

School Info

Snapshot

4.12

Avg GPA (W)

31%

Admit Rate

school-wide

86%

Grad Rate

22K

Enrollment

$91K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$14,682

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$37,616

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$40,304

Before aid

Average Net Price

$16,665

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•Cal Poly's signature hands-on philosophy — perform, compose, and create from day one

•Private lessons included at no extra cost with experienced faculty mentors

•Senior capstone project tailored to individual interests

Performance & Productions

•Major ensembles: symphony orchestra, wind orchestra/ensemble, jazz big band, choir, electronic music ensemble, vocal jazz, and Arab music ensemble

•Annual solo competition for a chance to perform with the Cal Poly Symphony

•Student Opera Theatre production and annual Bach Week festival

•Faculty-coached chamber groups and student-formed ensembles

Notable Alumni

•Corrie Stallings ('09) — mezzo-soprano

•Kristen Choi ('09) — mezzo-soprano

•Anna Binneweg ('98) — conductor

•Mark Miller ('07) — trombonist and educator

•Mike Leopold ('96) — lute and theorbo

Degree Flexibility

•Seven areas of focus: Composition, Jazz, Music Education, Music History, Ethnomusicology, Performance, and Music Technology

•Flexible elective system lets students concentrate in a particular area or combine music with other subjects

Updated 5d ago