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California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA

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Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

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BA Music

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

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, wind 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

Avg GPA (W)

4.12

Admit rate

31%

school-wide

Grad rate

86%

Enrollment

22K

Earnings

$91K

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

Undergraduate Costs Attendance 2026 2027 · calpoly.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 19h 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, wind 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, wind 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

Cal State Apply· Only option

Fee

$70

Opens

Oct 1, 2026

Deadline

Fall 2027 Application DeadlineNov 30, 2026

Application Dates Deadlines · calstate.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Deadline

Music Supplementary Application — Transfer ApplicantsSupplementary ApplicationJan 31, 2027

Auditions

On-campus audition day 1Feb 27, 2027

On-campus audition day 2Feb 28, 2027

OR — Recorded Video Audition

Video audition submission deadlineJan 31, 2027

How To Apply · calpoly.edu 2027 · music.calpoly.edu

Audition Requirements

Songs

Requirements

Two contrasting pieces, 8 minutes maximum 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

Composition / Music Technology Applicants

Two contrasting pieces, 8 minutes maximum total

Clearly indicate your role — composer, performer, or producer

Piece one: original composition or performance of existing work on primary instrument or voice

Piece two: live performance of an 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

2027 · music.calpoly.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Two-step process: submit the Cal State Apply application, then complete the required Music Department supplementary application via the Cal Poly Application Status Portal

For Fall 2027, Cal State Apply submission opens October 1, 2026 and closes November 30, 2026; late applications are not accepted

Transfer applicants: the Music Department supplementary application is due January 31, 2027

Indicate your audition preference in the audition survey; in-person auditions are preferred, and virtual video auditions are available when needed

Admission decisions are issued by April 1; check the Application Status Portal and email regularly

Eligibility

Fall enrollment only

Accepted transfer students take theory, musicianship, and piano placement exams before fall registration

Transfer Pathway

BA Music is listed in Cal Poly's Associate Degree for Transfer pathways for Fall 2026 admission and beyond. Eligible AA-T/AS-T completers receive priority admission and junior standing when they meet the prescribed requirements; accepted Music transfers still complete theory, musicianship, and piano placement exams before fall registration.

Cal Poly Associate Degree Transfer · academicprograms.calpoly.edu

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

Plan to spend up to four hours on campus

Morning auditions: arrive 60 minutes before your audition

Afternoon auditions: arrive by 11 a.m.

Includes brief interview and musicianship assessment

Opportunities to meet faculty, students, and explore campus

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

Avg GPA (W)

4.12

Admit rate

31%

school-wide

Grad rate

86%

Enrollment

22K

Earnings

$91K

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

Undergraduate Costs Attendance 2026 2027 · calpoly.edu 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, wind 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 19h ago