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Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BM Composition

Composition

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInternal InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Training

•Six semesters of applied composition lessons with James M. David, internationally recognized composer known for wind and percussion works

•Specialized coursework in arranging, orchestration, electronic music production, and music analysis, plus applied lessons on a primary instrument or voice

•Culminates in a student composition recital and a senior thesis — a major work for orchestra or large ensemble

•Prepares students to write symphonic, chamber, electronic, and media music

Facilities

•Music Composition Laboratory inside the University Center for the Arts, with 24-hour secure access exclusively for composition students

•Pro Tools HD, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live Suite, Max/MSP, Finale, Sibelius, and East-West and Tapspace sample libraries, plus score-printing and binding equipment

School Info

Snapshot

3.69

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

25.5K

Enrollment

$61K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$13,774

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$36,113

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$35,722

Before aid

Average Net Price

$21,279

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated Jul 26, 7:44 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Training

•Six semesters of applied composition lessons with James M. David, internationally recognized composer known for wind and percussion works

•Specialized coursework in arranging, orchestration, electronic music production, and music analysis, plus applied lessons on a primary instrument or voice

•Culminates in a student composition recital and a senior thesis — a major work for orchestra or large ensemble

•Prepares students to write symphonic, chamber, electronic, and media music

Facilities

•Music Composition Laboratory inside the University Center for the Arts, with 24-hour secure access exclusively for composition students

•Pro Tools HD, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live Suite, Max/MSP, Finale, Sibelius, and East-West and Tapspace sample libraries, plus score-printing and binding equipment

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Training

•Six semesters of applied composition lessons with James M. David, internationally recognized composer known for wind and percussion works

•Specialized coursework in arranging, orchestration, electronic music production, and music analysis, plus applied lessons on a primary instrument or voice

•Culminates in a student composition recital and a senior thesis — a major work for orchestra or large ensemble

•Prepares students to write symphonic, chamber, electronic, and media music

Facilities

•Music Composition Laboratory inside the University Center for the Arts, with 24-hour secure access exclusively for composition students

•Pro Tools HD, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live Suite, Max/MSP, Finale, Sibelius, and East-West and Tapspace sample libraries, plus score-printing and binding equipment

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

$65

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

Deadline

Fall 2027 First-Year Early Action DeadlineNov 15, 2026

Fall 2027 First-Year Regular Decision DeadlineJan 15, 2027

Fall 2027 Final First-Year Application DeadlineJul 15, 2027

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Auditions

Fall 2027 Music Audition

Jan 23, 2027Feb 13, 15 & 20, 2027

Official Source

Audition Requirements

This program has a required admission audition/interview and a separate internal interview gate after enrollment. The gateway source documents the post-enrollment gate; admission requirement details may be separate.Gateway source

Portfolio / Creative Sample

•At least two scores of original compositions only — examples of your strongest work — composed within the past five years

•Each score demonstrates process alongside your general musical knowledge and background in composition

Artistic Resume

•List performances, ensembles, awards, and teachers

•Include a statement of purpose about your interest in studying composition at CSU

References

•Provide names and email addresses of two references

Official SourceVerified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Submit audition materials via Acceptd

•Apply to CSU separately through the Office of Admissions (Common App or CSU application)

•You may audition/interview concurrent with the university application

•Time slots fill quickly — complete registration at least two days before your audition date

Program Requirements

•Admitted students take a short online music theory diagnostic exam for course placement only — not used in the admission decision

Contact

•SMTD@colostate.edu

What's The Process

Admission to Music

•Submit the music audition application via Acceptd

•Prospective composers audition at the Bachelor of Arts level on their primary instrument or voice for admission to the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

•10–15 minute playing audition and interview with an applied music faculty panel; choose in-person or virtual (Zoom)

Declaring the Composition Concentration

•Complete an entrance interview with the composition faculty during the spring semester of the first year

•Admission to the concentration is based on the quality of submitted scores, general musical knowledge and background in composition, and success in first-year music courses

Decisions

•Acceptance and scholarship notifications released on a rolling basis

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

•Merit scholarships awarded based on audition/interview results and the Acceptd application

•No separate audition or review for scholarships

•Scholarship notifications sent by email by March 18

•Accept scholarship offer by May 1

•Awards are primarily funded through applied instrument/voice studios

School Info

Snapshot

3.69

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

67%

Grad Rate

25.5K

Enrollment

$61K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$13,774

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$36,113

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$35,722

Before aid

Average Net Price

$21,279

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Training

•Six semesters of applied composition lessons with James M. David, internationally recognized composer known for wind and percussion works

•Specialized coursework in arranging, orchestration, electronic music production, and music analysis, plus applied lessons on a primary instrument or voice

•Culminates in a student composition recital and a senior thesis — a major work for orchestra or large ensemble

•Prepares students to write symphonic, chamber, electronic, and media music

Facilities

•Music Composition Laboratory inside the University Center for the Arts, with 24-hour secure access exclusively for composition students

•Pro Tools HD, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live Suite, Max/MSP, Finale, Sibelius, and East-West and Tapspace sample libraries, plus score-printing and binding equipment

Updated Jul 26, 7:44 PM