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Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick links

BM Performance

Jazz Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Training

Jazz Studies option within the BM Performance concentration, balancing performance with jazz history, theory, improvisation, pedagogy, and composition/arranging

Specialist faculty including Wil Swindler (Coordinator of Jazz Studies, Director of Jazz Bands), Peter Sommer (saxophone), Gabriel Mervine (trumpet), and Darren Kramer (trombone)

Performance & Productions

Two large jazz ensembles and two small combos covering classic and contemporary jazz literature

Masterclasses with visiting artists including John Fedchock, John Riley, Walt Weiskopf, and Nguyen Le

Faculty active on the national scene — Wil Swindler's Elevenet performed at the 2023 Jazz Education Network Conference

Facilities

University Center for the Arts (UCA), home to Griffin Concert Hall and dedicated rehearsal spaces

Location

Fort Collins, an hour north of Denver's active jazz and music scene

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

Cost Of Attendance · thehub.colostate.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Jul 26, 7:44 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Training

Jazz Studies option within the BM Performance concentration, balancing performance with jazz history, theory, improvisation, pedagogy, and composition/arranging

Specialist faculty including Wil Swindler (Coordinator of Jazz Studies, Director of Jazz Bands), Peter Sommer (saxophone), Gabriel Mervine (trumpet), and Darren Kramer (trombone)

Performance & Productions

Two large jazz ensembles and two small combos covering classic and contemporary jazz literature

Masterclasses with visiting artists including John Fedchock, John Riley, Walt Weiskopf, and Nguyen Le

Faculty active on the national scene — Wil Swindler's Elevenet performed at the 2023 Jazz Education Network Conference

Facilities

University Center for the Arts (UCA), home to Griffin Concert Hall and dedicated rehearsal spaces

Location

Fort Collins, an hour north of Denver's active jazz and music scene

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Training

Jazz Studies option within the BM Performance concentration, balancing performance with jazz history, theory, improvisation, pedagogy, and composition/arranging

Specialist faculty including Wil Swindler (Coordinator of Jazz Studies, Director of Jazz Bands), Peter Sommer (saxophone), Gabriel Mervine (trumpet), and Darren Kramer (trombone)

Performance & Productions

Two large jazz ensembles and two small combos covering classic and contemporary jazz literature

Masterclasses with visiting artists including John Fedchock, John Riley, Walt Weiskopf, and Nguyen Le

Faculty active on the national scene — Wil Swindler's Elevenet performed at the 2023 Jazz Education Network Conference

Facilities

University Center for the Arts (UCA), home to Griffin Concert Hall and dedicated rehearsal spaces

Location

Fort Collins, an hour north of Denver's active jazz and music scene

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

Freshmen · admissions.colostate.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Auditions

Fall 2027 Music Audition

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

Undergrad Apply · music.colostate.edu

Audition Requirements

Repertoire List

Two prepared jazz standards and/or classic selections of your choice, including melody and improvisation

Pianists: also prepare comping selections on the chord progressions

Bassists: prepare walking bass-line selections in the appropriate style

Drummers: prepare selections in multiple jazz styles — swing, bossa nova, samba, ballad, funk, rock, and 3/4 time — plus blues and AABA form

Artistic Resume

List performances, ensembles, solos, competitions, awards, and teachers

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

References

Provide names and email addresses of two references

Undergrad Apply · music.colostate.edu

Verified 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

Jazz Areas

Saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, double bass, and percussion

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

Audition Process

Submit the music audition application via Acceptd

10–15 minute playing audition and interview with an applied music faculty panel

Choose in-person or virtual (Zoom)

Sight-reading is included in all jazz auditions

Accompaniment will be provided, or you may provide your own audio track

Virtual Option

Upload an approximately ten-minute audition video via Acceptd, then schedule a Zoom interview

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

Cost Of Attendance · thehub.colostate.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Training

Jazz Studies option within the BM Performance concentration, balancing performance with jazz history, theory, improvisation, pedagogy, and composition/arranging

Specialist faculty including Wil Swindler (Coordinator of Jazz Studies, Director of Jazz Bands), Peter Sommer (saxophone), Gabriel Mervine (trumpet), and Darren Kramer (trombone)

Performance & Productions

Two large jazz ensembles and two small combos covering classic and contemporary jazz literature

Masterclasses with visiting artists including John Fedchock, John Riley, Walt Weiskopf, and Nguyen Le

Faculty active on the national scene — Wil Swindler's Elevenet performed at the 2023 Jazz Education Network Conference

Facilities

University Center for the Arts (UCA), home to Griffin Concert Hall and dedicated rehearsal spaces

Location

Fort Collins, an hour north of Denver's active jazz and music scene

Updated Jul 26, 7:44 PM