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CUNY Hunter College

New York, NY

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

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Program

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

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BM Music Performance

Jazz Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Training

60-credit BM in Jazz Performance for aspiring professional jazz musicians

18 credits of private lessons (MUSPF 431) with weekly lessons and a required weekly performance class

Combines intensive applied study with music theory, music history, and a broad liberal-arts curriculum

Jury examination each semester to monitor progress; graduation recital required as the capstone

Performance & Ensembles

Jazz combos and performing groups alongside the department's large and chamber ensembles

Six ensemble credits required as part of the degree

Location

Manhattan setting with direct access to New York City's historic and living jazz scene

Faculty drawn from the professional NYC music community

Value

Music Department awards scholarships to outstanding applicants and continuing students

MUSE Scholar Program available for artistically talented incoming freshmen

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

4.00

Admit rate

54%

school-wide

Grad rate

57%

Enrollment

16.3K

Earnings

$63K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$7,382

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$15,332

Before aid

Average net price

$2,984

After aid

Sam Chapter 07 Budgets 2025 26.Pdf · cuny.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 30, 4:50 PM

Program Highlights

Training

60-credit BM in Jazz Performance for aspiring professional jazz musicians

18 credits of private lessons (MUSPF 431) with weekly lessons and a required weekly performance class

Combines intensive applied study with music theory, music history, and a broad liberal-arts curriculum

Jury examination each semester to monitor progress; graduation recital required as the capstone

Performance & Ensembles

Jazz combos and performing groups alongside the department's large and chamber ensembles

Six ensemble credits required as part of the degree

Location

Manhattan setting with direct access to New York City's historic and living jazz scene

Faculty drawn from the professional NYC music community

Value

Music Department awards scholarships to outstanding applicants and continuing students

MUSE Scholar Program available for artistically talented incoming freshmen

Program Highlights

Training

60-credit BM in Jazz Performance for aspiring professional jazz musicians

18 credits of private lessons (MUSPF 431) with weekly lessons and a required weekly performance class

Combines intensive applied study with music theory, music history, and a broad liberal-arts curriculum

Jury examination each semester to monitor progress; graduation recital required as the capstone

Performance & Ensembles

Jazz combos and performing groups alongside the department's large and chamber ensembles

Six ensemble credits required as part of the degree

Location

Manhattan setting with direct access to New York City's historic and living jazz scene

Faculty drawn from the professional NYC music community

Value

Music Department awards scholarships to outstanding applicants and continuing students

MUSE Scholar Program available for artistically talented incoming freshmen

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

$65

Deadline

Macaulay Honors Early Decision DeadlineOct 26, 2026

Honors Scholar Program DeadlineMacaulay Honors Regular Application DeadlineNov 16, 2026

Macaulay Honors Supporting Documents DeadlineNov 30, 2026

International Application DeadlineDec 1, 2026

International Supporting Documents DeadlineDec 15, 2026

Priority DeadlineFeb 1, 2027

Regular DecisionRolling

Freshman · hunter.cuny.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. This is an internal program gate students complete after enrolling at the university.Gateway source

Repertoire List

Prepare three selections in varying styles on your principal instrument or voice; at least one must be fully or mostly notated

Bring a repertoire list for each juror; do not bring copies of the music

Include your current private teacher's name and affiliation on the repertoire list, if applicable

The audition panel will ask to hear selected portions of your prepared works

Accompaniment

Students must provide their own accompanist

Accompanist names are available from the Director of Performance on request

Bmus Performance Audition Information.Pdf · music.hunter.cuny.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to Hunter College via the CUNY Application

No separate program portal — register for the audition via the Music Department Audition and Entrance Exam Registration Form

Students accepted into BM Music Performance must enroll and begin private lessons (MUSPF 431) within 12 months of the audition date

Entrance Examinations

Before declaring a music major, students take three exams: music notation/theory & basic aural-keyboard skills, elementary music history & literature, and the performance audition

All music majors must also pass a Piano Proficiency Examination by the end of the semester in which they take MUSTH 221 — for graduation, not admission

Theory, history, and keyboard exams are for course placement and major declaration, not a post-enrollment performance gate

Enrollment

Must take private lessons every semester without interruption until the graduation recital

Students who fail to register for lessons without prior permission will be withdrawn from the program

Students not admitted to the BM may enroll in the 42-credit BA Music program and, with approval, repeat the BM audition in a later semester

Transfer Pathway

Hunter says BM candidates should normally audition before entering, but students who cannot do so may begin as 42-credit BA Music majors and transfer into the 60-credit BM after passing the performance audition the following semester.

Undergraduate Admissions · music.hunter.cuny.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Students must first be admitted to Hunter College via the CUNY Application before declaring a music major

Admission to the 60-credit BM Music Performance program is conditional on passing a performance audition demonstrating a high level of skill

Students should normally audition before entering Hunter; students unable to do so may begin as 42-credit BA Music majors and transfer after passing the audition in a later semester

Maximum of two BM audition attempts allowed

Auditions are usually held two to three times each semester — fall for spring admission, spring for fall admission

Contact Prof. Geoffrey Burleson, Acting Director of Performance Studies, to discuss alternatives if travel to New York City is impossible

Audition Expectations

Approximately 15 minutes with a panel of two to three Music Department faculty

Keyboard and aural skills, including sight-singing, are tested during the audition

Memorization is recommended but not required

Formal attire expected

Scholarship Info

Music Department Scholarships

Limited number of generous scholarships awarded to outstanding applicants

No separate application required — all students automatically considered

Awards given to both incoming and returning students

Muse Scholar Program

Four-year scholarship for artistically talented and academically strong incoming freshmen

Separate application required through the MUSE Scholar Program portal

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

4.00

Admit rate

54%

school-wide

Grad rate

57%

Enrollment

16.3K

Earnings

$63K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$7,382

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$15,332

Before aid

Average net price

$2,984

After aid

Sam Chapter 07 Budgets 2025 26.Pdf · cuny.edu College Scorecard

Training

60-credit BM in Jazz Performance for aspiring professional jazz musicians

18 credits of private lessons (MUSPF 431) with weekly lessons and a required weekly performance class

Combines intensive applied study with music theory, music history, and a broad liberal-arts curriculum

Jury examination each semester to monitor progress; graduation recital required as the capstone

Performance & Ensembles

Jazz combos and performing groups alongside the department's large and chamber ensembles

Six ensemble credits required as part of the degree

Location

Manhattan setting with direct access to New York City's historic and living jazz scene

Faculty drawn from the professional NYC music community

Value

Music Department awards scholarships to outstanding applicants and continuing students

MUSE Scholar Program available for artistically talented incoming freshmen

Updated Aug 30, 4:50 PM