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Portland State University

Portland, OR

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BA/BS Music Performance

Brass

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

•All-Steinway School designation

•PSU is a nationally recognized College of Distinction

Training

•Individualized one-on-one applied lessons with dedicated faculty mentors in the Brass area

•The 180-credit BA/BS places Brass performance within a broad liberal-arts framework

•Individual applied lessons and large-ensemble participation culminate in a recital

•Recent graduates accepted to Eastman, Indiana University, CCM, Northwestern, and Cleveland Institute; alumni perform with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, and Oregon Ballet Theater Orchestra

•Brass players combine band or orchestra participation with chamber or brass-specific ensembles.

•Trumpeter Dave Bamonte coordinates the brass area, conducts brass ensembles, and teaches brass pedagogy.

Location

•Located in the heart of Portland's performing arts district, steps from the Oregon Symphony

•Supportive, non-competitive community atmosphere

•Weekly studio classes for peer performance and feedback

School Info

Snapshot

3.37

Avg GPA (W)

91%

Admit Rate

school-wide

53%

Grad Rate

13.2K

Enrollment

$58K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$12,999

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$34,599

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$32,199

Before aid

Average Net Price

$9,552

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

•All-Steinway School designation

•PSU is a nationally recognized College of Distinction

Training

•Individualized one-on-one applied lessons with dedicated faculty mentors in the Brass area

•The 180-credit BA/BS places Brass performance within a broad liberal-arts framework

•Individual applied lessons and large-ensemble participation culminate in a recital

•Recent graduates accepted to Eastman, Indiana University, CCM, Northwestern, and Cleveland Institute; alumni perform with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, and Oregon Ballet Theater Orchestra

•Brass players combine band or orchestra participation with chamber or brass-specific ensembles.

•Trumpeter Dave Bamonte coordinates the brass area, conducts brass ensembles, and teaches brass pedagogy.

Location

•Located in the heart of Portland's performing arts district, steps from the Oregon Symphony

•Supportive, non-competitive community atmosphere

•Weekly studio classes for peer performance and feedback

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

•All-Steinway School designation

•PSU is a nationally recognized College of Distinction

Training

•Individualized one-on-one applied lessons with dedicated faculty mentors in the Brass area

•The 180-credit BA/BS places Brass performance within a broad liberal-arts framework

•Individual applied lessons and large-ensemble participation culminate in a recital

•Recent graduates accepted to Eastman, Indiana University, CCM, Northwestern, and Cleveland Institute; alumni perform with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, and Oregon Ballet Theater Orchestra

•Brass players combine band or orchestra participation with chamber or brass-specific ensembles.

•Trumpeter Dave Bamonte coordinates the brass area, conducts brass ensembles, and teaches brass pedagogy.

Location

•Located in the heart of Portland's performing arts district, steps from the Oregon Symphony

•Supportive, non-competitive community atmosphere

•Weekly studio classes for peer performance and feedback

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App Coalition App

Fee

$60

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

Deadline

Fall 2027 Priority DeadlineMar 1, 2027

First-year applicants

Fall 2027 First-Year Application DeadlineAug 1, 2027

Transfer applicants

Fall 2027 Transfer Application DeadlineSep 1, 2027

Deadlines · pdx.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The audition may be submitted before the university application.

Apply

Acceptd

Fee

$35

View · drive.google.com

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.

Repertoire

•Two contrasting solo movements or etudes (one slow and lyrical, one faster and more technical)

•Selections should be suitable for performance at the State Solo Contest level

•Accompaniment is preferred but not required; memorization is not required

Scales & Technique

•All major scales from memory, two octaves where possible

View · drive.google.com

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply to PSU via Common App or school website

•Submit a secondary application to the School of Music & Theater via Acceptd

•Rolling admission — students can apply at any time up until the start of first term

•Submit all materials and audition by Audition Weekend (February) for first-round scholarship consideration

•Music theory and aural-skills placement may be assessed at orientation for course placement only — it does not affect admission

Transfer Pathway

PSU publishes a Music Transfer Advising Guide with direct core-music course equivalencies from five regional community colleges. BA/BS Music Performance transfer students should coordinate early with the relevant area adviser because music courses are sequential and entrance-audition or studio placement affects the degree plan.

Music Transfer Guide · pdx.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Upload a recorded audition (video preferred) with the School of Music & Theater application, or request an in-person audition

•Applicants requesting an in-person audition are scheduled for the next quarterly audition round after submitting a complete School of Music & Theater application

•Attend Audition Weekend in person for first-round scholarship consideration (February 7-8, 2026)

•Applicants are not admitted to the School of Music & Theater until they pass the entrance audition

Audition Expectations

•Sight-read one or two short melodies in common or compound meter

Contact

•Brass Area Coordinator: Dave Bamonte (bamonted@pdx.edu)

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

•Over 150 music scholarships totaling more than $400,000

•Awards range from $1,500 to full tuition

•Available for both in-state and out-of-state music majors

•Students accepted to the School of Music & Theater are automatically considered

Scholarship Timeline

•Must submit all application materials and audition by Audition Weekend (or earlier) for first-round awards

•Complete FAFSA and PSU Scholarship Universe application

School Info

Snapshot

3.37

Avg GPA (W)

91%

Admit Rate

school-wide

53%

Grad Rate

13.2K

Enrollment

$58K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$12,999

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$34,599

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$32,199

Before aid

Average Net Price

$9,552

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

•All-Steinway School designation

•PSU is a nationally recognized College of Distinction

Training

•Individualized one-on-one applied lessons with dedicated faculty mentors in the Brass area

•The 180-credit BA/BS places Brass performance within a broad liberal-arts framework

•Individual applied lessons and large-ensemble participation culminate in a recital

•Recent graduates accepted to Eastman, Indiana University, CCM, Northwestern, and Cleveland Institute; alumni perform with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, and Oregon Ballet Theater Orchestra

•Brass players combine band or orchestra participation with chamber or brass-specific ensembles.

•Trumpeter Dave Bamonte coordinates the brass area, conducts brass ensembles, and teaches brass pedagogy.

Location

•Located in the heart of Portland's performing arts district, steps from the Oregon Symphony

•Supportive, non-competitive community atmosphere

•Weekly studio classes for peer performance and feedback

Updated 1d ago