Public school21K

The University of Texas - El Paso

El Paso, TX

HSITest-OptionalGreek LifeLGBTQ+

Start free

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Study Abroad

Browse programs

Theatre

Dance

Music performance

Music education

Music technology

Composition & music studies

Quick links

BM Commercial Music

Commercial Music

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Study Abroad

Training

Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music in a NASM-accredited department

Performance across genres plus arranging, composition, music technology, and music business coursework

Commercial Piano and Improvisation sequences; senior recital

Performance & Productions

Commercial Music Ensemble and Mariachi los Mineros

State-of-the-art recording studio for hands-on engineering and recording experience

Performances in the Fox Fine Arts Center venues

Location

Located in El Paso on the US-Mexico border at a leading Hispanic-Serving Institution

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.35

Admit rate

100%

school-wide

Grad rate

50%

Enrollment

21K

Earnings

$51K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$8,800

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$22,000

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$24,800

Before aid

Average net price

$9,403

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · utep.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 6d ago

Program Highlights

Training

Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music in a NASM-accredited department

Performance across genres plus arranging, composition, music technology, and music business coursework

Commercial Piano and Improvisation sequences; senior recital

Performance & Productions

Commercial Music Ensemble and Mariachi los Mineros

State-of-the-art recording studio for hands-on engineering and recording experience

Performances in the Fox Fine Arts Center venues

Location

Located in El Paso on the US-Mexico border at a leading Hispanic-Serving Institution

Program Highlights

Training

Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music in a NASM-accredited department

Performance across genres plus arranging, composition, music technology, and music business coursework

Commercial Piano and Improvisation sequences; senior recital

Performance & Productions

Commercial Music Ensemble and Mariachi los Mineros

State-of-the-art recording studio for hands-on engineering and recording experience

Performances in the Fox Fine Arts Center venues

Location

Located in El Paso on the US-Mexico border at a leading Hispanic-Serving Institution

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

ApplyTexas Common App

Deadline

Priority (Fall)May 1, 2027

Regular DecisionRolling

Application Dates Fees · catalog.utep.edu

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 List

Prepared audition repertoire on your principal instrument or voice

Commercial guitar technical requirements: two-octave major scales (G and C, third position), pentatonic scales (E minor, G major), root-position triads and barre chords, intermediate fingerstyle and flat-picking technique, Study #1 from Melodic Rhythms for Guitar, and Study 3 (Giuliani Op. 50 No. 1)

Voice prepared repertoire: two memorized songs with piano accompaniment (one art song or aria in English, Spanish, Italian, French, or German, plus one additional song)

Other instrumental prepared repertoire uses that area's audition requirements (Strings, Piano, Woodwinds and Brass, Percussion)

Scales & Technique

Scales may be requested; sight-read if asked by area faculty

Music Scholarship Auditions · utep.edu

Good to Know

Program Requirements

UTEP Department of Music is a National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredited institution

Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music prepares students to perform, arrange, and compose across genres, use 21st-century music technology, and understand the music business

Curriculum includes Improvisation, Commercial Arranging/Analysis/Composition, Music Technology, Intro to Recording Studio, and Intro to Music Business

Students must place into MUSA 1195 Individual Instruction by audition

Admitted students take a Theory Advancement Test for course placement only — not for admission

Admission

Apply to UTEP through Common App or ApplyTexas

Complete university admission and scholarship application prior to auditioning (recommended)

Contact

Music Department: Music@utep.edu | (915) 747-5606

What's The Process

Audition Process

Perform an admission audition on your principal instrument or voice for studio placement and scholarship consideration

Audition days: Saturday, February 21, 2026 and Monday, March 23, 2026; check in at the Fox Fine Arts Music Building, first floor

Percussion commercial-music applicants may focus in drum-set, jazz mallets, and Latin percussion after passing into upper-division studies

Contact the area coordinator for your principal instrument (Commercial Guitar: stmahoney@utep.edu), or Music@utep.edu

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

Auditions serve for both acceptance into the program and scholarship consideration

All prospective music majors should audition

Must be accepted to the university and complete scholarship application prior to receiving funds

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.35

Admit rate

100%

school-wide

Grad rate

50%

Enrollment

21K

Earnings

$51K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$8,800

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$22,000

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$24,800

Before aid

Average net price

$9,403

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · utep.edu College Scorecard

Training

Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music in a NASM-accredited department

Performance across genres plus arranging, composition, music technology, and music business coursework

Commercial Piano and Improvisation sequences; senior recital

Performance & Productions

Commercial Music Ensemble and Mariachi los Mineros

State-of-the-art recording studio for hands-on engineering and recording experience

Performances in the Fox Fine Arts Center venues

Location

Located in El Paso on the US-Mexico border at a leading Hispanic-Serving Institution

Updated 6d ago