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William Paterson University

Wayne, NJ

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BM Performance

Guitar

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited music department with a large applied-music faculty and more than 230 majors.

Training

Guitar students pursue the BM Performance degree through weekly private study that combines right- and left-hand technique, scale work, etude literature, and contrasting concert repertoire.

The classical guitar path emphasizes a broad historical palette, from Baroque and Renaissance works through Romantic and modern selections, while the department's audition guidance points students toward repertoire at the level of Suzuki Guitar School Volume 6 or higher.

Performance & Productions

The department lists a Classical Guitar Ensemble alongside its Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Opera Workshop, and New Music Ensemble.

Guitarists can also use the department's recital settings and the 900-seat Shea Center for Performing Arts as performance contexts.

Location

William Paterson's Wayne campus sits 18 miles from midtown Manhattan, giving classical guitar students access to New York's concert, coaching, and arts communities.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

2.97

Admit rate

90%

school-wide

Grad rate

44%

Enrollment

6.6K

Earnings

$58K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,748

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$27,014

Before aid

Average net price

$18,745

After aid

Tuition And Fees · wpunj.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 16, 4:06 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited music department with a large applied-music faculty and more than 230 majors.

Training

Guitar students pursue the BM Performance degree through weekly private study that combines right- and left-hand technique, scale work, etude literature, and contrasting concert repertoire.

Performance & Productions

The department lists a Classical Guitar Ensemble alongside its Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Opera Workshop, and New Music Ensemble.

Guitarists can also use the department's recital settings and the 900-seat Shea Center for Performing Arts as performance contexts.

Location

William Paterson's Wayne campus sits 18 miles from midtown Manhattan, giving classical guitar students access to New York's concert, coaching, and arts communities.

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited music department with a large applied-music faculty and more than 230 majors.

Training

Guitar students pursue the BM Performance degree through weekly private study that combines right- and left-hand technique, scale work, etude literature, and contrasting concert repertoire.

Performance & Productions

The department lists a Classical Guitar Ensemble alongside its Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Opera Workshop, and New Music Ensemble.

Guitarists can also use the department's recital settings and the 900-seat Shea Center for Performing Arts as performance contexts.

Location

William Paterson's Wayne campus sits 18 miles from midtown Manhattan, giving classical guitar students access to New York's concert, coaching, and arts communities.

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Early ActionDec 1, 2026

Regular DecisionRolling

Requirements And Deadlines · wpunj.edu

Program AppApplication

Auditions

Classical Audition (On-Campus)

Nov 13, 2026Feb 5, 2027Mar 12, 2027Apr 2, 2027

Audition · wpunj.edu

Audition Requirements

Video

Submit a separate ear-training placement recording

On the recording, sing a one-octave major scale and "Happy Birthday"

On the recording, play a C, then E-flat, then A on a keyboard and sing each pitch back

On the recording, play D and F-sharp one at a time and sing them back to back

Use a virtual keyboard for the recording if no instrument is available

Repertoire List

Scales: E, F, G, and D major scales using the Segovia fingerings

Etude: one etude by Sor, Carcassi, Aguado, or equivalent at the level of Carcassi 25 Etudes Op. 60

Prepared repertoire: two contrasting concert pieces of contrasting style, at a level equal to or above Suzuki Guitar School Volume 6

The scales and at least two repertoire selections must be played from memory

Essay

Personal essay of approximately 300 words on personal, artistic, and career goals (Word or PDF)

Repertoire List

Submit a repertoire list of major solo material studied in the past three years (Word or PDF)

Letters of Recommendation

Two references with email addresses, one of whom must be a music educator or studio teacher

Auditionsugcla · wpunj.edu

Good to Know

Application Steps

Apply to the university via Common App or the school website

Complete a separate Music Department application on the My Application Status page

Choose to audition live on campus or by recorded video — the choice does not affect admissions decisions

Virtual applicants submit unlisted YouTube links to the Music Admissions office

Deadlines

April 1 — final deadline for Fall matriculation, including all supplementary materials

November 1 — deadline for Spring matriculation

January 1 — apply by this date for full institutional scholarship consideration

Placement

Admitted students complete an online music theory placement test for course placement only — it does not affect admission

What's The Process

Admission Review

Applicants must be accepted both academically by the university and musically by the Music Department

Submit the Music Department application, essay, repertoire list, and two references at least two weeks before the preferred audition date

Audition Format

Audition live on campus or submit a recorded video — the choice does not affect the admissions decision

On-campus auditions run 10 AM to 2 PM

Recorded auditions are submitted as unlisted YouTube links to the Music Admissions office

Scholarship

Audition by February 28 to be considered for the Tami Cotsakos '71 Music Scholarship

Contact

Musicadmissions@wpunj.edu | 973-720-3466

Scholarship Info

Tami Cotsakos '71 Music Scholarship

Available to New Jersey residents in classical performance, music education, music management, or sound engineering arts

Audition by February 28 to be considered

Merit-Based Awards

Offered at faculty recommendation after admissions decisions are made

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

2.97

Admit rate

90%

school-wide

Grad rate

44%

Enrollment

6.6K

Earnings

$58K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,748

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$27,014

Before aid

Average net price

$18,745

After aid

Tuition And Fees · wpunj.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited music department with a large applied-music faculty and more than 230 majors.

Training

Guitar students pursue the BM Performance degree through weekly private study that combines right- and left-hand technique, scale work, etude literature, and contrasting concert repertoire.

Performance & Productions

The department lists a Classical Guitar Ensemble alongside its Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Opera Workshop, and New Music Ensemble.

Guitarists can also use the department's recital settings and the 900-seat Shea Center for Performing Arts as performance contexts.

Location

William Paterson's Wayne campus sits 18 miles from midtown Manhattan, giving classical guitar students access to New York's concert, coaching, and arts communities.

Updated Sep 16, 4:06 PM