Undergraduate Audition and Admission Information

The Department of Music at Cleveland State University prepares students for careers in performance, composition, music education and music therapy. The Department is a leader in composition, supporting a resource center for composers and the Cleveland Contemporary Players. The Department’s strength is in preparing students to become teachers, world class performers, licensed music therapists and prominent composers.

All students study with a world-class faculty that includes members of the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Opera Orchestra, the Akron and Canton Symphonies as well as many other regional and local professional organizations. Students have the opportunity to hear hundreds of concerts and recitals each year both on and off campus. Our state-of-the-art music building includes a large concert and recital hall, three large rehearsal rooms, a professional recording studio, an instructional computer lab, a Yamaha piano lab and two digital composition studios.

Our location in Downtown Cleveland provides easy access to Severance Hall, Playhouse Square, museums, art galleries and other performance venues.

Cleveland State University music graduates hold positions in prominent professional ensembles, as teachers in public schools, registered music therapists at the Ireland Cancer Center at University Hospitals and the Beck Center for the Arts, among many other institutions. Others own their own music businesses, or teach in colleges and universities across the country. Many students have been admitted to some of the most prestigious music graduate programs in the United States. Since 1977, the Department of Music has been an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. In 2008 the music therapy degree was approved by the American Music Therapy Association.

The Department of Music offers the Bachelor of Music Degree with concentrations in performance, composition, music education and music therapy and the Bachelor of Arts degree in music for those students seeking a broader liberal arts background. All undergraduate Bachelor of Music students have the same music core requirements in the first two years along with University General Education Requirements. Each concentration has its own unique requirements. All degrees are designed to be completed in four years. However, music therapy majors must complete a six-month internship in an approved facility following the completion of degree study and before taking the examination that leads to becoming a registered music therapist.

Applying to the University and Department of Music

In order to pursue a degree in music Prospective High School Seniors and Transfer Students must apply and be admitted to Cleveland State University. Information on University admissions requirements, financial aid, and other general information may be obtained form the Cleveland State Admissions Office or log on to www.csuohio.edu/admissions. Freshman applicants and junior transfer students with exceptional academic records should consider applying for the Cleveland State University Honors Program Scholarship, the Presidential Scholars, Dean’s Scholarships or any of the University’s other generous merit-based awards.

Audition For Department of Music

Once your completed application for admission to the University has been received, you should schedule am on-campus audition on your primary instrument. Please complete and submit the Undergraduate Audition Application for the Department of Music. In-State audition dates are posted on the Undergraduate Application as well as this page. Applications may be submitted on-line or mailed to Kate Bill, Student Recruiter/Enrollment Administrator - 2121 Euclid Avenue MU 330 - Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2214. You will be notified within two days as to your time and date. *Note: it is best to schedule as soon as possible.

The Department of Music requires a successful audition for all freshmen and transfer students on one’s major instrument or voice in which is displayed their technical and artistic proficiency. It is to important when preparing an audition to consider selecting audition pieces that best demonstrate musical and technical capabilities. The audition determines acceptance as music major.

All in-state students are strongly encouraged to audition on campus. CD or DVD auditions may be accepted from out-of-state applicants (at least 400 mi.) and international applicants, where travel to Cleveland presents an extreme hardship. Please make sure the audition repertoire on the CD/DVD is in accordance with the Undergraduate Audition Requirements. To guarantee full consideration for the Music Talent Scholarship students must audition no later than Friday, February 26, 2010. Audition results are reviewed and admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.

If you have questions about applying to the Department of Music, you might find your answers on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

*Exception: All students with percussion as their principal instrument must schedule an in-person audition. (http://www.csuohio.edu/class/music/percussion/auditions.html.)

2012 – 2013 Cleveland State University Department of Music Audition Dates

Friday, February 3
Friday, February 10
Friday, February 24
Friday, March 2
  

*If you cannot attend one of the scheduled auditions dates, please refer to Undergraduate Application.

Undergraduate Audition Requirements: Music Composition and Music Education

Students wishing to pursue the undergraduate concentration in music composition are required to demonstrate proficiency on their primary instrument. To learn more about the track in composition, contact Dr. Andrew Rindfleisch, Coordinator of the Composition Program - a.rindfleisch@csuohio.edu

All prospective students wishing to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Music Education track must submit the Music Education Questionnaire (see undergraduate application) and schedule an evaluation appointment with Dr. Rita Klinger, Coordinator of Music Education. r.klinger@csuohio.edu

Music Theory and Musicianship Placement

All in-coming freshman and undergraduate transfer students who have not received college credit for music theory and musicianship courses are required to take the music theory and musicianship placement exam in order to be admitted into the Department of Music.

Scholarships

Awards for the Undergraduate Music Talent Scholarships are determined in Late March prior to enrollment at Cleveland State University. Recipients will be notified by April 1st.

The Department of Music offers talent-based music scholarships to qualified in-coming freshman, transfer students, and current students regardless of major in return for participation in Department of Music ensembles. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of achievement in their performance at the audition. Competition for the Music Talent Scholarships is keen. For best consideration, one should audition no later than February 26 prior to your anticipated enrollment at Cleveland State University. Under no circumstance will any scholarship consideration be made for a student who has not completed the application process. Awards for music talent scholarships are determined in March prior to the enrollment at Cleveland State. Applicants are informed of the results by April 1st.

Talent scholarships may be applied as payment to cover tuition and fees with the exception of applied music fees. All questions about the Music Talent Scholarships and requirement should be directed to the Kate Bill, Recruiter/ Enrollment Administrator for the Department of Music at 216-687-5039 or m.c.bill@csuohio.edu.

CSU Scholarships for Incoming Freshman and Transfer Students

Incoming freshman and transfer students are automatically considered for scholarships once they are admitted to Cleveland State. In some cases, individual scholarships will require a separate application. All students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For more information on scholarships or financial aid at Cleveland State University, please refer to the following link: http://www.csuohio.edu/enrollmentservices/financialaid/scholarships/incoming.html .

FAQs: Financial Aid and Scholarships

To assist students with financial aid questions, review the frequently asked questions listed at: http://www.csuohio.edu/enrollmentservices/financialaid/scholarships/faq.html.