As one of the nation’s most diverse collegiate music programs, we offer a variety of degree options to fit your personal interests and career goals. One of our greatest strengths is helping students find a successful bridge to their career in music.
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Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Music
Pursuing a passion for music alongside other academic interests.
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Brass
Fostering limitless experiences and connections.
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Commercial Music
Providing hands-on experience as performers, engineers and producers.
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Community Music
Make a difference in your community, through music.
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Jazz
A vibrant environment where creativity and tradition intersect.
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Keyboard
Offering exceptional training for performers and teachers.
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Music Education
Preparing tomorrow’s teachers and researchers.
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Music Minor
Providing opportunities to explore music as part of your collegiate studies.
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Music Theatre
Providing holistic training in acting, singing, and dancing.
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Music Therapy
Building careers using music in service to and rehabilitation of others.
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Percussion
Building skillsets for successful, competitive musicians.
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Strings
Preparing students to excel as a versatile, modern musician.
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Theory & Composition
Training musicians through outstanding instruction and mentorship.
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Voice & Opera
Developing students for a multitude of performing opportunities.
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Woodwinds
Preparing students for diverse careers in teaching and performance.
Select programSummer/Fall 2026
Commercial Music Admissions
Developing countless collaborations between students, faculty, and music professionals.
Commercial Music
Key Admission Dates
Summer/Fall 2026
- Early Action Application Deadline (Florida Resident Freshmen only) October 15
- Regular Decision Application Deadline December 1
- Final Deadline for audition scheduling and scholarship consideration February 1
- Audition/Interview Dates November 9 (EA only), January 24, February 7, February 21; other dates by appointment
- EA Admission Decisions Released Mid-December
- RD Admission Decisions Released Mid-March
- Scholarship Offers Released April 1
Commercial Music
Application Requirements
1 Apply to Florida State University
Complete the Florida State University Application and pay the $30 application fee.
Florida resident Freshman applicants who apply by October 15 may receive an early decision in mid-December. Early Action auditions will be held on November 9.
Please note that some Early Action applicants may be deferred to the regular decision round.
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate spoken and written proficiency by providing examination results. Additionally, all applicants must submit SAT, ACT, or CLT scores. Please see the full instructions for Freshman applicants or transfer applicants.
2 Apply to the College of Music
Complete the College of Music Supplemental Application, as well as any additional materials required for your major. The Supplemental Application, found on your Admissions Portal, allows you to select your audition date. Audition scheduling preference is given to those who complete their Supplemental Application by December 1.
Music Minors and current FSU students seeking to change their major should contact the College of Music Admissions Office for assistance.
A list of all significant solo works you have studied to date, which may include methods and etude studies. Students can upload a list of their own or create a new one on their Admissions Portal.
Your letter should be from a music teacher, conductor, or someone who can speak to your potential for success in the program. You will enter their contact information on your Admissions Portal.
Portfolio is comprised of two parts (the video essay and the original songs) and is due at least two weeks prior to the audition date. Upload files through the Admissions Portal.
Video essay: Record responses to the following questions in one continuous video. Answer all 3 required questions and then choose 3 additional questions listed below.
Required questions:
- Describe your background in music and how it has prepared you for a career in the music industry.
- How do you define “commercial music” and what do you think distinguishes it from other areas of music study?
- What are your career goals in the music industry, and how do you envision the program at FSU helping you to achieve those goals?
Additional questions (choose 3):
- What are your primary areas of interest within the music industry (e.g., performance, production, songwriting, engineering), and why?
- Provide an example of a commercial music project you’ve worked on (solo or collaborative). What was your role, and what did you learn from the experience?
- How do you stay current with trends and technologies in the music industry, and how do you apply this knowledge to your work?
- Collaboration is key in the music industry. Describe a time when you had to navigate creative differences in a team setting. How did you handle it?
- Which aspects of the music industry do you feel least prepared for, and how do you hope this program will help you develop in those areas?
- Who are some professionals in the music industry you admire, and what elements of their careers would you like to emulate?
- What specific skills—technical, creative, or business-related—do you hope to gain or refine during your time in the program, and how do you plan to apply them after graduation?
Recordings and lead sheets for two songs: Two songs – one must be an original and the second can be an original or a well-recorded cover or arrangement. Applicants should submit audio/video recordings and lead sheets (music notation) for both songs. A screen capture video of the recording from a DAW of your choice is acceptable in lieu of a lead sheet. Notation should include:
- Title
- Composer
- Melody
- Chords
3 Complete your audition and interview
Commercial Music applicants will participate in a short interview with the faculty. Students are encouraged to participate in one of our on-campus audition/interview days, however, a Zoom interview can be arranged instead.
Additionally, applicants are required to audition on an acceptable principal instrument in addition to submitting the portfolio materials above. See audition requirements below for your instrument.
Commercial Music
Audition Requirements
Select your instrument from the list below to view audition requirements
Commercial Music
Audition Day Itinerary
A student ambassador will lead a tour of College of Music facilities and other important sites around campus.
Meet Dean Todd Queen and other key faculty and staff from the College of Music. Learn more about the programs of the College as well as details regarding the admission process, scholarships, and housing. Question and answer session will follow.
Meet some of the professors and current students in our academic degree programs:
- Music Education
- Music Therapy
- Music Theory & Composition
- Commercial Music
- Dual degrees and double majors
- Transfer student Q&A
- Student Success and Support
Most audition appointments are approximately 10 minutes long. Times will be assigned two weeks prior to the audition.
Meet faculty, staff, and students from the LLC and learn about housing options for music majors
Have all of your final questions answered! Speak one-on-one with an admissions representative, our Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies, or an advisor.
Common Questions
Expand AllAll undergraduate applicants must pass an audition and/or an interview to enter the College of Music. Auditions are scheduled via the Music Supplemental application, submitted on the Admissions Portal. Applicants who complete their supplemental application by December 1st are generally able to secure their first-choice audition date, but requests are honored on a first-come, first-served basis.
Prescreenings are required for the following instruments/degree programs:
- BM or BFA in Music Theatre
- BM in Piano Performance
Prescreening submissions are due by December 1 and results will be released by December 15. Applicants who are successful in this first round will be invited to campus for a full audition on one of the dates listed above. (Music Theatre will have a second round via Zoom, followed by a final round on campus).
Auditioning for the music minor also requires a successful audition. Repertoire requirements are generally identical to the requirements for music majors. Students who wish to apply for a music minor should contact musicadmissions@fsu.edu for access to the application.
Current students who wish to apply to the College of Music should contact musicadmissions@fsu.edu for access to the application.
Auditioning for the music minor also requires a successful audition. Repertoire requirements are generally identical to the requirements for music majors.
Everyone who auditions/interviews as a music major is automatically considered for talent scholarships and assistantships, and no additional application is necessary.
While all students are encouraged to audition on campus, most studios will accept a recorded video audition in lieu of a live audition. Students who wish to audition on campus but have scheduling conflicts may request an alternate on-campus audition date. Please note the following recorded audition guidelines:
- CD/DVD submissions will not be accepted – upload your recording(s) to YouTube or Vimeo and attach to the application. YouTube videos may be Public or Unlisted, but not Private.
- Recordings must include video (no audio-only recordings, please) and should be unedited. Video links are to be submitted on the Admissions Portal.
- Some areas prefer one continuous recording and others prefer individual recordings of each selection. See repertoire requirements for your instrument for clarification.
- Begin each recording facing the camera and introduce yourself and the piece(s) you are about to present.
- Please ensure that recordings are of the highest quality possible and that all audition requirements are uploaded. We do understand that most applicants will not have access to professional recording equipment – faculty will take this into account in their evaluation. Watch/listen to your recordings before you submit them!
- Voice auditions must be accompanied – no a cappella singing, please. Instrumentalists should play unaccompanied.
- Exceptions:
- Applicants for Music Theatre will not submit recorded auditions. Auditions will be conducted live, via Zoom. Final callbacks will be on campus.
- Percussion auditions must be completed on-campus except in extraordinary situations (e.g., international applicants). Please contact musicadmissions@fsu.edu if you wish to request a recorded or remote audition.
Recorded Auditions must be submitted no later than midnight on February 1.
An accompanist is provided, free of charge, for all voice and music theatre auditions on campus. Rehearsal time is not provided, however, and scores should not be submitted in advance. Please bring neat copies, in a book or organized in a binder, in the appropriate key(s). Students may bring their own accompanist to the audition if they wish.
Classical instrumental auditions will be unaccompanied. Jazz auditions are accompanied by a rhythm section.
Students are allowed a maximum of three audition attempts per instrument/voice, per degree level (bachelors, master’s, doctoral). Applicants are allowed one audition per application.