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.
Get Started
Choose your area of study to see all relevant admission details.
Choose your area of study
Brass
Fostering limitless experiences and connections.
Select program
Commercial Music
Providing hands-on experience as performers, engineers and producers.
Select program
Jazz
Select program
Keyboard
Offering exceptional training for performers and teachers.
Select program
Liberal Arts in Music
Pursuing a passion for music alongside other academic interests.
Select program
Music Education
Preparing tomorrow’s teachers and researchers.
Select program
Music Minor
Providing opportunities to explore music as part of your collegiate studies.
Select program
Music Theatre
Providing holistic training in acting, singing, and dancing.
Select program
Music Therapy
Building careers using music in service to and rehabilitation of others.
Select program
Percussion
Building skillsets for successful, competitive musicians.
Select program
Strings
Preparing students to excel as a versatile, modern musician.
Select program
Theory & Composition
Training musicians through outstanding instruction and mentorship.
Select program
Voice & Opera
Developing students for a multitude of performing opportunities.
Select program
Woodwinds
Preparing students for diverse careers in teaching and performance.
Select programSummer/Fall 2025
Jazz Admissions
Developing jazz professionals at the highest level
Jazz
Key Admission Dates
Summer/Fall 2025
- Early Action Deadline (Florida resident Freshmen only) November 1
- Regular Decision Freshman Deadline (priority for audition scheduling) December 1
- Final Deadline (Freshman and Transfer) February 1
- Audition Dates November 3 (early action), January 25, February 8, February 22; other dates by appointment
- Decisions Released February and March
Jazz
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 November 1 may receive an early decision on December 12. Early Action auditions will be held on November 3.
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 or ACT 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 Application Status Page, 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 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 Application Status Page.
Your letter should be from a music teacher or conductor (or someone who can speak to your potential for success in the program) and you will enter their contact information on your Application Status Page.
3 Complete your audition
Be sure to review the audition requirements below for your instrument.
While a live audition is encouraged, we do accept recorded auditions in lieu of a live audition. For those who choose the recorded audition option:
Video required. All audition materials should be unedited. Please introduce yourself at the beginning of each video. If possible, please record your audition with a backing track. Tracks can be found on YouTube, at Learn Jazz Standards, or by using an app like iReal Pro.
Drum Set applicants should also prepare:
- The snare drum etude “Rolling in Rhythm” from Charley Wilcoxin’s Modern Rudimental Swing Solos
- Play swing time/feel for 1 minute at each of the following tempos: Quarter = 60, 120, 240 (demonstrate time and light fills as well)
- Demonstrate (at any tempo) knowledge of these latin styles: Bossa Nova, Samba, Mambo, 12/8 Afro-Cuban – 1 minute each (demonstrate time and light fills as well)
- Demonstrate knowledge of these essential rudiments: 5- Stroke Roll, 10-Stroke roll, Flam Paradiddle, Triple Ratamacue (Start each slow, build up speed, then back down to slow)
- Find a recording of a jazz standard of your choice to play along with (or record with a live trio, if possible) and perform it thusly: Play along with the recording into a couple solos, then at some point stop the recording and solo over the song form of the tune for (2) choruses, then stop at the point where the melody should come back in.
Jazz
Audition Requirements
Select your instrument from the list below to view audition requirements
All music majors and music minor:
Auditions are accepted on the following instruments: Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drum Set
Applicants should prepare three jazz selections in contrasting styles (ballad, swing, contemporary jazz) that will best demonstrate their musicianship and proficiency in jazz improvisation. Sample Audition Literature
All applicants should bring three copies of lead sheets for each selection chosen.
Drum Set applicants should also prepare the snare drum etude “Rolling in Rhythm” from Charley Wilcoxin’s Modern Rudimental Swing Solos and may be asked to demonstrate other styles as well.
Applicants who chose to submit a recorded audition, selections should be recorded with a rhythm section or backing track if possible.
Jazz
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 to enter the College of Music. Auditions are scheduled via the Music Supplemental application, submitted on the Application Status Page. 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 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 Application Status Page.
- 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.
Instrumental auditions will be unaccompanied.
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.