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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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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Jazz
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Keyboard
Offering exceptional training for performers and teachers.
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Liberal Arts in Music
Pursuing a passion for music alongside other academic interests.
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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.
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Percussion Admissions
Preparing students for the competitive world of percussion performance.
Percussion
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
Percussion
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 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 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. Auditions are to be unaccompanied.
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 and audio is required. All audition materials should be recorded in one continuous, unedited take. Please introduce yourself at the beginning of the video.
Percussion
Audition Requirements
Select your instrument from the list below to view audition requirements
All music majors and music minor:
All applicants must perform upon Snare Drum, Marimba (two-mallet and four-mallet), and Timpani; Drum Set is optional.
Repertoire below is suggested; please consult with your private instructor and select works that reflect your ability level:
- Snare Drum: Etudes by Delecluse, Whaley, Aleo, etc.
- Marimba (Two Mallets): Bach Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, Cello Suites (excluding A-minor Violin Concerto)
- Marimba (Four Mallets): Solos by Burritt, Stout, Ford, etc.
- Timpani: Beck, Goodman, Lepak, etc. Please do not select solos from Carter Eight Pieces for Four Timpani for the audition. Note: Dresden Timpani will be set American; do not select solos with tuning changes. We will evaluate your pitch understanding through a separate test.
Audition instruments include two Black Swamp Mercury Series snare drums (4” and 3.5” with Remo Diplomat M5 heads), Adams Classic Custom 5.0 Marimba, Adams Dresden Classic Timpani. You are free to bring your own snare drum if you choose.
Applicants who have questions about appropriate audition repertoire should contact Dr. John Parks.
Percussion
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.