This is an example of a FEATURED profile using a fictional school. All items are editable.
Are you a representative for this school? Complete Claim This Page so visitors are assured it contains verified information.
Department of Music • Ellensburg, Washington
Quick Take
CWU's music dept provides performance, music education, jazz, and conducting in central Washington with accessible admissions, strong ensemble culture, and individualized faculty instruction in Ellensburg. The department serves the Pacific Northwest region with a practical, teaching-oriented curriculum, offering students a close-knit departmental community in a scenic high-desert setting between Seattle and Spokane.
Central Washington at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | Central Washington University Department of Music |
| Setting | public |
| Program Size | small |
| Genres / Styles | choral, classical, folk, jazz |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | composition, conducting, jazz, music education, performance |
| Musical Selectivity | moderately selective |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | less selective |
| Average GPA | 3.2 |
| Application Deadline | ? |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | moderately competitive |
| Audition Window | Jan–Mar |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Ellensburg, Washington |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Central Washington website
.
Program Overview
The music program at Central Washington is small in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Central Washington supports the following musical genres/styles: choral, classical, folk, jazz. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Central Washington website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Central Washington can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the Central Washington website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Central Washington
Students at Central Washington can pursue degrees focused on composition, conducting, jazz, music education, performance. Music degree programs typically combine private instruction, ensemble participation, music theory coursework, and performance opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in music.
Visit the Central Washington website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Central Washington is moderately selective. Academically, it is less selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.2. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for Central Washington is ? of each year.
Visit the Shenandoah website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at Central Washington, and the school's auditions are considered to be moderately competitive. The audition window is Jan–Mar of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is not required.
Visit the Central Washington website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
Central Washington is in Ellensburg, a small high-desert college town in the Cascades corridor between Seattle and Spokane, with a close-knit arts community and stunning mountain surroundings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central Washington hard to get into?
Admission to Central Washington is considered moderately selective for music and less selective academically. At most schools, the audition carries significant weight. Admitted students need to demonstrate performance ability and artistic potential in addition to meeting academic requirements.
Do I need a prescreening video to audition at Central Washington?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at Central Washington.
Prescreening requirements vary significantly from school to school, and sometimes by instrument or area of study, so it's worth checking directly with the admissions office to confirm what's expected for your specific application.
What instruments can I study at Central Washington?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students typically study privately with a faculty member on their primary instrument while also participating in ensembles and collaborative performance opportunities.
Instrument availability and faculty depth can vary. If you play something less common, it's worth reaching out to the department directly to confirm faculty availability before you apply.
What GPA do I need for Central Washington?
Admitted students at Central Washington have an average GPA of 3.2. Keep in mind that this is an average. Some admitted students come in above it, some below, depending on the strength of the overall application and, especially, the audition.
Music programs tend to weigh audition performance heavily, which means a particularly strong musical candidate may be admitted even if their GPA is below the typical range. The reverse is also true. Academic strength alone won't compensate for a weak audition.
What is the application deadline for Central Washington?
The application deadline for Central Washington is ?, with live auditions typically held Jan–Mar. These dates can shift year to year, so it's important to verify directly with the admissions office well in advance.
Music school deadlines often arrive earlier than general college application deadlines, and audition slots can fill up quickly, especially at competitive programs. Getting your application in early is rarely a bad idea.
Information on this page is updated periodically. Always confirm details directly with the school's admissions office.
Want a profile like this for your program?
Students building their audition lists right now may not be finding your program. This page shows what serious applicants see when your program is featured.
Ready to claim your page?
Go to the main Music School Finder and enter your school's name in the search field. Then, click on Claim This School at the top of your school's page
Let's Get Started!
