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Department of Music • Los Angeles, California
Quick Take
Cal State LA's music dept serves a diverse urban student body with classical, jazz, and world music programs in performance and music education, positioned at the center of the global entertainment capital. The department reflects the city's remarkable cultural diversity, with faculty rooted in the LA professional scene and students who bring a wide range of musical backgrounds and traditions to their training.
CSU Los Angeles at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | California State University Los Angeles Department of Music |
| Setting | public |
| Program Size | medium |
| Genres / Styles | choral, classical, jazz, world |
| 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 | moderately selective |
| Average GPA | 3.1 |
| Application Deadline | 2026-11-30 00:00:00 |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | moderately competitive |
| Audition Window | Jan–Mar |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Los Angeles, California |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the CSU Los Angeles website
.
Program Overview
The music program at CSU Los Angeles is medium in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
CSU Los Angeles supports the following musical genres/styles: choral, classical, jazz, world. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the CSU Los Angeles website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at CSU Los Angeles 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 CSU Los Angeles website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at CSU Los Angeles
Students at CSU Los Angeles 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 CSU Los Angeles website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at CSU Los Angeles is moderately selective. Academically, it is moderately selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.1. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for CSU Los Angeles is 2026-11-30 00:00:00 of each year.
Visit the CSU Los Angeles website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at CSU Los Angeles, 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 CSU Los Angeles website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
CSU LA is embedded in the heart of the world's entertainment capital, with Hollywood studios, recording facilities, diverse Latino music culture, and global industry networks all within reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CSU Los Angeles hard to get into?
Admission to CSU Los Angeles is considered moderately selective for music and moderately 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 CSU Los Angeles?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at CSU Los Angeles.
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 CSU Los Angeles?
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 CSU Los Angeles?
Admitted students at CSU Los Angeles have an average GPA of 3.1. 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 CSU Los Angeles?
The application deadline for CSU Los Angeles is 2026-11-30 00:00:00, 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.
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