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School of Music • Sacramento, California
Quick Take
Sacramento State's School of Music offers performance, music education, jazz, and composition with accessible admissions, active ensembles, and cultural connections to the state capital region of California. The school provides a solid public music education for students across Northern California, with dedicated faculty, good facilities, and proximity to the Bay Area's world-class arts institutions just 90 minutes west.
CSU Sacramento at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | California State University Sacramento School 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 | 3.3 |
| 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 | Sacramento, California |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the CSU Sacramento website
.
Program Overview
The music program at CSU Sacramento is medium in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
CSU Sacramento 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 Sacramento website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at CSU Sacramento 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 Sacramento website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at CSU Sacramento
Students at CSU Sacramento 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 Sacramento website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at CSU Sacramento is moderately selective. Academically, it is moderately selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.3. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for CSU Sacramento is 2026-11-30 00:00:00 of each year.
Visit the CSU Sacramento website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at CSU Sacramento, 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 Sacramento website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
CSU Sacramento anchors the state capital, a city with a growing arts scene, a regional symphony, and easy access to the Bay Area's world-class music institutions just 90 minutes west.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CSU Sacramento hard to get into?
Admission to CSU Sacramento 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 Sacramento?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at CSU Sacramento.
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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
Admitted students at CSU Sacramento have an average GPA of 3.3. 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 Sacramento?
The application deadline for CSU Sacramento 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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