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School of Music • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Quick Take
Carnegie Mellon's School of Music provides elite training in performance, composition, conducting, and music technology in Pittsburgh, combining conservatory-level rigor with a world-class research university. Students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration with CMU's engineering, drama, and computer science programs, giving musicians a distinctive edge in technology, innovation, and the intersection of art and science.
Carnegie Mellon at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | Carnegie Mellon University School of Music |
| Setting | private |
| Reliigous Affliation | none |
| Program Size | small |
| Genres / Styles | classical, contemporary, electronic, jazz |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | composition, conducting, engineering/technology, music theory, musical theatre, performance |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Doctorate, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | highly selective |
| NASM Accreditation | Yes |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | highly selective |
| Average GPA | 3.9 |
| Application Deadline | Nov 1 (ED) | Jan 1 (regular) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | highly competitive |
| Audition Window | Jan–Mar |
| Prescreening | is required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Carnegie Mellon website
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Program Overview
The music program at Carnegie Mellon is small in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Carnegie Mellon supports the following musical genres/styles: classical, contemporary, electronic, jazz. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Carnegie Mellon website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Carnegie Mellon can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the Carnegie Mellon website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Carnegie Mellon
Students at Carnegie Mellon can pursue degrees focused on composition, conducting, engineering/technology, music theory, musical theatre, 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 Carnegie Mellon website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Carnegie Mellon is highly selective. Academically, it is highly selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.9. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for Carnegie Mellon is Nov 1 (ED) | Jan 1 (regular) of each year.
Visit the Carnegie Mellon website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at Carnegie Mellon, and the school's auditions are considered to be highly competitive. The audition window is Jan–Mar of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is required.
Visit the Carnegie Mellon website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
Carnegie Mellon occupies Pittsburgh's vibrant Oakland neighborhood, steps from the Pittsburgh Symphony, opera, and jazz scene, and surrounded by one of the Midwest's most dynamic cultural revivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carnegie Mellon hard to get into?
Admission to Carnegie Mellon is considered highly selective for music and highly 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 Carnegie Mellon?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at Carnegie Mellon.
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 Carnegie Mellon?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, 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 Carnegie Mellon?
Admitted students at Carnegie Mellon have an average GPA of 3.9. 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 Carnegie Mellon?
The application deadline for Carnegie Mellon is Nov 1 (ED) | Jan 1 (regular), 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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