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Music Department • Chicago, Illinois
Quick Take
Columbia College Chicago's music dept offers contemporary, jazz, and electronic programs in songwriting, performance, and music business, serving diverse urban students at the heart of Chicago's arts community. The curriculum is practical and career-oriented, emphasizing real-world experience, Chicago industry connections, and an inclusive student culture that reflects the city's extraordinary musical breadth.
Columbia College at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | Columbia College Chicago Music Department |
| Setting | private |
| Reliigous Affliation | none |
| Program Size | medium |
| Genres / Styles | classical, electronic, folk, jazz, popular, world |
| Primary Instrument | bass, clarinet, drums/percussion, flute, guitar, keyboard, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | composition, engineering/technology, music business/industry, music education, performance, popular music, songwriting |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | less selective |
| NASM Accreditation | Yes |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | less selective |
| Average GPA | 3.2 |
| Application Deadline | ? |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | non competitive |
| Audition Window | ? |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Chicago, Illinois |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Columbia College website
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Program Overview
The music program at Columbia College is medium in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Columbia College supports the following musical genres/styles: classical, electronic, folk, jazz, popular, world. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Columbia College website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Columbia College can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bass, clarinet, drums/percussion, flute, guitar, keyboard, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the Columbia College website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Columbia College
Students at Columbia College can pursue degrees focused on composition, engineering/technology, music business/industry, music education, performance, popular music, songwriting. 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 Columbia College website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Columbia College is less 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 Columbia College is ? of each year.
Visit the Columbia College website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at Columbia College, and the school's auditions are considered to be non competitive. The audition window is ? of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is not required.
Visit the Columbia College website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
Columbia College Chicago is embedded in the South Loop, blocks from Grant Park and a city that gave the world electric blues, house music, jazz, and one of the richest urban music cultures alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia College hard to get into?
Admission to Columbia College is considered less 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 Columbia College?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at Columbia College.
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 Columbia College?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bass, clarinet, drums/percussion, flute, guitar, keyboard, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, 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 Columbia College?
Admitted students at Columbia College 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 Columbia College?
The application deadline for Columbia College is ?, with live auditions typically held ?. 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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