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Department of Music • Princeton, New Jersey
Quick Take
Princeton's elite Ivy League music dept offers rigorous BA study in performance, composition, theory, and ethnomusicology across classical, electronic, and world styles with no audition required. The department's extraordinary facilities, resident ensembles, and composer- and scholar-focused curriculum make it one of the most intellectually ambitious music programs in the world, drawing students committed to music at the highest academic level.
Princeton at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | Princeton University Department of Music |
| Setting | public |
| Reliigous Affliation | none |
| Program Size | small |
| Genres / Styles | classical, contemporary, electronic, folk, jazz, world |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harpsichord, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | composition, ethnomusicology, music theory, performance |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Doctorate, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | selective |
| NASM Accreditation | no |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | elite |
| Average GPA | 3.95 |
| Application Deadline | Nov 1 (SC/REA) | Jan 2 (regular) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is not required |
| Audition Competitiveness | non competitive |
| Audition Window | ? |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Princeton, New Jersey |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Princeton website
.
Program Overview
The music program at Princeton is small in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Princeton supports the following musical genres/styles: classical, contemporary, electronic, folk, jazz, world. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Princeton website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Princeton can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harpsichord, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the Princeton website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Princeton
Students at Princeton can pursue degrees focused on composition, ethnomusicology, music theory, 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 Princeton website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Princeton is selective. Academically, it is elite, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.95. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for Princeton is Nov 1 (SC/REA) | Jan 2 (regular) of each year.
Visit the Princeton website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is not required at Princeton, 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 Princeton website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
Princeton sits in its own elegant New Jersey college town, an hour from both New York City and Philadelphia, with exceptional on-campus arts resources and access to two of the world's great music cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Princeton hard to get into?
Admission to Princeton is considered selective for music and elite 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 Princeton?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at Princeton.
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 Princeton?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harpsichord, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, 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 Princeton?
Admitted students at Princeton have an average GPA of 3.95. 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 Princeton?
The application deadline for Princeton is Nov 1 (SC/REA) | Jan 2 (regular), 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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