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School of Music and Dance • San Jose, California
Quick Take
SJSU's School of Music and Dance in Silicon Valley offers classical, jazz, and music therapy with accessible admissions and unique connections to the tech industry and the multicultural Bay Area community. The school reflects the cultural diversity and technological innovation of the Bay Area, with strong music therapy and music education programs and access to San Francisco's world-class arts institutions nearby.
San Jose State at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | San Jose State University School of Music and Dance |
| Setting | public |
| Religious Affiliation | none |
| Program Size | medium |
| Genres / Styles | a cappella, choral, classical, early music, electronic, folk, jazz, Latin, mariachi, musical theatre, opera, world |
| Primary Instrument | bass, bassoon, brass, cello, clarinet, computer, double bass, drums, drums/percussion, electronic instruments, electronics, euphonium, flute, french horn, guitar, harp, horn, keyboards, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, strings, trombone, trumpet, tuba, vibraphone, viola, violin, voice, woodwinds |
| Areas of Study | brass studies, composition, conducting, engineering/technology, ethnomusicology, historical performance, jazz, media/film scoring, music business/industry, music education, music therapy, musical theatre, opera, performance, songwriting |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, BM, Master's, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | moderately selective |
| NASM Accreditation | Yes |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | moderately selective |
| Average GPA | 3.5 |
| Application Deadline | Nov 30 (priority) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | moderately competitive |
| Audition Window | Jan–Mar |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | San Jose, California |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the San Jose State website
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Program Overview
The music program at San Jose State is medium in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
San Jose State supports the following musical genres/styles: a cappella, choral, classical, early music, electronic, folk, jazz, Latin, mariachi, musical theatre, opera, world. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the San Jose State website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at San Jose State can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bass, bassoon, brass, cello, clarinet, computer, double bass, drums, drums/percussion, electronic instruments, electronics, euphonium, flute, french horn, guitar, harp, horn, keyboards, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, strings, trombone, trumpet, tuba, vibraphone, viola, violin, voice, woodwinds. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the San Jose State website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at San Jose State
Students at San Jose State can pursue degrees focused on brass studies, composition, conducting, engineering/technology, ethnomusicology, historical performance, jazz, media/film scoring, music business/industry, music education, music therapy, musical theatre, opera, performance, 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 San Jose State website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at San Jose State is moderately selective. Academically, it is moderately selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.5. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for San Jose State is Nov 30 (priority) of each year.
Visit the San Jose State website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at San Jose State, 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 San Jose State website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
SJSU is in downtown San Jose at the heart of Silicon Valley, where a music technology culture intersects with a growing arts scene and the Bay Area's world-class classical and jazz institutions nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose State hard to get into?
Admission to San Jose State 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 San Jose State?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at San Jose State.
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 San Jose State?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bass, bassoon, brass, cello, clarinet, computer, double bass, drums, drums/percussion, electronic instruments, electronics, euphonium, flute, french horn, guitar, harp, horn, keyboards, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, strings, trombone, trumpet, tuba, vibraphone, viola, violin, voice, woodwinds. 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 San Jose State?
Admitted students at San Jose State have an average GPA of 3.5. 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 San Jose State?
The application deadline for San Jose State is Nov 30 (priority), 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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