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Department of Music • San Diego, California
Quick Take
USD's music department offers classical and jazz performance, music education, and music theory within a selective, well-resourced Catholic liberal arts university on a scenic Pacific campus above Mission Bay. The department is faith-rooted and academically serious, with dedicated faculty, active ensembles, and access to San Diego's beautiful coastal setting and growing arts community in the southernmost major city in California.
San Diego at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | University of San Diego Department of Music |
| Setting | public |
| Reliigous Affliation | Roman Catholic |
| Program Size | small |
| Genres / Styles | classical, jazz |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | jazz, music education, music theory, performance |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | moderately selective |
| NASM Accreditation | no |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | selective |
| Average GPA | 3.75 |
| Application Deadline | Nov 15 (EA) | Jan 15 (regular) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | moderately competitive |
| Audition Window | Feb–Mar |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | San Diego, California |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the San Diego website
.
Program Overview
The music program at San Diego is small in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
San Diego supports the following musical genres/styles: classical, jazz. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the San Diego website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at San Diego 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 San Diego website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at San Diego
Students at San Diego can pursue degrees focused on jazz, music education, 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 San Diego website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at San Diego is moderately selective. Academically, it is selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.75. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for San Diego is Nov 15 (EA) | Jan 15 (regular) of each year.
Visit the San Diego website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at San Diego, and the school's auditions are considered to be moderately competitive. The audition window is Feb–Mar of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is not required.
Visit the San Diego website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
USD Music sits on a mesa above Mission Bay with sweeping Pacific views, in a sunny Southern California city with a resident symphony, a thriving arts culture, and the Mexican border adding unique cultural color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego hard to get into?
Admission to San Diego is considered moderately selective for music and 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 Diego?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at San Diego.
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 Diego?
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 San Diego?
Admitted students at San Diego have an average GPA of 3.75. 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 Diego?
The application deadline for San Diego is Nov 15 (EA) | Jan 15 (regular), with live auditions typically held Feb–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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