Letter to Music Major Applicants

November 2009

Dear Prospective Music Student:

We are delighted that you have applied to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, to be a music major. We are proud of our program and pleased that there have been so many students interested in participating in it.

Because of the demand and the limited space at Cal Poly, and because the Music Department wants to help students make the best decision regarding their career, in conjunction with the Cal Poly Admissions Office, we have established an additional level of application that is required in order to be considered for admission. This consists of a Supplementary Application and an audition/interview. If you meet the CSU/Cal Poly eligibility criteria, we will invite you to audition for us in person (or submit a performance recording). It is highly recommended that you begin familiarizing yourself with our supplemental materials now, instead of waiting until you receive an invitation to schedule an audition. Please read the enclosed materials and deadlines carefully.

To assist you, I have the following advice:

  1. Be sure to read all of the materials carefully, especially the details about being invited to audition, and the deadlines. Review our Student Handbook. It will tell you a great deal about our program.
  2. Fill out the Supplementary Application/Scholarship Form very carefully, taking into consideration details that will present your music experiences most accurately and most persuasively. The essay portion (Section D) is extremely important.
    • All music application materials are due no later than January 29 and are posted on the Music Department Web page.
    • If you are applying for a music scholarship, complete the Scholarship Section of our Supplementary Application. In addition, you should go to the Cal Poly Financial Aid Web page for additional scholarship and financial aid information. A live audition is required if you are applying for a music scholarship.
    • If you wish to be considered for a need-based scholarship or any other type of financial aid, you should follow the instructions to download and complete the FAFSA. Please read the instructions carefully on the scholarship application. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU COMPLETE THE FAFSA FORM, AS IT CONFIRMS YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR ANY KIND OF NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP OR FINANCIAL AID.
  3. Obtain 2 letters of recommendation, which can either be sent directly to us by the author, by regular mail or by email. A blank form, which can be downloaded and copied, is available on our Web page. The form doesn't have to be used, but is only provided as an aid.
  4. Be sure that you understand the requirements for an audition. If you meet the Cal Poly admissions selection criteria, you will be invited by us to schedule an audition (or submit a performance recording).
    • If you qualify for an audition, we will be contacting you around the middle of January to invite you to schedule your date (or submit a performance recording). OUR AUDITION DATES ARE: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 AND SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2010.
    • We will accept an audio recording (tape or CD format) for admissions only. If you are also applying for a music scholarship, you must perform a live audition. You should prepare 2 pieces of a contrasting nature, not to exceed 8 minutes. If you are not scheduling a live audition, make sure that you have prepared the best possible recording. This includes not only the recording and performance quality, but also the neatness of labeling and overall effect. If you are not primarily a performer and have another interest such as composition, you may supplement your performance recording or audition with examples of your compositions. We recommend sending three scores, at least two of which are accompanied by recordings (MIDI recordings are acceptable, but live realizations are preferred in the case of traditional instrumentation). If you are not experienced in recording, it would be an excellent idea to get assistance from someone knowledgeable. In this day and age, high quality recordings are not only easy to achieve, but a necessity.
  5. If you are a composer or in another area of music that is not performance oriented, the department is definitely still interested in you as a student. However, all music majors are required to study an instrument or voice and there is a performing ensemble requirement every quarter. This is an important part of being a student of music in any area. In fact, the Music Department requires that all students seeking admission to the major have an appropriate minimum entry level of performance skills on an instrument or as a singer.
  6. Admission to the Music Department is during the Fall Quarter only. If you are unable to apply for the Fall Quarter, please adjust your educational plans accordingly. We are enormously proud of our music program, and we feel that the faculty, staff and students are the best in the state. You will be surrounded with lots of good music while a student at Cal Poly. If you have any questions regarding the supplementary application or about the program in particular, do not hesitate to give us a call. The phone number is (805) 756-2406.

Sincerely, W.Terrence Spiller, Chair

Music Department