Request Information
Ready to find out what MSU Denver can do for you? We’ve got you covered.
Three Steps for Music Program Admission
Students entering the Music Program at MSU Denver (whether as a major or minor) may take the following three steps for program admission. Incoming students are encouraged to first apply to MSU Denver before taking steps to enter the Music Program.
Step One: Meet with an Arts Advisor
All incoming students must meet with an Arts Advisor prior to signing up for an audition or Music Theory Placement Exam. At this one-on-one meeting (available in-person or online), your advisor can answer questions about choosing a degree, registering for classes, financial aid and scholarships, and any other questions you may have about becoming a music student at MSU Denver.
Step Two: Audition!
In order to enroll in private instruction, students must pass an audition demonstrating sufficient prior musical experience on their instrument. You may sign up for an in-person audition during our Audition Days held in January, February, and August; or you may submit an online audition.
Step Three: Consider the Music Theory Placement Exam
The Music Theory Placement Exam is for students who have taken formal music theory training either through college-level classes (including AP Music Theory) or private instruction, and wish to place into Music Theory I or higher. Students with little or no prior music theory training are recommended to enroll in MUS 1010 Essential Music Theory Skills, and do not need to take the Music Theory Placement Exam.
Detailed Admission Steps by Student Type
1. Schedule a Music Intake Advising appointment with an Arts Advisor.
2. Sign up for an In-Person Audition or submit an Online Audition.
- In order to enroll in private instruction, students must pass an audition demonstrating sufficient prior musical experience on their instrument.
3. OPTIONAL: Sign up for a Music Theory Placement Exam. (Online or In-Person)
- Students with basic music theory knowledge have the option of testing out of MUS 1010 Essentials of Music Theory.
- Students with little or no basic music theory knowledge should enroll in MUS 1010 Essentials of Music Theory and do not need to take the Music Theory Placement Exam.
In the MSU Denver admission process, students with prior college credit and/or a previous music degree will be required to request official transcripts from all previous colleges/universities. In addition, transfer students must:
1. Schedule a Music Intake Advising appointment with an Arts Advisor.
- If official transcripts have not been processed by admissions at the time of the intake advising appointment, students are encouraged to bring an unofficial transcript to help determine the need for an advanced audition, Music Theory Placement Exam, and/or Class Piano Exam. Prior private instruction credits, music theory credits, and class piano credits do not automatically transfer.
2. Sign up for an In-Person Audition or submit an Online Audition.
- In order to enroll in private instruction, students must pass an audition demonstrating sufficient prior musical experience on their instrument.
- Students with previous private instruction credits may audition into an advanced level of lessons. To audition into an advanced level of lessons, students must contact the instrument area coordinator (see contact info below) prior to submitting their online audition for additional requirements. Transfer students may be asked to provide a list of repertoire studied at the college level and copies of college transcripts.
3. Sign up for a Music Theory Placement Exam. (Online or In-Person)
- All students transferring in music theory credits must take the Music Theory Placement Exam, even if an entire music theory sequence was completed elsewhere.
4. OPTIONAL: Sign up for a Class Piano Exam.
- Students have the option of testing out of any level of class piano, or the entire sequence.
5. Schedule an appointment with the Department Chair to evaluate and transfer music course credits from previous schools. This may be done at any time during the first semester of enrollment. Email Dr. Peter Schimpf ([email protected]) to schedule.
Instrument Area Coordinator Contact Information:
Brass/Percussion: Michael Hengst, [email protected]
Classical Guitar: Alex Komodore, [email protected]
Jazz Guitar: Dave Devine, [email protected]
Jazz: Dawn Clement, [email protected]
Piano: Jooeun Pak, [email protected]
Strings: Philip Ficsor, [email protected]
Voice: Bradley Thompson, [email protected]
Woodwinds: Patricia Surman, [email protected]
1. Schedule a Music Intake Advising appointment with an Arts Advisor.
2. Sign up for an In-Person Audition or submit an Online Audition if more than one calendar year has passed since enrollment in private instruction.
3. Returning students who completed music theory coursework, class piano coursework, and/or their final semester of required private instruction more than seven years prior to re-enrollment are respectively required to take the Music Theory Placement Exam, Class Piano or Piano Proficiency Exam, and/or audition to test out of the private lesson sequence.
Individuals who already have a music degree and are interested in teacher licensure have some options for obtaining licensure. One is to obtain a second undergraduate degree in Music Education (see Degree Programs for more information). It is also possible to pursue alternative licensure through the Colorado Department of Education. Individuals who wish to take music education classes at MSU Denver must be declared Music Education majors and be formally admitted to the Music Education program.
Individuals who have a teaching license in an area other than music may pursue music endorsement through the Colorado Department of Education. The music endorsement requires a passing PRAXIS score or additional course work in music education. Note, individuals need to be declared Music Education majors and be formally admitted into the Music Education program to obtain the needed credits in the various courses.
All students interested in teacher licensure or an endorsement in Music should contact the Coordinator of Music Education, Dr. Carla Aguilar ([email protected]) as soon as they apply for admission to MSU Denver. We do not recommend taking any courses at MSU Denver before contacting Dr. Aguilar.