Music Performance Audition Overview

All performance candidates are required to undergo at least one, and in some cases two, major-level audition(s). All auditions must be scheduled through the Audition Management System Website (step 3 of the on-line registration process).  This includes candidates who are “auditioning by recording,” candidates who audition at a regional audition site, and candidates who are auditioning for studios that require a CD round (voice, piano, and flute).  Once scheduled, an audition appointment date, time, and location can be changed up until two weeks beforehand by logging into the audition management website, canceling the scheduled appointment and selecting a more preferable one from those available.  The audition fee is non-refundable, unless the application is withdrawn more than two weeks before the scheduled audition date.  For flute, voice, and piano applicants, withdrawal must occur prior to December 1.  Please visit the School of Music website for a complete list of audition dates and locations.

There are three ways to audition:

  1. On campus for a studio faculty panel (preferred)
  2. At a regional site for a non-studio faculty member  (not an option for some studios)
  3. By recording:
    1. Review and follow the audition by recording requirements for your specific studio
    2. Recording and recording case must be labeled with your name, your instrument, your degree program, and the words “audition recording”. 
    3. Recordings need to be received by January 10 
    4. Recordings should not be sent to the Undergraduate Admission office.  Recordings should be sent directly to the School of Music at the exact address listed below:

Carnegie Mellon School of Music
Office of Recruitment and Enrollment, CFA 108
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
15213- 3890

Audition appointments are subject to minor time change until two weeks before.  Applicants will be notified in advance if such a change is necessitated, and the School of Music will make every effort to collaborate so that travel plans are not significantly disrupted.  Final audition confirmations will be forwarded via email one week before the scheduled audition date.  Voice, flute, and piano applicants who did not receive a positive review after the recorded audition will not receive this confirmation.

The audition process itself requires approximately four hours, as applicants are afforded adequate warm-up time prior to their audition, and may need to participate in various music placement tests on the audition date.  Applicants are advised to check in one hour prior to the audition appointment.  Please visit the School of Music website to learn more about the structure and logistics of the audition day.

Applicants are notified of the result of the audition in writing only after all auditions have been heard. Generally, these audition result letters leave the School of Music one week after the last audition date .  If the audition result is favorable, the Music School will recommend acceptance to the Office of Admission, and the Office of Admission will determine if the student’s academic records meet the standards of Carnegie Mellon.  If the audition result is not favorable, the applicant will not be admitted to the School of Music, but could be admitted to Carnegie Mellon through an existing application to another School of study.