How to Apply

Applications for Spring 2024 open August 1st

All applicants apply to the CSUEB Music Department through Cal State Apply. Please visit the CSUEB Admissions Office for updated information on general university requirements.

** For Fall 2023 late application request, contact admissionpetitions@csueastbay.edu 

CSU Apply

Additional Music Department Application

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate their musical interests, abilities, and potential by submitting examples of their work after completing their CSUApply application. Please look out for an email from the Music Department within a couple of weeks after submitting your CSU Application.

See below for details on these additional requirements based on your area of interest

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Find your area of interest below to learn more about what you will be asked to submit:

Instrumentalists (Classical Piano and Percussion, see below). Prepare two contrasting selections lasting no more than ten minutes total. Show a contrast of musical styles choosing from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Modern eras. Jazz Instrumentalists should also demonstrate improvisation skills in addition to the requirements for all instrumentalists.

Percussion: Prepare two contrasting selections lasting no more than ten minutes total. Show a contrast of musical styles and musical instruments (i.e. snare drum and marimba, etc. . .) Jazz drummers should also demonstrate the following styles: Medium Tempo Swing; Up Tempo 50s Bebop; Medium Tempo Jazz Waltz; Bossa Nova (medium); Afro Cuban (medium to fast); Funk; Hip hop (any tempo).

Classical Piano: Prepare two or three memorized works of different style periods lasting no more than ten minutes total. Sections of compositions are acceptable in order to stay within the ten minute timeframe. Repertoire selections could include Baroque compositions such as Bach Inventions or Sinfonias, a Prelude and Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier, 1-2 movements from a French Suite, English Suite, or Partita; a first movement of a classical sonata by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, or their contemporaries; a work from the Romantic period (Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, Liszt); a work from the early 20th century (Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev, Bartók) or the 21st-century.

Vocalists: Prepare two contrasting selections totaling no more than ten minutes. At least one song should be in a language other than English. Classical songs or arias, folk songs, and Musical Theatre selections are preferred. All songs should be memorized and sung with accompaniment.

Composers, Music Producers, and Singer/Songwriters: Submit a minimum of 2 original works that best represent your musical potential and creativity. PDF scores/lead sheets with MIDI/Audio recordings are preferred. If scores aren't available (music producers working with a DAW, for example), please include a cover letter detailing (1) the title of the piece; and (2) the software used.

Students who are not yet ready to audition or demonstrate their creative output can still apply. These students are eligible to become music majors but are not eligible to receive private lessons until they successfully complete an audition or submit successful creative materials. These applicants will be asked to submit a 2-page statement of purpose.

The Certificate in Music Education (Single Subject Matter Preparation Certificate Program) may be obtained in two ways:
  1. While pursuing a Bachelor of Art (B.A) in Music degree at CSUEB. Students must be admitted into the B.A. in Music degree in order to start this certificate. Please refer to the B.A. in Music application process above.
  2. As a post-baccalaureate applicant.
Prospective Certificate in Music Education post-baccalaureate applicants will be asked to provide the following:
  1. Curriculum Vitae
  2. Two (2) letters of reference
  3. A statement of purpose (2-3 double-spaced pages) describing your formal background and training in music, and your reasons for becoming a K-12 music teacher
  4. Undergraduate transcripts
  5. A 15-minute uninterrupted video of you teaching music in a group setting (class or rehearsal, not performance). Videos of individual lessons are not appropriate
For more information, please contact Dr. John Eros, advisor for Music Education.

Accept Admissions Offer!

See below how to accept the admission offer for both 1st-year students and transfer students

  1. Access the MyCSUEB portal. You will need a NetID and password. All Cal State East Bay applicants receive a personal NetID after submitting an application for admission. Included with your NetID are instructions for setting your password >> video tutorial on how to navigate MyCSUEB portal <<
  2. Once there, accept (or deny) your offer of admission. To do so, choose the “Admissions Tile” tile and select your decision from the list. The sooner you do this, the sooner we can get you started with courses and other important info.