Undergraduate Admissions

B.A. in Music

The Major offers four curricular tracks, among which students may choose a concentration:

• General
• Composition
• Performance
• Music Industry

Students declare a Major in Music in the General Track by the end of their freshman year. Students that wish to declare a Major in Music within the Performance or Music Industry Tracks must complete an audition prior to the declaration of the major. Students that wish to declare a Major in Music within the Composition Track must first take MUS 037 and pass an audition.

See the B.A. in Music page for more information. To learn about undergraduate admissions to UCR, see: https://admissions.ucr.edu/.

Transfer Students

If entering as a Junior, transfer Performance and Composition students will need to schedule an audition upon arrival to campus. The MUS 037 prerequisite for Composition students can be waived at the faculty’s discretion. To learn about transferring to UCR, see: https://admissions.ucr.edu/transfer.

B.A. in Music and Culture

The B.A. in Music and Culture does not require an audition. See the B.A. in Music and Culture page for more information.

Graduate Admissions

The Department of Music offers the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Music with a specialization in three areas:

• Composition
• Ethnomusicology
• Musicology

Applicants may apply for a terminal M.A. degree. Applicants intending to pursue a Ph.D. as their final degree objective should apply directly to the Ph.D. program. Students with an M.A. degree from other universities are eligible for admission to the Ph.D. program. The process of admission is the same as for students with a B.A. Applicants are admitted into the graduate program in the fall quarter only.

All applicants must submit an example of their writing.

Composers must also submit three to five original compositions and corresponding recordings (MIDI mockups are acceptable). At least two pieces should be realized with notation software, while others may take the form of electronic music. In addition, composers are encouraged to submit music software that they have authored or other digital audio related activity (papers, sound installations, etc.). Graduate composition applicants may come from an untraditional background and not possess previous music degrees. However, applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree to be considered for admission.

Musicology applicants must have an M.A. or undergraduate degree in music, including piano proficiency and musicianship (ear training).

Ethnomusicology applicants must have a background in music or anthropology. Evidence of superior intellectual ability in another field combined with some demonstrable expertise in any musical tradition is also viewed favorably.

See the M.A./Ph.D. in Music page for more information. To learn about graduate admissions to UCR, see: https://graduate.ucr.edu/admissions.