»How to Apply to the Music Program

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Follow the Chapman application process and submit your Common Application.
Wait to gain access to your Application Status Page (usually within 48 hours of submitting the Common Applications).
Submit your Creative Supplement and Pre-screen Audition Video through your Application Status page.
Select applicants will be invited to a live audition.
Receive your final admission decision.

Creative Supplement

The Creative Supplement serves as your artistic portfolio and helps us review artistic talent and program readiness.

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Bachelor of Arts in Music applicants must also submit the following items to be considered for admission:

Music and Culture emphasis

Pre-screen Audition Video
Research paper or scholarly essay
- This document may come from a previous institution (high school or college) and can be in any subject area.
Goal statement
- What do you hope to accomplish in the future—both personally and professionally—and how do you see your chosen major and Chapman’s programs helping you get there?" (500 words max)

Music Industry Studies emphasis

Pre-screen Audition Video
Goal statement
- What do you hope to accomplish in the future—both personally and professionally—and how do you see your chosen major and Chapman’s programs helping you get there?" (500 words max)

Visit the Music and Culture emphasis page and the Music Industry Studies page to learn more about each emphasis in the program.

Bachelor of Music in Composition applicants must also submit the following items to be considered for admission:

Pre-screen Audition Video
Notated scores and audio recordings of three to five original works
Goal statement
- Describe your long-term personal and professional goals and discuss how the degree program and area of study you wish to pursue at Chapman will help you meet those goals. (500 words max)

Visit the BM in Composition webpage to learn more about the program.

Bachelor of Music in Performance (Instrumental or Vocal) applicants must also submit the following items to be considered for admission:

Pre-screen Audition Video

Specific instrumental or vocal requirements for the video are listed below for each area.

Visit the BM in Performance webpage to learn more about each program.

Bachelor of Music (Pre-Music Education Certification) applicants must also submit the following items to be considered for admission:

Pre-screen Audition Video
Research paper or scholarly essay
- This document may come from a previous institution (high school or college) and can be on any subject.
Goal statement
- Describe your long-term personal and professional goals and discuss how the degree program and area of study you wish to pursue at Chapman will help you meet those goals. (500 words max)

Visit the BM (Pre-Music Education Certification) webpage to learn more about the program.

Pre-screen Audition Video

All applicants must submit a pre-screen audition video. All videos should include the following:

Introduce yourself and briefly describe your performing experience.
Briefly state why you want to attend Chapman University.
Announce the title of your piece and the name of the composer before you begin your performance.
Do not edit your video. Each piece must be continuous and unedited.
Check your recording before uploading to make sure both audio and video are present.
Instrumental audition video length is determined by the content requirements.
Vocal audition video length should be no more than five to six minutes.

Specific video audition requirements for your chosen instrument or voice are found below.

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View the specific video requirements document for Brass auditions here.

View the specific video requirements document Guitar Auditions here.

View the specific video requirements document for Percussion Auditions here.

View the specific video requirements document for Collaborative Piano auditions here.

View the specific video requirements document for Piano Auditions here.

View the specific video requirements document for Strings Auditions here.

View the specific video requirements document for Vocal Auditions here.

View the specific video requirements document for Woodwinds Auditions here.

Live Audition Sessions and Dates

After submitting the university application, creative supplement, and pre-screen audition video, select applicants will be invited to a live audition session.

The live audition may be in person or virtual and includes an introductory session, an interview with the corresponding music program director and the audition itself.

All applicants (except applicants to BA in Music, Music Industry Studies Emphasis) must audition on their primary instrument (guitar, percussion, piano, strings, vocal, woodwinds or brass).

Applicants to the following programs must submit additional materials:

BA in Music, Music and Culture Emphasis.
BA in Music, Music Industry Studies Emphasis.
BM in Composition.
BM (Pre-Music Education Certification).

Applicants for the BA in Music, Music Industry Studies Emphasis will do an interview rather than a live audition.

Live audition requirements are the same as listed for the pre-screen video (above). See the specific audition requirements for your chosen instrument or voice (above under Pre-Screen Audition Video).

Fall Application Deadlines

First-Year Early Decision and Early Action applicants: November 1, 2025
First-year Regular Decision applicants: January 15, 2026
Transfer applicants: February 15, 2026

If you have questions, visit our Creative Supplement FAQs page or email us at admission@chapman.edu.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Virtual How to Apply to CoPA Information Session

Learn about Chapman University's application process to undergraduate performing arts programs (and hear from current students!).

This virtual session will be on Wednesday, October 15 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Pacific Time. If you are outside the Pacific Time Zone, you can find the event times where you are here.

All potential undergraduate students and families are invited!

Learn more and register

»How to Apply to the Music Program

Creative Supplement

BA in Music

BM in Composition

BM in Performance (Instrumental/Vocal)

BM (Pre-Music Education Certification)

Pre-screen Audition Video

Brass Auditions

Guitar Auditions

Percussion Auditions

Collaborative Piano Auditions

Piano Auditions

Strings Auditions

Vocal Auditions

Woodwinds Auditions

Live Audition Sessions and Dates

Fall Application Deadlines

Virtual How to Apply to CoPA Information Session

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