FALL 2022

Prescreening applies to all instruments and Vocal Arts. Applicants who pass the first round prescreen will be invited to a second round audition. Due to public health considerations during the current surge in Covid-19 infections, including the campus decision to extend remote instruction through the end of January, ALL SECOND ROUND AUDITIONS WILL BE VIRTUAL. This includes Vocal Arts, who previously planned to be in-person. Second round auditions will be held during January 22-23 and January 29-30, 2022.

Undergraduate Applicants

Auditions are required for all applicants, including:

• Incoming Freshman and Transfer Students
• Music as Primary or Secondary Major
• Current UCI students seeking to change major to Music or add Music as a second major

Application Process Overview

Prescreen Round:

1. Submit your UC application during November 1st - 30th
2. Submit a prescreen video by December 31st

Second Round:

1. A second audition (virtual) is required for all applicants who pass the prescreen. Applicants will be notified of prescreen audition results by early January.
2. Schedule your second audition as early as possible, and no later than January 20th. Audition times are first-come, first-served.
3. Attend your audition in late January.
4. Refer to Dates and Deadlines at UCI Admissions for final admission decisions, timelines, and more.

Prescreening Required

• Pre-screening applies to ALL instruments and Vocal Arts
• Use the same repertoire for both prescreen and second round auditions
• Applicants who pass the prescreen will be invited to a second audition in late January
• Applicants who do not pass the prescreen will receive a notification with advice from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, should they wish to continue their pursuit of admission to UCI.
• PRESCREEN DEADLINE: Submit by December 31st

*THE PRESCREEN AUDITION SUBMISSION PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED*

Requirements for Undergraduate Prescreen Videos

• Perform ONLY repertoire which meets the stated requirements
• VIDEO links only (we need to see and hear you)
• Clearly state your name and the repertoire you will be performing at the start of each video
• Verify your links work and permissions are set correctly BEFORE submitting (we do not troubleshoot broken links; auditions that cannot be accessed may not be considered)
• If applying for more than one instrument, submit separately; DO NOT combine instruments on one submission

Audition Dates

Second round auditions for fall admission take place on the 3rd and 4th weekends in January, each year.

Saturday, January 22nd

• Piano (classical)
• Strings (Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Viola, Violin)
• Vocal Arts

Sunday, January 23rd

• Brass (Euphonium, Horn, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba)
• Piano (classical)

Saturday, January 29th

• Guitar & Lute
• Jazz Studies (Acoustic Bass, Drum Set, Piano, Trombone, Trumpet)
• Percussion (classical)

Sunday, January 30th

• Strings (Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Viola, Violin)
• Vocal Arts
• Winds (Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe)

Second Round Auditions

Second round entrance auditions include an audition performance. Be prepared to perform; have your instrument out and be ready to play (warm up before your audition). Be prepared to sight-read (if asked), perform scales (if asked), and answer questions about yourself and your musical knowledge and skills.

Due to public health considerations during the current surge in Covid-19 infections, including the campus decision to extend remote instruction through the end of January, ALL SECOND ROUND AUDITIONS WILL BE VIRTUAL. This includes Vocal Arts, who previously planned to be in-person. 

Music Department Student/Parent Orientation

Registration is required. Register Here!

CTSA & Campus Tours

• CTSA Virtual Tour
• UCI Campus Tours

Musicianship & Music Theory

• Musicianship and Music Theory are core competencies in our undergraduate program. All students must pass these courses to succeed in earning their degree.
• Placement exams for Musicianship and Music Theory are required for all newly admitted undergraduate students, including incoming freshman and transfer students, and current UCI students newly admitted to the program.
• Placement exams take place during Welcome Week, just prior to the start of fall classes.
• Placement exams DO NOT take place during auditions. They only apply to admitted undergraduate students.
• We STRONGLY recommend applicants explore the following resources:
  • Musicianship & Music Theory Placement Exams
  • Musicianship & Music Fundamentals Resources

Graduate Applicants

Auditions are required for Graduate MFA applicants in the following emphases:

• Collaborative Piano and/or Piano Performance
• Guitar & Lute Performance
• Instrumental Performance
• Vocal Arts

Graduate applicants should contact the appropriate faculty instructor to arrange your in-person or virtual audition by December 15th. Please DO NOT use the above link for Undergraduate applicants.