Carnegie Mellon University School of Music Pre-College Music Program is designed to give you the opportunity to see what college is like in this highly regarded atmosphere. Students will get to live on campus, take classes with conservatory professors, play, rehearse, perform, and enjoy the freedom of college life in a safe environment. Students in the Pre-College Music Program choose to major in one of four areas - Instrumental Performance | Vocal Performance | Composition | Music Technology/Electronic Music. After choosing their major, students participate in many enriching musical opportunities, including private studio lessons, classroom courses, music support courses and performing ensembles.
In addition, local students who need flexibility can join a part-time program offering lessons and other supplemental classes.
Location(s)
- Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Schedule
- Six weeks from early July to mid-August or three weeks from early July to mid July
Cost/Compensation
- Full-time residential 6-week program Tuition: $10,155
- Full-time commuter 6-week program Tuition: $7,258
- Full-time residential 3-week program Tuition: $6,407
- Full-time commuter 3-week program Tuition: $4,872
- Part-time commuter flexible program: Costs depend on lesson and activity selections
Eligibility Requirements
- Be at least 16 years old by the program start date.
- Be a current sophomore or junior in high school at the time of application submission.
- To be eligible as a commuter student, the parent or legal guardian must have a permanent residence within approximately 30 miles of the Carnegie Mellon University campus or within Allegheny County. Families who relocate temporarily to the Pittsburgh area are not eligible for commuter status. There are no exceptions to this policy.
- Have a strong interest in music
Deadline
- Early Decision & International - February 1
- Regular Decision & Scholarship - March 15
- Part-time Commuter - July 15
Application or Entry Requirements
- Completed online application
- Unofficial transcript
- Standardized test scores (optional)
- One letter of recommendation
- Response to essay prompt (300-500 words)
- What do you hope to gain from participating in Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs?
- Submission of the following audition requirements:
- Instrumental and Vocal Performance Majors should submit recordings of two to three contrasting pieces that demonstrate their musical and technical level of achievement. (Vocalists: Please note that Pre-College Music focuses mainly on classical repertoire, rather than musical theater.)
- Composition Majors should submit two to three manuscripts of original compositions showing their range in genre, training, and ability. If possible, include an audio recording of each of the submitted compositions. An electronically generated recording is acceptable.
- Music Technology/Electronic Music Majors should submit a portfolio containing samples of their creative work. This may include audio recordings of performances or compositions that you engineered, video recordings of performances or compositions that you produced or edited, and/or screenshots of your software or other creative work. If this is not possible, please provide a written statement that outlines your specific interests and experience with music technology or electronic music.
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Full scholarships covering tuition, housing, and dining are available to students demonstrating financial need who enroll in the residential 6-week program. You can elect to be considered for a scholarship within the online application.
Please note: International students are not eligible for scholarship consideration.
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
Have other questions?
Carnegie Mellon University School of Music is a highly regarded music conservatory located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school is part of Carnegie Mellon University, a private research university, and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in music performance, composition, music education, and music technology. The CMU School of Music offers a unique curriculum that combines traditional music training with cutting-edge technology. The school is home to a number of renowned faculty members, including Grammy-winning conductor and composer Lucas Richman, and jazz pianist and composer Geri Allen.
