Music FAQs
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, you will not be invited to a second round audition. Refer to your Applicant Portal for the University decision by the decision date.
No, we do not provide feedback.
This depends on your instrument/voice; please find this information on the Undergraduate Auditions page.
For in-person auditions, doors open at 9am, and auditions begin at 10am. Please arrive early enough to walk from the parking structure to the Music & Media building, check in at the Music Office, and warm up for 10 minutes. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your audition.
Find information about visitor parking, including rates, here. We recommend parking in the Mesa Parking Structure.
Please check in at the Music Office, on the 3rd Floor of the Music & Media building. Take the stairs or elevator to the 3rd Floor, and enter through the double doors directly across from the elevator. The Music Office is the first office on the right (check in at the front counter).
Please email music@uci.edu to cancel or reschedule
Please contact the faculty member listed as a contact on the Repertoire Requirements page for your instrument. Department staff cannot answer repertoire questions.
You may or may not be asked to sight read. We recommend you be prepared just in case.
You may or may not be asked to perform scales. We recommend you be prepared just in case.
Be prepared to answer questions about yourself, your musical background and your interest in UCI.
Auditions range from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the instrument.
Yes, Vocal Arts applicants may bring their own accompanist if they choose.
Accompaniment is provided ONLY for Vocal Arts auditions. It is not possible for Vocal Arts applicants to warm up with the accompanist; music will be sight-read.
Out of consideration for all applicants, we request that you limit your warm-up time to 10 minutes.
Yes! All prospective students will be escorted to a warm up space after checking in at the Music Office.
We do not offer tours of Music Department facilities because they're in use for auditions. You can take a virtual tour of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, or explore options at campus tours.
Yes! Submit separate prescreen forms for each instrument. Do not combine instruments on one submission.
Arrive as soon as you can, check in at the Music Office, and we'll do our best to fit you in where we can. If you're able to, email us at music@uci.edu to let us know.
Practice room access is limited to music majors and non-majors who are currently enrolled in a department ensemble class. Keys and access cards are issued through the Music Office upon request.
Practice Room Guidelines.
Music majors may make a recurring reservation for one AITR building practice room for one hour per day during Week 1 of each quarter. Sign-up sheets are posted near the Music Office.
Welcome Week takes place during the three days before fall classes begin and includes important placement exams for theory and musicianship, ensemble auditions, and orientation sessions.
Welcome Week Schedule
Students will receive information on placement exams during the summer. Reviewing basic music theory and ear training is strongly recommended.
New Music Major Information
Degree recitals (for junior and senior music majors) must be coordinated carefully with your studio teacher, your Collaborative Musician (accompanist) and the Production Manager. A recital request form, timeline, and other requirements are provided by the department and explained during Welcome Week.
Recital Info
Complete a key request form in the Music Office. Once approved, keys are issued by the Dean’s Office.
Lockers are available to music majors on a first-come, first-served basis. Email the department to request or join the waitlist.
Music Department Orientation Guide (PDF)
Music majors may reserve rooms by submitting an email reservation request to <music@uci.edu> at least two business days in advance. Include your name, purpose, date, time, and preferred room.
Lost keys carry a $100 replacement fee and may also result in restricted access to facilities.
Room Reservations & Key Policy
Yes, numerous UCI students from across campus take music classes and ensembles. Most of our ensemble classes are open via audition to all UCI students, including Wind Ensemble, Symphony, Choral Ensembles, Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combos. Please see About Ensemble for information on auditions and enrollment. We also offer serve the campus through offering many large GE classes, and some smaller, upper-division undergraduate courses are also open to non-music majors.
Entrance to our B.Mus. degree requires auditions. Entrance to our B.A. degree does not require auditions or an application process.
Undergraduate Admissions.
The Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) degree is offered in piano, vocal arts, and strings and provides pre-professional training in Western classical music performance, including four years of individual lessons. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree provides students with a broad foundation in music studies, and students also complete one of two emphases: 1) History and Theory (HTM); or 2) Integrated Composition, Improvisation and Technology (ICIT).
Undergraduate Programs.
All students who wish to be a music major should indicate that on the UC Application. Those wishing to enter the B.Mus. degree must also submit a Music Audition Application via the Music Department website and follow the instructions for the audition process.
Undergraduate Auditions.
For admission to the B.Mus. degree, you must complete the online Music Audition Application by the posted deadline and pass the prescreening round to audition in-person in January.
Undergraduate Auditions.
Audition requirements vary by instrument and program and can be found on our website. Be prepared to perform selected repertoire and demonstrate sight-reading or other skills.
Undergraduate Auditions.
The B.A. degree does not require an audition or experience with classical music, and it is designed to support a wide variety of interests and future career goals. The department welcomes students from diverse musical backgrounds into the B.A. degree and into many of our classes.
Yes, beginning in fall 2025 we offer a Minor in Music.
Undergraduate Programs.
The Music Department main office is on the 3rd floor of the Music & Media Building (MM), in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UC Irvine. Classes and rehearsals take place in the MM building as well as other spaces including the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC), the Arts Instructional Technology Resource (AITR) building, Winifred Smith Hall (WSH), and the Mesa Office Building (MOB).
Visitors may park in the Mesa Parking Structure (MPS) or Student Center Parking Structure (SCPS). Paid visitor permits are required and can be purchased at kiosks or via the ParkMobile app.
Parking Information
Many diverse student and faculty concerts take place throughout the year, some free admission and some ticketed. Visit the Claire Trevor School of the Arts events calendar to view upcoming concerts, recitals, and performances hosted by the Music Department.
UCI Arts Events Calendar
For general inquiries, email music@uci.edu or call the Music Department Office at (949) 824-6615 during business hours.
Contact the Department
