The Music & Entertainment Industry Studies Department offers both non-audition track programs (Music Business and Recording Arts) and audition track programs (Music Performance, Singer/Songwriter, Songwriter Entrepreneur, Music Business, and Recording Arts).
Non-Audition Track Programs: The MEIS non-audition programs in Recording Arts and Music Business are designed for students who seek careers working behind-the-scenes in the music industry as music professionals and audio engineers. These tracks require less performance courses, which frees up more room for recording arts and music business upper-level elective courses. Non-audition track applicants just need to be admitted to CU Denver to start in the program and they can start during any term. There aren't any additional music application requirements. The deadlines to apply for the non-audition track programs are the same as the university application deadlines.
Audition Track Programs: The audition track programs are designed for students who want performance to be a part of their future career in the music industry. These tracks have lots of performance courses in the curriculum. MEIS offers five audition track programs: Music Performance, Music Business - Audition Track, Recording Arts - Audition Track, Singer/Songwriter, and Songwriter Entrepreneur. Applicants that don't pass an audition can start in a non-audition track program.
Audition Track Deadlines for Fall Semester Applicants:
- Early Application Deadline: Jan. 1 - Applicants who are both admitted to CU Denver and pass an audition by Jan. 1 will be notified of their MEIS admission status by Jan. 20.
- Regular Application Deadline: April 15 - Applicants who are both admitted to CU Denver and pass an audition during the regular application period (Jan. 1- April 15) will be notified of their admission decision on a rolling basis.
- Late Application Deadline: June 30 - Late applicants will be considered on a space available basis. Applicants who would like to audition between April 15-June 30 should submit an audition video because our faculty usually aren't available during this period to conduct live auditions.
- After June 30 - Admitted CU Denver students who want to join one of our audition track programs but haven't auditioned by June 30, should start in one of our non-audition track programs for the fall semester. They will then have the option to audition while at CU Denver to move over to an audition track program.
Spring semester MEIS applicants:
- Applicants that intend to start for the spring semester must apply to CU Denver by Jan. 1 but it is recommended that they apply by at least Dec. 1. Applicants who want to start in an audition track program should reach out directly to the faculty member who conducts auditions for their instrument (see below) to setup a time to audition. Auditions must by completed by Dec. 15. Applicants who don't audition by this date can start in one of our non-audition track programs.
FALL 2026 AUDITION TRACK REQUIREMENTS
- CU Denver Application - Applicants can apply to CU Denver through the Admissions Office Webpage or through the Common Application. Applicants must be admitted to CU Denver in order to be considered
for admission to the MEIS Department.
- Audition - Applicants have the option to audition by video or on campus during one of our live audition dates.
- Video Audition Process - Applicants who choose to audition by video have two options for submitting audition videos: 1) Through the CU Denver application portal, either while applying to CU Denver or after applying to CU Denver. 2) Through our page on the GetAccepted.com website (please note that there is a $30 submission fee if using Acceptd). Once an applicant submits a video, our faculty will try to review it within one month. Applicants will be notified of the results by email once a decision is made.
- Live Audition Process - There are three live audition dates for fall 2026 applicants:
- Friday, Dec. 5, 2025
- Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
- Friday, March 20, 2026
To schedule an audition please email the faculty member listed on the audition requirement page for your instrument (below).
Audition Requirements by Instrument:
Bass
Brass (Trumpet, Trombone, etc.)
Cello
Drum Kit
Electronic Digital Instrument
Guitar (Commercial, Jazz, Electric)
Percussion
Piano/Keyboard
Violin, Viola
Voice (Contemporary, Commercial)
Woodwind (Saxophone, Flute, etc.)
Audition Requirements for Songwriter Programs:
Singer/Songwriter
Songwriter Entrepreneur
* For the two songwriter programs, applicants must accompany themselves on either piano or guitar.
* Music Business and Recording
Arts Audition Track applicants cannot choose the songwriter programs for
their instrument.
MEIS Open Houses - We host MEIS Open House events on each audition date.
Each Open House consists of a MEIS Overview session, a Q&A panel with current MEIS students, the opportunity to sit-in on a General Recital class, a faculty meet and greet, and a tour of our music facilities and recording studios. Attending an Open House is a sure way to get all your questions answered and to make sure that MEIS is the right fit for you. When scheduling an audition, make sure to also register to attend an Open House:
We also provide individual on-campus tours of campus and our music spaces for applicants and families. With at least two weeks notice, we are available for tours on most weekdays. Please reach out to us at [email protected] to schedule a music tour.
Questions - If you have any questions about this information listed above, please contact us at [email protected] or 303-315-7487.
