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, 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 and want minimal required performance courses in the curriculum.
Non-Audition Track Application Deadlines: Non-audition track applicants are not required to complete any additional requirements for admission other than being accepted to CU Denver. Non-audition track students can start during any CU Denver semester. The deadline to apply for the non-audition track programs are the same as the university application deadlines:
- Fall Semester start - August 1st
- Spring Semester start - January 1st
- Summer Semester start - May 15th
Audition Track Programs: The audition track programs are designed for students who seek careers as performers in the music industry and want lots of performance training and applied lessons in the curriculum. MEIS offers four audition track programs: Music Performance, Music Business - Audition Track, Recording Arts - Audition Track, and Singer/Songwriter. The audition track programs only accept students for a Fall Semester start. Applicants who do not complete the audition track requirements can start in a non-audition track program.
Audition Track Application Deadlines:
- Early Application Deadline: January 1st - Applicants who complete all three audition track application requirements that are listed below by January 1st will be notified of their MEIS admission status by January 20th.
- Regular Application Deadline: Extended to April 15th - Applicants must complete the three application requirements listed below in order to start in an audition track program for the following Fall Semester. Applicants who are admitted during the regular application period (January 1st - April 15th) will be notified of their admission decision on a rolling basis. All applicants will be notified of their admission decision within three weeks of completing the requirements.
- Late Application Deadline: June 30th - Late applicants will be considered on a space available and case by case basis. Please reach out to Dave Walter (david.walter@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-7487) if you have any questions.
FALL 2022 AUDITION TRACK REQUIREMENTS
- CU Denver Application - Applicants must apply to CU Denver through the Admissions Office Webpage
and be admitted in order to be considered
for admission to the MEIS Department.
- Music Theory and Ear Training Assessment Exams - All audition track applicants must complete the online Music Theory and Ear Training Assessment Exam (use Chrome or Firefox browsers) as
part of their application to the MEIS Department. Applicants must score
at least a 55% on the exam in order to be considered for admission. The
exam is completed online and is free for applicants. Please use this Exam Study Guide as a resource and take free practice tests on the MusicTheory.net website.
- Audition - Applicants have the option to audition by video or on campus during one of our live audition dates. (See audition dates below).
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).
The faculty will review audition videos
and applicants will be notified about their admission status.
Instrument audition requirements for the Music Performance, Music Business and Recording Arts audition track emphasis areas:
Bass
Cello
Drum Kit
Electronic Digital Instrument
Guitar (Commercial, Jazz, Electric)
Percussion
Piano/Keyboard
Trumpet
Violin, Viola
Voice (Contemporary, Commercial)
Audition requirements for the Singer/Songwriter Program:
Singer/Songwriter
Songwriter Entrepreneur
** Only
for Singer/Songwriter Emphasis applicants. Music Business and Recording
Arts Audition Track applicants cannot choose singer/songwriter for
their instrument. Applicants must accompany themselves on either piano
or guitar.
Audition Dates:
Fall 2023 Audition Dates will be announced by September 1st. There will likely be one audition date in December, two in February, and one in March.
How to schedule an audition - To schedule an audition please email the faculty member listed on the audition requirement page for your instrument (above).
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, lunch with the MEIS faculty, 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 a Open House:
- The 2022-23 Open House Dates will be listed here by September 1st.
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 Dave Walter at david.walter@ucdenver.edu to schedule a tour.