CSSSA MUSIC REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS – 2025

The Music Department welcomes students with a variety of interests and ways of expressing themselves musically. Our program celebrates many musical genres, offering training in Indonesian gamelan, African drumming, and composition, as well as private instruction on your chosen instrument. You may apply in any voice type, instrument, or music production. Whether you plan to focus on classical music, popular music, or seek out meaningful collaborations in something completely new, we encourage you to be yourself when you apply to this rigorous program. We hope to see your unique voice come through. 

Applicants to the Music Program must submit a completed online application, provide the contact information for two (2) teacher recommenders, and upload the following assignments. 

Assignments

A. Create an audition video recording that includes a vocal or instrumental performance of TWO PIECES of contrasting styles.  

The maximum combined performance length for the audition is six minutes. You are permitted to make logical cuts in the music to stay within the time limit. Original songs may not be submitted, unless you are applying for music production.  

Begin your video by answering the following questions: What is your name? What is your instrument or voice type? How long have you been studying music? What are the titles and composers of your audition selections? Then perform your audition.

NOTE: We MUST be able to see you play your instrument or sing.  

For music production applicants, please use the video portion to answer the above questions, as well as introduce us to your setup and process behind the pieces you are submitting.  

B. In a separate document, upload your answer to the following questions: 

What is your musical background? Why do you want to attend the California State Summer School for the Arts? What do you think you will contribute to the Music Program? Your response should be 1-2 pages, double-spaced in a size 12 font. 

For Returning Students:

New students will be given first priority to attend CSSSA’s Music Program. Returning students will be accepted if there is sufficient space in your chosen discipline.

C. Returning Students only: If you have attended CSSSA before, in addition to the assignments above, submit a brief statement of your specific learning objectives and reasons for wanting to return this summer.  

For All Students:

You are welcome to have an accompanying track or use an accompanist for the audition recording. 

If you would like to apply for more than one instrument, a complete application must be submitted for each. Students will be accepted in one instrument only. 

Please save your assignments with your first initial and last name followed by the appropriate letter for each of the submissions. For example, John Smith would save his work as follows: 

jsmith_A 
jsmith_B 
jsmith_C