Carnegie Mellon Summer: Pre-College Music

Nearly 70 Years of Preparing Young Musicians for Excellence

Pre-College Music immerses high school students in a world-class conservatory experience within an internationally recognized university.

The program mirrors the first weeks of Carnegie Mellon’s first-year undergraduate School of Music curriculum. In Pre-College Music, you will improve as a musician while experiencing the life of a college student studying and living in a university setting.

Curriculum Overview

The Pre-College Music curriculum consists of private studio lessons, major performing ensembles, and music support courses. Additionally, students are encouraged to take advantage of the many minor studios and electives offered every summer. Acceptance into each course is contingent on demonstrated performance level either by an audition recording or on a submitted portfolio.

Your Pre-College Music experience and level of growth will depend on which Pre-College Music option you choose. We recommend the Residential 6-week option for the most enriching experience producing the greatest results. However, we understand this level of commitment is not possible for all students. For that reason, we offer additional options.