School of Music application requirements

Audition guidelines

Applicants to the Multi-Focus Programs in Performance, the World Music Performance Program and the Musical Arts Program may either give a live audition or submit a recorded audition portfolio (see exceptions below). Live auditions are strongly recommended. These are held in January on the CalArts campus as well as in selected U.S. cities. The audition schedule will be available in November.

Prospective students applying to our Composition, Jazz Studies and Multi-Focus Music Technologies Programs do not give live auditions. Instead, they are asked to submit portfolios that include recordings, scores and other materials relevant to the program to which they are applying. See the specific requirements of the individual programs below.

Portfolio Guidelines

Please review the specific requirements for the program to which you are applying to see if a portfolio is required. Portfolios must include a statement of intent of no more than 500 words describing your artistic goals while attending CalArts, as well as your career objectives following graduation.

Please include a completed Portfolio Information Form with each mailed portfolio package. Address your portfolio to the Office of Admissions at CalArts using the printable Portfolio Mailing Label. Do not send your portfolio directly to the School of Music. Doing so will delay the review of your work.

Composition Program (BFA, MFA)

Submit a portfolio including scores, recordings or other materials that best represent your work and interests. A minimum of three recent works must be submitted, showing an awareness of 20th-century composition. If your work is produced primarily through electronic/recorded media, evidence of skill in written musical forms, such as scores, must be added.

Applicants to the MFA Specialization in Experimental Sound Practices should submit a minimum of three works that reflect their experience in computer music and other art media or interdisciplinary forms.

Performer/Composer Program (Upper-level BFA, MFA)

Applicants to Performer/Composer Program should follow all guidelines for both the Composition Program and the Multi-Focus Programs in Performance. The three works demonstrating your performance abilities should include standard repertoire and at least one original composition.

Applicants to the mfa Specialization in African American Improvisational Music should follow the standard Performer/Composer requirements. The work submitted should stress the integration of performance, improvisation and composition in
the applicant’s music.

Jazz Studies Program

Applicants to the Jazz Studies Program are evaluated by recorded audition only. Your recording should include four selections: two that demonstrate your main area of musical interest (original compositions are encouraged, but not required) and two contrast-ing jazz standards of your choice, demonstrating how you interpret melody, form, time feel and improvisation over chord changes. The performances should be with a small group (2–8 musicians) of any instrumentation.

Multi-Focus Programs in Performance (BFA, MFA)

Winds/Brass/Strings/Harp Program

Guitar Program

Percussion Program

Piano/Keyboard Program (including the MFA Specialization in Collaborative Keyboard)

Either present a live audition or submit recordings of your performance of three works in contrasting styles or from different historical periods. Live auditions are strongly recommended. The audition or recording must clearly demonstrate your level of performance and range of repertoire. In a live audition, expect to demonstrate your abilities in sight singing/sight reading and the identification by ear of various intervals, chords, scales and rhythmic patterns. When a live audition is not possible, you should submit evidence of ability in these musicianship skills. This evidence may take the form of letters from major teachers and/or transcripts of prior musical courses or private training.

Voice Program (BFA, MFA)

Live auditions
An accompanist will be provided for all auditions on the CalArts campus. You may also bring your own, if you wish. Taped accompaniment will be allowed only for pieces written specifically for voice and tape or for original compositions, and playback equipment must be requested in advance.

• Bring clear, legible music for all selections in the key in which you will be singing and a résumé and photo.

• Applicants will be asked to sight-read and all music must be memorized.

Recorded auditions
Live auditions are preferable whenever possible. Acceptable formats for recorded auditions include dvd, cd and vhs. Video recordings are preferable to audio recordings. Recordings must be of good fidelity and each selection must be one complete take with non-intrusive accompaniment. Live performances before an audience are preferred. Poor-quality, edited, overdubbed or processed tapes will not be considered. Recordings must be labeled clearly and completely, giving the order of selections on the recording, and for each selection, the title, composer, approximate timing, date recorded, and any relevant notes or comments. Please submit a résumé and photo along with the recording.

BFA1 (first-year undergraduate) applicants
• Three selections total.
• At least two selections should be from the classical repertoire (e.g., songs or arias by Handel, Mozart, Scarlatti, Schubert, Fauré, Barber, et al.).
• One selection of your choice (e.g., a song from a musical, a jazz standard, an original composition, an additional classical selection, etc.).

BFA transfer applicants
• Four selections total.
• At least three selections should be from the classical repertoire, with at least one selection in a language other than English.
• One selection of your choice (see BFA1 entry above).

MFA applicants
• Five selections total, with at least three languages represented.
• One selection must be a song or aria composed after 1950 (may include chamber music or works with orchestra).
• One selection must be an opera aria.
• Two other selections should be drawn from Lieder, Melodie, Oratorio or Cantata repertoire.
• One selection of your choice (see BFA1 entry above).

Multi-Focus Music Technologies Program (BFA only)

Due to its specialized and selective nature, students interested in the Multi-Focus Music Technologies Program should read the program’s description and qualifications carefully and, before applying, e-mail a brief description of their musical and technical background to musictech@music.calarts.edu.

Applicants must submit a portfolio of your work, preferably recorded on a self-made audio cd or Macintosh-compatible CD-ROM. It should demonstrate your skills in musical performance, composition, midi, recording, multimedia and related areas. It must be accompanied by a list of the recorded selections, indicating your role (performer, composer, engineer, etc.) and technical details (equipment and techniques used) for each piece. Portfolios should indicate the full range of your musical and technical abilities, including acoustic and electronic pieces, and both standard works and original compositions. Each individual piece can be short (approximately five minutes) and excerpts from longer pieces are acceptable. It is not necessary to include more than one piece in any particular style.

In addition to a recorded portfolio, applicants to the Multi-Focus Music Technologies Program must submit a personal statement discussing three areas: your major interests and career goals, your musical training and experience (including lessons and classes taken), and your experience with audio and computer technologies (including midi, recording, music software and related topics).

The portfolio may also include original midi or sound files, printed scores, computer programs, html code, documentation of electronics work or other materials that demonstrate your talents and abilities.

Musical Arts Program (BFA only)

The Musical Arts Program is designed for students with multiple musical talents and interests, and your audition/portfolio should demonstrate how these constitute the basis for a unique individualized program. It should include:

• A statement of your career objectives, no longer than 500 words.

• For performers, a live audition is strongly recommended. If a live audition is not possible, a portfolio of recordings and/or scores of your performances or compositions. These should be on one cd or one audiocassette; vhs tapes will not be reviewed.

• Any supplemental materials relevant to your interests and specializations.

• Evidence of basic proficiency in musical notation (key signatures, scales, chords, rhythms, etc.) and musicianship skills, including ear training and sight reading/sight singing. This evidence may take the form of letters from major teachers and/or transcripts of prior musical courses or private training.

World Music Performance Program

BFA1 (first-year undergraduate) applicants
Please submit a high-quality vhs or dvd recording of yourself performing on your instrument of choice. You should include approximately 15–20 minutes of music in which you play the main instrument. If you are performing in a group, please make sure to also perform solo material on the recording.

BFA transfer applicants
A live audition is required if applying as a transfer student. The faculty wishes to hear you perform 15–20 minutes of live music on your instrument. You should be performing on one of the world music instruments offered at CalArts.

Specialization in North Indian Music (MFA only)
Please present a high-quality vhs or dvd recording of yourself performing 15–20 minutes of music on a North Indian instrument. We would prefer to hear both solo and ensemble recordings, if possible.

Specialization in African Music (MFA only)
Please present a high-quality vhs or dvd recording of yourself performing 15–20 minutes of music on an African instrument. We would prefer to hear both solo and ensemble recordings, if possible.

Specialization in Indonesian Music (MFA only)
Please present a high-quality vhs or dvd recording of yourself performing 15–20 minutes of music on an Indonesian instrument (gamelan). We would prefer to hear both solo and ensemble recordings, if possible.

Specialization in World Percussion (MFA only)
Please present a high quality vhs or dvd recording of yourself performing 15–20 minutes of music on hand drums or other world music percussion instruments. We would prefer to hear both solo and ensemble recordings, if possible.