The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts Program Requirements

Fall 2009

 
Audition Guidelines

Applicants to the Programs in Performance 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 select U.S. cities. You must contact the Office of Admissions to schedule an audition.

Prospective students applying to our Composition, Jazz and Music Technology 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 attached printable Portfolio Mailing Label. Do not send your portfolio directly to The Herb Alpert School of Music. Doing so will cause a delay in the review of your work.

 

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

Applicants to the Performer/Composer Program should follow all guidelines for both the Composition Program and the Programs in Performance. The three works demonstrating your performance abilities should include traditional and 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.

 

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.

 

Jazz Program
(BFA, MFA)

Applicants to the Jazz 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 contrasting 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.

 

Programs in Performance

AFRICAN MUSIC AND DANCE PROGRAM (MFA ONLY)

Please present a high-quality 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.

 

BALINESE AND JAVANESE MUSIC AND DANCE PROGRAM (MFA ONLY)

Please present a high-quality 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.

 

BRASS/HARP/STRINGS/WINDS PROGRAM (BFA/MFA)

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.

 

GUITAR PROGRAM (BFA/MFA)

Guitar applicants should present, live or in recording, examples that reflect their musical interest and their best abilities as guitarists and musicians. There is no requirement for particular style or period. Audition pieces can be, but are not limited to, classical, jazz, rock, blues, world, flamenco or an original synthesis of styles. If your music encompasses a range of styles, we would like to hear representative examples, including your own compositions, if you have them. If you play primarily in groups, we would like to hear a group recording. The quality of the recording is not important, only the quality of the playing. In groups, clearly identify which part you are playing.

 

NORTH INDIAN MUSIC PROGRAM (MFA ONLY)

Please present a high-quality 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.

 

PERCUSSION PROGRAM (BFA/MFA)

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.

 

PIANO/KEYBOARD PROGRAM (BFA/MFA)
(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 and CD. 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 recordings 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).

 

WORLD MUSIC PROGRAM (BFA ONLY)

BFA1 (first-year undergraduate) applicants

Please submit a high-quality 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.

 

WORLD PERCUSSION PROGRAM (MFA ONLY)

Please present a high quality 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.

 

Music Technology Program: Interaction, Intelligence and Design
(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 on our web site carefully and, before applying, e-mail a brief description of their musical
and technical background to musictech@calarts.edu.

Applicants must submit a portfolio of 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 Music Technology Program must submit an artist’s 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 must be submitted on a single CD or 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.