San Francisco Conservatory of Music
SFCM | San Francisco Conservatory of
Music
Composition
audition
Acceptance
into the Composition program at SFCM requires pre-screening.
Live
auditions at the Conservatory are required of the following applicants:
- Anyone residing in California
Regional
auditions are available for the following applicants:
- Applicants residing outside of California
Final
audition recordings are accepted from the following applicants:
- Undergraduate applicants residing outside of
California
- Graduate applicants residing outside the
United States
- Composition applicants and Technology and
Applied Composition applicants are strongly encouraged to audition at
either a San Francisco audition or at a regional audition site. However,
if unable to make a live audition, undergraduate and international
applicants may submit a final piano recording to accompany their
portfolio.
- Final recordings must be submitted online
through the formal Application, found here, no later
than December 1.
PRE-SCREENING
Applicants
must submit three or more scores in various media and a recording (audio or
audio-visual) of each score in their pre-screening portfolio by December 1.
Scores must show evidence of original musical thought, along with the
fundamentals of compositional technique. While electronic compositions are
acceptable, applicants must also demonstrate competence with traditional
notation in the scores submitted. Computer-generated scores should be checked for
correct transpositions, appropriate accidentals, and normal spellings. MIDI
recordings are acceptable in exceptional cases, but acoustic performances are
strongly recommended.
FINAL AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Pre-screening portfolio contents, as
described in the pre-screening section above will be discussed at the live
audition.
- Demonstrated ability at the piano. It is
strongly recommended that this be done at a live audition, either at the
Conservatory or at one of the regional audition sites. Undergraduate
applicants who live outside California may submit a final audio-visual
recording electronically in their application. Applicants may also be
asked to realize figured bass at the piano, score-read a
chamber work, and/or sight-read a simple piano work. Should piano not
be the candidate's primary instrument, the applicant is welcome to upload
an electronic recording of a performance on their primary instrument with
their portfolio. Applicants must still complete the piano evaluation
requirement. Three complete works or movements should be prepared from the
following periods: baroque, classical, romantic, and 20th/21st century.
When choosing the 20th/21st century category, the applicant is encouraged
to perform one of his or her own compositions.
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Updated on 08/10/2018