Performer-Composer (BFA & MFA)

You must complete all admissions requirements as well as the program requirements below to be considered for admission. Before applying, please make sure to familiarize yourself with the School of Music, faculty, facilities, curriculum and student work.

You cannot make any changes to your application after it has been submitted.

Application Requirements

Please refer generally to the guidelines for both the Composition specialization and your relevant Performance area as you create your portfolio. 

Via the portfolio section of the CalArts Application, you are invited to submit a portfolio containing a minimum of three examples of your artistic work. This artistic portfolio should include:

  • A minimum of three audio or video samples demonstrating your performing and composing abilities.

  • At least one substantial piece chosen from repertoire for your voice or instrument.

  • At least two original compositions. This original work should demonstrate the ways you integrate your performing and composing skills. 

  • If your practice involves improvisation, please include an example either within the above samples or as an additional portfolio selection. 

  • If your composed work involves notation, whether traditional staff notation, text or graphic scoring, or any other visual representation, please include these scores as PDF files. 

  • Additional samples focusing only on your performance or composition skills are welcome. 

Please number your examples beginning with what you consider to be your strongest ones—reviewers will examine them in the order that you indicate. Please label each example including: title, composer (if other than yourself), names of other participants (if applicable), and describe your process for creating the original works included in your portfolio. This should be included as a separate PDF document. You may link to media hosted on external websites, but please ensure that reviewers will have permission to view this media. 

Your portfolio must include an artist statement of 250–500 words that includes all of the following:

  • Your background in the study and practice of music, including a crucial moment in your artistic development.

  • Your main musical passions and artistic influences right now – what you are currently listening to.

  • Genre(s) of music you are interested in performing and studying.

  • What you are interested in exploring or experimenting with at CalArts.

  • What attracts you to the particular Specialization to which you are applying. You may include a CalArts class, faculty, and/or offering that excites you the most.

  • Your long-term goals as a professional musician.

The faculty want to learn more about you, directly from you! We ask that you record a 60–90 second short video of you introducing yourself. You should discuss:

  • Your current artistic practice or what you perform, compose, produce, arrange, write, dance/choreograph, film, etc.

  • A person, place, idea, or thing that inspires you and your music.

  • A new artistic approach or skill you’d like to bring into your practice that you want to learn more about or haven’t tried before.

In your Video Introduction, you should:

  • Record for only 60–90 seconds

  • Speak directly to the camera

  • Not read from a prepared statement

  • Not make edits

  • Not add special effects or on-screen overlays

  • Upload the video or link directly to the portfolio section of the CalArts Application

  • Use the recording equipment you have; cellphone cameras or consumer cameras are okay.

Applicants applying to the Performer-Composer BFA and MFA programs are required to participate in an in-person interview and audition. This offers you and the panel the opportunity for greater communication, and you will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the program.

After submitting your application, you will receive an email that grants you access to sign up for an audition location in one of several cities. We will then contact you with an audition time. More information on the auditions and registration can be found on our Audition Schedule page.

For a live audition, applicants may prepare music from the online portfolio and/or new material, in any combination that fits best. If you cannot attend an in-person interview/audition, we will treat your portfolio as your audition. If needed by our faculty, we will contact you to schedule a virtual interview.

Two letters of recommendation are required for the BFA, three for the MFA. At least one recommendation should be written by a person who understands your designer work, such as a performance instructor or art teacher.

All letters of recommendation should be received by the application deadline, so it is highly recommended that you contact your recommenders months before. We request that you submit the requests for your letters of recommendation through the online application, as it will allow you to track when we receive your requested letters.

Only if this is not possible, you may download the Letter of Recommendation Form (pdf) and have your recommender send their letters by mail to the Office of Admissions. Please choose only one method – either through the online application (preferred) or by mail – per recommender. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted via credentialing services such as Parchment or Naviance.

Mailed letters of recommendation should be sent to:

CalArts Office of Admissions
24700 McBean Pkwy.
Valencia, CA 91355
United States of America

Please note, letters of recommendation must be written in English or accompanied by a certified English translated document.