World Music Specializations (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

Via the portfolio section of the CalArts Application, you are invited to submit a portfolio containing four examples of your artistic work.  The four selections should feature your performing and showcase your primary interests and strengths in World Music/Music. Your submission could include any of the following:

  • Improvising on your primary instrument

  • Playing a featured role in an ensemble

  • Practicing/performing movement vocabulary of indigenous cultures 

  • Singing songs from various cultures

  • Showcasing your original compositions/projects

  • Demonstrating proficiency on a variety of musical instruments 

Please number your examples beginning with what you consider to be your strongest ones—reviewers will examine them in the order that you indicate. Materials must be labeled clearly and completely, including, for each selection: title and composer (if appropriate) as well as your role in each piece (e.g. musician, dancer, composer, etc.). This information can be included in a separate PDF document, if desired. You may link to media hosted on external websites, but please ensure that reviewers will have permission to view this media.

Please use our online portfolio submission system to present a high-quality recording(s) of yourself performing 15–20 minutes of music on an African instrument. We would prefer to hear both solo and ensemble recordings, if possible.

Please use our online portfolio submission system to present a high-quality recording(s) 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.

Please use our online portfolio submission system to present a high-quality 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.

Please use our online portfolio submission system to present a high quality uploaded 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.

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.

The World Music BFA and MFA programs do not hold required auditions. Instead, if needed by our faculty, we will contact you about scheduling 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.