BFA Music Technology: Admission Requirements

Due to its specialized and highly selective nature, students interested in the Music Technology: Interaction, Intelligence, & Design Program (MTIID) should read the program’s description and qualifications carefully, review student work, and, before applying, email a brief description of their musical and technical background to program director Ajay Kapur.

This process helps potential students understand the direction of study undertaken at CalArts in the MTIID program. A strong preference is given to applicants with previous experience in mathematics, computer science, physics or engineering. The focus of the MTIID program is not in sound engineering or recording, although students have the ability (and are required) to pursue some classes and opportunities in that field.

Create an account to begin the application process. This is where you’ll complete each step in the application and receive updates on your application status. Add your personal background and academic history.

You’re invited to submit a portfolio containing three to five examples of your artistic work via the portfolio section of the CalArts application. Please number your examples beginning with what you consider to be your strongest works—reviewers will examine them in the order that you indicate. 

The faculty are especially interested in reviewing work that emphasizes:

• Your own original compositions documented through scores or other appropriate media, improvisations, and/or interdisciplinary work.
• Performances demonstrating strong technical skills.
• Innovative and unique musical practices.
• Proficiency with music technology, including novel and innovative uses.
• Any original artwork other than music that informs your musical practice.
• BFA (optional): Please submit an example of computer science code (Python, ChucK, C++, or other languages with which you have experience).

Materials to upload might include recordings, videos, scores, writings, and/or other relevant materials. You may link to media hosted on external websites, but please ensure that reviewers have permission to view this media. For all media, please clearly indicate (in a separate PDF if necessary):

• The title, composer, personnel, instrumentation, and date of creation.
• How did you make this? Did you record and produce this yourself or in a professional studio? If you recorded and produced this yourself, please tell us about your process.
• For each track/part/instrument, please answer the following questions: Is this a recording of an instrument that you (or someone else) played? A sample or pre-recorded loop or a midi-generated performance? If it is a sample or pre-recorded loop, did you create it yourself? If so, how?

If you experience technical difficulties while uploading your portfolio, please email admissions@calarts.edu.

Your portfolio must include an artist statement of 250 to 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 Music Technology 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 program. At least one recommendation should be written by a person who understands your work, such as a performance instructor or art teacher.

All letters of recommendation should be received by the application deadline, so it’s important that you contact your recommenders months before. We ask 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.

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

Letters of recommendation must be written in English or accompanied by a certified English translated document.