Accordion
Before applying, please make sure to familiarize yourself with The Herb Alpert School of Music, faculty, facilities, curriculum, and student work.
You cannot make any changes to your application after it has been submitted.
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.
The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts works towards developing the entire artist and focuses on individual pathways. Our faculty is interested in seeing and hearing material that offers a sense of who you are as an artist. We want to know what you are thinking about, what you are currently working on, and what you would like to create while at CalArts. Students are welcome to apply with advanced musical backgrounds as well as with unique creative backgrounds from other artistic disciplines. For example, if your work has gravitated toward sound in recent years but you have a background in another discipline (art, architecture, film/video, etc.) we still encourage you to submit your work. Students are able to develop high-level skill sets appropriate to support their professional goals, from creating advanced works for ensembles to designing sound art installations. This specialization looks for students from the broadest ranges of the sound and composition spectra.
Example areas of interests may include: contemporary composition and performance practices for all instruments and media, installation work, electronic and computer music, digital multimedia, sound art, field recording, experimental pop, improvisation systems, performance art, experimental performance, new methods for notation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and more. CalArts takes a global approach to stylistic and cultural backgrounds and diverse sources of inspiration.
You must submit a digital portfolio in the portfolio section of the CalArts application. Submit a portfolio that best represents your work and interests. Suitable portfolio materials include audio recordings, videos, scores, writings, photographs, documentation of performances, installations or collaborative projects, and any related materials that further illuminate your work. Instrumental and vocal scores should be accompanied by recordings. While recordings of live performances are preferred, electronic renditions are acceptable. For works not represented by scores, include detailed descriptions of the production processes and creative contexts for the documentation you submit. Three to five recent original works must be submitted that show your awareness of 20th and 21st century practices in composition and/or sound. Do not send class assignments. We want to see your original work. Show us who you are!
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:
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:
In your video introduction, you should:
The Composition and Experimental Sound Practices programs do not hold required auditions. Instead, if needed by our faculty, we will contact you about scheduling a virtual interview.
Three letters of recommendation are required for MFA applicants to the Composition and Experimental Sound Practices 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.