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California Institute of the Arts

MFA Instrumental Arts: Admission Requirements

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.

Application

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.

Portfolio

You’re invited to submit a portfolio containing a minimum of three examples of your artistic work through CalArts application. This artistic portfolio should include:

  • A minimum of three video samples demonstrating your performing abilities.
  • At least one substantial piece chosen from the repertoire for your instrument.
  • A range of styles.
  • If you are an active improviser or composer, you are encouraged to include audio, video, or score submissions that demonstrate these areas of your creative practice.

Please number your examples beginning with what you consider to be your strongest ones--reviewers will examine them in the order indicated. Please label each example including: title, composer (if other than yourself), names of other participants (if applicable), and dates recorded. In a separate document, describe why you have chosen the particular videos and works in your portfolio. You may link to media hosted on external websites, but please ensure that reviewers have permission to view this media. 

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

Artist statement

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.

Video introduction

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.

Auditions

Applicants applying to the Instrumental Arts MFA program are required to participate in an in-person interview and audition. This offers you and the panel the opportunity for greater communication, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about the program.

After submitting your application, you’ll receive an email that grants you access to sign up for an audition location in one of several cities. We’ll 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.

Letters of recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required for the MFA 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.