Bachelor of Music Admission and Entrance Requirements

Portfolio and audition interview (required)
All applicants to the Bachelor of Music program in Composition must submit a portfolio of original compositions for review by the composition faculty. This portfolio should consist of two-to-four scores and recordings (if available). Applicants are encouraged to submit materials via our online form (a link to more information is below). Applicants must also schedule an audition interview with the composition faculty. This audition interview is usually done in person on one of the live audition days if the student is coming to campus. The composition faculty can also set up an interview on auditions days via video chat. In either case, prospective students should contact Dr. Stephen Gorbos, the head of composition-theory, and should make sure that their portfolio of scores is uploaded at least one week in advance of their audition interview.

Detailed instructions, our upload link, and tips on portfolio submission can be found here.

If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact the head of composition, Dr. Stephen Gorbos.

All applicants to the Bachelor of Music program in Composition are also required to pass an audition in their principal performance area (instrument or voice) in order to be admitted to the music program. Please call the Departments of Music (202-319-5414) to inquire about specific requirements in the performance area you plan to audition in. Audition committees reserve the right to select audition pieces. In most cases, applicants prepare a 10-15 minute audition of three contrasting pieces of standard classical repertoire on their principal instrument. All applicants, regardless of degree program, who audition are considered for performance-based music scholarships. While all performance areas are open in this respect, our composition students that play an orchestral instrument have had the most success winning performance-based music scholarships.