School of Music | College of Fine Arts - Boston University

Composition Portfolio Information

Prescreening

Applicants to the following programs and instruments need to submit a prescreening video recording or portfolio for review before they can be invited to a live audition or interview.

• Applicants to cello, double bass, flute, percussion, piano, trumpet, violin, or voice regardless of degree or program
• Graduate Composition majors
• All applicants to the Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance
• All applicants to the Artist Diploma

Prescreening recordings and portfolios are due by December 1. Applicants will be notified of prescreening results in early January.

Bachelor of Music (BM)

BM Score Submission Requirement

Submit at least three (3) original compositions in good manuscript form. Your portfolio should demonstrate talent, some knowledge of contemporary music, and technical skill. Submitting audio recordings of your submitted compositions is encouraged but not required.

Scores are due by the following deadlines:

• November 1 for undergraduate Early Decision and Spring Transfer applicants
• January 4 for undergraduate Regular Decision applicants
• March 1 for fall transfer applicants
  *We strongly suggest fall transfer applicants adhere to the Regular Decision timeline

BM Audition Options

Composition applicants are accepted based on the strength of the composition portfolio and academic record. Applicants who wish to study with a faculty member on their primary instrument (instrumental/vocal) are required to audition. Composers should check the guidelines for audition requirements for the appropriate instrument. Composition applicants who do not successfully place into an applied faculty member’s studio or who do not wish to take a primary studio audition will enter the piano track and may study with an advanced graduate student on piano. This piano track focuses on the keyboard skills necessary as a composer, and not those of a performer.

There is no formal interview process required for undergraduate composers with our composition faculty, but faculty will be hosting office hours during each of our on-campus audition days.  Students are also welcome to reach out to department chair Dr. Martin Amlin by email at mamlin@bu.edu.

Updated on 09/24/2018