How to Apply

BM, Music Technology

Submit Your Artistic Portfolio

The artistic portfolio provides an opportunity to showcase your individual musical skills, unique creative identity, and foundational technical talent. Although it is not necessary to be an advanced performer to enter the Music Technology Program, a basic level of musicianship is required.

Shortly after you submit the Common Application, you will receive a personalized link to the Artistic Review Portal to submit your materials. We recommend submitting your Common Application one month prior to the posted admissions deadlines to ensure a smooth submission process.

General Submission Guidelines

• Recording Quality: Please use the highest-quality video and audio recording devices available to you. If using a phone, tablet, or computer's built-in microphone, ensure you record in a quiet, well-lit environment.
• File Limits: The maximum file size for uploads is 5GB. You may also provide a link to an external website hosting your work (details below).
• Questions? If you have any questions about the portfolio requirements, please contact: music.technology@nyu.edu.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: AI-Assisted Tools & Authorship

As part of the NYU Music Technology application process, you are expected to demonstrate your individual creativity, musicality, and technical skills. Admissions decisions are based on your personal ability to sequence, synthesize, compose, and mix.

• Generative Media Prohibited: Text-to-audio generative systems (e.g., prompt-based music tools) that bypass foundational sequencing, synthesis, or mixing are strictly prohibited. Portions of music generated by these platforms cannot be submitted as original creative work.
• Assistive Tools Must Be Disclosed: While we discourage the use of AI assistive tools (such as algorithmic mixing assistants, smart equalizers, or chord generation software), if you choose to use them, you must explicitly disclose them in your Portfolio Description.
• Plagiarism & Misrepresentation: Claiming full, unaided creative ownership over musical or technical elements created by someone else or by an automated generative system will adversely affect your evaluation.

Part 1: Portfolio Samples (3 Required)

You must submit three work samples that demonstrate the breadth and depth of your interests in music and technology. Note: We highly recommend submitting diverse works and technical projects rather than multiple variations of the same piece. For instance, if Sample #1 features traditional acoustic instruments, consider submitting electronic or technology-based work for Samples #2 and #3 (or vice versa).

Sample #1: "Live" Audition Performance (Video Required)

Sample #1 must be a video recorded as if you were performing at a live audition, approximately 3 minutes in length.

• Introduction: Begin by speaking your full name, the date, and the program/degree you are applying for (Music Technology) clearly on camera. Note: This must be spoken aloud; subtitles or text overlays are not acceptable.
• Visibility: The video must clearly show your full body, or at minimum, your upper body and face. We want to see how you physically engage with your performance in real time; close-ups of only your hands or instrument are not permitted.
• Instrumentation: Perform in any musical style using an instrument of your choice (keyboard, percussion, wind, string, voice, or an Electronic Digital Instrument/EDI). The song may be original or a cover.
• Live Performance Rules: Use of a pre-recorded backing track is acceptable. While cuts or edits to the video are allowed for formatting, the performance itself must remain a continuous, unedited "live" take.
• Special Cases:
  • Multi-instrumentalists: You may use a split-screen format to show yourself playing multiple instruments simultaneously, provided it represents a continuous, unedited performance.
  • EDI Users: If an EDI is your primary instrument, it must be performed live. Do not use Sample #1 to explain your software or patches; save explanation/demonstration videos for Sample #2 or #3.

Samples #2 and #3: Diverse Works & Technical Projects

These samples can take a variety of formats (audio, video, document, music score, or website link) and should highlight your skills in music, music technology, or STEM.

• Content Ideas: Original compositions/recordings, software you've programmed, hardware/circuits you've built, or other technical projects.
• Website Submissions: If submitting a website link, upload a PDF file containing a clickable link. Provide direct links to the specific pages, tracks, or projects you want reviewed, rather than a general landing page.

Part 2: Portfolio Description & Provenance Disclosure (Required)

You must upload a PDF document detailing the context of your submitted samples. List each sample by number, followed by a short description of its content (e.g., your roles as a composer, performer, producer, engineer, or the programming languages/circuits used for tech projects).

To ensure academic integrity, this document must explicitly address the following four pillars regarding Samples #2 and #3:

1. Source Materials & Asset Attribution: Explicitly declare the exact origin of any third-party sound materials used (e.g., commercially available loops, construction kits, Splice samples). Name the platform or sample pack where they were legally obtained.
2. Transformative Originality: Describe how you manually manipulated, edited, or recontextualized any third-party assets (e.g., specific audio chopping, pitch shifts, custom plugin routings, manual MIDI adjustments) to make the final output distinctly your own.
3. AI-Assisted Tools and Generative Media: Disclose any assistive software utilities used (e.g., smart equalizers, automated mastering) and explain why you chose them over manual methods. (Reminder: Generative media that bypasses foundational sequencing/mixing is prohibited).
4. Statement of Authorship: Explicitly define what constitutes your original creative work versus a third-party asset, ensuring absolute clarity regarding intellectual authorship.

Part 3: Résumé

In addition to your portfolio, you must submit a Résumé as a separate PDF. This resume is open-format and should highlight:

• Creative Accomplishments: Music/theory education, honors, performances, awards, or competition prizes.
• STEM Achievements: Studies, research, or awards in physics, mathematics, computer science, etc.
• Community Involvement: Contributions to artistic or scientific societies (e.g., robotics clubs, DIY tech workshops, leadership roles).
• Experience: Internships or work experience in music/technology (e.g., local studios, live sound engineering).

Note: Your academic transcripts are already included in the Common Application, so you do not need to repeat that information here, though you may highlight academic details like a high GPA if you wish.

Part 4: File Naming Conventions

Please title each uploaded file using the following naming convention: NYU Music Technology Sample #[number]: [Your Name], [Date]

Example: NYU Music Technology Sample #1: Jane Smith, 1/1/2026