How to Audition

University Application Deadlines

• Early Decision I: November 1, 2024
• Early Decision II: January 1, 2025
• Regular Decision: January 5, 2025
• Internal Transfer Applicants: March 1, 2025
• External Transfer Applicants: March 15, 2025

Submit Your Portfolio

Portfolio must be submitted online via GetAcceptd by the appropriate deadline noted below. All materials must clearly indicate the applicant's name and NYU ID Number (if applicable), the program to which you applied, and the contents of the file. When initiating the portfolio submission process on GetAcceptd please make sure to select the correct program group, Music Theory and Composition, and program – Music Theory & Composition: Bachelor of Music (including Concert Music, Screen Scoring, and Songwriting concentrations).

The portfolio must contain:

• Audio of three or four original songs to which the applicant has significantly contributed. The quality of the performance and recording is irrelevant.
• Lead sheets to all songs submitted. These should include, at minimum, key signature, time signature, melody, lyrics, chords (if any).
• A video performance demonstrating basic competence or better on an instrument of your choice. Voice is acceptable, but an instrument is preferred. Combining voice and instrument is fine.
• One score of a musical composition arranged for instrumentation different than that you usually use. Most applicants utilize in their songs pop-oriented keyboards, guitars, drums, bass, etc. Therefore, typical examples are scores written for brass (quintet or alternative), string (quartet or alternative), jazz ensemble, choir, and a cappella voices. The goal of the score is to demonstrate basic proficiency in the fundamentals of notation, dynamics, and instrumentation for music that is to be played as written. This piece may be a composition of your own or a work composed by another.
• A video no longer than two minutes in which you discuss your musical and personal background, as well as your goals should you be accepted into our program. The introduction can be filmed separately or at the same time as the performance footage. But the final submission of the performance and introduction should be submitted as one video, as stated in our GetAcceptd guidelines.
• A brief written statement outlining your artistic and career goals and what you hope to gain from studying at NYU.
• Your resume.
• Optional: Your college essay. The composition program does not have access to your common app. If you would like us to read your essay, please feel free to include it along with your portfolio materials. This is not required.

Please note: The quality of the recording and the performance are unimportant. 

Schedule Your Interview

All applicants are required to submit their portfolio materials prior to being invited to a remote interview. Below are specific guidelines for Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Regular, and transfer applicants. Please note that we are only conducting remote (video) interviews due to safety precautions related to COVID-19.

Early Decision I

All prospective students applying for Early Decision I are required to have a remote interview. Once you have submitted your application and portfolio, please use our online scheduling system to schedule your interview.

Early Decision II

All prospective students applying for Early Decision II are required to have a remote interview. Once you have submitted your application and portfolio, please use our online scheduling system to schedule your interview.

Regular Decision

Interviews for prospective students applying for regular decision are by invitation only. All prospective students applying for regular decision are required to submit their portfolio materials prior to being invited to interview. After submitting your portfolio, your materials will be reviewed by our faculty. If, following the review, we require an interview, you will be sent an email invitation no later than January 24. We will offer the option of either a remote or in person interview for invited applicants.Instructions for scheduling the interview will be included in the invitation email. 

Please be aware that interviews are only requested if the faculty would like more information on an applicant that would warrant an interview. Not being asked to interview does not mean you have been rejected.

Transfer

Interviews for prospective transfer students are by invitation only. All prospective students applying for transfer into the composition program at NYU Steinhardt are required to submit their portfolio materials prior to being invited to interview. After submitting your portfolio, your materials will be reviewed by our faculty. If, following the review, we require an interview, you will be sent an email invitation. We will offer a remote interview for invited applicants. Instructions for scheduling the interview will be included in the invitation email. 

Please be aware that interviews are only requested if the faculty would like more information on an applicant that would warrant an interview. Not being asked to interview does not mean you have been rejected.

Interview Dates

Please note that interviews for Regular Decision and Transfer applicants are by invitation only. See the above section (Schedule Your Interview) for guidelines concerning interviews for all applicant types. Please also note the portfolio deadline for each interview date. Applicants must first submit their portfolios before being invited to interview.

Note for prospective transfer students: Though NYU's deadline for Fall transfer admission is April 1, we suggest that you submit your Common Application and Portfolio at least one month in advance so that faculty can review your materials, and if necessary allow sufficient time to schedule an interview. Please note that interviews for transfer students are by invitation only as outlined above.

Interview Details and Requirements

Interviews will include a short discussion of your background as a musician and composer, your goals for the program, and may include a discussion of works in your portfolio as well as brief testing of music theory fundamentals.

Questions

If you have any questions, please write to nyusongwriting@nyu.edu