Pre-Screening

Pre-screening materials are due by the following deadlines:

• Early Decision (BM only): November 1st
• Regular Decision: December 1st
• Late Admission: May 1st

Note: The application materials listed below will be considered as pre-screening for all Music for New Media applicants. The faculty will review these materials to determine whether or not the applicant will be offered a final interview. 

Learn more about Pre-Screening

Prerequisites

All Applicants

• Have a basic knowledge of music notation and the rudiments of music theory
• Possess, or be willing to learn, a working knowledge of any MIDI sequencer and/or Digital Audio Workstation application (we teach with Logic Pro X and ProTools)
• Show strong academic achievement as demonstrated through GPA

BM Music for New Media

• Basic understanding of music and application of musical skills
• Enthusiasm for film and game music, and the ability to differentiate the field from pop and electronic music
• Able to discuss varying emotional states in dramatic situations

MM Film and Game Scoring

• Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent study
• Understanding of music and application of musical skills
• Enthusiasm for film and games and their music
• Ables to discuss a variety of emotional states in dramatic situations

Application Materials

BM Music for New Media

• Submit a portfolio of at least five original works, demonstrating creativity and an understanding of the fundamentals of composing music with traditional or software instruments.
  • You may submit as many pieces as you like, but be sure to include at least three pieces that are not “beat-driven” or loop-based; these should be instrumental pieces, and can range from ambient synth beds, to solo piano or full orchestrations; they should be designed to set a mood or enhance drama and emotions, as appropriate for film, TV or game soundtracks.
  • These can be audio or video files (.WAV, .MOV, .MP3, etc.) of any length – even a 16-bar piece is admissible if it demonstrates melody, phrasing, harmony, instrumentation, and mood. It is acceptable to include “rescores” i.e. video clips from Hollywood shows or games, substituting the original soundtrack with your own music.
• Include detailed documentation about the compositional process, technical specifications, and creative goals for each of your portfolio pieces
• Write an essay describing your background and how it led to interest in Music for New Media. Include a description of your career ambitions upon graduating with the degree.
• Foundations Benchmark exam – Applicants who pass the pre-screening will be notified of this requirement and associated deadlines via email, prior to the interview. The test is administered online.

MM Film and Game Scoring

• Three or four original instrumental compositions that demonstrate creativity and the fundamentals of composing.
  • Total portfolio must be between 5-10 minutes. We are primarily looking for music that tells stories, conveys nuanced and varied emotions, is sensitive to the needs of a film or game, and demonstrates artistic range, vision, and voice.
  • Traditional compositions made in notation software or with pencil/paper must include a clean recording of a live performance or be rendered with NotePerformer or equivalent (stock Sibelius, Finale, etc.; Sounds are not permitted).
  • Compositions should be submitted a high quality mp3, wav, or mp4 files.
• The following criteria should be met within at least one composition in the portfolio:
  • Media scoring (choose at least one):
    • Scored to Picture (at least 1.5 minutes). Clips may be found at thecuetube.com
    • Adaptive video game package containing (at least) 3 looping vertical layers for different game states (e.g. explore, stealth, combat).
  • Acoustic instrumentation for at least 4 instruments (include a score).
  • Large orchestral or orchestral “hybrid” using virtual instruments or live musicians.
  • Use of electronic instruments and/or musical sound design.
• Include detailed documentation about the compositional process, technical specifications, and creative goals for each of your portfolio pieces.
• Write an essay about your interest in scoring for film and games. Include a description of a particular film or game that resonated with you, and how the music supported the overall experience.
• Foundations Benchmark exam – Applicants who pass the pre-screening will be notified of this requirement and associated deadlines via email, prior to the interview. The test is administered online.

Interview

BM Music for New Media

• Attend a 20-minute interview either in person at Peabody or remotely over Zoom, during which you will be required to break down and analyze one or more of your compositions by 1) soloing and highlighting MIDI parts in your DAW or notation program and 2) discussing your creative and compositional process. You may also be asked to demonstrate keyboard skills through playing parts of your composition on a keyboard instrument.
• For remote interviews: please be sure to have access to, and the ability to open, files associated with your portfolio. This includes DAW project or notation project files. You will not need to have access to your sound libraries. You should also verify beforehand that you can send audio from your composition program into Zoom.
• For in-person interviews: please be sure to have access to files associated with your portfolio. This includes DAW project or notation project files. If you have a laptop, please bring it, otherwise bring project files on an external drive.
• The interview may include questions such as:
  • What do you think music contributes to a movie or game?
  • We enjoyed your piece entitled {insert title here}. Please open the project in your DAW and solo the most important parts. Explain how you picked the sounds, and describe the chord sequence you used. Or, if you prefer, use your piano/keyboard to show us.

MM Film and Game Scoring

Attend a 20-minute interview either in person at Peabody or remotely over Zoom, during which you will be required to break down and analyze one or more of your compositions, either by soloing and highlighting MIDI parts on your DAW, by playing the parts live on your main instrument, discussing the narrative implications of your music, and/or discussing your creative and compositional process.