Pre-Screening: BM applicants to Recording Arts and Sciences will have their application evaluated immediately following the submission deadline. Candidates determined to have an appropriate academic background will be invited to interview. Learn more about pre-screening.
Interview: Required of all applicants who pass the pre-screening, the interview is an opportunity for applicants to meet with faculty to learn about the program in greater detail, and for faculty to better understand the applicant’s background (both academic and musical) and career aspirations. No additional preparation is needed on the part of the applicant.
Testing: Applicants who pass the pre-screening for standalone RAS degree (only) will be required to take an online music theory assessment (Foundations Benchmark). Applicants will be notified of this requirement and associated deadlines via email, prior to the interview.
Portfolio:
BM Recording Arts and Sciences
Students not applying as a double major combining RAS with a music major are required to submit a portfolio that best demonstrates their musicianship.
Examples:
Unedited video of instrumental or vocal performance
Notated compositions
Recorded compositions that include details of your involvement in the production of the work – e.g., Are you the sole creator of the composition?, What instruments/software were used in its creation?, Did you engineer the recording and if so, what was your process?, etc.
BM Recording Arts and Sciences (Double Major)
Submission of a portfolio is optional for those seeking the BM double major program (note that composers and computer musicians must provide a portfolio for that major, but not necessary for RAS evaluation). Students with a strong audition or composition interview who meet the academic requirements are acceptable with little or no recording experience.
Master of Arts
Audio Sciences: Recording Arts and Sciences
Portfolio – Required for applicants to the MA in Recording Arts and Sciences.
Include examples that demonstrate your range of experience in live or studio recording.
Submissions must be predominantly microphone-based recordings, not recordings that are mostly or entirely generated with electronic sources.
Acceptable formats: stereo or multichannel files in WAV (BWF) or Atmos. You may also submit material in video formats (MP4 or MOV) if the audio portion represents your work.
In a single PDF document, provide details and (if possible) photos of:
equipment used (microphones, preamplifiers, signal processing, DAW)
placement of musicians and microphones
the space in which the recording was made
Please also explain your role in the recordings (recording engineer, mixing engineer, producer, assistant,…) and why you decided to use the equipment and techniques described earlier
Academic Transcript
Bachelor’s degree with a major in recording or a music technology area -or- music major with recording electives or outside experience -or- engineering major with music and recording electives or outside experience.
Coursework in math and science (calculus and physics are of particular interest) at the collegiate level (preferred) or at the AP/IB level in high school.
Interview
An interview will be conducted either on campus or remotely (see qualifications) during which faculty will learn of your experience in recording engineering and career aspirations, and to discuss in detail your academic background and portfolio material.
Audio Sciences: Acoustics
Essay
Expand the admissions essay to include a description of both your musical/creative and technical background, and your inspiration(s) relative to your interest in pursuing acoustics. Additionally, as clearly as you are able, at this time, describe your career aspirations in acoustic design, audio design, product design, and/or research. Please make note of any applicable coursework, research projects, internships, and other related experience in acoustics and audio that have led you to be a candidate for this program.
Academic Transcripts
Bachelor’s degree in engineering (various), physics, architecture, or similar field with demonstrated elective coursework and/or experience in music, music technology, recording and production, or composition.
OR
Bachelor’s degree in music, music education, music technology, recording and production, or audio arts with completed coursework in Calculus 1 and Physics 1 at the collegiate level (preferred) or at the AP level (from secondary school).
If any candidate has an advanced degree or post-baccalaureate study in any area, then transcripts (or evidence) should be provided as well.
Portfolio (optional)
There is no specific portfolio requirement as a candidate for the MA in Audio Sciences: Acoustics. However, if you have a prepared portfolio or web link that further exhibits your technical and/or creative work, including recording+production work, visual or aural design content, music, research endeavors, or other relevant design projects, then please include it (or a valid link to it). The format for this optional, supplemental portfolio submission is not prescribed, although only digital submissions can be received. For any collaborative work, please specifically outline your role and acknowledge other collaborators.
Interview
An interview will be conducted with program faculty and leadership either on campus or remotely (see qualifications), during which you share with faculty more detail on your background, interest, and vision for pursuing graduate study in acoustics.