COMMERCIAL MUSIC
Application Process – New Students
The following application process is for new students who are applying to the BYU School of Music Commercial Music Program. (If you are already a BYU music major and would like to transfer into commercial music, please continue down to the section entitled “Application Process – Current Music Majors”).
New students wishing to apply to the Commercial Music Program must do 4 things:
- Apply to BYU. Follow all requirements for General Admission HERE
- Apply to the School of Music. Fill out the School of Music application HERE including any required letter(s) of recommendation
- Audition with your instrument (see the “Audition” section below)
- Submit a portfolio to Commercial Music. Submissions are due December 1st.
Audition
All students applying to the School of Music (including transfer students and current BYU students) must have a main performance instrument or vocal studio and must complete a live or recorded audition. You must follow the audition requirements for your chosen instrument and prepare the necessary repertoire listed online HERE (and select the appropriate tab for your instrument). Live auditions are typically held on the last Saturday in January. Pay close attention to other listed deadlines that may be associated with your instrument.
Commercial Music accepts applicants from all performance and vocals studios. Commercial Music also offers exclusive performance studios for Contemporary Voice and Music Technology.
Portfolio
All Commercial Music applicants must submit a commercial music portfolio for pre-screening. (For Jazz Performance Track Portfolio submissions, go HERE). The portfolio consists of:
A:
Production Track
Three recorded examples of your best original works or productions. Works can be original songs, arrangements and/or various recorded productions or media compositions (jingles, film cues, recordings of your engineering skills if you are more of an audio specialist, and the like). We want to hear three of your best original works that you have created. These should be diverse in nature to show you have experience in different styles and genres. For example: a pop, country or rock song with lyrics, an underscore for film or media; a jazz tune; EDM; orchestral; an original arrangement of a piece (if you do submit an arrangement, it better be something special and fresh); anything goes as long as you created it.
Performance Track(non-jazz):
Submit three examples that demonstrate your best performance and creative abilities. Include 1 or 2 pieces (audio or video) that showcase your performance ability on your selected instrument or voice. Then include at least 1 or 2 recorded pieces that showcase your production, songwriting or technical abilities as well. Even though you are focusing on performance, we require and expect all commercial music majors to possess a level of technical understanding and creative facility.
B:
A typed document including individual credits, technologies and a brief description of the roles and efforts you used in creating the works. We need to know what we are listening to and an explanation of what part you had in its creation. Printed scores, charts and supporting documents are highly encouraged.
C:
A résumé-type document that includes any other information such as software skills, audio technical knowledge, any additional musical and technical background and experience that would make you desirable as a Commercial Music candidate.
- These items can be submitted electronically or by mail via CD and a portfolio binder.
The Portfolio will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Documentation and Presentation
- Composition / Writing
- Diversity
- Arranging
- Sonic Quality
- Technical Knowledge
Portfolios may be submitted either electronically or in a physical form with an audio CD or DVD and hard copies of documents and enclosures. Electronic submission: Compress all relevant files into a “.zip” file labeled with your name, ie. JohnSmithCommercialMusic.zip.
- Click here and upload your portfolio.
- DO NOT send us a shared link to Google Drive, Drop Box, YouTube or any other cloud based storage for your main portfolio. (You may include hyperlinks in your documentation for supplemental works if desired)
- Your total .zip file size should be less than 500 MB.
- If you have any questions contact the School of Music Admissions office at: 801-422-2660 email: musicadmissions@byu.edu
Physical submission: Place all documents and an audio CD in a folder and label it “Portfolio Submission” and deliver or mail to: School of Music Admissions Commercial Music 3209 Music Building Brigham Young University Provo, UT 84602-6410 Recordings and portfolios will not be returned to the applicant. Please do not submit original documents or master recordings.
Application Process – Current Music Majors
Current BYU School of Music majors that are interested in transferring into the commercial music program should speak with the division coordinator, Aaron Merrill.
