1. Three contrasting scores composed within the last three years

• You must upload your full score for each composition. 
  • Optional excerpt: You may highlight a specific excerpt from each piece by uploading a file that starts with the excerpt and is then followed by the full work
    1. Please add a blank page between the excerpt and the full score within the file. 
    2. The excerpt must be clearly titled with the timestamp for the recording. Example: Excerpt from String Quartet No 1, mov II: 7:36-11:42
• Scores must be uploaded in PDF format 
• Upload and arrange your scores so that the file that represents your best work is first.

2. Audio recordings of each score

• Recordings may be live or digital realizations and must be clearly labeled with title and date of composition. Example: “String Quartet No 1 (2018)”
  • Optional excerpt: As noted above, you may highlight a specific excerpt from each piece.
    1. Please use the “Description” section once the recording has uploaded to designate the timestamp for the excerpt that matches the timestamp in the title of your excerpt.

3. A short written statement which describes the scores or the process of composing the scores.

4. A complete listing of your compositions with instrumentation, duration, and dates of performance.

• Applicants invited to the in-person auditions will be scheduled for individual interviews with each member of the composition faculty.
  • Prior to the interview, all invited applicants must submit a total of four works (scores and recordings) to their application status page. The interviews will include a discussion of all scores submitted, including the scores from the prescreening. You are encouraged to bring at least one work that was not submitted during the prescreening round.
  • If interviewing in person, applicants must bring one copy of each of their scores for the interview and ensure that all recordings have been uploaded to their application status page.
  • All applicants will be scheduled for musicianship testing in score analysis, rhythmic dictation, harmonic analysis, counterpoint, and score identification. The exam will be given through an online system on a specific date and time a few days before interviews begin. Information regarding account set up and timing will be sent following interview invitations.

Interviews for Tianjin Juilliard’s Master of Music in composition may be held online or in person.

Your audition consists of a musicianship exam and interviews with each of the faculty members.

• Exam
  • You must take the composition exam. The exam is taken via an online platform. More information will be sent no later than the second week of February.
  • The test is a complete musicianship assessment in score analysis, rhythmic dictation, harmonic analysis, counterpoint, and score identification. There is no additional information available regarding what will be on the exam.
• Interviews
  • You will be scheduled for individual interviews with each of the composition faculty. 
  • Please ensure all works are submitted through your application status page via the Upload Materials section. In addition to uploading all scores, if you are attending the interview in person, you must bring printed and bound scores for the total number of works required for your degree to discuss with the faculty. The works you submitted for prescreening can be counted in the total number of works you bring to the interviews. The faculty encourages all applicants to bring a score not submitted in the prescreening round.
  • Recordings of your works must be uploaded to your application via the “Edit Portfolio” section on your application status page. No documents, including scores, should be uploaded to the Portfolio section.
  • If you have not submitted one through your application, you must bring a complete list of your works with instrumentations and durations in addition to your compositions (scores and recordings).
• If attending in person, you must check in at least 30 minutes in advance of your first scheduled interview time to confirm your arrival and obtain the room numbers for the interviews.

• Can I submit midi recordings? Yes, but live recordings are preferred.
• Do I need to be the one performing my pieces? No. Recordings are in support of your original scores and may be live music or digital realizations of your works.
• What does “contrasting” mean?
  • Applicants are encouraged to submit a varied portfolio of their best work

  • Works must have been written for different ensembles or solo instruments or voices.

• Would Tianjin Juilliard accept an electro-acoustic work with score and recording? Yes.

• Do I need to be prepared to perform on my primary instrument? No.

• Can I include other pieces outside of my own? No.