Contemporary Performance

Contemporary Performance Prescreening Requirements

There are no prescreening requirements for Contemporary Performance.

In-Person Contemporary Performance Audition Requirements

• One work in a pre-contemporary style that demonstrates the student’s technical and musical proficiency.
• One 20th-century work.
• One work written since 2000. This work may be written by the performer, by a student colleague, or by an established composer. This work may incorporate improvisation.

Applicants are encouraged to submit diverse repertoire including but not limited to works by people from historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, genders, and/or cultures. Choosing works that represent the applicant’s own cultural background is also welcomed.

Applicants will be asked to sight read a series of rhythmic exercises during the audition. They will also be asked to participate in an informal interview with the faculty.

All works may include electronics if desired. MSM will provide production support for electronics equipment and for large percussion instruments, but providing your own equipment is encouraged.

Performing with accompaniment is highly encouraged for the pre-contemporary and 20th-century works, if you have chosen works that include accompaniment. Performing with accompaniment for the post-2000 work is optional. MSM will provide an accompanist for your audition at no cost to you, but any rehearsal time with your accompanist must be arranged separately. If you have chosen works that require extensive rehearsal time, it is highly recommended that you provide your own accompanist.

If you are experiencing any difficulties meeting the requirements of the application or audition, please contact the Office of Admissions at admission@msmnyc.edu and we will be happy to help.

Recorded Contemporary Performance Audition Requirements

Applicants will submit the required repertoire listed below as separate video recordings by February 1, 2022. Each selection or
movement may be uploaded as a separate video. Professional or studio recordings are not required, but the sound quality
should be as good as possible.
Applicants will also be asked to complete a “quick study” assignment that will be a short work or excerpt to be learned and
recorded over a ten-day period. The assignment will be sent to all applicants during the week of January 31, 2022.

Graduate (MM)

• A short video introduction of yourself.
• One work written before 1900 that demonstrates the student’s technical and musical proficiency.
• One 20th-century work from the standard repertoire, such as Ligeti Etudes or Berio Sequenzas, or one by a composer
  such as Schoenberg, Varèse, Carter, Boulez, or Stravinsky.
• One work written since 2000. This work may be written by the performer, by a student colleague, or by an established
  composer. This work may include electronics and may incorporate improvisation.

Applicants are encouraged to submit diverse repertoire including but not limited to works by people from historically
underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, genders, and/or cultures. Choosing works that represent the applicant’s own cultural
background is also welcomed.