Application and Auditions

Some applicants qualify for an automatic fee waiver or reduction. Applicants who do not qualify for an automatic waiver may request one through the Application Fee Waiver Request form.

The following applicants qualify for an automatic fee waiver or reduction:

• Current and Previous SFCM Students: Current and previous SFCM collegiate and pre-college students will a full fee waivers. These applicants must include SFCM in the academic history section of their application for the waiver to be processed.
• Event Participants: Event participants receive a $50 discount. Qualifying events include an in-person campus tour (excluding audition days), registering at a college fair with SFCM admissions staff or faculty, or an off-campus recruitment event.
• Denis de Coteau: Applicants applying to the Denis de Coteau Fellowship receive a full fee waiver.

For those facing financial hardship, you may request an application fee waiver. The form is located under the Waivers tab on the Application Homepage. Please note, you must open an application before submitting the waiver form. The deadline to submit a waiver request is the day prior to the application deadline.

School counselors may also submit the NACAC Fee Waiver request form via email to nccyl@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@ylppa . The deadline to submit a waiver request is the day prior to the application deadline.

Fee Waiver Request Deadlines:
The deadline to submit a waiver request is the day prior to the application deadline.

A non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit is required of all students admitted to SFCM to secure their spot. This fee is credited toward the first semester bill. If you have concerns about the deposit, the Admissions team is available to offer support and guidance after acceptance.

For a full list of fees for enrolled students, please visit the Tuition and Fees section of our Financial Aid and Affordability page.

Note: Tuition and fees for the 2027-2028 academic year will be updated by April 2027.

Degree Prerequisites

Below are our program prerequisites, which must be completed before enrollment at SFCM. Please note that not every major offers every degree type. Visit our Degrees & Programs page, then the page for each major, for details on which degrees it offers.

*At SFCM, a Bachelor of Music (Transfer) applicant is someone who earned their high school diploma or equivalent and then enrolled in college or university afterward, for any period of time. This does not include high school students who take college courses while still completing their diploma.

GPA Minimum

Below are the minimum GPA requirements for admission to SFCM. Applicants with a GPA below these minimums are still encouraged to apply as we holistically consider all academic progress and application materials for final admission decisions. Those with a GPA below the minimum are offered admission on academic probation. Students admitted on academic probation must meet the minimum GPA during their first year and will be required to participate in additional advising or tutoring.

The following requirements apply to all students who attended a school outside the United States, including U.S. domestic applicants.

Applicants must request that their schools send final transcripts directly to SFCM. If a transcript evaluation is required, you must request both the original transcript from your school and the evaluation from an approved company; transcripts included only within the evaluation packet are not accepted.

English Translation

If transcripts are not in English, the school must provide a course-by-course English translation. If your school is unable to provide a course-by-course translation, you must order a notarized translation that must be submitted by the company completing the translation. We recommend services by The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran).

Evaluations

An evaluation is required if transcripts do not include:

• Cumulative GPA
• Degree awarded* 
• Graduation date*
• An English translation, if not originally in English
• The Office of Admissions may request an evaluation for additional reasons to ensure accurate review.

*To avoid an evaluation, students may instead ask their school to submit an English-translated diploma or certificate that includes the degree awarded and graduation date.

Accepted Evaluators

The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran)
World Education Services (WES)
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
China Credentials Verification (China)
Government Educational Evaluations/Verification (all other countries, if applicable)

Below you will find a description of the transcript types required for admission to SFCM. Please use the drop-downs below for more details about accepted submission methods, deadlines, and more.

The subject of the personal statement is up to each applicant. Past applicants have shared why they want to study music, why they chose to apply to SFCM, music they are currently working on, where they are from, their hobbies, other musical interests, and more. You're welcome to include anything that gives faculty a fuller picture of who you are and what inspires you — both musically and beyond.

For current or former SFCM students, please include why this next degree, certificate, or diploma is meaningful to you, what new goals you hope to achieve, and anything the faculty may not already know about your background or interests.
 

Choose two (2) of the four (4) essay prompts to include in your application (300–500 word limit). Each essay will be typed or pasted directly into the application.

Note: Current or former SFCM students must complete the writing prompts.

1. Describe your career goals and how you envision attending SFCM will enable you to achieve these ambitions.
2. At SFCM, we bring people together to better the lives of others through music. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc.
3. Our core mission is to transform our students: artistically, intellectually, professionally, and individually. Reflect on an experience that has shaped you in one or more of these areas.
4. Music is more than performance — it's also about creativity, expression, and finding new ways to connect. Tell us about a time when you used creativity, whether through music or another part of your life, to solve a problem, express yourself, or inspire others. How did this experience shape who you are as an artist?

The two prompts below are completely optional. Whether you choose to respond or not will have no impact on your application. We encourage you to write your essays in a separate document then paste below.

• Please include any additional information you would like us to know. If not currently attending school, describe your activities since last enrolled at an institution if you have not yet included them elsewhere in the application. (No word limit)
• At SFCM, we value diversity in all forms. Please describe what diversity means to you and how your lived experience has shaped your path. (500 word limit)

TAC applicants are required to respond to both short answer questions below. 

• What are some recent developments in music technology that you are most excited about? Why? (200–250 words)
• How did you hear about the TAC Program? (200 words maximum)

Chamber applicants are required to respond to all short answer questions below. Each response should be 200 words or less.

• What are your career goals as an instrumentalist?
• What motivated you to apply to this program?
• When you experienced conflict in a chamber music group, how did you resolve it? 
• List major chamber music performances and festivals you have participated in. 
• How do you anticipate this program helping you fulfill those goals and preparing you for professional life? 

Please be prepared to upload a resume or write out information about your background that includes the following (though not limited to): current and prior teachers, conductors, and coaches; school ensembles; full or partial roles/scenes (voice); summer programs/festivals; youth ensembles; internships; directly related musical coursework; and other relevant opportunities or organizations.

Please be prepared to upload or write out a representative list of works you've studied on your major instrument over the past few years, choosing pieces that best reflect your current ability and level of advancement. If your major is TAC or Composition, list works performed on your primary instrument(s), as well as your own compositions and their instrumentation.
 

The following table outlines the requirements for recommendation letters by area:

Two Letters Required

• One recommendation letter must be from a current private music teacher or ensemble director. If you are not currently in lessons or an ensemble — including TAC and Composition applicants who have not studied privately — include at least one recommender who can speak to your musical abilities.
• The second recommendation letter may come from anyone who can address your work ethic and character; this person does not need to be from the music field.

One Letter Required & Optional Letters

• Your recommendation letter must be from a current private music teacher or ensemble director. If you are not currently in lessons or an ensemble — including TAC and Composition applicants who have not studied privately — include at least one recommender who can speak to your musical abilities.
• If you choose to submit a second recommendation, the letter must come from anyone who can address your work ethic and character; this person does not need to be from the music field.

All recommendation letters must be submitted through the recommendation form sent to your recommender's email after their information is entered into the application. We do not accept recommendation letters via email, National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, or other portals.

High school counselors may submit recommendation letters on behalf of your recommenders. If your high school counselor is sending your letters, enter your counselor’s email address in place of your recommender’s so that your counselor receives the link to submit your letters.

Submission Steps

All recommendation letters must be submitted by the following deadlines. Applicants can submit their application prior to their letters being submitted.

Fall Applicants: January 15
Spring Applicants: November 1

Applicants in the following areas do not require pre-screening and need only prepare final audition repertoire. 

Final audition scheduling opens once the audition module is available — typically mid-December for Fall applicants. Spring applicants will have auditions arranged individually.

• Classical Guitar
• Collaborative Piano
• Historical Performance
• Strings (Double Bass and Harp only)
• Woodwinds (Clarinet, Bassoon, and Auxiliary winds)

The following areas require pre-screening as part of the application process. Pre-screening requirements must be uploaded to the Portfolio section of the application. After review, applicants will either be invited to a final audition or not advanced beyond the pre-screening round.

• All Artist Diploma applicants, in any program, must complete pre-screening.
• Chamber Music – Strings and Piano
• Conducting
• Composition
• Percussion
• Piano
• RJAM (Roots, Jazz, and American Music)
• Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, and Violin-Concertmaster only)
• TAC (Technology and Applied Composition)
• Voice and Opera Studies
• Woodwinds (Flute and Oboe)

Current SFCM students must submit an application but are not required to submit pre-screening materials unless applying to an Artist Diploma program. The application fee will be waived, the enrollment deposit is not automatically waived. 

Our standard audition format is a live, in-person audition on campus in San Francisco, CA. All applicants must complete a final audition to be admitted to SFCM. Applicants who cannot attend a live audition in San Francisco may request an alternative format, unless applying to an Artist Diploma degree or Strings & Piano Chamber Music program. See the Alternative Final Audition request section for more information.

All Artist Diploma, Conducting, and the Strings & Piano Chamber Music programs must audition live in San Francisco. We will likely offer one date for these areas. The final "audition" for Composition and TAC (Technology and Applied Composition) will contain an interview and piano proficiency portions. 

We anticipate offering limited regional auditions in China during February 2027. Regional auditions will be scheduled and confirmed in January 2027. More details will be available in December. 

All piano applicants who advance to the final round are required to audition in person. Applicants unable to attend a live audition may request an alternative format, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis for all programs except the Artist Diploma.

Students will perform for a panel of faculty from their area of study, which may not include the "faculty preference" selected in their application. However, if your preferred faculty member is unavailable to hear you live, they will review your recording. 

All final auditions are recorded by SFCM for review purposes. Recordings are not shared with applicants or any offices outside of Admissions and the relevant department.

All instrumental auditions are to be played unaccompanied. All vocal auditions will be performed with our collaborative pianist staff who will meet with applicants for 10-15 minutes prior to their audition time to go over tempos and rehearse. Applicants cannot bring their own accompanist.

Applicants who cannot attend a live audition may request a live Zoom audition. Applicants must have a piano or keyboard available during their Zoom audition and be prepared to read any on-screen materials if sight-reading is requested.

The piano proficiency portion of the final audition may be performed live on Zoom during your interview or pre-recorded and uploaded to their portal by noon PT the day before their Zoom audition.

Applicants who cannot attend a live audition may request an alternative audition and must be able to attend a scheduled live Zoom interview. The piano proficiency portion must be pre-recorded and uploaded by 12:00 PM PT the day before their audition.

Performance areas may request an alternative audition, unless applying to the String & Piano Chamber Music major or all Artist Diploma programs. RJAM applicants must attend a live Zoom audition, all other areas will be assigned a final video audition. See more details below. 

Our standard audition format is a live, in-person audition on campus in San Francisco, CA. All applicants must complete a final audition to be admitted to SFCM. Applicants who cannot attend a live audition in San Francisco may request an alternative format, unless applying to an Artist Diploma degree or Strings & Piano Chamber Music program. The final audition for Composition and TAC applicants will include an interview and a piano proficiency portion. All piano applicants who advance to the final round are required to audition in person; alternative formats are considered on a case-by-case basis for non-Artist Diploma programs only.

We anticipate offering limited regional auditions in China during February 2027. Regional auditions will be scheduled and confirmed in January 2027. More details will be available in December. 

Scheduling Periods

Live audition scheduling opens in mid-December and occurs in two periods:

1. Self-Scheduling Period (December 15 – January 15 at 11:59 PM PT) — Applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule during this period, as time slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis by area. The scheduling module opens on a rolling basis by area from December 15 through December 18 at 5:00 PM PT. Watch for a Status Update email with next steps, which will be sent by area during that same window. Applicants in pre-screened areas who pass pre-screening will receive a decision letter and an invitation to schedule. Applicants in areas without pre-screening will receive an audition invitation email. After receiving their invitation to schedule, applicants may select their audition date and tentative time slot through the Auditions tab in the Application Status Portal.
2. Assisted-Scheduling Period (January 16 – January 30 at 11:59 PM PT) — Applicants who still need to schedule or change their audition date after January 15 must submit a request to the Office of Admissions through the Audition Request form (linked in the portal). Please allow up to three business days for processing. We will do our best to accommodate preferences; however, we cannot guarantee a specific time on a preferred date. 

Confirmed Audition Time

About two weeks before your audition, you will receive a Status Update email confirming your final audition details in your portal, including required check-in time, warm-up time, and confirmed audition time. Please note your confirmed time may be adjusted up to two hours before or after your original tentative time slot to accommodate hall or room changes, conflicts, or gaps in the schedule.

Audition dates for Fall 2027 will be posted by November 1. Dates are subject to change. Instruments and areas marked with an asterisk (*) may offer additional dates.

When to Book Travel

Only book travel after scheduling your audition - either during the self-schedule period or by submitting a request form afterward. Do not book travel to San Francisco before your audition is scheduled.

Expected Arrival Time

Applicants should plan to arrive a minimum of 1.5 hours before their confirmed audition time to check in and access a practice room.

Departure Time Warning

Avoid booking departures within four hours after your original tentative audition time to allow for possible confirmation time changes, audition delays, and San Francisco transit.

Traveling to SFCM – Same Day (not recommended)

Due to potential travel delays and limited rescheduling options, same-day travel is strongly discouraged. If necessary, applicants should arrive in San Francisco at least four hours before their tentative audition time to accommodate possible schedule changes.

Hotel Discount

We have a 15% discount with Hotel Enso in Japantown, located approximately 10–20 minutes from campus by taxi or ride-share. Use this partner link to book - subject to availability. See the SFCM Getting Here page for more details.

Where to Stay

In addition to Hotel Enso, past applicants have had success with the Inn at the Opera, Inn on Gough, Hayes Valley Inn, and short-term rentals in the Hayes Valley area. We also recommend considering accommodations in Haight-Ashbury, Japantown, and Pacific Heights. While San Francisco has excellent public transportation, taxis or ride-share apps are recommended for a quicker, more direct route on audition days.

We currently are unable to offer on-campus housing for applicants or their families during auditions.

Closest Airport

The closest and most convenient option is the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Please note, applicants should plan for a minimum of 35-45 minutes to arrive at the Ann Getty Center (50 Oak Street) via a taxi or ride share, and a minimum of an hour via public transportation. 

All applicants must check in with the Office of Admissions upon arrival on their audition day and show photo ID for verification. Check-in times are assigned based on audition times, practice room/warm-up schedules, and transition time between check-in, practice rooms, and green rooms. Assigned check-in times will be included in audition confirmation letters, sent within two weeks of audition dates. Applicants should be prepared to arrive at least 1.5 hours prior to their audition time to check in, access practice rooms, and transition to backstage waiting areas/green room.

Current SFCM collegiate students are not required to check in on the day of their audition unless they plan to use a practice room reserved for auditions. These students are responsible for arriving at their assigned audition room 5–10 minutes before their confirmed audition time. Current SFCM pre-college students must check-in and follow the same warm-up process as new students. 

Assigned Practice Time

All applicants are assigned practice room slots following their check-in time. You will have at least 45 minutes of practice room time before your audition, with transition time included between check-in, the practice area, and the backstage area.

Rooms Prior to Audition

Applicants cannot use practice rooms prior to their audition day or earlier than their assigned warm-up time. If you need access to a practice space beforehand, we suggest contacting churches or music businesses in San Francisco. The following may offer general practice rooms: Union Music, SF Community Music Center, Music City Rehearsal, Lennon Studios, Little Mission Studio, and Secret Studios.

Do not need a room?

If you do not plan to use your assigned practice room time, a form will be provided to opt out and an adjusted check-in time will be sent. This form closes one week before each audition day. Please note that if you opt out, you will not be able to opt back in.

Instrumental Performance

All instrumental auditions are performed unaccompanied. Applicants may not bring an accompanist and a piano will not be provided.

Voice and Opera

All vocal auditions are performed with our collaborative pianist staff, who will meet with applicants for 10–15 minutes before their audition time to review tempos and rehearse. Applicants may not bring their own accompanist.

Collaborative Piano

Collaborative piano applicants will audition with SFCM students and may not bring their own soloists. These applicants will have roughly 20-30 minutes of solo warm-up time and a 15-minute rehearsal with an SFCM vocalist and violinist.

You will perform for a panel of faculty from your area of study, which may not include the faculty member(s) you listed as your preference in your application. If your preferred faculty are unavailable to hear you live, they will review the recording taken of your live audition.

All final auditions are recorded by SFCM for internal review purposes. Recordings are not shared with applicants or any offices outside of Admissions and the relevant department.

Guest are welcome and encouraged to accompany their applicant. Please note, guests are not permitted in practice rooms, greenrooms/backstage, or in the audition room. Guests should be prepared to show photo ID to check-in with security upon arrival.

1. Can I request a remote audition if I cannot attend in person? Yes. For most areas, applicants may request an alternative audition format. Applicants in Composition, RJAM, and TAC attend a Zoom session; applicants in all other eligible areas submit a video recording. Alternative audition requests open at the same time as live audition scheduling, in mid-December. Please note that applicants in Conducting and in Strings & Piano Chamber Music, as well as all Artist Diploma applicants, must audition live in San Francisco.
2. Can I reschedule my fall audition? Yes. During the self scheduling period you can reschedule your audition through the Auditions tab in your application status portal. During the assisted scheduling period, you can submit the audition reschedule form through your Auditions tab in your application status portal and we will assist you with rescheduling, if possible. 
3. How long is the audition? Auditions vary by length depending on the area. You can expect a minimum of 10-15 minutes. 
4. Will I receive feedback after my audition? We do not provide feedback regarding your performance or audition rankings.
5. When will I receive my check-in time? Your assigned check-in time will be sent approximately two weeks before your audition alongside your confirmed audition details. Check-in is typically 1.5 hours before your confirmed audition time to allow for transition to the practice area, warm-up time, and transition to the backstage area. As SFCM is a closed, vertical campus, arrival and transition times are scheduled carefully to ensure applicants reach the correct floors in time.
6. Will my audition time change after I select it? Yes, your time may change up to two hours before or after the time you selected to accommodate room changes, conflicts, or gaps in the schedule. You will be notified within the audition confirmation information sent roughly two weeks prior to your audition date. You will receive a "status update" email when your audition confirmation is ready to review.
7. Can I bring my own accompanist? No. All instrumental auditions are performed unaccompanied; a piano will not be provided. Vocal auditions are performed with our collaborative pianist staff, who will meet with you for 10–15 minutes before your audition to review tempos and rehearse. Collaborative piano applicants will audition with SFCM students and may not bring their own soloists.

1. When will I hear back about my pre-screening decision? Pre-screening decisions are released on a rolling basis beginning December 15, with all decisions released by December 18. Watch for a Status Update email with your decision or next steps.
2. What happens if I am not advanced past pre-screening? You will receive a notification that you have not been invited to a final audition. Applicants who are not advanced beyond pre-screening are not eligible for admission for that cycle.

1. Can I use a practice room before my audition day? No. Practice room access is only available on your audition day during your assigned warm-up time. If you need a space beforehand, we suggest contacting churches or music businesses in San Francisco. Options may include Union Music, SF Community Music Center, Music City Rehearsal, Lennon Studios, Little Mission Studio, and Secret Studios.
2. I don't need my practice room time — do I still need to arrive at my check-in time? You may opt out of your practice room time using the provided form, and an adjusted check-in time will be sent. This form closes one week before each audition day. Please note that if you opt out, you will not be able to opt back in.
3. Is same-day travel to San Francisco recommended? No. Due to potential travel delays and limited rescheduling options, same-day travel is strongly discouraged. If unavoidable, plan to arrive at least four hours before your tentative audition time. Please note that if you miss your audition, we cannot guarantee you will be heard that day.
4. Which airport should I fly into? SFO is the closest and most convenient option. See the SFCM Getting Here page for more information on transportation to campus.
5. Are there hotel discounts available? Yes. We have a 15% discount with Hotel Enso in Japantown, approximately 10–20 minutes from campus by taxi or ride-share. Past applicants have also had success with the Inn at the Opera, Inn on Gough, Hayes Valley Inn, and short-term rentals in Hayes Valley, Haight-Ashbury, Japantown, and Pacific Heights. See the SFCM Getting Here page for more details.
6. Is on-campus housing available during auditions? No, we do not currently offer on-campus accommodations for audition days.