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Graduate Admissions

Updated August 22, 2023

Sections on this page:
Application Process
Supplementary Materials Submission
International Student Applications

The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music offers Master of Music degrees in Performance with concentrations in Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, Instrumental Conducting, Choral Conducting, Opera, and Jazz Studies. We also offer a Master of Music degree with a concentration in Composition, or a concentration in Composition with Interactive Media.

In order to be considered for admission, prospective students must submit their Cal State Apply application and requisite fee, plus all Conservatory-specific materials during the following dates:

  • January 15 for Fall Admissions
  • The BCCM does not accept graduate students for Spring admission

**Please note that both the M.A. with a concentration in Music Education and the M.A. with a concentration in Music History are on hiatus until further notice.

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Master of Music Application Process


Master of Music, concentration in Performance

Follow these steps to apply to the M.M. degree program with a concentration in Performance:

  1. Review Prospective Graduate Student audition requirements
  1. Prepare Supplementary Materials
  • A statement of purpose describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study in music and your intended concentration. Be sure to mention your voice type or instrument as part of your statement
  • Professional résumé
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts from your bachelor’s degree-conferring institution
  • Unofficial transcripts documenting any music coursework at other institutions
  1. Apply to the University using the Cal State Apply website
  • Specify your concentration: Conducting, Jazz Studies, Instrumental Performance, or Vocal Performance
  1. Schedule an Audition
  2. Submit Supplementary Materials using the directions below

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Master of Music, concentration in Composition

Follow these steps to apply to the M.M. degree program with a concentration in Composition:

  1. Prepare your portfolio

Prospective graduate students in Composition must submit a portfolio of creative work in lieu of an audition. The portfolio should contain:

  • Three to five recent original notated works that demonstrate awareness of twentieth and twenty-first-century practices in composition
  • Sound recordings of the works submitted. Electronic realizations are acceptable, but recordings by live musicians are preferred
  • A complete list of works including title, duration, instrumentation, and performances for each piece

For applicants to the M.M. in Composition with Interactive Media, acceptable portfolio materials may include audio recordings, videos, scores, or any documentation of your performances, installations or collaborative projects that illuminate your work.

  1. Prepare Supplementary Materials
  • A statement of purpose describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study in Composition. Be sure to mention your intended concentration (Composition or Composition with Interactive Media) as part of your statement
  • Professional résumé
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts from your bachelor’s degree-conferring institution
  • Unofficial transcripts documenting any music coursework at other institutions
  1. Apply to the University using the Cal State Apply website
  2. Submit Supplementary Materials using the directions below

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Supplementary Materials Submission

Electronic Submission

To submit your materials electronically, you will need to send them as an attachment to jeff.jarvis@csulb.edu.

Letters of recommendation, if emailed, must come from the recommender’s email address. Recommenders are welcome to submit letters of recommendation as an email attachment to jeff.jarvis@csulb.edu.

For prescreening applications, send a link to your materials, wherever you hold them (Google docs, Vimeo, etc.) to jeff.jarvis@csulb.edu.

**NOTE: Your name MUST be in the subject line of your email and uploaded files. If a document does NOT contain your name, it will be deleted**

Example: Gonzalez-Beatriz Cover Letter

Conventional Mail Submission

You may submit your materials via conventional mail instead. Letters of recommendation, if included by the applicant, must be in a sealed envelope or mailed directly from the recommender to:

  • Bob Cole Conservatory of Music
  • California State University, Long Beach
  • Attn: Jeff Jarvis
  • 1250 Bellflower Blvd.
  • Long Beach, CA 90840-7101
  • 562-985-2490 fax
  • csulb.edu/coleconservatory

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  • Bob Cole Conservatory of Music
  • California State University, Long Beach
  • 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd.
  • Long Beach, CA 90840-7101
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  • 562-985-2490 fax
  • csulb.edu/coleconservatory

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