The Conservatory offers a Bachelor of Music degree and non-degree Music Diploma programs. These programs represent a rigorous music curriculum designed to develop professional musicians at the highest possible level.

Typically a four-year program, the Bachelor of Music degree at the Conservatory is designed to educate students within a diverse, multicultural environment characterized by intellectual as well as musical energy. Students in this program examine Western culture through the study of history and literature, and develop critical thinking skills through the study of the social sciences, languages, philosophy, science, and mathematics.

With the exception of the Introduction to Western Civilization requirement for students in both programs, Music Diploma students (except for voice majors) register for music study only, in the same curricular sequence as Bachelor of Music candidates. The diploma program takes three to four years to complete.

The application deadline for fall semester is December 1 and October 1 for spring semester. Late applications are accepted only if openings still exist in the department.

Application Information

All undergraduate applicants, whether freshman or transfer, living within 300 miles of San Francisco must audition live at the Conservatory. All others, except for voice, may audition either at the Conservatory, at a regional audition site or by DVD or videotape recorded in American NTSC format.

Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree are required to complete a minimum of 130 credits for graduation. Requirements for the Music Diploma (offered in all majors except composition) are identical to those for the Bachelor of Music degree, except that Music Diploma candidates are not required to complete General Education courses beyond Introduction to Western Civilization 409/410. Music Diploma candidates must complete a total of 109 credits for graduation (except Voice majors, who must complete a total of 127 credits due to foreign language requirements). Bachelor of Music and Music Diploma candidates must satisfactorily complete at least 28 credits in residence at the Conservatory during the junior and/or senior years. A maximum of six years is allowed between time of entrance and completion of Bachelor of Music degree. A maximum of six years is allowed between time of entrance and completion of the Bachelor of Music degree.

For specific curriculum requirements, please see the Undergraduate Study section of the Collegiate Catalog.

At the end of each academic year, based on recommendation of the individual major professor, students will be required to perform before faculty jurors. Students who enter in January will play their jury examinations in December of that year. These examinations determine whether the student has satisfactorily completed yearly requirements in the major instrument.

Jury examination requirements vary according to the major field. Jury examinations and required recitals must be presented within the regular academic year. This policy may be waived in the case of a student who is repeating an examination that has been failed. No jury examination may be given unless the student is registered for 001/002 at the time of the examination. These policies are strictly enforced.

All candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree and the Music Diploma, except for composition, harpsichord, and voice majors, must perform a senior recital presented in public and must pass a performance jury examination prior to the conclusion of the senior year. Composition and harpsichord majors must perform only a senior recital to determine fulfillment of the performance requirements. Voice majors must perform a half recital in the junior year, a senior recital, and must pass a final senior performance jury to determine fulfillment of the performance requirements.

For specific curriculum requirements, please see the Undergraduate Study section of the Collegiate Catalog.