Bachelor of Music Program Requirements

Bachelor of Music (BMUS) Portfolio and Audition Requirements

The BMUS in Performance is an intensive program intended for highly talented students planning to pursue graduate study and careers in classical music performance. In addition to academic music courses, it requires extensive studies in music performance, culminating in two recitals. Admission to the Bachelor of Music Program requires a portfolio and audition.

The first step of your audition for the Bachelor of Music in Performance is the portfolio. If you are invited for a live audition (virtual or on-campus; held in February) you will be sent additional audition requirements in advance.

Portfolio requirements

  • A current résumé (in .pdf format) that summarizes your musical experience, including:
    • your instrument or voice type, including number of years studied
    • names of your private teacher(s), if applicable.
    • ensembles or organizations with which you’ve performed, and in what capacity
    • awards and honors (including all-state ensembles, etc.)
    • major solo repertoire studied
  • A good-quality recording of your performing work, between 5 and 12 minutes in length. For guidelines for specific performance areas, see below.
  • A letter of recommendation from a teacher who knows your musical abilities well. This should be your private-lesson teacher if you have one or an ensemble director who has worked with you individually. If your teacher has already written a recommendation for your general application, please request another letter specifically in support of your Bachelor of Music application (see guidelines below). Letters must be emailed directly from the recommender to portfolio@binghamton.edu.

Recording guidelines for specific areas

These guidelines are intended to convey the range and level of proficiency expected for Bachelor of Music electronic submissions; they are not strict requirements. We encourage you to demonstrate your abilities as fully as possible within the 12-minute time limit. Audition repertoire should generally be at professional level (NYSSMA level 5 or 6, or the equivalent*).

*NYSSMA, the New York State School Music Association, publishes lists of repertoire graded by technical difficulty. Level 5 and 6 solos are the most challenging, approximating the level of typical professional repertoire. If you are not familiar with NYSSMA rankings, consult with your teacher and select the most challenging music that you can perform well.