Dates and Deadlines
Auditions occur at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters for admission in the following
semester.
Are you interested in majoring in music? Please consider the SMC Applied Music Program: a unique opportunity to study privately with reputable music faculty at Community
College tuition rates ($46.00 per unit for California residents). Program alumnx who
transfer may qualify for a transfer scholarship.
Come see and hear our students perform at the Applied Music Showcase Concert at The Broad Stage, Friday, November 3, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
On This Page
- Dates and Deadlines
- Information about the Applied Music Program
- Application and Audition Instructions
- Application Form
- Applied Music Program Information and Instructions
Applied Music Program Overview
Since 2001, the Applied Music Program has provided music students the opportunity for affordable private instruction in preparation for transfer as music majors to four-year universities or conservatories.
Program participants receive instruction in voice, any instrument, or composition, in various stylistic/historical musical traditions. This program is in high demand; admission is competitive and by audition. Students who have already earned a four-year music degree are not eligible.
Santa Monica College is one of the most common transfer institutions to the University of California, California State University, Loyola Marymount University, and many other four-year schools, universities, and music conservatories.
Each applied music program alum who completes four semesters in the applied program
and successfully transfers as a music major to a four-year institution within 2.5
academic years is eligible for a cash scholarship of up to $1,000. Each applied music
student who successfully transfers as a music major to a four-year institution within
1.5 academic years of completing one, two, or three semesters in the applied program
is eligible for a cash scholarship of up to $250 for each semester completed in the
program. Once you transfer, please see the instructions in the Concert Music Class
syllabus to request your scholarship.
50-62 units total
Applied (12 units), required each semester in the program (maximum of four enrollments each):
- Music 92: Applied Music Lessons (2 units), scheduled based on instructor and student availability
- Music 94: Concert Music (1 unit), Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:45 p.m. – 2:05 p.m.
Enrollment in Music 92 and Music 94 will not be possible until an authorization code is emailed to you at the start of each semester.
Musicianship and Theory (10 units)
Students may "test out" of these courses or substitute courses from later in the sequence
(Music 3 and Music 7; Music 4 and Music 8).
- Music 1: Music Fundamentals (3 units) and Music 5: Musicianship (2 units)
- Music 2: Musicianship (2 units) and Music 6: Diatonic Harmony (3 units)
Please contact the program coordinators or the theory/musicianship faculty to determine the appropriate starting level based on your previous training and experience.
Piano Classes (4 units)
Students may "test out" of these courses or substitute courses from later in the sequence
(Music 60C, 60D, 61A, 61B).
- Music 60A, Elementary Piano-First Level (2 units)
- Music 60B, Elementary Piano-Second Level (2 units)
Please contact the program coordinators or the piano faculty to determine the appropriate
starting level based on your previous training and experience.
Performance Ensembles (8-20 units), one required each semester in the program:
Music 40, 42, 45, 52, 53, 55, 59, 64, 73B, 74, 77 or 78
Students on the Musical Theatre Track are required to have completed the following ensemble courses for program completion, though they can be taken before or during program participation:
- Music 45, Musical Theatre Workshop - two times (3 units x 2: 6 units)
- Music 52, Advanced Production - Musical Theatre (5 units)
- Music 55, Concert Chorale, or Music 59, Chamber Choir (2 units)
Theatre Arts (6 units)
- One of the following (3 units): Th Arts 41 or 42, Acting 1 or 2
- Th Arts 57A, Musical Theatre Audition (not yet offered), 3 units
or
3 units of Th Arts electives, choosing from:- Th Arts 15, Stage Movement for the Actor (1 unit)
- Th Arts 16, Advanced Stage Movement for the Actor (2 units)
- Th Arts 10A, Voice Development for the Stage (3 units)
- Th Arts 10B, Advanced Voice Development for the Stage (3 units)
Dance (10 units)
- One of the following (2 units): Dance 11, 12, or 13 (Hip Hop); or Dance 41 or 42 (Contemporary/Modern)
- Two of the following (2 units x 2: 4 units): Dance 14, 15, or 16 (Jazz)
- One of the following (2 units): Dance 17 or 18 (Tap)
- One of the following (2 units): Dance 31 or 32 (Ballet)
Juries
A performance/presentation for faculty (“jury”) is required at the end of each semester. Jazz vocalists must include one classical piece. Please see the program coordinators or the Concert Music Class syllabus for additional requirements by area of study.
Additional Information
- Following acceptance into the program, each student should inform the Applied Music Program coordinator by email within thirty days to indicate their intention to matriculate and enroll in the program.
- Program participants are required to spend at least five hours per week practicing on campus.
- All required coursework classes must be completed by the end of the fourth semester of the program.
- Dropping required courses during a semester will result in removal from the program.
- Following acceptance into the program, you may take a semester of “leave of absence” (including what would be your first semester) without the need to re-audition to return the following term. An applied student who takes more than a one-semester leave of absence from the program will be required to re-audition in order to participate.
- Any applied student who takes more than a one-semester leave of absence from the applied program will be required to re-audition in order to be readmitted.
- If a required course is not passed, the student may use the following semester to retake and complete the course. During that semester of “probation,” the student may not participate in Music 92 and Music 94. Only one probationary semester is permitted. Earning a “D” or “F” in Music 92 or Music 94 results in permanent removal from the program with no option for probation.
- You will be scheduled for a specified number of required performances during the semester in Concert Music Class (Music 94).
- Your attendance, even if you are not performing, is required at the Applied Showcase Concert and dress rehearsal each semester.
- It is not uncommon for Applied Music Program students to exceed the SMC standard per-semester unit limit because of the numerous courses required for program participation. You may need to contact or visit an academic counselor to receive a “unit extension” that will allow you to enroll in all your classes.
Applied (12 units), required each semester in the program (maximum of four enrollments each):
- Music 92: Applied Music Lessons (2 units), scheduled based on instructor and student availability
- Music 94: Concert Music (1 unit), Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:45 p.m. – 2:05 p.m.
Enrollment in Music 92 and Music 94 will not be possible until an authorization code is emailed to you at the start of each semester.
Musicianship and Theory (max. 20 units), required each semester in the program until Music 4 and Music 8 are completed:
- Music 1: Music Fundamentals (3 units) and Music 5: Musicianship (2 units)
- Music 2: Musicianship (2 units) and Music 6: Diatonic Harmony (3 units)
- Music 3: Musicianship (2 units) and Music 7: Chromatic Harmony (3 units)
- Music 4: Musicianship (2 units) and Music 8: Modulation and Analysis (3 units)
Please contact the program coordinators or the theory/musicianship faculty to determine the appropriate starting level based on your previous training and experience.
Piano Classes (max 8 units):
- Music 60A, Elementary Piano-First Level (2 units)
- Music 60B, Elementary Piano-Second Level (2 units)
- Music 60C, Elementary Piano-Third Level (2 units)
- Music 60D, Elementary Piano-Fourth Level (2 units)
- Music 61A, Intermediate Piano-Fifth Level (2 units)
- Music 61B, Intermediate Piano-Sixth Level (2 units)
Advanced pianists may be exempted through examination by the piano faculty.
Please contact the program coordinators or the piano faculty to determine the appropriate
starting level based on your previous training and experience.
If the appropriate level of class piano is not offered, Music 64 is required instead.
Performance Ensembles (8-20 units), one required each semester in the program:
Music 40, 42, 45, 52, 53, 55, 59, 64, 73B, 74, 77 or 78
Specific ensembles are required based on the student’s area of study in the program.
Contact the Applied Music Program coordinators for more information.
If a student is enrolled in Music 64 to satisfy the piano class requirement, that
class can not also fulfill the ensemble requirement for that semester.
- Sample Schedule (Fall or Spring)Units
- Applied Music Lessons (Music 92)2
- Concert Music Class (Music 94)1
- Musicianship & Theory (e.g., Music 2 & 6)2 + 3
- Piano Class (e.g., Music 60C)2
- Performance Ensemble (e.g., Music 74)2
- Total12
Juries
A performance/presentation for faculty (“jury”) is required at the end of each semester. Jazz vocalists must include one classical piece. Please see the program coordinators or the Concert Music Class syllabus for additional requirements by area of study.
Additional Information
- Following acceptance into the program, each student should inform the Applied Music Program coordinator by email within thirty days to indicate their intention to matriculate and enroll in the program.
- Program participants are required to spend at least five hours per week practicing on campus.
- All required coursework classes must be completed by the end of the fourth semester of the program.
- When a required course is offered, it may not be deferred without an approved exception.
- Dropping required courses during a semester will result in removal from the program.
- Following acceptance into the program, you may take a semester of “leave of absence” (including what would be your first semester) without the need to re-audition to return the following term. An applied student who takes more than a one-semester leave of absence from the program will be required to re-audition in order to participate.
- Any applied student who takes more than a one-semester leave of absence from the applied program will be required to re-audition in order to be readmitted.
- If a required course is not passed, the student may use the following semester to retake and complete the course. During that semester of “probation,” the student may not participate in Music 92 and Music 94. Only one probationary semester is permitted. Earning a “D” or “F” in Music 92 or Music 94 results in permanent removal from the program with no option for probation.
- You will be scheduled for a specified number of required performances during the semester in Concert Music Class (Music 94).
- Your attendance, even if you are not performing, is required at the Applied Showcase Concert and dress rehearsal each semester.
- It is not uncommon for Applied Music Program students to exceed the SMC standard per-semester unit limit because of the numerous courses required for program participation. You may need to contact or visit an academic counselor to receive a “unit extension” that will allow you to enroll in all your classes.
Application and Audition Instructions
Auditions occur at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters for admission in the following semester. Applied Music coursework for credit and letter grades (not pass/no-pass) is required during four Fall and Spring terms.
Each applicant will submit an application form and MP3s or links to uploaded YouTube videos of their recent performances of the repertoire that they plan to perform at the audition. For repertoire customarily performed with accompaniment, the accompaniment must be included in your recording. Applicants in composition should submit two contrasting PDF fully-notated scores and an MP3 (acoustic or electronic performance) of each piece. The full-time faculty will review all applications and supporting materials, and a select group will be invited by email to audition in person.
All applicants who pass the Pre-Audition Screening will then be assigned an audition appointment time that will not be rescheduled if the student misses their designated time. For those auditioning with selections that include an accompaniment, an accompanist is required. Santa Monica College will supply an accompanist for a $25 fee (cash only) that provides a ten-minute rehearsal and the audition, or you may invite your own accompanist. The audition panel will consist of three or more Santa Monica College music faculty. Results of the auditions will be sent to applicants via email. Acceptance into the Applied Music Program at Santa Monica College is based on similar criteria for acceptance into any four-year music school.
Each audition is seven to eight minutes. Memorization is required for vocalists and pianists but optional for others. Do not bring a recorded accompaniment for audition. If the accompaniment is part of the musical selection, the applicant must audition with an accompanist.
"Classical" Voice
Two memorized selections from the Western-European classical repertoire, including
at least one in a foreign language
Musical Theatre Voice
Two memorized songs:
- One song from the musical theatre repertoire typical of the “Golden Age” (pre-1960)
- One contrasting song from the musical theatre repertoire
Jazz Voice
Two memorized selections:
- One jazz ballad or up-tempo jazz standard
- One selection from the Western European classical repertoire
Commercial Voice
Two memorized selections:
- One song from the commercial/popular repertoire
- One “classical” song from opera, art song, or oratorio
"Classical" Instrumental (see below for Piano and Percussion)
Two selections of contrasting styles or historical periods.
"Classical" Piano
Two memorized selections:
- One piece by Bach, Mozart, or Beethoven
- One contrasting piece
Orchestral Percussion
Two selections:
- One mallet instrument
- One snare drum or timpani
Commercial Guitar
Prescreening:
- A recording that demonstrates the ability to play with an ensemble or backing tracks a composed melody or improvised solo
- A recording that demonstrates the ability to accompany a voice or another instrument
Audition:
- 12-bar blues: one chorus demonstrating a single-line composed melody or improvised solo, and one chorus of chords
- Perform one of the following from memory:
- a Western European "classical" piece
- a fingerstyle piece
- a piece in which you accompany a voice or instrument
Jazz Instrument (including Percussion)
Two memorized selections:
- One jazz ballad, up-tempo jazz standard, or blues
- One selection from the Western European classical repertoire
Composition
Two contrasting compositions in either a live performance or audio recording (acoustic
or electronic performance). Please bring at least three copies of the printed full
score to the audition. For a lead sheet, the fully-notated melody is required, but
should only be used when the accompaniment is intended to be improvised based on the
included chord symbols. Fully-notated scores are preferred.