MASTER OF PERFORMANCE (University of the Arts Singapore)

NAFA hopes to attract applicants with the potential to become excellent arts practitioners. Applicants are selected by merit, based on the following criteria:

• Potential in Artistic Talent and Creativity
• Educational Qualifications
• Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (APEL)
• English Language Proficiency
• Age Requirement

Selection is competitive and is subject to the availability of places. However, the Academy may give consideration to talented applicants who excel in Artistic Talent and Creativity, but have not fully met the education qualification stated.

Potential in Artistic Talent and Creativity

In order to be considered for enrolment into the Master of Performance programme, all prospective students should meet both the educational and audition requirements.

Mode of Audition

The audition will be done live with an audition panel. Applicants residing overseas are to submit a video recording at least 4 weeks before the scheduled audition. If they successfully pass the video screening, they will be invited to attend the live audition.

Audition Requirements

We understand that auditions are a significant milestone on every applicant’s journey towards a career as a conservatoire musician. The guidance below will help you prepare to the best of your abilities and make you aware of what will happen at your audition.

• Your audition will be recorded and may be reviewed by the appropriate Head of Faculty from the RCM.
• Applicants should present a varied programme and show a range of styles, periods and characters.
• Please note these specific audition requirements for each faculty of study:

Keyboard Studies

Piano applicants should prepare a varied programme of at least 50 minutes. The programme should include an advanced étude and must be performed from memory.

Orchestral Studies

String instrumental applicants should prepare all of the following:

one significant movement from a concerto composed after 1800

a contrasting piece of your choice

Brass, woodwind and percussion applicants should prepare a programme of two contrasting pieces at a standard reflective of your artistry, expressive and technical competency.

It would be preferred if at least one of these works was from memory, but it is not compulsory.

Vocal Studies

Vocal studies is not offered in AY2024/25.

Chinese Instrumental Studies

Chinese instrument applicants should prepare all of the following:

One significant movement of a concerto, or a work written originally for the solo instrument and orchestra (一首协奏曲)

A chuan tong piece from standard repertoire (一首传统乐曲)

A piece written after 1970 (一首创作乐曲（1970年后))

You must perform your programme from memory

• During the live auditions, the panel will listen up to 20 minutes of your programme. For video submission, the video recordings should contain the full programme based on the specified audition requirements.
• Live auditionees should bring a list of the repertoire studied in depth in recent years as well as proof of recent public performances along to the audition.
• If you are a current NAFA student applying for a postgraduate performance or composition course, you may submit a recording of your graduation recital, in lieu of a live audition.
• Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement (250 – 350 words) to support their application for the Master of Performance programme. The personal statement should be based on the following questions:
• Why are you applying for the Master of Performance programme, based on your ambitions and interests?
• What skills do you possess that make you suitable for the rigorous demands of the programme?
• Applicants will require two professional references emailed directly to NAFA Admissions.
• Current NAFA graduating students are not required to submit personal statement and references.
• Non-pianists are advised to bring along their accompanists if their chosen pieces require accompaniment. A list of NAFA's Official Accompanists would be made available to applicants along with their audition details. There will be a fee payable directly to the Accompanist.
• All instrumentalists except percussionists and pianists are required to bring their principal study instrument for the audition.
• Applicants cannot bring a page-turner, their teacher, or a translator into their audition. The only people in the audition room will be the applicant, the accompanist and the audition panel. As our programmes are taught in English, we expect applicants to be able to communicate in English at their audition.
• Typical questions you may be asked during your interview include:

Why do you want to study at NAFA?

What are your musical interests?

What do you think you need to do most to improve your performance?

Live auditions in Singapore

Live auditions in Singapore are usually held in the months of December, February and April.

Audition Date

• 4 to 8 December 2023
• 26 to 29 February 2024
• 22 to 25 April 2024

Live auditions in China

Audition Date

• 11 – 12 Nov 2023
• 12 – 13 Mar 2024

Note: You will be notified of the outcome of your application 4 to 6 weeks after your portfolio interview or audition. Some application outcomes may take longer than expected.

Guidelines for Video Recording:

• The recording should be a clear and accurate representation of the performer’s playing. The performance must be recorded in one continuous take, and the video is not to be edited.
• The camera should be stationary for the performance of each work.
• The video should show the performer in full body if possible.
• The video should be recorded no more than six months prior to the scheduled audition.
• The video recording files should be named with the title of the pieces.

Educational Qualifications

Applicants are required to have at least:

• A relevant undergraduate degree from RCM-NAFA or a recognised institution, usually in Music
• Degree transcripts must indicate passing grades in equivalent RCM-NAFA Bachelor of Music modules

Applicants whose qualifications do not conform to the above requirements (such as those with relevant experience or prior learning) may be considered on a case-by-case basis. In such cases, approval by the Royal College of Music will be required prior to final acceptance into the programme.

English Language Proficiency

The minimum entry requirement for English language proficiency is IELTS Academic Band 5.5 or equivalent.*

*Waived for NAFA applicants who have successfully completed NAFA's Bachelor of Music. Non-NAFA applicants who have successfully completed a recognised and approved Diploma qualification or higher, where the language of instruction was English, may be given a waiver on a case-by-case basis.

Information not available.

Contact school for more information.