1. What's the difference between a Conservatory and a University? 

2. What degrees do you offer?

3. Do you have a jazz program? A program in Music Recording?

4. What criteria do you use for admission?

5. Do you offer scholarships and how are they awarded?

6. Where do students live?

7. Do you accept tapes in lieu of a live audition, and if so, are tape applicants less likely to be admitted?

8. What is your policy on transfer students?

9. What are your alumni doing?

10. Does my audition need to be memorized?



1. What's the difference between a Conservatory and a University? 
A music conservatory is a college that offers programs that concentrate specifically on the study of music. The curriculum is designed to allow students to concentrate on their work with an emphasis on future careers in music. While many universities have very strong music departments and offer a solid education in music, the environment is usually very different from a conservatory, as students do not necessarily intend to pursue careers in music and are often majoring in more than one area. The San Francisco Conservatory of Music offers a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance, with approximately 75 % of the required units in music-related courses and 25 % of the required units in General Education.



2. What degrees do you offer? 
Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in all classical instruments, composition and voice. Master of Music degrees in Conducting, Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music (for violin, viola, cello and piano only)

Non-degree undergraduate Music Diploma
Artist Certificate in Chamber Music
Post-Graduate Diploma in Vocal Performance.
Professional Studies Diploma in Instrumental Performance
We do not offer any D.M.A. or Ph.D. degrees.



3. Do you have a jazz program? A program in music recording? 
No, we do not have a jazz or a music-recording program. We also do not offer a degree in saxophone.



4. What criteria do you use for admission? 
The most important criteria are the applicant's musical proficiency as determined at the time of the audition. We also take into consideration the applicant's academic record, letters of recommendation, and the needs of the specific department.



5. Do you offer scholarships and how are they awarded? 
The Conservatory has a generous scholarship program. Approximately 80% of Conservatory students receive some scholarship. We also are unable to meet the full-demonstrated need of students who are offered scholarship assistance. Generally, it takes a combination of funds from the student, their family, the school, and state and federal sources to provide the full amount needed to attend the Conservatory.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of musical ability, financial need and the musical needs of the school.



6. Where do students live? 
The San Francisco Conservatory of Music is pleased to announce a new partnership with Golden Gate Hall, a student residence hall only two blocks from the Conservatory’s new building. Golden Gate Hall is a vibrant and friendly residential community that encourages interaction among San Francisco’s collegiate students. Golden Gate Hall offers 24 hour reception and security, a large student lounge equipped with a flat screen TV, a pool table, and comfortable couches, and an enormous kitchen designed with culinary students in mind. Rooms – singles or doubles – are all equipped with bed, dresser, desk, chair, closet, sink with cabinet space, mini-fridge, microwave, TV with cable, internet connection, and phone line with free local and long distance (within the US and Canada). Conservatory students can lease rooms at Golden Gate Hall on a month-to-month basis. Rates are extremely affordable for the Civic Center neighborhood and San Francisco overall. Details can be found at Golden Gate Hall’s website at www.goldengatehall.com.

The Associate Dean for Student Life also offers housing support and coordination for current and incoming students. In San Francisco, there are a number of housing options available. In addition to Golden Gate Hall’s residence hall option, students can rent an apartment or flat near the Conservatory or throughout the Bay Area. Notices of available housing are posted on the Conservatory’s online and school-based housing bulletin. Students are encouraged to see the Associate Dean for Student Life regarding any housing questions and concerns.



7. Do you accept tapes/CDs instead of a live audition, and if so, are recorded auditions less likely to be admitted? 
SFCM does accept audition videotapes in some cases (please consult the Audition Requirements for further information). Faculty prefer that students audition in person at the Conservatory or at one of our regional audition sites. However, students who audition via videotape receive full consideration for both admission and scholarship assistance.

Audition videotapes for undergraduate applicants and for graduate applicants living outside of North America (except chamber music, conducting, voice and professional studies applicants as described in the Audition Information section) must be clearly marked with the applicant's name, address, instrument, repertoire and composer and a signature indicating that the recording is a performance by the applicant. Videotapes must be professionally recorded in American standard VHS format. Videotapes will not be returned, nor will we convert videotapes recorded in other formats.



8. What is your policy on transfer students? 
As with all other applicants, the most important criteria for admission is the applicant's musical ability.

A transfer student's collegiate level will be based on the musical level determined at the audition, transfer credit, and credit by examination they receive based on Conservatory placement examinations, which are administered during orientation week.

A minimum of one year and 28 credits earned in residency at the Conservatory is required. Most transfer students should expect a minimum of two full years of study at the Conservatory.



9. What are your alumni doing? 
Conservatory alumni are members of major U.S. and international symphony orchestras; members of acclaimed chamber ensembles, are performing with major opera companies, and are teaching throughout the world. Check out our alumni section.



10. Does my audition need to be memorized? 
Unless otherwise stated in the Audition Requirements, all audition repertoire must be memorized.