Conservatory Admissions
Thank you for considering the Conservatory at Gifted Music School! Detailed below are all the steps in the application process in order. The Admission Staff is always here to help! If at any time you have questions or comments or need assistance with any part of your application, please reach out to us at conservatory@giftedmusicschool.org. Please feel free to review the Conservatory Student Handbook for a general overview of the program policies, class schedule, and general expectations.
Prospective students and their families are encouraged to attend our admissions information session to learn more about the full-scholarship Conservatory at Gifted Music School with Conservatory Director, Linda Duan. We'll answer your questions about the program curriculum, performance opportunities, conservatory application, audition process, financial aid, student life, and more. For more information, please contact Ms. Duan at lduan@giftedmusicschool.org.
2024 Important Dates |
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| March 1 | Online application opens |
| March 21 at 7 pm | Admission information session (online): Zoom Link |
| April 13 at 2:00 pm | Admission information session (on campus) or online: Zoom Link |
| May 1 | Applications and application fees due |
| May 25 | Live auditions at Gifted Music School in Salt Lake City, UT |
| June 15 | Final decisions are sent |
How to Apply
1. Apply
The first step in the Conservatory admissions process is to submit an online application to the Conservatory, accompanied by a $55 nonrefundable application fee, payable online in the application portal. Applicants must also provide contact information for their current private teacher, who will receive an invitation to submit a letter of recommendation on the applicant's behalf. Admissions applications must be submitted by May 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
Note: Please contact Acceptd to request an application fee waiver if you are experiencing financial hardship.
2. Audition
Upon receipt of the application and fee, students are invited to audition at Gifted Music School's campus in Salt Lake City, UT. Auditions for the 2024-25 admissions cycle will take place on May 25, 2024.
Repertoire Requirements
Applicants must be able to show technical and musical proficiency that demonstrates—for their age—exceptional competency, consistent practice, and commitment. Exact requirements may vary by instrument (please select your instrument program on Acceptd to view the exact requirements), but generally, the audition consists of:
Applicants must be able to show technical and musical proficiency that demonstrates—for their age—exceptional competency, consistent practice, and commitment. Exact requirements may vary by instrument (please select your instrument program on Acceptd to view the exact requirements), but generally, the audition consists of:
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Two stylistically contrasting works that demonstrate the student’s abilities.
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A scale of your choosing, parallel (same tonic) major and melodic minor.
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Sight-reading.
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Orchestral excerpt(s), as determined by your instrument (all excerpts are posted under the "Resources" tab on Acceptd).
3. Entrance Exam
Immediately following the live audition, applicants will be given a diagnostic (or "placement") exam which will allow our faculty to accurately place students in the appropriate level of music theory and music history.
Applicants are encouraged to review the Music Theory Study Guide prior to taking the diagnostic exam. Students are not expected to know everything on this list. Topics covered in the exam are extracted from each of the various levels of music theory at GMS. Students should complete as much of the test as they are able to at this point in their musical journey.
Results of the diagnostic exam will have no impact on the student's final admissions decision. Please anticipate reserving one (1) hour after the live audition to take this exam.
Why Gifted Music School?
The Conservatory at Gifted Music School is a highly selective training program for talented young musicians. While tuition at similar pre-college programs, such as Juilliard and Colburn, averages $15,000 per year, the Conservatory at Gifted Music School stands apart as a full-scholarship program.
Taught by distinguished faculty, Conservatory students gain new skills, knowledge, and experiences in a supportive environment that prepares students for musical study at a post-secondary level or as a professional musician. Unlike traditional youth orchestras, the Conservatory provides a comprehensive curriculum that develops well-rounded musicians. Students participate in a wide array of classes and ensembles, including orchestra, piano ensemble, chamber music, music theory, ear training, music history, yoga for musicians, and more.
In addition to working with teaching artists from the Utah Symphony, Ballet West, University of Utah, and Brigham Young University, Conservatory students have the opportunity to work with prominent guest artists from around the world in Gifted Music School's Distinguished Master Class series. Recent guest artists have included Midori Goto, Roberto Diaz, Sel Kardan, Laurie Niles, Ian Swensen, Micah Yui, Bruce Brubaker, Alan de Veritich, Tom Rosenberg, Matthew Zalkind, the Fry Street Quartet, and more.
Our graduates often matriculate at top universities and conservatories, including the Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard School, Colburn, Yale, Harvard, Stanford, New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, all of the major Utah universities, and more.
