Admission Requirements for the Cross-Disciplinary Composition Division

Admission Requirements for the Cross-Disciplinary Composition Division

A. Academic Background

  • Israeli Bagrut certificate, or an equivalent diploma (recognized pre-academic preparatory program approved by the Council for Higher Education, a foreign matriculation certificate recognized by the Ministry of Education, or the 30+ preparatory program).

B. Written Examination

Mandatory Exercises:

  1. Theory
    • Intervals – identification and construction.
    • Triads and their inversions – identification and construction.
    • Seventh chords and their inversions – identification and construction.
    • Diatonic harmonic functions.
    • Scales and modes – identification and construction.
    • Transposition exercise.
    • Reading and writing in treble and bass clefs.
  2. Ear Training
    • Monophonic diatonic dictation.
    • Two-voice diatonic dictation.
    • Dictation of a diatonic harmonic progression.
    • Rhythmic dictation.
    • Diatonic solfège.

Optional Exercises:

  • Harmony: Harmonization and voice-leading in a choral texture based on a given bass and/or soprano line.
  • Counterpoint: Composition of free counterpoint on a given melody.
  • Analysis: Harmonic, melodic, or formal analysis of a jazz excerpt or of a simple sonata exposition (e.g., Haydn, Mozart).
  • General: Testing of basic terminology knowledge.

C. Personal Interview

  1. Keyboard Proficiency Test
    • Performance on piano of a short classical piece at a level of at least a two-part Invention by J. S. Bach, a Classical sonatina, or a short Romantic piece (Mazurkas or Preludes by Chopin).
    • Optional: A jazz piece including bass walking and improvisation, or a rock/pop/folk piece arranged for piano.
  2. Portfolio Presentation in Composition

    The portfolio must include 2–4 works:

    a. At least one notated score accompanied by an audio file (live performance or MIDI simulation).

    b. At least one additional original work (not an arrangement). Genre and style are open to choice, e.g., a song, film music, chamber/solo piece, jazz composition, or any other original work in any genre.

    c. Additional works, if submitted, may be in any genre or style, including arrangements of any kind.

Summary: A minimum of 2 original works, with at least one fully notated score. Additionally, 1–2 optional works may be submitted, which may be original or arrangements.

Submission:

  • Upload score files and audio files (live performances or MIDI simulations) to the designated folder indicated in the examination notification letter.
  • Bring 2 printed copies of the scores to the examination.

Important: The portfolio carries significant weight in calculating the overall entrance examination grade for the Department of Composition.

Previous Studies: Applicants who come with prior academic studies are required to present representative works in harmony, counterpoint, and any additional works they deem appropriate (optional).

 

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