MAJORS
Composition
The Composition programme at YST aims to develop the artistic voices of its students. In addition to weekly lessons with a composition mentor, the Composition major offers comprehensive training through a diverse selection of courses and an array of performance opportunities. Major studies are further enriched by courses in theoretical and historical aspects of music as well as leadership and community engagement. Students also receive support to attend festivals and competitions within Singapore and overseas.
YST provides outstanding facilities that support composition students in their musical endeavours. These include dedicated workspaces, recording equipment, synthesisers, relevant hardware and software, and even a piano specifically used for preparation and extended techniques.
Some past visiting artists to the conservatory include composers Ken Ueno, Amnon Wolman, Lin Kuei-ju, and Tazul Tadjuddin. Contemporary music ensembles that have visited and performed student works include Ensemble Phoenix Basel, Landman-Stadler Saxophone Duo, Trio Surplus, and hand werk.
Programme Structure
Composition majors receive weekly private instruction with a composition mentor along with courses covering different aspects of contemporary composition, such as composing and orchestrating for a variety of ensembles, electronic and computer music, and history and analysis of contemporary music. They attend aural and rhythmic skills training specifically designed for composers, and receive professional training in public presentation, writing programme notes, rehearsing with ensembles, and presenting their music in score and recorded formats. Students also participate in the weekly Composers’ Forum where they attend presentations by visiting artists, faculty, and students on contemporary music.
In their senior year, Composition majors publicly present and record a minimum of 25 minutes of music as part of their Final Year Project.
Elective and General Education courses within YST and NUS allow students further avenues to develop their personal interests and strengths.
Entry Requirements
At YST, our student selection criteria evaluates a range of factors in an application portfolio, including the candidate’s intellectual aptitude, curiosity, energy, artistic drive, relationship with people, linguistic proficiency and personal qualities that will contribute value to the cohort.
In addition to seeking the best emerging musical talents locally and in the region, our audition process is tailored to discover aspiring applicants with potential for developing a viable future professional and artistic identity.
Beyond evident current capacity in the applicant’s Major field, we explore how our programme resonates with them.
Click the following button for our admissions requirements.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Live auditions in Singapore and some overseas locations take place from the immediately-preceding December to February period. View our admissions and academic timeline here.
Candidates are required to submit a portfolio of scores and recordings of three original scores representing the applicant’s abilities. Works should ideally be written for different combinations of instruments/voices (for example, piano trios, string quartets, large ensembles, etc).
Scores and recordings should be submitted electronically via DropBox, Google Drive or other available platforms. Scores must be in PDF format and recordings should be MP3 format. Recordings may be MIDI renderings of the score, but performances by live players is preferred.
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YST CONSERVATORY
National University of Singapore
3 Conservatory Drive
Singapore 117376
