The Arts Portfolio in Music

Students with extraordinary talent in music composition, conducting, or performance may supplement their Stanford application with an Arts Portfolio. The Arts Portfolio is entirely optional and will be reviewed at the discretion of the Office of Undergraduate Admission and the arts faculty. Students who submit an Arts Portfolio are not required to major in the arts at Stanford. Similarly, students who do not submit an Arts Portfolio may still study or participate in the arts at Stanford.

Students may submit an Art Portfolio in one of the following areas: Art Practice, Dance, Music, or Theater. For general information about the application process, including Arts Portfolios, visit Undergraduate Admission’s Arts Portfolio page. The Department of Music can review most Western instruments as well as a few other things. A detailed but not exhaustive list can be found below. For music beyond the Western tradition, consult the list before you inquire.

For information about preparing an Arts Portfolio in Music, visit our department’s Arts Portfolio FAQ page.

NOTE: We regret that we are unable to offer live auditions.

Questions? Contact the undergraduate student services officer, Rowen Leigh.

Information about Recorded Auditions

Instruments for Art Portfolios in Performance
  • Bass (Jazz)
  • Bassoon
  • Carillon
  • Cello
  • Chinese classical instruments
  • Clarinet
  • Contrabass
  • Drum Set
  • Early Music
  • Erhu
  • Euphonium
  • Flute
  • Flute (Baroque)
  • Fortepiano
  • French Horn
  • Guitar
  • Guitar (Jazz)
  • Guzheng
  • Harp
  • Harpsichord
  • Koto
  • Musical Theater
  • Oboe
  • Organ
  • Percussion
  • Piano
  • Piano (Jazz)
  • Pipa
  • Saxophone
  • Saxophone (Jazz)
  • Shinobue
  • Taiko
  • Trombone
  • Trombone (Jazz)
  • Trumpet
  • Trumpet (jazz)
  • Tuba
  • Viola
  • Viola da Gamba
  • Violin
  • Violin (Baroque)
  • Voice