FACULTY OF PERFORMING ARTS

Diploma in Music
Diploma in Music Teaching

Audition

You are required to attend an entrance audition of approximately 15 minutes on your intended principal study. Non-pianists are advised to bring along their own accompanist for the audition. Please refer to the list of official accompanists if necessary. The accompanist fee is S$100, for a 45-minute rehearsal and the audition. Applicants are required to make arrangements with the accompanists directly for practice sessions and payment. All instrumentalists except percussionists and pianists are required to bring their principal study instrument for the audition.

The audition consists of the following:

• Performance of two contrasting works of your choice. Pieces selected from popular music repertoire would not be considered for the purposes of this audition.
• Sight-reading
• Aural awareness
• Music theory*
• Short interview with the audition panel about your musical experiences, interests and your ambitions for future studies and career

*The music theory paper (approximately 60 minutes) will test applicants in various areas at a level similar to ABRSM Grade V.

Applicants who present documentary evidence of ABRSM Grade V Music Theory or its equivalent will be exempted from the test. Further information about the requirements of ABRSM Grade V Theory can be found at www.abrsm.org

Applicants who obtain a pass in any of the following qualifications will be also be exempted from the theory test:

• GCE ‘O’ Level or GCE ‘A’ Level Music
• SOTA Music Year 4 and above

Live auditions in Singapore
Live auditions in Singapore are usually held in the months of December, February and April.

Audition Date
4 to 8 December 2023
26 to 29 February 2024
22 to 25 April 2024
3 – 7 June 2024 (final audition for AY2024)

Note: You will be notified of the outcome of your application 4 to 6 weeks after your portfolio interview or audition. Some application outcomes may take longer than expected.

Composition Portfolio Interview

Composers should submit a portfolio of at least two, but not more than five, contrasting examples of your compositions. Do submit your portfolio two weeks in advance of your scheduled audition. You may submit your work as written scores, recordings or a combination of the two.

Please ensure that your written music is clear and legible, and that you include full details, where necessary, of instrumentation, scoring, and performance details. Do not send Sibelius files unless they are accompanied by PDF files of the same material. Recordings should either be on a CD or DVD, or in a file format that can be read in VLC or Windows Media Player.

Individual works should be clearly indexed on both the CD and accompanying documentation. All recordings should be clearly labelled with your name and the title of the piece on both the CD and its cover. Portfolios will be returned to you immediately at the end of the audition or mailed back to you after the audition period upon request.

Online Audition

Though live auditions are preferred, applicants who are unable to attend a live audition may submit a video recording. Following a video pre-screening, shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online audition via Zoom or MS Teams, facilitated by the Student Admissions Office. During the audition, applicants will undergo assessments of sight-reading and aural awareness as well.

Guidelines for Video Recording:

• The recording should be a clear and accurate representation of your playing. Do not edit the audio/video of your recording
• The camera should be stationary for the performance of each work
• The video should show the performer in full body if possible
• The video should be recorded no more than six months prior to the scheduled audition.
• The video recording files should be named with the title of the pieces.

DIPLOMA IN DANCE

Audition Instructions – Diploma in Dance

You will receive a confirmation email containing the audition details nearer to your assigned audition date.

You will be required to attend an audition.

• The audition consists of two sections - Practical Assessment and Interview.
• You are required to report to the audition venue 30 minutes earlier to register, warm up and change into appropriate attire for dancing. You must bring your own attire.
• The audition may take up to 2 hours.

Audition Date
26 January 2024
23 February 2024
22 March 2024
12 April 2024
3 May 2024

Note: You will be notified of the outcome of your application 4 to 6 weeks after your portfolio interview or audition. Some application outcomes may take longer than expected.

Practical Assessment
You are expected to prepare and perform two contrasting solos of any dance genre/style (e.g. Ballet and Cultural Dance; Chinese classical dance and Chinese folk dance).

• Each dance should not exceed 90 seconds. The solo dance can be choreographed by yourself or by someone else (e.g. your dance teacher).
• You are required to bring your own music which can played from your own media device (e.g. phone, tablet, or other audio device).
• A costume (e.g. tutu for female ballet classical solo) may be worn.
• Through your performance, assessors will evaluate your:
  • Technique - coordination, control and alignment
  • Artistry - spatial awareness, musicality, dynamic range and performance quality
  • Fitness - strength, control, flexibility, coordination, speed, stamina and stretch

Interview
You are expected to discuss why you want to study dance during the interview. You will be evaluated based on your:

• Existing knowledge of and experience in dance performance
• Dance-related interests and career aspirations
• Dance proclivity and learning attitude
• Any medical or health concerns

Applicants who are unable to attend a live audition may request for an online audition. Both options will be followed by an online interview with the applicant alone and without the assistance of any other person.

Guidelines for the pre-recorded solos are as follows:

• You cannot perform/ dance with any make up in the audition videos, although you can tie your hair according to what's necessary.
• You have to come to the front of the camera (where your face can be seen clearly) and do a brief introduction of yourself. You will then proceed to move into the space and start dancing your solos after the introduction. * Please note that the video has to be shot in one take and not being edited in any way. Otherwise, the audition videos will not be considered.
• This applies to both male and female applicants.
• The photo that you send in should be the one that resembles how you look like now.
• For the online interview, no interpreter should be around, or the interview could be disqualified.

DIPLOMA IN THEATRE (ENGLISH DRAMA)
DIPLOMA IN THEATRE (MANDARIN DRAMA)

You are required to attend an audition. The audition consists of three sections — Workshop, Audition Monologue and Interview.

• You will be given three audition monologues at least one week prior to the audition and you will need to choose one. You are expected to memorise or be very prepared with your chosen piece
• You are required to report to the audition venue 30 minutes earlier to register
• The audition may take up to three hours
• Wear comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement

Audition Date
13 October 2023
27 October 2023
26 January 2024
23 February 2024
22 March 2024
26 April 2024

Note: You will be notified of the outcome of your application 4 to 6 weeks after your portfolio interview or audition. Some application outcomes may take longer than expected.

Workshop

You are expected to participate enthusiastically in the improvisation exercises and theatre games during the workshop. Through your participation in the workshop, you will be evaluated based on your:

• Openness to improvisation and willingness to work with others
• Vocal response in an improvisation – projection, range, tone and clarity
• Physical response in an improvisation – expressiveness, spontaneity and range

Audition Monologue

During the audition, you will be asked to perform one of the three pieces of dramatic texts. You are expected to arrive with your chosen monologue memorised. Through your performance of the monologue, assessors will evaluate your:

• Ability to perform a dramatic text – comprehension, characterisation and creativity
• Physical skills – presence on stage, spatial awareness, physical range, movement vocabulary and physical portrayal of character
• Vocal skills – projection, clarity, range and tone

Interview

You are expected to discuss why you want to study theatre during the interview. You will be reviewed based on your:

• Existing knowledge of and experience in theatre and/or performance
• Personality traits
• Innovation and creativity

Minimum Educational Qualifications Required

• Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level: Aggregate score of 25 points or better in 4 GCE ‘O’ Level subjects, excluding English.

Applicants who are active in their Secondary Schools’ Co-curricular Activities (CCA) may gain up to 2 bonus points. The CCA points can be used to improve their aggregate score for admission consideration.

Types of bonus points	No. of bonus points awarded
Grades of A1–A2	2 points
Grades of B3–C6	1 point

• Singapore Integrated Programme: Successful completion of Year 4 or higher.
• School of The Arts (SOTA): Successful completion of Year 4 or higher.
• Institute of Technical Education (ITE): Successful completion of full-time Higher Nitec or Nitec.

Successful completion of at least 10 years of education.

Eligible international students will be able to use their mid-year examination results to apply for diploma programmes at NAFA. Applicants will be given conditional offer if they are successful in their portfolio interview/audition selection. Applicants are still required to submit their year-end examination results and meet the admission requirements of the respective programmes. Any applicant who does not meet the admission requirements will have his/her conditional offer revoked.

The minimum English Language proficiency requirement:

• Grade C6 at GCE ‘O’ Levels
• TOEFL iBT 50
• TOEFL 500
• IELTS Academic Band 5
• SAT score of 480 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing component)
• Duolingo score of 80
• Qualifications equivalent to any of the above

Diploma in Music and Diploma in Dance for August 2024 intake:
If you attain the IELTS Academic band 4 or its equivalent, you are required to take a compulsory English course in Year 1 of your studies. The 40-hour English course is chargeable at S$872 (including prevailing GST).

Diploma in Theatre (Mandarin Drama):
In addition to the minimum English Language proficiency requirement, the minimum Chinese Language proficiency requirement for Diploma in Theatre (Mandarin Drama) is Grade C6 at GCE ‘O’ Level in Chinese Language or Higher Chinese or Literature in Chinese. The subject(s) will form part of the 4 ‘O’ Level subject requirements.

Recognition is accorded for prior achievements in areas relevant to intended studies.

The Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) allows applicants to apply for and receive conditional admission to NAFA prior to receiving their final grades.

The Diploma EAE application window for the AY2025 intake is from 17 June to 28 June 2024. Please check your application eligibility and apply online here.

The EAE is open to graduating GCE O-Level students, final-year Nitec and Higher Nitec students from the Institute of Technical Education and graduating Integrated Programme (IP)/International Baccaularette (IB) Year 4 students.

Process

Applicants to:

1. Apply online here from 17 June to 28 June 2024. Submit the required documents for verification within 5 working days from the application date or by 5 July 2024, whichever is earlier
2. Make payment of the Application Fee at the cashier counter in NAFA or online at https://payment.nafa.edu.sg/Students.
3. Submit Portfolio for programmes under the Faculty of Art & Design from 17 June to 12 July 2024 online here (3D Design/Design & Media/ Fashion Studies/Fine Art). There is no Admission Test for EAE
4. Submit Personal Statement and Testimonial for Diploma in Arts Management from 17 June to 12 July 2024 online here

Please refer to the section ‘Potential in Artistic Talent and Creativity’ under each programme for more information about the above.

Offer and Acceptance

• Applicants will receive notification of the application outcome via email from 15 August to 29 August 2024. Successful applicants should confirm acceptance of their offers by the deadline stipulated
• Applicants who accept their offers at this stage will be guaranteed a place, as long as they meet the criteria stated under Entry Requirement for each programme

Withdrawal

• Should applicants wish to withdraw their acceptance, they must submit their withdrawal notice to [email protected]
• Applicants who had accepted their EAE offer but fail to make the required payment by the stipulated deadline will have their offers withdrawn
• Applicants who fail to meet the admission criteria will have their offers withdrawn

Entry Requirements for EAE

For O-Level Students

Students who have registered to sit for the GCE O-Level examinations in the year of Early Admission Exercise (EAE)

For ITE Students

ITE students from full-time Higher Nitec/Nitec courses may apply for early admission. They can use their preliminary examination results (cumulative GPA of up to the 3rd term for a 2-year Higher Nitec/Nitec course or 5th term for a 3-year Nitec course) for application. The minimum cumulative GPA for early admission is 3.0.

For Integrated Programme (IP)/ International Baccalaureate (IB) Year 4 Students
IP and IB Year 4 students may use their mid-year examination results to apply for EAE.

Confirmation of Conditional Offers for Diploma Admission

Successful applicants for the EAE will be given conditional offers and are still required to submit following document, as applicable:

• GCE O-Level results with an aggregate of not more than 25 points for 4 subjects excluding English
• Certificate and Academic Transcript for Nitec or Higher Nitec
• Completion of IP Year 4 (End-Year Examination Results)
• Completion of IB Year 4 (End-Year Examination Results)

Any applicant who fails to provide documentary evidence of having met the admission requirements by the deadline stipulated by NAFA will have his/her conditional offer withdrawn.

Diploma in Music
Diploma in Music Teaching
Diploma In Dance
Diploma in Theatre (English Drama)
Diploma in Theatre (Mandarin Drama)

Applicants may receive module exemption of up to 60 credits, if they have taken and passed the same or similar modules in another institution. The granting of exemption and advanced standing may be subject to applicants passing a Portfolio Interview, Audition or Admission Test. Application for module exemption may be subject to a Portfolio Interview or Audition.

Applicants with GCE A-Level, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and IB Career-Related Certificate (IBCC)

Applicants who have completed GCE A-Level or IB Diploma will be eligible to be considered for module exemption (up to 40 credits) in the relevant programmes. Applicants from SOTA who have completed Year 4 and above are eligible to receive advanced standing (Year 1, Semester 2 or Year 2, Semester 1) in relevant Diploma programmes subject to their final or preliminary examination results.

Diploma in Theatre (English Drama)
Diploma in Theatre (Mandarin Drama)

Applicants with Higher Nitec/Nitec:

Full-time ITE graduates from the following courses will be considered for module exemption(s):

• Higher Nitec in Performance Production