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Overview Students' Work Modules Entry Requirements Fees How to Apply
Overview Students' Work Modules Entry Requirements Fees How to Apply
Duration: 2 Years
Mode: Full-time

The RCM-NAFA Master of Performance programme is designed to allow performers to develop their skills to a professional level. The programme offers intensive training in practical skills, complemented by a range of targeted options which reflect current industry and professional needs. Such skills are aimed at performers who aspire to enter the profession as practitioners at the highest level.

Please click here to view the English programme brochure.

At the end of this programme, students should be able to:
  • Perform at a level expected of a professional musician in terms of technique, musical insight, imagination, interpretation and communication
  • Apply personal research, analysis, reflection, listening and the application of theory to practice in the process of forming a musical interpretation
  • Demonstrate a strong grasp of musical traditions, while embracing or seeking new innovations in musical styles, media, performance and practice
  • Execute projects requiring written and/or verbal presentation, as well as for musical performance, in a confident and independent manner
  • Work effectively as part of a team, often in a leadership role, taking spontaneous decisions and responding to the decisions of others
  • Be self-motivated and disciplined, and promote projects/performances with critical self-awareness
  • Demonstrate in-depth understanding of professional environments and protocols

The unique partnership between NAFA, RCM and CCOM

With the seven-week International Placement at the Royal College of Music (London) or Central Conservatory of Music (Beijing), you will have the unique opportunity to experience living and studying in another environment for a period of time. You will gain exposure to artistic and cultural practices in a new environment and acquire valuable learning experiences, which will widen your perspectives towards your own musical practice and learning.

NAFA’s artistic and cultural diversity

For the first time, Chinese instrumentalists will have the option of undertaking a performance degree programme at the Master’s level in Singapore. For our Western and Chinese instrumentalists and composers, you will co-exist in a synergetic relationship, experiencing and reflecting on your cultural practices in the arts as you relate to performance and research. For our musicians, this provides a rich cultural environment and collaborative opportunities.

Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations

NAFA’s position as a multidisciplinary arts institution gives our music students the opportunities for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborations with other artistic disciplines within the academy and the new University of the Arts.







More Information
RCM Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the master’s degree programmes, students are required to attain a total of 240 credits and complete the International Placement.

Mode of Instruction

Lessons may be delivered face-to-face on campus or facilitated online. Lecturers employ a variety of teaching strategies and methods according to the needs of each module. These include individual lessons, lectures and seminars, tutorials, masterclasses, concerts, student presentations, independent study, observation visits, workshops, and rehearsals. Besides the use of iLEARN, NAFA’s Learning Management System (Canvas), a range of new online/technology-enhanced methods will also be implemented to offer students additional learning flexibility and access to expertise and new audiences. Examples include individual supervision for projects/assignments via video conferencing, individual coaching for preparation of recital exams, webinars, workshops and masterclasses with overseas guest lecturers, including RCM professors, online lectures/seminars for elective modules, and live-streaming of students’ recitals.

Assessment Methods

Students will be assessed, both formatively and summatively, in the same way as their counterparts in the corresponding RCM programmes. Assessment methods are designed to mirror professional practice, in both the Principal Study modules and elective options, such as performing in a public recital. Formative feedback is important for students’ continued improvement of their performance, and peer feedback is encouraged to develop a supportive learning environment among the student body. NAFA students are expected to refer to the same assessment criteria and abide to the same performance standards as that in RCM. NAFA students are not only subject to assessment by examiners appointed by NAFA but will also be validated by an external examiner from RCM.

Career Pathways
  • Collaborative Musician
  • Composer/Arranger
  • Conductor
  • Ensemble Director
  • Music Administrator
  • Music Director
  • Music Lecturer
  • Music Librarian
  • Music Producer
  • Music Researcher
  • Music Teacher
  • Music Workshop Facilitator
  • Orchestra Musician
  • Opera Singer (for vocal performers)
  • Professional Musician (Soloist or Ensemble Member)
  • Session Musician
  • Music Festival Organiser

 

Students' Work

Modules

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entry requirements

NAFA hopes to attract applicants with the potential to become excellent arts practitioners. Applicants are selected by merit, based on the following criteria:

  • Potential in Artistic Talent and Creativity
  • Educational Qualifications
  • Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (APEL)
  • English Language Proficiency

Selection is competitive and is subject to the availability of places. However, the Academy may give consideration to talented applicants who excel in Artistic Talent and Creativity, but have not fully met the education qualification stated.


Mode of Audition
The audition will be conducted live with an audition panel.

Audition Requirements
We understand that auditions are a significant milestone on every applicant’s journey towards a career as a conservatoire musician. The guidance below will help the applicant prepare to the best of his or her abilities and make one aware of the audition process.

  1. The audition will be recorded and reviewed by the appropriate Head of Faculty from the RCM.

  2. Applicants should present a varied programme and show a range of styles, periods and characters.

  3. Applicants are to note these specific audition requirements for each faculty of study:

    Keyboard Studies
    Piano applicants are required to prepare a varied programme of at least 50 minutes. The programme must include an advanced étude and all works must be performed from memory.

    Strings Studies
    String instrumental applicants are required to prepare all of the following:

    • one significant movement from a concerto composed after 1800

    • a contrasting piece of the applicant’s choice

    Winds Studies and Percussion Studies

    • Brass, woodwind and percussion applicants are required to prepare a programme of two contrasting pieces at a standard reflective of the applicant’s artistry, expressive and technical competency.

    • It would be preferred if at least one of these works was from memory, but it is not compulsory.

    Vocal Studies
    Vocal studies will not be offered in AY2025/2026.

    Chinese Instrumental Studies
    Chinese instrument applicants are required to prepare all of the following:

    • One significant movement of a concerto, or a work written originally for the solo instrument and orchestra (一首协奏曲)

    • A chuan tong piece from standard repertoire (一首传统乐曲)

    • A piece written after 1970 (一首创作乐曲(1970年后))

    • All works must be performed from memory

  4. During the live auditions, the panel will listen up to 20 minutes of the programme.

  5. Applicants are required to bring a list of the repertoire studied in depth in recent years as well as proof of recent public performances along to the live audition.

  6. Applicants are required to submit a personal statement (250 – 350 words) to support their application for the Master of Performance programme. The personal statement should be based on the following questions:

    • Why are you applying for the Master of Performance programme, based on your ambitions and interests?

    • What skills do you possess that make you suitable for the rigorous demands of the programme?

  7. Applicants will require two professional references emailed directly to Student Admissions Office.

  8. Non-pianists are required to bring along their accompanists if their chosen pieces require accompaniment. A list of accompanists and their details are available to applicants after application and they are required to make arrangements with the accompanists directly for practice sessions and payment.

  9. All instrumentalists except percussionists and pianists are required to bring their principal study instrument for the audition. Applicants are encouraged to provide a set of music scores of their pieces for the audition panel.

  10. Applicants are not allowed to bring a page-turner, a teacher or a translator to the audition. The only people in the audition room will be the applicant, the accompanist and the audition panel.

  11. As our programmes are taught in English, we expect applicants to be able to communicate in English at their audition.

  12. Typical questions asked during the interview may include:

    • Why do you want to study at NAFA?

    • What are your musical interests?

    • What do you think you need to do most to improve your performance?

Live auditions in Singapore
Live auditions in Singapore are usually held bimonthly.

Applicants will be notified of the exact date and time via email one week before the audition.

Audition Date
8 – 10 January 2025
3 – 7 March 2025
3 – 4 May 2025
*published dates are subject to changes

Live auditions in China

Applicants residing overseas who wish to attend the live auditions in China are to inform Student Admissions Office via email at least two weeks prior to the audition.

Audition Date
16 – 17 November 2024
8 – 15 March 2025


Applicants are required to have at least:

  • A relevant undergraduate degree from RCM-NAFA or a recognised institution, usually in Music
  • Degree transcripts must indicate passing grades in equivalent RCM-NAFA Bachelor of Music modules
Applicants whose qualifications do not conform to the above requirements (such as those with relevant experience or prior learning) may be considered on a case-by-case basis. In such cases, approval by the Royal College of Music will be required prior to final acceptance into the programme.

 

Applicants whose qualifications do not conform to the above requirements (such as those with relevant experience or prior learning) may be considered on a case-by-case basis. In such cases, approval by the Royal College of Music will be required prior to final acceptance into the programme.

An English Language proficiency* of at least:

Entry IntoIELTSTOEFL - iBTPTE ACADEMICDUOLINGO
Master5.5714295

Other qualifications equivalent to any of the above.

*Waived for NAFA applicants who have successfully completed NAFA's Bachelor of Music. Non-NAFA applicants who have successfully completed a recognised and approved Diploma qualification or higher, where the language of instruction was English, may be given a waiver on a case-by-case basis.

 


How to Apply

Take the leap! Begin the journey to becoming a world-class musician.

Apply online
Apply online here along with your application fees. Applications are open from October each year for the following year’s August intake.
Keep the Application Acknowledgement for your reference and submit the required documents
Send documents listed in the checklist to applications@nafa.edu.sg for verification within five working days from the application date.

Make payment of the Application Fee (non-refundable) online
Make payment of the Application Fee (non-refundable) online at https://payment.nafa.edu.sg/Students.

Singapore Citizens & Singapore Permanent ResidentsInternational Students
Application feeS$75.00S$105.00

Application fee is inclusive of prevailing GST.

Receive an email
You will receive an email from the Student Admissions Office on the details of your audition upon receipt of all required documents.
Application outcome
Receive the outcome of your application via email within 4 – 6 weeks after your Portfolio Submission/Interview/Audition or Admission Test.