Statement of purpose is a brief essay stating the purpose and motivation of the students behind applying for a particular course in a particular university. The structure may differ with country and program.

SOP for Music includes the student’s personal and career goals for the future in the field of music. It should reflect the creative side of applicants. Students need to answer certain questions like why is music chosen, why has the country/university been chosen, aims and goals for the future, interests, and other personal details.

Structure of SOP for Music

The content of the SOP for Music is quite personal. The students can form and develop their essay as per their choice including all the essential points that would impress the reviewer. SOP for Music may include the ideas, interests, future expectations, etc about the student. It may also include:-

  • The past and present music composed
  • Student’s creations
  • Future with music
  • Why does the student want to pursue education in music and some type of career beyond his/her education?
  • Why is the place chosen for the studies apt for his/her career?

Top Universities Requirements of SOP for Music

Bachelor and master courses in music are offered by many institutes or colleges around the world. They require a personal statement or SOP or letter of intent for their admission process. The different institutes or colleges offering music and their requirements for the SOP are discussed as follows.

SOP for The Juilliard School, USA

The institute offers both bachelors and masters degrees in music. Master of Music degree is available under different categories of instruments, vocal, jazz studies, composition, etc. The common requirements of SOP for all the music courses of Julliard School are:

  • Length: 1-2 pages
  • To be submitted with the online application form
  • It can include any one of the following:
    • Specific artistic and educational objectives.
    • Why do you feel that Julliard is the right place for them and how it will help in achieving their goals?
    • Relate the school’s mission to your work. What does it mean to you? Relate it with being an artist citizen in today’s world.

The Juilliard School also requires a video introduction for the music program:

  • Length: 1 minute
  • Recording should include:
    • Student’s name
    • Major in which the student wish to enroll i.e. the type of the program
    • Current music teacher
    • Students’ current school and their grades
    • Any fact or extra point which the student hasn’t written in the application and needs the application committee to know it.

Another optional essay can also be submitted explaining the personal or academic circumstances, such as year gap.

SOP for Berklee College of Music, USA

Berklee College of Music offers a Master of Music degree in Contemporary Performance: Global Jazz Concentration. The requirements for the personal statement are:

  • Length: 400-500 words
  • The students can summarize:
    • About themselves
    • Musical, academic, and professional journey
    • Why would they like to pursue a master’s degree at Berklee?

The university has the requirements of a performance video as well. Students need to record themselves with the performances of different categories.

SOP for Curtis Institute of Music, USA

Curtis Institute of Music offers Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in various categories like vocal, jazz, etc. An SOP as well as a personal history statement is required for admission. Maximum word limit is 1300 words. It should include answers to two of the following four questions:

  • What is your ultimate goal for studying music?
  • What about Curtis most interests you? You can also list three goals which you think this institute would help you in achieving.
  • Write about your personal and musical strengths. How this would enable you to positively impact the community, both inside and outside of Curtis?
  • Describe one of your non-musical interests.

SOP New England Conservatory of Music, USA

New England Conservatory of Music offers the Master of Music degree as well the graduate diploma in music in various specializations. The requirements for the personal statement or the SOP are:

  • Length: 75 to 300 words each
  • Describe a situation in which you have overcome a challenge. How was it addressed to and steps which led to overcoming it.
  • Describe what you will bring to the NEC community beyond music.
  • Describe the NEC special features that excite you and how will you benefit from the NEC education.

SOP for Guildhall School of Music and Drama, UK

Guildhall School of Music and Drama offers postgraduate degrees in music with specialization in performance, orchestra and music therapy. The requirements for the personal statement are:

  • Describe about yourself
  • Why did you choose to study in UK and in this college
  • Why did you choose a master's degree in music?
  • Any prior experience
  • What will you bring with you other than the musical requirements to the college?

The school requires recordings and video messages from the students as well.

SOP for KMH Royal College of Music, Sweden

KMH Royal College of Music offers courses and other related fields of music such as classical music, orchestra, and others. The requirements for the letter of motivation or the autobiographical statement are:

  • About yourself
  • Music contributions
  • Challenges and opportunities in music
  • Why is KMH chosen?

Tips to Write a Good SOP for Music

There are certain tips which can make the SOP for Music look interesting and unique for the reviewer:

  • Should contain all the information about the student.
  • Should not be plagiarised i.e. they can have a similar format of development but should not be copied.
  • Should have your own experiences and skills in your own language.
  • Should be free from grammatical errors, plagiarism, and spelling mistakes also.
  • Gives your whole life story and future to the reviewer.

SOP for Music generally has answers to certain questions asked by the university. Students should prepare their SOP’s with all the things in mind and should follow their own formats. It should have all the possible points related to the music and should be interesting to read.