Frequent questions

Q: How much should I pay for the admission fee? Is it refundable?
A: The admission fee is $75.00, in the case of late applications it is $100.00. This fee is non-refundable. In case a candidate is absent from the first audition and wishes to attend the late audition, he or she will have to pay the fee again.

Q: What other documents should I submit with my application?
A: Candidates from high school must submit a preliminary credit transcript and the results of the College Board test. Once you have completed your fourth year, you must submit a final credit transcript. Candidates from other universities must request an official transcript which must be received by mail. All candidates for the Bachelor of Music Education must submit the required essay. Applicants for the Baccalaureate in Composition must also submit a portfolio of compositions.

Q: Do I need to have experience studying a musical instrument to apply for admission to any Conservatory Baccalaureate program?
A: Yes, every candidate who requests admission to the Conservatory must audition on the requested instrument before a panel of teachers in the area, therefore it is necessary that they have taken instrument classes and have prepared with their teacher to attend this audition. .

Q: Where can I get a teacher to help me prepare for my admissions process?
A: The Preparatory School of the Conservatory of Music offers individual instrument classes and theory and music theory courses that can contribute to your preparation for the admission process at the university level. For more information about their schedules, costs and registration dates, you can contact 787-751-0160 ext. 264

Q: How far in advance should I prepare for the entrance audition?
A: It is recommended that the student begin their audition preparation at least one year before the date they plan to audition.

Q: What repertoire should I present at the instrument audition?
A: The list with the required repertoire per instrument is found in the Admissions Manual, available in the Admissions Office and on the cmpr.edu/admisiones page.

Q: Can I audition for more than one instrument?
A: The entrance audition must be done by one instrument only.

Q: Will an accompanying pianist be provided for the audition?
A: Only an accompanying pianist will be provided for singing auditions. Candidates auditioning for any other instrument who wish to bring an accompanying pianist may do so.

Q: Should I bring tracks to the audition for the Jazz and Caribbean Music Department?
A: Yes, in the instruments where required, the applicant will provide their own musical accompaniment that can be in MP3, P4, iPod, laptop (lap top) and/or CD format (it should not be a format that depends on access). to Internet). The Conservatory will provide stereo equipment with a 1” cable or line to connect electronic devices. In the case of applicants who are going to audition for Latin percussion, they should contact Prof. Raúl Rodriguez at: rrodriguez@cmpr.edu for more information about the tracks they should bring.

Q: How can I prepare for the Theory and Dictation Placement Exam?
A: We have several resources available on our Internet portal (cmpr.edu/admissions) that may assist the applicant in preparing for this exam. Additionally, the applicant can enroll in a Theory and Music Theory course at the Conservatory Preparatory School.

Q: Can I request a reasonable accommodation during my admission process?
A: Yes, please contact the Admissions Office staff for more information.

Q: How will the audition be conducted?
A: Auditions are held on an individual basis and on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents or companions of the candidates cannot go with them to the audition area. A jury made up of professors from the Conservatory will listen to and evaluate the execution of the required repertoire. The jury can listen to all the pieces and the required technique or only some or fragments of them. You can also ask for only part of a movement, in the case of sonatas. Even so, you must prepare the complete work, according to the requirements, since it is the jury who will determine when to listen. Some concentrations require that the repertoire be presented from memory, if so it must meet this requirement.

Q: What other materials should I bring on the day of the audition in addition to my instrument?
A: It is recommended to bring a program with the repertoire prepared for the audition, music from all your works and exercises and other materials that you think you may need according to your instrument, such as strings, reeds, etc. Candidates for the Department of Jazz and Caribbean Music must bring their tracks.

Q: How should I dress for the audition?
A: Dress crisp and conservative, as if you were interviewing for a job. Avoid shorts, mini skirts, distracting logos, extremely flashy shoes, flip flops, large accessories. Above all, try to wear comfortable clothes and shoes so that your performance is not affected.

Q: How can I find out the results of the audition?
A: Preliminary results will be published on the Conservatory's website. Official results will then be sent by mail.

Q: If I didn't pass the February audition, can I audition again in the May late auditions? What is the process to participate in that audition?
A: Yes, you can audition again. You will need to complete a new application for admission and pay the late application fee.

Q: What are the reasons why a student is placed at the Preparatory level?
A: Students admitted to the Baccalaureates in Music Performance or Jazz Performance and Caribbean Music who present deficiencies in their skill level on the instrument will be conditionally accepted and placed at the Preparatory instrument level for one or two semesters to help them strengthen the skills. skills necessary for admission to the first-year level.

Students admitted to the Bachelor of Music in Composition who are weak in basic composition skills will be placed in a remedial Composition course (Preparatory level) for one or two semesters before admission to the first year of the program.

If, as a result of the Theory and Dictation exam, it is determined that the student does not have the minimum skills to be placed at the first-year level (score of 85% on the exam), they will be placed in the remedial Preparatory Solfeggio course to strengthen their deficiencies.

All students who take remedial courses at the Preparatory level will have to pass the exams and move on to the first year of the degree to which they were conditionally admitted within a maximum period of two semesters. After the established time limit, the student who cannot enter high school at the first-year level will be dropped from the institution. Students will only be able to enjoy this privilege and be placed at the preparatory level only once. If a student is suspended for this reason and wishes to request readmission, he or she must take the theoretical exam and the instrument audition and pass both tests at the first-year level.

Students located at the Preparatory level may enroll in other courses in their curriculum, as long as they do not have prerequisites.

Q: If I have studied at another university, is there any course that can be validated for me?
A: General courses can be validated: Spanish, English, Humanities and History of Puerto Rico. These must have been approved with a grade of C or higher and no more than ten years must have passed since their approval. Other general, Education or language courses (Italian, French, German) could be validated. For more information you should consult with the Registrar's Office. Musical courses will not be automatically validated. Some of them may be validated by examination.

Q: Does the Conservatory have accommodation for its students?
A: The Conservatory does not provide or supervise accommodations. The Dean of Student Affairs provides the student with a list of available housing in the area.