Eligibility

The Pre-College Division is a comprehensive conservatory-style program primarily for students aged 8 to 18 (no minimum age requirement, but voice applicants must be at least 14 years old). It is designed for young musicians who demonstrate talent, potential, and ambition to pursue serious music studies at the collegiate level. Beginners are not eligible to apply. Applicants must already have a high level of proficiency on their instrument and intend to pursue professional training in the future.

The Pre-College meets on Saturdays from September to May on the Juilliard School campus. Students work closely with world-class faculty to cultivate technical skills, creativity, and intellectual curiosity. Many faculty members are also Juilliard College Division teachers and acclaimed artists and educators. Full and partial scholarships are available for qualified accepted students.

Pre-College students receive weekly instruction in their major area, chamber music, music theory, and ear training. Electives such as composition, music history, conducting, and other advanced courses are also available. Students are given abundant performance opportunities through solo, chamber, and orchestral concerts.

Students frequently perform in concerts throughout the academic year. The orchestra presents numerous performances. Senior students are required to present a one-hour solo graduation recital. First-year students (unless entering at the senior level) are not allowed to present solo recitals. Many students also participate in various chamber music concerts held throughout the year.

Non-local and international students must reside with a parent or legal guardian in New York City. Juilliard Pre-College does not provide academic instruction for elementary, middle, or high school education. All students must be enrolled in a full-time academic school. Students must provide the name and address of the school they plan to attend.

Pre-Screening Video Requirements

International students must attend a live audition at Juilliard's New York campus. Pre-screening videos are required for applicants in the following areas:

• Piano

• Violin

• Viola

• Cello

Composition applicants must submit scores for pre-screening. No pre-screening is required for other majors.

Duolingo English Test

All non-native English-speaking international applicants must take the Duolingo English Test as part of their Pre-College application. The test costs $49. Students are encouraged to take multiple free practice tests before the actual exam. Multiple attempts are allowed.

• Piano applicants must submit Duolingo scores by March 1, 2025

• All other majors must submit scores by May 1, 2025

Applicants who are accepted to the program but do not pass the English test will be required to improve their English and retake the exam before the September start date.

Tuition and Fees

• Application Fee: $75

• Tuition (includes core and private lessons): approx. $15,940

• Voice major additional fee: $680

• Additional fees: $80

• Elective courses: $1,100

• Private secondary lessons per semester (1 hour/week): $2,700

• Private secondary lessons per semester (30 min/week): $1,350

Class Schedule

• Every Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  (Extended to 10:30 PM on concert days)

• Private and chamber music lessons may also be scheduled outside of Saturdays.

• Program Duration: September to May

Core Curriculum

• Private Instruction (60 minutes)

• Music Theory

• Ear Training

Major Studies

• Orchestra

• Chamber Music

• Brass Studies

• Composition and Counterpoint

• Guitar Ensemble

• Harp Repertoire

• Percussion Ensemble

• Piano Performance

• Oboe and Bassoon

• Vocal Performance and Diction

Electives

• Secondary Instrument/Composition Private Lessons

• Choir

• Conducting

• Counterpoint

• Composition

• Music History

• 20th Century Music History

• Musical Forms and Analysis

• Post-Tonal Theory

• Psychological Techniques for Elite Performers

Performance Opportunities

Juilliard Pre-College organizes over 200 public performances per season, including solo, chamber, and orchestral concerts at Juilliard and Lincoln Center.

Application Deadlines

• Early Application Deadline (Piano only): December 25, 2024

• Final Application Deadline (All other majors): February 16, 2025

Important Dates

Audition Repertoire (Subject to Change)

Please confirm repertoire with the Juilliard Pre-College office before recording.

Piano (Audition Date: February 29, 2025)

All repertoire must be performed from memory. Exceptions for certain 20th/21st-century works must be approved by a Juilliard piano faculty member. No concertos allowed.

• Notification of Pre-screening Results: January 28, 2025

Under 11 years old

1. One Bach Two-Part Invention (excluding No. 1 and No. 8) OR one Little Prelude

2. A complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven

3. A Romantic piece from the 19th century

Ages 12–15

1. A work by Bach (excluding Two-Part Inventions)

2. A complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, or Beethoven (excluding op. 49)

3. A Romantic piece by Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, or Liszt

4. A 20th or 21st-century piece

Ages 16+

1. A complete work by Bach (not from the Inventions)

2. A complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, or Beethoven (excluding op. 49 and op. 79)

3. A major Romantic piece by Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, or Liszt

4. A work by a 20th or 21st-century composer

Audition Results Notification: April 2025