Overview

Experimental Pop students are encouraged to songwrite, perform, record and produce original work as often as possible, and to fully engage as a musical artist within the broader context of an art school setting, with opportunities to pursue interests in dance, visual arts, critical theory and film/video production, alongside the cultivation of musical skills.

Overview

The Experimental Pop program at California Institute of the Arts CalArts seeks to develop the performer-composer-producer who uses the studio as an instrument to generate new work. Students have the opportunity to receive one-on-one instruction with faculty who are active producers in the Los Angeles area to help them develop their own individual approach to self-production and take creative risks: to create disruptive sounds, to use technology “incorrectly”, and to incorporate improvisation and error into the creative process.

Although the primary focus of the program is on sonic innovation, students are also encouraged to explore pop as an inherently audio-visual-textual form. Experimental impulses rarely limit themselves to music alone but manifest in promo videos and visual albums, record artwork, performance, style and costume, even marketing, public statements and artistic rationales--particularly as most contemporary Experimental Pop artists operate within a do-it-yourself and release-it-yourself milieu.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Concert Production
Composing Experimental Pop
The Art of Recording
Acoustics for Musicians
The Art of the Mix
Beginning African Ensemble

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-08 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-05 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

105

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

California, United States

Disciplines

Music View 2683 other Bachelors in Music in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Graduation from an accredited secondary school or its CalArts approved equivalent
All transcripts should be uploaded to the application directly on the Academic History section prior to submitting. Applicants should plan ahead and request transcripts as soon as they decide to apply to CalArts.

Two letters of recommendation are required for BFA programs. At least one recommendation should be written by a person who understands your artistic work. Many MFA programs require three letters of recommendation (please see program-specific requirements in the portfolio/audition section).

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

60650 USD / year

≈ 60650 USD / year
Out-of-State

60650 USD / year

≈ 60650 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

60650 USD / year

≈ 60650 USD / year

Living costs

California

United States

1570 - 2658 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Experimental Pop.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

California

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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