The Alpha School of Music offers a 2-semester Jamaican Music Experience for international musicians between the ages of 19-28. Learn ska, reggae, rocksteady, and mento beside Jamaican music students at the world-renowned Alpha campus.
It is a two-semester (1 academic year) Jamaican music immersion programme which offers students with prior music knowledge, hands-on practical and theoretical instruction in Jamaican music in a structured classroom setting.
How to apply
STEP 1 – Complete an online application form
STEP 2 – Submit your audition video
STEP 3 – Pay your $20 USD application fee (non-refundable)
STEP 4 –Upload your supporting documents
View the Jamaican Music Experience brochure
Take a Virtual Tour of the Alpha School of Music Campus
Video Audition Requirements for the Jamaican Music Experience
Applicants are invited to audition on wind, brass, piano/keyboard, lead guitar, bass guitar, and drum set. Until further notice voice will not be accepted as a principal instrument.
Wind & Brass Instruments
Remember to state your name and introduce the pieces you will perform
Play two (2) melodies from contrasting genres, at least 2 minutes in length each. Choose pieces that showcase your talents.
Play any two (2) major scales ascending and descending at 70 beats per minute
Play any two (2) minor scales ascending and descending at 70 beats per minute
Piano
Remember to state your name and introduce the pieces you will perform
Play two (2) pieces (melody & harmony) from contrasting genres, at least two (2) minutes in length each. Choose pieces that showcase your talents.
Play any two (2) major scales ascending and descending at 70 beats per minute
Play any two (2) minor scales ascending and descending at 70 beats per minute
Play a 12-bar blues progression in a key of your choice
Electric Guitar
Remember to state your name and introduce the pieces you will perform
Play one (1) melody, at least 2 minutes in length. Choose a piece that showcases your talents.
Play any two (2) major scales ascending and descending at 70 beats per minute
Play any two (2) minor scales ascending and descending at 70 beats per minute
Play a 12-bar blues progression in a key and voicing of your choice
Play a I IV V I chord progression in a key and voicing of your choice
Bass Guitar
Remember to state your name and introduce the pieces you will perform
Play any two (2) major scales ascending and descending at 70 beats per minute
Play any two (2) minor scales ascending and descending at 70 beats per minute
Play one (1) melody, up to 2 minutes in length. Choose music that showcases your talents.
Play a walking bassline over a 12-bar blues in a key of your choice
Play up to four (4 ) bars of a distinctive bassline from popular songs.
Drum Set
Remember to state your name and introduce the pieces you will perform
Play two (2) contrasting drum rhythms. Include a 4-bar improvisation in each.
Play four (4) different snare drum rudiments of your choice
Play one (1) piece of your choice with an accompanying track
Application for the Jamaican Music Experience
You will need to upload the following documents to complete registration
· A high-resolution scan of a government-issued identification showing your picture and date of birth e.g., a passport photo page Driver’s License, State ID, etc
· A scanned copy of a passport-sized picture
· A copy of your most recent school report/transcript which proves you have graduated from high school (or the equivalent).
· Evidence of your English Language proficiency (only if English is not your first language) e.g. TOEFL (iBT) score of 50 or above, IELTS 5.0 or above, TOEIC 600 or above, CEFR Level B2 or above.
Dates & Deadlines September 2023
Deadline for application for Admission: September 8th, 2023
Late Applications for Admission: September 11-15th, 2023 (Additional Fee $50USD)
Classes begin September 4th, 2023
After submission of all the required documents, you will be informed about your status within 3 weeks of submission.
Application Fee
CLICK “PAY NOW” TO PAY YOUR APPLICATION FEE:
You do NOT need a PayPal account to use this service. All major credit cards and debit cards are accepted.
Accommodation & Estimated Cost of Living 2023-2024
This information is to be used as a guide to possible costs over 1 academic year.
Accommodation (In and around the Mona & Kingston 6 area)
Single Occupancy $750-$900 USD/month
Double Occupancy $1,000-$1200/ month
Meals
Approximately $20USD per day
Tuition & Fees
International student tuition $2,000.00 USD per academic year (2 semesters)
Auxiliary Fees & Uniform $350 USD per academic year (2 semesters)
Students on Scholarship
Students on scholarships are encouraged to travel with at least one month’s expenses to cover costs pending receipt of scholarship disbursements.
Accommodation in Kingston
The Alpha campus is located at 26 South Camp Road, Kingston 4. There are a variety of private accommodations, student housing, and Airbnb’s within 8km of the Alpha campus.
The following are links to some of the student accommodations available in Kingston
1) 138 Student Living Student Accommodations
2) Zenith Boarding Zenith Boarding
3) Airbnb Vacation Homes & Condo Rentals – Airbnb – Airbnb
4) Hostels: Raggamuffin Hostel °RAGAMUFFIN HOSTEL KINGSTON (Jamaica)
International Students – Student Visas
1) Commonwealth Citizens (most of the Caribbean countries, UK, Australia, Canada, etc.) do not require a student visa to study in Jamaica. However, students must do the following on arrival to the country:
· Present a valid passport (or other acceptable travel documents*) to immigration officers
· Present an acceptance/registration letter from the Alpha School of Music to immigration officers
· Visit a PICA (Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency) office within 2 weeks of landing in Jamaica, and complete and submit an Extension of Stay form at a cost of J$10,000 fee (approx. US$65). Documents required:
o Valid passport for at six (6) months.
o Letter of Registration from an Educational Institution (accredited by the Ministry of Education) addressed to the Chief Executive Officer.
o Return ticket for one (1) year.
2) Students from non-commonwealth countries (including the United States Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Honduras, etc.) require a student visa prior to arriving in Jamaica. Students who arrive without the required visa will be denied entry into Jamaica by Immigration. Persons cannot pursue studies under visitor status.
I. Visas can be obtained from the nearest Jamaican Embassy or Consulate. Click here to identify your nearest embassy Consulates General – MFAFT – Jamaica
Note: Non-Commonwealth Citizens are charged an additional fee for Multiple Entry Visa. This fee varies according to the country of residence. Contact your nearest Jamaican Consulate/Embassy for processing times and fees.
Student Visa Requirements
a. A valid passport
b. A visa for each entry (if required)
c. A confirmed return ticket valid for a period of one (1) year
d. A letter of acceptance from the school or institution to which the student will be attending.
e. Adequate funds to cover expenses for one (1) year in the first instance.
f. Name of the person (s) responsible for student (s) while at school.
II. After acquiring a student visa and on arriving in Jamaica, students must within 2 weeks of landing in Jamaica:
a. Visit a PICA (Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency) office, and
complete and submit an Extension of Stay form at a cost of J$10,000 fee (approx. US$65). Documents Required:
i. Valid passport for at six (6) months.
ii. Letter of Registration from an Educational Institution (accredited by the Ministry of Education) addressed to the Chief Executive Officer.
iii. Return ticket for one (1) year.
iv. Entry visa
b. Complete an Alien Registration Card and submit it with 2 passport-sized pictures and a fee of J$2,000 (approx. US$13) to the Immigration Office. (Applicable only if the student is over 16 years and is staying for 6 months or longer)
3) Foreign students/nationals who have a claim to Jamaican citizenship are encouraged to obtain a Jamaican passport and use it to enter or leave Jamaica, even when using a foreign passport overseas. The only exception is when they have renounced their Jamaican Citizenship or have an Unconditional landing in their foreign passport.
*Other acceptable travel Documents
Document of Identity (if the holder is not a Jamaican citizen then a visa might be required); see list of visa countries
Certificate of Identity
Laissez Passer
Documents issued to refugees
‘Kinderausweis’ issued to German minors
Military documents for military personnel traveling by air; whether Military passport on I.D.
Seaman certificate if traveling by sea
For further information or clarification, please contact the Passport, Immigration, and Citizenship Agency (PICA) at (876) 754-7422 or https://www.pica.gov.jm/immigration/fees