supplemental materials for graduate application

The materials you need to submit will vary according to the concentration you wish to pursue within the Master of Music. Be sure to submit these to the Department of Music Graduate Coordinator, c/o of the Department of Music. Please DO NOT send them to the Office of Admissions.

Performance

Either a live audition for an appropriate faculty jury, or a recent tape or cassette. For singers, this must include four vocal selections, memorized and representative of Italian, French, German and English. One of the selections must be an aria from opera or oratorio; the others preferably should be drawn from the art song repertory. (Note: In some cases, vocal faculty may request a live audition in addition to the audition tape). 

Collaborative Piano

Either a live audition for an appropriate faculty jury, or a recent tape or cassette.

Conducting

Either a live audition for an appropriate faculty jury, or a video and/or audio tape of a recent program.  If a tape is submitted, it should contain approximately 20 minutes of conducting, which can include rehearsal and/or concert performance; if possible, two pieces of contrasting styles should be represented.  For a specialization in band conducting, please conduct the Director of Bands before submitting a tape.

Music Education

Evidence that the student possesses an undergraduate degree in music education, and that the undergraduate degree included a practicum (practice teaching). 

NOTE: The Music Education Committee occasionally defers the above prerequisites by allowing candidates to fulfill undergraduate requirements leading to music teacher certification concurrently with graduate coursework toward the Master of Music degree. Please consult Dr. Bruce Dalby for further information.

Music History and Literature

Please submit a research paper that shows a knowledge of research techniques and satisfactory ability in written English.

Theory and Composition

Please submit a portfolio containing the following materials:

• For a composition emphasis, the portfolio should consist of several compositions.  If these are for conventional acoustic media (string quartet, voice and piano, orchestra, band, chorus, solo piano, etc.), scores and recordings, if available, should be submitted.  If the medium is in digital form, a copy of the work and a short essay explaining your creative process for the piece should be submitted. 
  
  
• For a theory emphasis, the portfolio should consist of two essays in academic format.  At least one of the two should be on a theory or analysis topic, while the other may be historical in nature. 
  
  
• If you are undecided whether your emphasis will be in theory or composition, then your portfolio should contain at least one composition/creative work and one essay (theory or analysis only).