Orchestral Conducting

The Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting is a degree program tailored for students aspiring to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in conducting or transition directly into professional or academic conducting careers.

This program has been newly restructured by Dr. Karin Hendrickson.

The new UNM Orchestral Program is highly selective. At any time, it is expected that the program will not field more than two (2) graduate students. This ensures curated and individualized coaching, ample podium time, and a focus of available financial support for the two enrolled candidates.

The new course expectations are of a highly intensive, hands-on program providing emerging conductors with opportunities to conduct the UNM Symphony Orchestra, the UNM Sinfonia, and to gain real-world experience by being appointed Music Director for the on-campus Health-Sciences Community Orchestra (a full-sized, romantic repertoire orchestra that have performed everything from large symphonic repertoire, opera excerpts, film and Pops music, as well as collaborating with various Music Department choral groups). There are multiple opportunities to gain experience working with regional and community orchestras. The commercial, film, and performance organizations in the surrounding regional area also provide opportunity for jobs in art forms that collaborate with music as a performance or media necessity.

Dr. Karin Hendrickson (Peabody Conservatory; Royal Academy of Music, London) UNM Director of Orchestral Activities and Orchestral Graduate Conducting, leads the MM in Orchestral Conducting program. Students will also have the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Emily Moss, Director of UNM Bands and head of the MM in Wind Conducting, and Dr. David Edmonds, Director of Choral Studies. Instruction includes seminars, lessons, and masterclass settings while engaging in comprehensive study of topics such as repertoire interpretation, physicality and gesture, rehearsal techniques, performance practice, programming, ensemble psychology, audition preparation, public relations, audition video production, and more.

The program will be further supported by the completion of a brand new, state of the art $84-million dollar performance center (CCAT), currently being built with completion expected by January of 2027. The CCAT (Center for Collaborative Arts and Technology) will provide University Music students with one of the most cutting-edge performance centers on any University campus in the United States.

Financial Support

The graduate conductors are supported with graduate assistantships and living stipends during their study. The Assistantship covers (at a minimum) 6 Credit Hours per term and provides (at a minimum) a living-stipend of $9160 per 10-month University contract. Assistantship responsibilities include assisting in rehearsals or concerts as assigned, supporting the operations of the UNM Orchestra library, and aiding in all necessary and logistical aspects of orchestra management.

Admissions Process:

Pre-screening Deadline: December 20, 2025:
Entrance into this program offers a pre-screening, although late applications may be considered.

Domestic students:
Encouraged and welcome to apply by submitting the pre-screening materials listed below to karinhendrickson@unm.edu.

International students**:
Encouraged and welcome to apply by submitting the pre-screening materials listed below to karinhendrickson@unm.edu.

**However due to the changing nature of entry restrictions, kindly email Dr. Karin Hendrickson to alert your interest and intent to apply as soon as possible, in order for UNM and the Music Department prepare for any additional time needed to attend to entry awareness/restrictions.

Pre-screening materials due by December 20, 2025.

1. Conducting Video: A YouTube link of a video of the candidate rehearsing or conducting at least two contrasting works (front view; rehearsal or performance), with a cumulative duration of 10–20
2. Instrumental or Performance Video: A YouTube link of a video of the candidate performing on your major instrument (voice, if you were/are a vocal major), with a cumulative duration of 4-5 minutes. For example: you could provide a few minutes of un-accompanied Bach (or other lieder, if a singer), as well as a few minutes of a sonata or solo recently played or learned for performance. (Accompaniment not required).
3. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
4. Letter of Application: This should address the following questions:
   • What are your goals (both short and long-term) as a conductor and musician?
   • How do you hope the UNM orchestral program will help you achieve these goals?
   • Why does the University of New Mexico interest you?
5. Two Letters of Recommendation

Final Round Notification, January 15, 2026:

Pre-screened applicants selected to proceed to the final round will be notified of next steps no later than January 15.

Final Round Auditions, Thursday February 26, 2026:

For scheduling planning, final auditions are expected to occur Thursday, February 26, 2026 at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.**

**Repertoire wil be emailed.

**International candidates who are challenged by entry requirements may be given alternate Final Round audition requirements.**

Applicants can expect to receive admission decisions shortly after the completion of the in-person audition.

For questions or to submit pre-screening materials, contact:

Dr. Karin Hendrickson, karinhendrickson@unm.edu
Director of Orchestras, Director of Graduate Orchestral Conducting