You will be asked to submit email addresses for three people who know your musical ability. These people will automatically be emailed with instructions on how to electronically submit their recommendation. While you must submit these email addresses by the December 1st deadline, your recommenders will have until February 1st to submit their recommendations.

If you want to change your recommender or their email address after submitting your application, please contact the admissions office at [email protected].

You are strongly encouraged to list studio teacher preferences on your application if applicable. These preferences have no bearing on the consideration for your admission to Peabody and are not shared with the faculty prior to your audition.

Studios can fill up quickly, especially in the larger departments, so we recommend listing 2 to 3 different faculty choices for areas of study that have multiple studio faculty. If you have any questions about teacher assignments, please contact the admissions office at [email protected].

Biographies are listed alphabetically here, or you can find their information on the department’s specific page under Area of Study. More information can be found on our FAQ page.

• International applicants for all programs must submit a verified TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score by the deadlines below.
  • We do not accept the Duolingo English Test. We are now accepting the TOEFL iBT Home Edition if Covid-19 policies in your home country have prevented you from taking the TOEFL at a test center.
• International students currently studying at an institution where English is the primary language, or in the US, should submit a TOEFL/IELTS score if their period of enrollment in that school is less than two years.
  • Students enrolled for two years or longer at a school in which English is the primary language should submit a transcript from this school and do not need to submit an English proficiency test score.
• Test scores will be self-reported on the application but verified test scores must be submitted to Peabody through their respective testing agencies by the deadlines below. Peabody’s TOEFL School Code is 5532.
• Minimum score requirements: TOEFL – 79, IELTS – 6.5 overall band score.
  • We do not accept the TOEFL “My Best Scores”.

If we do not have an official score by the posted deadline, your application will be considered incomplete and we will be unable to make an admission decision.

Please submit official transcripts from all schools you have attended to Peabody Admissions directly from the institution.

• Official transcripts are required of all applicants and should include a cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the institution to Peabody. Any transcripts sent or submitted by you (the applicant) will be considered unofficial.
• You may upload unofficial transcripts to your application, but note that official transcripts will be requested prior to rendering an admission decision.
• Classes that are in progress for which you have not yet received grades should be included.
• We strongly recommend sending official transcripts through an official electronic channel (Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc). 
• If you are accepted and choose to enroll at Peabody, you must request that your school send a hard copy of your official final transcript with a conferred graduation date by July 1. Without an official final transcript, you will be unable to enroll in classes at Peabody.
• International applicants are required to upload an official English translation of all transcripts.

A qualifying undergraduate degree should include 3 years of study following completion of secondary school (or high school) and 25 post-secondary credit hours of non-musical study, the equivalent of 50 European transfer credits (ETCS).

Upload a representative list of the repertoire you have studied in your major instrument or area. Composition applicants should list your own works with instrumentation. Please indicate any repertoire performed in public with an asterisk (*). Piano or Voice applicants must upload a complete repertoire list.

Upload a copy of your resume.

All applicants must submit an analytical or historical essay written within the previous two years.

• Essays may deal with any aspect of music, including: analysis, theory, history, criticism, and performance practice.
• Topics about pedagogy or instrumental techniques should be linked to a specific composer or period.
• Your paper should present and support an original thesis or argument, and should be typed, at least 1,500 words in length, and supported by citations and references.

The DMA application process is complex. Your application and writing sample will be assigned to a committee for review several weeks before your interview. Because of this, your application cannot be processed until we have your essay. This will become important if we run out of interview times.

Be reminded that DMA auditions only take place in February, so we have no “fall back” position if the interview or audition times fill up.

All applicants who complete an audition/interview are automatically considered for Peabody’s merit-based scholarships.

The FAFSA/CSS Profile submission is required for admission. Please note that you must submit the FAFSA if you wish to be considered for need-based aid such as work-study and grant aid. Please visit our Financial Aid page for more information.

Exams are required for the following DMA and/or Graduate Assistantship (GA) applicants, to be completed prior to your audition/interview. You will receive notice and instructions about these exams via email. GA applicants will only be scheduled for a GA interview if they meet the minimum test score requirements to qualify for said interview.

• Music History Entrance Exam
  • All DMA applicants
• Graduate Assistant and DMA Theory Test (GADMA)
  • All DMA applicants
• Ear Training Placement Exam
  • Conducting applicants
  • Music Theory Pedagogy applicants
  • Music Theory GA applicants
  • Ear Training GA applicants
  • Keyboard Studies GA applicants

About a month before your in-person audition or virtual interview, you will receive an invitation stating the date and time of your scheduled audition/interview. Audition requirements can be found here.

• The audition/interview typically lasts about 7-20 minutes, depending on your area. Artist Diploma auditions may be longer.
• Accompanists are provided for voice auditions held at Peabody ONLY. Accompanists are not required for other majors, but you may bring one if you wish.

DMA applicants will be scheduled for DMA interview in addition to their major area audition/interview. Be reminded that DMA interviews only take place in February, so we have no “fall back” position if you miss your scheduled interview.

• This 10-minute interview will take place virtually with a committee of 2-3 Peabody faculty, regardless of the audition/modality that you selected.
• DMA Piano and Orchestral Conducting applicants will be scheduled for an interview after their major area audition (1st round for Orchestral Conducting), if they are advanced by the area’s faculty.
• The interview focuses on the academic writing sample which you submitted. It may also include questions about your previous musical and academic experiences and your career plans.
• If you will be on the Peabody campus for auditions, space from which you can attend your virtual interview will be available on a first come first served basis. Please ensure to bring your own device so you are able to login to the Zoom meeting.