For details about February audition week, May auditions, and regional and Asia auditions, visit the Admissions website.

Bachelor of Music

In addition to major and minor scales and basic arpeggios, applicants should be prepared to perform (preferably from memory) three compositions in contrasting styles. Considerable latitude is permitted in the choice of audition materials.

Master of Music

All applicants must present a live audition. In the case of international students who cannot audition in person, a taped audition may be submitted for conditional acceptance. Acceptance into the MM remains conditional until the student has played a successful live audition and passed written entrance examinations in September. The criteria for the validating audition and written tests administered in September are the same as for regular entrance auditions.

Applicants should prepare sufficient material to perform a full solo recital containing works which show a diversity of periods and styles. All major works must be complete (to include all movements).

Entrance/placement examinations: Applicants must demonstrate good musicianship, solid academic skills, and substantive musical knowledge through performance and written examinations at the time of their auditions:

1. written music theory, including part-writing from figured bass and harmonic analysis (Roman numerals and figured bass
2. ear-training, including melodic and harmonic dictation.

The following examinations are taken during the Orientation period at the beginning of the fall semester:

1. Sight-singing: a test in various clefs will be required only of those students who passed all written requirements at the time of their audition. Clefs may include treble, alto, tenor and bass.
2. Music theory (late exams and retests for improved placement)
3. Music history placement exam (classical antiquity to the present)

Doctor of Musical Arts

Entrance to the DMA program is determined only by live audition and an interview in February. Applicants should prepare sufficient material to perform a full solo recital recital containing works which showa diversity of periods and styles. All major works must be complete (to include all movements).

Graduate Performance Diploma

Applicants should prepare a recital program, 60-75 minutes in length, of repertoire representing at least three style periods. International students who cannot attend live auditions may submit a taped audition for conditional acceptance. Final acceptance is based on a validating audition to be played for the departmental faculty in September. Acceptance criteria for the validations are the same as for regular auditions.

Artist Diploma

Acceptance to the Artist Diploma program is restricted to the most exceptional and experienced performers. Entrance is determined only by live audition in February. Applicants should prepare a recital program, 70-75 minutes in length.