Master of Music Degree

Use this check-list to keep track of all the required items. Click on each item (or scroll down) for details. Please consider printing this page so you can keep track of your progress.

Application Rounds

Required Application Materials

Once you have started your application, you can save your progress and return to your application at any time.

When you have completed your application, you will be able to review and submit it before paying the application fee of $120. Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed or scheduled for an audition/interview unless we have receive the application fee. If you feel that you qualify for an application fee waiver, please email peabodyadmissions@jhu.edu with your request.

After submission you will not be able to make changes to the application itself, but you will be able to edit your portfolio through your application status portal.

After you have submitted your application

  • Financial Aid Application
    • Deadlines: November 1st for Spring Admission; February 15th for Regular Decision; April 1st for Late Admission
  • Required Exams
  • Auditions/Interviews
    • Please check our COVID-19 protocols for the most recent information about visiting our campus.
    • Composition and Computer Music: An interview with the appropriate faculty will be scheduled along with, or in lieu of, your audition.
    • Recorded Auditions
    • Asia Regional Auditions (instrumental applicants only)
      • Voice applicants taking part in regional auditions must provide their own accompanist. If you can’t bring an accompanist to regional auditions for your voice audition, the only option is to withdraw from the regional auditions.
  • When will you learn the results?

Recommendation Letters

You will be asked to submit email addresses for three people who can speak to your performance 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 application submission deadline, your recommenders will have until the following deadlines to submit their recommendations:

  • Spring Admission: December 1st
  • Regular Decision: February 1st
  • Late Admission: April 29th

If you want to change your recommender or their email address after submitting your application, please contact the admissions office at peabodyadmissions@jhu.edu.

Teacher Preference – Performance area

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. Computer Music does not offer teacher preferences at this time; studio assignments are made post-enrollment.

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 peabodyadmissions@jhu.edu.

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.

English Proficiency

  • 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 (policy update as of 10/4/2022) 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.
  • Test score submission deadlines:
    • Spring Admission: due at time of application submission or by December 1st
    • Regular Decision: February 1st
    • Late Admission: April 29th
    • If we do not have an official score by these dates, your application will be considered incomplete and we will be unable to make an admission decision.
  • Minimum score requirements: TOEFL – 79, IELTS – 6.5 overall band score.
    • We do not accept the TOEFL “My Best Scores”.

Transcripts

Please scan and upload your transcripts from all schools you have attended to our application.

  • These transcripts may be an official or unofficial copy.
  • Please include classes that are in progress for which you have not yet received grades.
  • We will not accept hard copy transcripts during the application process. Transcripts must be uploaded to your application.
  • If you are accepted and choose to enroll at Peabody, we will ask you to request that your school send a hard copy of your final transcript before orientation.
  • 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).

Repertoire List

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.

Resume

Upload a copy of your resume.

Essays

Essays are only required in the following areas:

Computer Music

Upload an essay about why you have decided to pursue a degree from the Computer Music program. Three tracks are available in Computer Music, each with slightly differing application requirements. The following instructions are for specific tracks.

Musicology

Upload an essay (1,500 words or more) about a musical subject of your choice. It must be typed with footnotes and supporting scholarly research. A previously written document is acceptable.

Pathways to DMA

As part of the larger Johns Hopkins Pathways to PhD initiative, the Pathways to DMA aims to expand opportunities for applicants from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the DMA. Applicants should submit an essay explaining your interest in the Pathways to DMA program and describe how your goals and preparation qualify you for the program and how your background and experience will enhance Peabody’s mission to strengthen diversity for the educational benefit of Peabody students, the University community, and our increasingly diverse society.

Financial Aid

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

  • Spring Admission: November 1st
  • Regular Decision: February 15th
  • Late Admission: April 1st

The FAFSA/CSS Profile submission is encouraged but not 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.

Required Exams

Exams are required for the following MM and/or Graduate Assistantship (GA) applicants, to be completed prior to your audition/interview. You will receive notice and instructions via email if you have required exams to complete. 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
    • Musicology applicants only
  • Graduate Assistant and DMA Theory Test (GADMA)
    • Music Theory Pedagogy applicants
    • Music Theory Graduate Assistantship (GA) applicants
  • Ear Training Placement Exam
    • Conducting applicants
    • Music Theory Pedagogy applicants
    • Music Theory GA applicants
    • Ear Training GA applicants
    • Keyboard Studies GA applicants

Auditions/Interviews

Spring Admission auditions/interviews will be scheduled ad-hoc directly with the faculty.

Regular Admission Audition Week: 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.
  • 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.
  • Pathways to DMA applicants will be scheduled for an additional interview with select staff and members of the DMA Committee.

Asia Regional auditions are available to instrumental applicants only.

Late Admission auditions/interviews will be held May 9-20th. If your area requires an interview in lieu of an audition, you will be contacted by the faculty to schedule your interview. Performance area auditions will be scheduled shortly after the application deadline.

Recorded Auditions must be submitted by the following deadlines:

  • Spring Admission: at the time of your application submission
  • Regular Decision: February 1st
  • Late Admission: May 13th

When will you learn the results?

Information from your audition and application will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee after all auditions/interviews are complete. Decisions for incomplete applications will not be made until we receive the missing information.

  • Spring Admission decisions will be released on a rolling deadline: as applications are received, until the final submission deadline of December 1st
  • Regular Admission decisions will be released on April 1st
  • Late Admission decisions will be released on June 14th