Graduate Programs: Supplemental Application Requirements

Collaborative Piano & Piano Performance (MFA)

For all MFA applicants in Collaborative Piano and Piano Performance, a pre-screening video audition is required and must by submitted by December 1st. Applicants will be notified on December 10 as to whether they should proceed with the remaining required application materials due January 1. After receiving those materials, accepted pre-screened applicants will be scheduled for an in- person audition.

Graduate Audition Repertoire Requirements: Collaborative Piano

For the audition in Collaborative Piano, applicants should be prepared to perform the following:

1. Two complete instrumental sonatas from contrasting stylistic periods.
2. Four songs including a Schubert through-composed Lied, a Schumann, Brahms, Wolf, or Strauss Lied, a 19th century French Mélodie, and a post-1950 Art Song in English.
3. One solo work to be performed from memory.

The audition will also include a sight-reading component.

Graduate Audition Repertoire Requirements: Piano Performance

For the audition in Piano Performance, applicants should be prepared to perform:

1. A prelude and fugue, toccata, or work containing a fugue by J. S. Bach.
2. A complete classical sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert.
3. A complete romantic or contemporary work.
4. An etude of virtuosity.

All works must be performed from memory. The audition will also include a sight-reading component.

Recorded Auditions

Exceptional cases only, approval required. Contact Professors Scolnik and Griffitt to request approval to substitute an online link in place of the on-campus audition/interview. Approval must be obtained by December 15. Recorded materials must include audio and video.

Instrumental Performance (MFA)

MFA applicants in Instrumental Performance must complete an audition/interview, which must be scheduled by January 15 and completed by February 1.

Auditions are in person. Recorded auditions are only allowed in exceptional cases only, and approval is required. Contact the faculty corresponding to your area for permission to substitute an online link in place of the on-campus audition/interview. Approval must be obtained by January 15. Recorded materials must include audio and video, and must be received by January 15.

All applicants must submit links to performance materials on their CV.

MFA Instrumental Performance Repertoire Requirements: Violin

Please contact Professor Dennis Kim.

MFA Instrumental Performance Repertoire Requirements: Cello

For applicants in Cello, the audition requirements are as follows:

1. A movement of a major concerto such as Haydn, Boccherini, Saint-Saens, Lalo, Elgar, Dvorak, etc.
2. A movement from the Six Suites of Bach for Solo Cello.
3. Major scale in at least 3 octaves.
4. A movement of a major sonata such as Brahms, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Chopin, Barber, Debussy.
5. A Popper Etude.

MFA Instrumental Performance Repertoire Requirements: All other instruments

For all other instruments, please consult the Faculty page and contact the faculty member in that area for details on audition requirements.

Vocal Arts (MFA)

Applicants in Vocal Arts must complete an audition/interview, which must be scheduled by January 15 and completed by February 1.

All applicants must submit links to performance materials on their CV.

Graduate Audition Repertoire Requirements: Vocal Arts

Applicants should be prepared to perform six contrasting songs and arias selected (including at least one each sung in English, Italian, German, and French) from the following:

1. Baroque Opera or Oratorio
2. Classical and/or 19th-century Opera
3. 19th-century German Lied
4. 19th-century French Melodie
5. 20th/21st-century American Art Song or Opera

Scheduling the Audition/Interview

Please contact Professor Darryl Taylor to schedule your audition/interview. ALL auditions require a completed Voice Questionnaire.

Supplemental Application Materials: ICIT

Applicants in Integrated Composition, Improvisation & Technology (ICIT) must submit one single PDF document in the Portfolio page's Upload Media tab of the online application. No other materials need to be uploaded.

The one single PDF must have four sections containing the following:

1. Links to representative samples of original creative work in the form of scores, recordings, or video documentation.
2. Link to a video of at least ten (10) minutes (but not much longer) that shows your performance skills on your main instrument(s).
   • If an item submitted as part of your representative sample of works (i.e., in section 1 above) contains at least 10 minutes of video in which you perform, and that video adequately demonstrates the range of your performance skills, then additional video documentation is not necessary.
   • It is helpful for the department's application review committee if all videos are shared via one of the popular hosting platforms (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, etc.).
3. A curated playlist of your recordings:
   • What it is: The playlist is a subset of the "representative samples" mentioned in section 1 above; in other words, for the playlist, you should select either excerpts or full versions of works you have included in that portfolio of representative works. Having the playlist allows us to listen to the excerpts/works the applicant wants us to prioritize, in cases where we do not have enough time to listen to the entire portfolio of representative works.
   • What to include:
     • The playlist may consist of links to any number of pieces, and may be excerpts of works.
     • If an excerpt, indicate start and end times.
     • If there is a score available for a piece, please include a link to the score.
     • Organize in order of relevance, with most relevant at the top of the list.
     • DO NOT include the 10 minute video from section 2 above. The video showing your performance skills on your main instrument(s) should not be part of this playlist.
   • Duration:
     • The total duration of this playlist should not be longer than fifteen (15) minutes.
4. Many applicants seek the Ph.D. to enable an academic career. We ask that you also please describe briefly any non-academic career paths you can envision for yourself after completing the degree, and how you think your work in the ICIT Ph.D. program could prepare you for them. You may address this question either within your statement of purpose (part of the online application) or, if you prefer, by including a brief paragraph about it in the Supplemental Materials PDF mentioned below.

Important Additional Information

• Sections 1, 2 & 3 above:
  • Submit as one single PDF document in the Supplementary Materials section of the online application.
  • The PDF should contain the following, in the following order:
    • Sections 1 & 2: A link or links that will allow us to access online (via a personal website or a service such as Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).
    • Section 3: The curated playlist.
  • Example of the PDF document
  • Section 4 above:
    • Submit a brief paragraph as part of the single PDF document described above, or as part of your statement of purpose (within the online application).
  • Please double check that all links work and that the access privileges to the linked files are set properly so that the review committee can access the files.