We offer a Bachelor of Arts degree including general studies in music and the liberal arts, and a Bachelor of Arts with Performance Certificate containing concentrations in performance (instrumental, vocal, or composition).  Both degrees study music in the context of the liberal arts.  The Bachelor of Arts in Music is ideal for students who want to study music and pursue either a double major or multiple minor degrees; the Bachelor of Arts in Music with Performance Certificate provides a foundation for students to pursue additional music study after graduation.

All prospective Bachelor of Arts in Music students must audition on a principal instrument or voice to determine their placement in one-credit (semester hours) or three-credit applied lessons.  Students who wish to be considered for a music scholarship must demonstrate a performing level commensurate with three-credit lessons.  Additionally, students who wish to pursue the Performance Certificate must demonstrate eligibility for three-credit lessons at their audition.  Students who wish to study composition must also submit original compositions for evaluation by the composition faculty.

Master of Music with Concentrations in Organ and Choral Conducting 

1. Letter of Application
2. Current Curriculum Vitae
3. Personal Statement relating candidate's professional goals to the practice of Sacred Music (500-1000 words)
4. Pre-screening Performance Video (does not need to be from an actual performance)
   
   1. - For choral conductors: 20-30 minutes of conducting video (where the candidate is visible from the front) demonstrating works of contrasting styles; it is preferred to show examples of both rehearsal and performance, if possible.  Live on-campus audition requirements will be stipulated upon invitation to campus.
      Invitation for auditions, interviews, and testing is based on evaluation of the pre-screening materials. Applicants will perform for the faculty at the time of their visit.
5. Demonstration of conducting skills is required for both concentrations. Testing consists of demonstration of keyboard proficiency, open score-reading and sight-singing. Repertoire for conducting auditions will be stipulated upon invitation to the live on-campus audition. Auditions are during the spring semester.

Doctor of Musical Arts in Sacred Music

Prior to submitting a formal application, persons interested in the Doctor of Musical Arts in Sacred Music degree must communicate with the director of the program.

1. Letter of Application
2. Current Curriculum Vitae

3. A completed repertoire and professional experience record, obtainable at: academics/incoming-current-music-students/index

4. Two letters of recommendation (including one from a professional colleague, not a teacher of the applicant) attesting to the applicant's past and potential ability in the field of sacred music and music ministry;

5. Personal Statement relating the candidate's professional goals to the practice of Sacred Music (500-1000 words)

6. Pre-screening Performance Video: 

   1. For organists: 20-30 minutes of performance video, including multiple works in contrasting styles and from various periods. 

   2. For choral conductors: 20-30 minutes of conducting video (where the candidate is visible from the front) demonstrating works of contrasting styles; it is preferred to show examples of both rehearsal and performance if possible. 

Orchestral Instruments

Master in Music

• Applicants should prepare a 10-minute audition program of classical repertoire in their given instrument. The program should consist of three pieces in contrasting tempos and styles. Memorization is required.

Doctor of Musical Arts

• Applicants should prepare a 15-minute audition program of classical repertoire in their given instrument. The program should consist of three pieces in contrasting tempos and styles. Memorization is required.

Orchestral Conducting

Master in Music

• A 15 minute conducting video (where the candidate is visible from the front) demonstrating works of contrasting styles; it is preferred to show examples of both rehearsal and performance, if possible. Selected candidates will then be invited for an audition.
• A headshot and resume including recitals and critiques, if available.

Doctor of Musical Arts

• 20-30 minute video of conducting (where the candidate is visible from the front) demonstrating works of contrasting styles; it is preferred to show examples of both rehearsal and performance, if possible. Selected candidates will then be invited for an audition.
• A headshot and resume including recitals and critiques, if available

Piano Performance

Master in Music

• Applicants should prepare a ​memorized ​15-minute audition program of the classical repertoire. The ​program ​should consist of three pieces in contrasting tempos and styles.

Artist Diploma

• Applicants should prepare a ​memorized ​15-minute audition program of the classical repertoire. The ​program ​should consist of three pieces in contrasting tempos and styles.

Doctor of Musical Arts

• Applicants should prepare a ​memorized ​15-minute audition program of the classical repertoire. The ​program ​should consist of three pieces in contrasting tempos and styles.

Piano Pedagogy

Master in Music

• Applicants should prepare a ​memorized ​15-minute audition program of the classical repertoire. The ​program ​should consist of three pieces in contrasting tempos and styles. 

Doctor of Musical Arts

• Applicants should prepare a ​memorized ​15-minute audition program of the classical repertoire. The ​program ​should consist of three pieces in contrasting tempos and styles. 

• Piano Principal: Applicants should prepare a 10-15-minute audition of classical repertoire. The audition should consist of three pieces in contrasting tempos and styles. Memorization is not required.
• What you can upload: Score and Recordings. 
  • Scores should be uploaded in pdf format. Please note that any single item uploaded must be less than 250 MB.  If you have a large work, or a multi-movement work that exceeds that limit, please separate the score into separate documents (each less than 250 MB) to be uploaded separately, clearly labeled as directed below. If submitting a work for electronic media that does not make use of a traditional score, please include a description of how you made the piece, ie, software used, techniques explored, sources for sampled materials, etc.  
  • Recordings: We recommend mp3 format for audio files. We also recommend breaking up multi-movement works into separate files. Please note that, as in the case with scores, each individual file has a size limit of 750 MB.  If you have a file that is larger, even in compressed mp3 format, please break the file into component parts, clearly labeled as directed below. If pieces in your portfolio are intended for live performance, some portion of them should have been performed live.
  • Optional Materials: These may include a CV, list of works with performance history, or composer biography
  • All graduate Composition applicants with significant performing experience and technical skill on their instrument are encouraged to submit an audition on that instrument, in order to be eligible for a performance-based music scholarship. You may submit the instrumental audition with this application. For more information, please click here

• Labeling for scores and audio files. Please label every file submitted in accordance with this formula:

  • Composer’s last name_first name_title of piece_movement or part [If applicable].pdf (or .mp3)

  • • Last name/first name/title of piece/2of4.pdf (or .mp3) [This would indicate that this is the 2nd of 4 separate files)
      • If you do not have mp3 versions of your files and do not have software to convert, please use the free software, Audacity in which to do so. 
    • Video: If you have a video to include in your portfolio, please be sure that the link is operational and not password-protected (or, if protected, please be sure to include the password in your application).

      If you are submitting a recording broken into more than one part, please indicate this in the file name as well, e.g.:

Vocal Performance

Master in Music

• Please prepare up to four contrasting pieces, no more than fifteen minutes. Three languages (one may be English) are expected; Italian is preferred.
  • This should include at least one Art song. You may also choose to include arias and musical theatre ballads, or operettas (such as Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, or George Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess )
  • Please “slate” your name, song title, and author of the work. (Example: My name is , I will be singing “O mio babbino caro” from Pucinni’s Gianni Schicchi). This submission must be within the last year. Please label any pre-recorded pieces with the date.

Doctor of Musical Arts

• Please prepare up to four contrasting pieces, no more than fifteen minutes. Three languages (one may be English) are expected; Italian is preferred.
  • This should include at least one Art song. You may also choose to include arias and musical theatre ballads, or operettas (such as Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, or George Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess )
  • Please “slate” your name, song title, and author of the work. (Example: My name is , I will be singing “O mio babbino caro” from Pucinni’s Gianni Schicchi). This submission must be within the last year. Please label any pre-recorded pieces with the date.