The B.A. in Music includes general studies in music and the liberal arts.  It is an ideal program for students who want to study music and pursue a double major, multiple minors, or extra work in the Honors program.

All prospective students in this program 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.  Students who wish to study composition must also submit original compositions for evaluation by the composition faculty.

The B.A. in Music with Performance Certificate provides a strong foundation for students to pursue additional music study after graduation.  The curriculum also includes ample work in the liberal arts. 

All prospective students in this program must audition on a principal instrument or voice and must demonstrate a performing level at their audition that indicates eligibility for three-credit (semester hours) lessons.  (This is also the performing level required for consideration for music scholarships.) Students who wish to study composition must also submit original compositions for evaluation by the composition faculty.

Master of Music

• Applicants with significant performing experience on their instrument are encouraged to submit an audition on that instrument, in order to be considered for a performance-based music scholarship.
• Applicants are also encouraged to submit a curriculum vitae, a list of works with performance history, and a composer biography.

• 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: mp3 format is preferred for audio files. We also recommend breaking up multi-movement works into separate files. Please note that each individual file has a size limit of 750 MB.  If you have a file that is larger, please break the file into component parts, clearly labeled. Live performances, where available and where legitimately representative of the piece, are preferable to digital realizations.

Questions may be directed to Dr. Andrew Simpson, simpson@cua.edu.

Graduate programs in orchestral conducting: introduction

All prospective orchestral candidates must send a video link with the candidate conducting, preferably facing the camera, for pre-screening before submitting an application to the University. Selected candidates will then be invited to campus for the live audition. Please do not submit a university application form or fee unless your video link has been accepted.

Master of Music

A complete pre-screening audition packet for this degree program must include:

1. 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.
   
   
2. A headshot and resume including recitals and critiques, if available.

Doctor of Musical Arts

A complete pre-screening audition packet for this degree program must include:

1. A 20-30-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.
   
   
2. A headshot and resume including recitals and critiques, if available.

Questions may be directed to Maestro Simeone Tartaglione, tartaglione@cua.edu.

Instruments

Degree study is available on the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba, Percussion, Double Bass, Harp, Guitar, Violin, Viola, Cello.

Master of Music

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

Questions may be directed to Maestro Simeone Tartaglione, tartaglione@cua.edu.

Master of 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. 

Questions may be directed to Dr. Ivo Kaltchev, kaltchev@cua.edu.

Master of 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.

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.

Questions may be directed to Dr. Ivo Kaltchev, kaltchev@cua.edu.

Master of Music with Concentration in Organ or Concentration in Choral Conducting

A complete pre-screening audition packet for this degree program must include:

1. Letter of application
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Personal statement relating the 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: the pre-screening video should contain 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.
   2. Invitation for auditions, interviews, and testing is based on evaluation of the above pre-screening materials. Applicants will perform for the faculty at the time of their invited visit to campus.
      
5. Demonstration of conducting skills is required for both concentrations. On-campus 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 held during the spring semester.

Questions may be directed to Dr. Peter Kadeli, kadeli@cua.edu.

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.  

A complete pre-screening audition packet for this degree program must include:

1. Letter of application
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. A completed repertoire and professional experience record, as described by the director of the program
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.

Questions may be directed to Dr. Peter Kadeli, kadeli@cua.edu.

Master of 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 X, and I will be singing "O mio babbino caro" from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi). This submission must be created 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 X, and I will be singing "O mio babbino caro" from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi). This submission must be created within the last year. Please label any pre-recorded pieces with the date.

Questions may be directed to Prof. Sharon Christman, christman@cua.edu.

Applicants to this program must hold a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in performance, or a Performer's Certificate that represents a minimum of a three-year performance-intensive program. Required credentials for admission include an application, application fee, official transcripts of all postsecondary studies, two letters of recommendation, a repertoire list, and evidence of a performing career in progress (such as programs and/or critical reviews).

Students whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL results of 80 or higher (iBT test), (for paper-based test: 550 or higher; for computer-based test: 213 or higher), to be considered for admission. For the iBT test, at least 20 out of 30 in each of the subcategories is required.

Final admission to the program is granted following successful completion of a 60-minute artist diploma admission audition, which must be presented before coursework begins and should include selections demonstrating the student's ability to perform in various styles. (A singer's audition program must also demonstrate proficiency in French, German, and Italian.)

Applicants must audition in person if residing in the United States.

Graduate Artist Diploma in Orchestral Conducting: special notes

A prior master's degree or its equivalent is preferred for admission.

Applicants are asked to submit a video at least 30 minutes in length of a public performance, reading session or rehearsal, demonstrating diverse styles of orchestral repertoire; in addition, they will take a written and aural examination.

Questions may be directed to:

Orchestral Conducting, Violin, or Cello: Maestro Simeone Tartaglione, tartaglione@cua.edu.
Piano: Dr. Ivo Kaltchev, kaltchev@cua.edu.
Voice: Prof. Sharon Christman, christman@cua.edu.