Program-Specific Materials
In addition to the information on the general application information page, carefully review the supplemental program-specific application materials below.
Virtual sight-reading exercise (scheduled directly with Professor Lovelace)
Cumulative repertoire list
Resume/CV
Prerequisites: Collaborative Piano/Coaching MM applicants should hold an appropriate undergraduate degree in music, DMA applicants should hold a masters degree in music.
GRE General Test Scores are optional.
Resume/CV
Two to four scores and/or recordings of original work in varying genres
Prerequisites: students applying to the Composition MA will hold an undergraduate degree in music, and those applying to the Composition PhD will hold a completed masters degree in music. In addition, both Composition MA/PhD applicants should have completed basic professional preparation, defined as the equivalent of a minimum of one year of orchestration, one semester of counterpoint, and three years of theory and analysis (tonal and post-tonal).
The Choral Conducting program is not accepting MM applicants for the 26-27 year. For questions or concerns, please reach out to [email protected]
Cumulative repertoire list
Resume/CV
Entrance audition and interview (scheduled directly with faculty by invitation only)
Prerequisites: Conducting MM applicants should hold an appropriate undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent.
Resume/CV
Cumulative repertoire list
Audition and Interview (scheduled directly with faculty by invitation only)
Prerequisites: Conducting MM applicants should hold an appropriate undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent.
Resume/CV
Cumulative repertoire list
Audition and Interview (scheduled directly with faculty by invitation only)
Prerequisites: Conducting MM applicants should hold an appropriate undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent.
Resume/CV
Cumulative repertoire list
Entrance audition and interview (scheduled directly with faculty by invitation only)
Prerequisites: Conducting DMA applicants should hold an appropriate masters degree in music or its equivalent.
Two writing samples (term paper, thesis chapter, conference paper, etc.) that engage with music or musical cultures in two different ways (ethnographic, historical, analytic, etc.).
Resume/CV
GRE General Test Scores are optional.
Prerequisites: Musicology/Ethnomusicology MA applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent. The MA and PhD degrees are cumulative, in that courses taken in fulfillment of the MA are applicable toward the PhD. Therefore, applicants to the PhD should already have an MA in musicology or ethnomusicology.
- Resume/CV
- Documentation of K–12 music teaching experience strongly preferred
- Entrance interview with music education faculty
- Excellent scholastic record from accredited college or university
Prerequisites: Music Education MM applicants should hold an appropriate bachelor's degree in music, generally with licensure in music education .
Original papers (e.g. research or professional papers)
Resume/CV
Documentation of at least three years of successful teaching experience on the elementary, secondary, and/or college levels (PhD in Music Education)
Documentation of at least three years of full-time clinical experience as a music therapist (PhD in Music Education - Emphasis in Music Therapy)
Excellent scholastic record from accredited college or university
GRE General Test Scores are optional.
Finalists will be invited to complete an interview with the music education faculty
Prerequisites: Applicants should hold an appropriate master's degree in music.
- 2 letters of recommendation (general application instructions indicate 3 letters are required - please disregard and only upload two).
- Resume/CV
- Documentation of 30 hours of field experience in a K-12 setting (provide a written overview of the hours and highlights of your experience).
- Video demonstrating evidence of capacity to perform on a musical instrument: two selections contrasting in style and tempo.
- Finalists will be required to complete a music education interview with the faculty and Proficiency Exam for Music Education (at the time of the music education interview): Written Skills, Oral Skills, Accompanying Skills, Song-Leading Skills, Error-Detection Skills.
Excellent scholastic record from accredited college or university
GRE General Test Scores are optional.
Resume/CV
Prerequisites: Music Therapy MA applicants pursuing the Post-Board Certification Track should hold an appropriate bachelor's degree in music. Music Therapy MA Equivalency applicants should hold a bachelor's degree.
What if I have an undergraduate degree that is not in music?
Prospective students with bachelor’s degrees that are not in music are eligible to apply for the Master’s Equivalency program, as well as the Equivalency-Only non-degree program. These prospective students should highlight their previous music experiences in their written application materials when applying to the music therapy program. Previous music experiences may include lessons, ensembles, number of instruments played, music coursework at the college/university level, among others. Students with bachelor's degrees that are not in music who are admitted to the program will have their music skills and knowledge individually assessed before initiating their coursework. As such, remedial coursework in voice, piano, guitar, percussion, theory, and history may be necessary for students entering the Master’s Equivalency and Equivalency programs.
- Recorded audition video
- Resume/CV
- Cumulative repertoire list
Prerequisites: MM applicants should hold an appropriate undergraduate degree in music, DMA applicants should hold a masters degree in music or its equivalent.
Two original papers on contrasting topics/repertoires.
GRE General Test Scores are optional.
Resume/CV
Finalists will be contacted by program faculty for a virtual interview. It may be possible to bring prospective students to campus after admission.
Prerequisites: It is expected that students applying to the Theory MA program will have completed an undergraduate degree in music and basic professional preparation, defined as the equivalent of three years of theory and analysis (tonal and post-tonal) and one semester of counterpoint. Upon admission, students are expected to show proficiency equivalent to, or beyond that required to pass the equivalency examinations in tonal and post-tonal theory and analysis, ear training, counterpoint, and music history for the University of Minnesota BA in music. Theory PhD applicants should have a completed MA in theory or the equivalent upon entry to the program.
PhD applicants: The music theory faculty of the School of Music invite interested students to email us before applying to the theory PhD program. Specifically, we ask students to contact the individual professor they think would be the best fit as their degree/research advisor in order to have a conversation about the applicant's interests, goals, and fit with the department.
- Recorded audition video
- Resume/CV
- Cumulative repertoire list
Prerequisites: MM applicants should hold an appropriate undergraduate degree in music, DMA applicants should hold a masters degree in music or its equivalent.