Graduate Studies

Specific Track Requirements

Instrumental Performance Track, 21 hours

Students seeking admission to the Instrumental Performance track must pass an entrance audition administered by the appropriate faculty member, or group of faculty members, in the area of study. Students should contact the major professor in their area of interest for the appropriate level of repertoire required.

Vocal Performance Track, 21 hours

Students seeking admission to the Vocal Performance track must pass an entrance audition administered by the appropriate faculty in the area of study. Audition requirements include the following memorized repertoire: an operatic aria, an oratorio aria, a French, German, Italian and English art song.

Students interested in the Vocal Performance track are required to pass the foreign language and diction portion of the Graduate Diagnostic Exam. Students must show competence in languages including English, French, German and Italian. Students deficient in either area will be required to take the appropriate undergraduate courses.

Piano Performance Track, 21 hours

Students seeking admission to the Piano Performance track must pass an entrance audition administered by the appropriate faculty member, or group of faculty members, in the area of study. Audition requirements include: a complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart (excluding K. 545), or Beethoven (excluding Op. 49); two additional piano works from contrasting musical styles; major/minor scales and sight-reading.

Collaborative Piano/Chamber Music Track, 21 hours

*one recital must be a vocal emphasis and one recital must be an instrumental emphasis

Students seeking admission to the Collaborative Piano/Chamber Music track must pass an entrance audition administered by the appropriate faculty member, or group of faculty members, in the area of study.

It is strongly urged that applicants perform in person; however a DVD of professional quality may be submitted. Audition requirements consist of: one piano solo, performed by memory two complete and contrasting instrumental sonatas (for example: a baroque flute sonata, a romantic string sonata), three songs representing stylistic variety. All applicants must submit a complete list of repertoire including: songs, arias, sonatas/multi-movement works, concerti, character pieces, complete operas; solo, choral, and ballet repertoire before their audition.

Any questions in regard to collaborative repertoire may be directed to Dr. Ilonka Rus Coordinator of the Collaborative Studies at (936) 294-1394 or e-mail ilonkarus@yahoo.com. Please visit our School of Music Audition Process page for more specific information regarding audition dates.

Students interested in the Collaborative Piano/Chamber Music track are required to pass the foreign language and diction portion of the Graduate Diagnostic Exam. Students deficient in either area will be required to take the appropriate undergraduate courses.

Conducting Track, 21 hours

Students seeking admission to the Conducting Track (both Choral and Instrumental) must complete an interview and submit a conducting video of a recent concert and/or rehearsal, and audition on their primary instrument/voice. Those students with piano skills will be given preference for admission to the Choral Conducting track.

Students interested in the Choral Conducting track are required to pass the foreign language and diction portion of the Graduate Diagnostic Exam. Students deficient in either area will be required to take the appropriate undergraduate courses.

Composition Track, 21 hours

Students seeking admission to the Composition track must complete an interview with the appropriate composition faculty and submit a portfolio of recent compositions. Students must also demonstrate piano proficiency by performing a short prepared piece or two (totaling no more than five minutes), and by sight-reading during the interview. Students deficient in this area must take the appropriate undergraduate courses.

Musicology Track, 21 hours

Students seeking admission to the Musicology track must complete an admission interview with the musicology coordinator and submit a sample of academic writing.

Students who graduate with an emphasis in Musicology are required to pass a language proficiency examination in either German or French. The language requirement should ideally be fulfilled by the end of the second semester of residence.