Graduate Assistantships

School of Music graduate assistants' responsibilities range from teaching in private studios or lab sections of larger classes, to assisting with accompanying, coordinating, performing, grading, maintaining equipment, and/or supervising. Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor of Music degree (or its equivalent), acceptance for Regular Admission into Western Michigan University (based on undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above), and admission to the School of Music and a specific Master of Music degree program.

Deadline: February 1

1. Complete a Graduate Admissions Application to Western Michigan University. 
2. Submit the names and contact information for three letters of recommendation as part of your university application. Your recommenders will be automatically notified, and their recommendations will be attached to your WMU application.
3. Review the Graduate Assistant Positions posted below to determine the one which bests meets your qualifications and interest. Please note that not all positions are available every year. Contact the appropriate faculty member for more detailed information about the position and its availability.
4. As part of your Graduate admission application, you will be asked to fill out a form for the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music, which also has a section to apply for a graduate assistantship. As most assistantship loads are a combination of studio duties and classroom assignments in other areas (e.g., music education, music theory, etc.), you will be asked to give information regarding your qualifications and prior experience beyond your primary area of interest.

Scholarships and grants in music are awarded each year by the School of Music. These awards are made on the basis of musical talent and/or scholastic achievement and are separate from graduate assistantships. Please contact the appropriate faculty member in your area to inquire about scholarship possibilities. Also visit the following Graduate College web pages for additional university-wide information:

• Graduate Admissions
• Graduate Appointment Policies
• Other Funding Opportunities

Graduate Assistant Positions

Graduate Assistantships are available in Winds/Percussion (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, percussion), Strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass), Voice, Jazz (instrumental, vocal), Conducting (choral-Dr. Amanda Quist, wind band-Dr. Scott Boerma), Music Therapy, Keyboard/Accompanying, Composition, Theory/Musicology/Ethnomusicology, and Multimedia Arts Technology.

Responsibilities

Duties range from teaching in private studios or lab sections of larger classes, to assisting with accompanying, coordinating, performing, grading, maintaining equipment, and/or supervising.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Music degree or equivalent. Full admission to a Master of Music program in music. Three letters of recommendation (submitted with WMU application).

Award

Assistantship packages include salary, tuition remissions, and other benefits, which would cover the complete cost of tuition for the degree. See Graduate Appointee Information | Western Michigan University (wmich.edu).

For further questions about Graduate Studies, contact Dr. Cristina Fava, Graduate Coordinator, at music-grad@wmich.edu or (269) 387-4675.