Audition & Interview Requirements - Graduate

Performance

Admission Requirements/Procedures

An audition for the performance faculty will determine if the student will be permitted to pursue this major area of concentration. Contact the appropriate faculty for specific audition requirements. Sight-reading may be requested. Vocal majors must demonstrate a proficiency in French, German, and Italian diction. Deficiency course work will not apply toward the degree. Entrance Examinations in music theory and music history/literature are administered before the end of the first semester of study.

Clarinet

  •  Three contrasting pieces (or movements) that demonstrate your highest level of proficiency. In addition, please prepare 3 to 4 standard orchestral excerpts of your choosing.  If you have questions regarding your repertoire, please contact Dr. Breakfield-Glick at ellen.breakfieldglick@wmich.edu

Piano

  • For further information on graduate piano auditions, see the WMU Piano Page.

Trombone

Trumpet

  • Please prepare two or three contrasting solo works from the standard trumpet repertoire that best demonstrate your current level of technique and expressiveness. Two contrasting etudes from the works of Bitsch, Charlier, Brandt or similar should also be prepared, as well as approximately 5 orchestral excerpts of your choice. Demonstration of ability on piccolo trumpet is welcome, but not required.
  • A verbal interview will also be conducted, discussing your chamber music experience specifically, as well as artistic and career goals. Please contact either Dr. Robert White (robert.white@wmich.edu) and/or Prof. Scott Thornburg (scott.thornburg@wmich.edu) with any questions and to discuss scheduling your audition.

Voice

  • Graduate vocal students accepted as Performance majors will be expected to be oriented toward a performance career. Applicants must exhibit proficiency in French, German and Italian diction. 

  • Graduate students must audition in person to be accepted into the MM degree program and for graduate assistantship consideration. Literature presented should be representative of early English and Italian art songs, German lieder, French melodies contemporary songs, and opera and oratorio arias, and should consist of six to eight pieces. At the time of the audition, the singer must also provide a list of repertoire previously studied. For consideration for a graduate assistantship, applicants will be expected to demonstrate the ability to vocalize a student from the piano. The faculty will determine acceptance into the Master of Music degree in Performance. Graduate students accepted into the Performance major are expected to participate in an opera production while enrolled. The Graduate Recital (MUS 6900) is required as stated in the Graduate Bulletin in addition to the successful completion of studio lessons. Entering master's students will be required to take exams in music history and literature and music theory. Although the results of these exams have no effect on your acceptance into the vocal program, they may ultimately be used in determining your course requirements at WMU. You are encouraged to use the theory and history exam study guides supplied by the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music to assist in your preparation.

Music Therapy

Admission Requirements/Procedures

  • Earned baccalaureate degree in music therapy 
  • Complete a preliminary exam in functional piano, music history, and music theory
  • No GRE scores or formal audition are required as part of the application process     
To apply, candidates must complete a graduate WMU university application, a supplemental WMU School of Music application, and interview with a faculty member.

 

Conducting

Admission Requirements/Procedures

  • Bachelor’s degree in music or its equivalent including 60 semester hours of acceptable work in music.
  • Two years of conducting experience in public school or equivalent experience recommended.
  • A pre-screening video demonstrating the applicant’s conducting skill must be received on or before February 1. Applicants who pass this initial screening will be invited for a conducting audition prior to March 15.
  • A live audition will be administered on the Western Michigan University campus. Applicants will (a) conduct an appropriate University ensemble on a work or on works to be selected in consultation with the appropriate conducting faculty member; (b) demonstrate aural perception and score reading skills; and (c) Choral applicants must demonstrate keyboard competency, singing proficiency, and diction proficiency (English, French, Italian and German).
  • The Entrance Examinations in music history/literature and theory are administered prior to the applicant’s first semester of enrollment. Applicants must achieve a passing score in each area of the examination. Remediation may be prescribed as a result of deficiencies in any of the audition/Entrance Examination areas. Undergraduate courses prescribed to remedy deficiencies will not count toward degree requirements.

 

Composition

Admission Requirements/Procedures

  • Applicants should submit a composition portfolio for review by the composition faculty. This should include three to four original works involving sound that are representative of the student’s creative output and demonstrate his/her ability to compose for a variety of instruments and/or media. Applicants should submit scores and recordings if available.
  • Detailed instructions for submissions are available at http://www.wmich.edu/composition under the Graduate Studies link. Students must also complete the Entrance Examinations in music theory and music history/literature before the end of the first semester of study.

 

Master of Arts in Music

Admission requirements for the M.A. in Music program:

  • Successful completion of Bachelor of Music degree (or Bachelor of Arts in Music).
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.25 for all music theory, history, and aural skills courses, with no grade less than a “C” at the 1000-level and no grade less than a “B” at the 2000-level or above.
  • A portfolio of three scholarly papers which demonstrate the ability to conduct research and write at a level appropriate for a Master’s Thesis.

 

Accelerated Master of Arts in Music

For admission into the AGDP:

- Minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least 30 undergraduate credit hours earned at WMU

- Minimum GPA of 3.25 in core music history, music theory and aural skills, with no grade less than a “C” at the 1000 level and no grade less than a “B” at 2000 level.

- Departmental application

- A personal statement outlining:

  • Area of interest
  • Reason for applying to the AGDP
  • Career goals and a plan for reaching these goals