Your university application will be processed by both the Office of Admissions and Orientation and the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music. After completing your application, Professor David Code, Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music, will act as the liaison between the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music and the graduate admissions office. International students may obtain admissions information through the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. If you're not a resident of the United States, be sure and review the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music's Information for international students.
Graduate Audition Process
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. The audition music contain six to eight pieces. At the time of the audition, the singer must 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 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.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP, SCHOLARSHIP AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
A number of funding opportunities exist for entering graduate students. They include:
- Graduate assistantship: Graduate assistantship applications must be submitted by February 15. The application cannot be given consideration unless the student has applied for admission to both the Graduate College and the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music.
- Studio awards: Graduate students auditioning for the vocal program will automatically be considered for an award.