The application for fall 2012 is closed.
The following forms are still available:
TEACHER PREFERENCE FORM (use this form to update the preferences you entered in the application)
AUDITION REPERTOIRE FORM (to be presented to the faculty at your audition)
Graduate Applicants
- Application Deadlines
- Completing Your Application
- Requirements for all Graduate Applicants
- MA Requirements
- MM Requirements
- DMA Requirements
- PhD Requirements
- Pre-Screening Requirements (MA and PhD)
- Pre-Screening Requirements (MM and DMA)
- Audition Options
- After the Audition
- Forms & Special Instructions
- Statement of Diversity
Application Deadlines
November 1: Priority deadline. $75 application fee
Applicants who submit the online application, transcripts, and any required pre-screening materials by this deadline will receive priority handling, and will likely be scheduled for their first choice audition/interview date.
December 1: Final deadline. $125 application fee
All application materials must be submitted by December 1.
We strongly encourage early submission of your application and materials. Our processing time increases significantly as December 1 approaches. Once a file is complete, there is a preliminary review before the audition is scheduled.
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Completing Your Application
Your application, and most supporting materials, will be submitted online. If you need to mail in materials, be sure to mark them with your name and intended degree/major/instrument. Send all supporting materials directly to the Eastman Admissions Office. Do not send any materials to faculty.
Applicants are responsible for complete applications. Applications that are incomplete cannot be processed. Application fees are non-refundable, and application materials will not be returned.
Requirements for all Graduate Applicants
| Online Application and Application Fee | All applicants must complete and submit the online application by the deadline. The application for fall 2012 will be available September 1st 2011. |
| Personal Statement | A brief essay (3 pages maximum) outlining your specific interest in Eastman, how you will add to the Eastman community, your educational goals, musical path to date and intended career path. Upload within the online application. |
| Résumé or Curriculum Vitae | Upload within the online application. |
| Official Transcript(s) | All graduate applicants must request official transcripts showing any college-level coursework. Transcripts not originally in English must be submitted with a certified translation. Current Eastman students and alums should contact the Office of the Registrar to request that a copy of the official transcript be forwarded to the Admissions Office.Mailing address:Office of Admissions Eastman School of Music 26 Gibbs St. Rochester NY 14604, USA |
| Recommendations (3 required) | All applicants must list their recommenders in the online application. After the application is submitted, each recommender will be notified via email and given instructions to submit the recommendation online. You will receive an electronic notification when each recommendation has been submitted. If a recommender prefers to submit a hard copy recommendation, give them the Recommendation Form after completing the top portion. |
Additional requirements for some programs:
| Prescreening materials/recording | Required for most programs – see Prescreening Requirements below for details. If prescreening materials are required for your degree program, they must be submitted by the application deadline. |
| Audition | Required for all MM and DMA degree applicants. See Audition Repertoire Requirementsfor details.Bring a completed Audition Repertoire Form & a complete repertoire list to your audition. |
| Interview | Required for many degree programs and some Graduate Awards. |
| Supplemental Forms & Instructions |
If you are applying for any of the following programs, you must complete and submit the corresponding supplemental PDF form:
Also see special instructions for the following programs: |
| Graduate Award forms | If you are applying for any of the following graduate awards, you must complete and submit the corresponding PDF form to be considered for that award:
Also see special instructions for applicants for the following graduate awards: |
| TOEFL exam scores & English writing sample | All applicants whose native language is not English please see International Students page for details. |
| GRE Score | Required of all MA and PhD candidates (including current ESM students). Optional for all other candidates. |
| Research Paper(s) | Required for all DMA, MA and PhD degree applicants. Upload within the online application. Additional details for each degree program below. |
| Vocal Accompanist Request form | All voice applicants requesting an audition in Rochester must complete and submit the Vocal Accompanist Request Form by the application deadline. Those requesting an Eastman accompanist must also include copies of their music and a $25 accompanist fee. |
| NASM Release form | Transfer applicants (students currently matriculated in a degree program at an accredited college who will not graduate before enrolling at Eastman) must complete the NASM Release Form before an offer of financial aid can be made. |
| Teacher Preference form | MM and DMA Applicants who wish to request a specific studio teacher should submit this data online within the application. Use the Teacher Preference Form only if you want to submit updated preference information after submitting an application. |
Master of Arts Requirements
| Required of all majors: | Application and Application Fee |
| GRE General Test scores | |
| Interview at the Eastman School of Music | |
| Personal statement and résumé (uploaded online as part of the application) | |
| Recommendations (3) | |
| Research paper(s): composition and music education applicants must submit one music research paper; ethnomusicology, musicology, music theory, and music theory pedagogy applicants must submit two research papers. | |
| Supplemental forms: MA applicants must consult the relevant departmental forms and submit materials as requested. | |
| Transcripts (must be official and must represent all collegiate study) | |
| Required of some majors: | Essay: required of Music Education applicants (different from personal statement and research paper) |
| Scores: required of Composition applicants |
Master of Music Requirements
| Required of all majors: | Application and Application Fee |
| Audition | |
| Personal statement and Résumé (uploaded online as part of the application) | |
| Recommendations (3) | |
| Transcripts (must be official and must represent all collegiate study) | |
| Required of some majors: | Essay: required of Music Education applicants (different from personal statement and research paper) |
| Interview: required of Conducting, Composition, Music Education and Opera (stage directing) applicants | |
| Pre-screening recording: required of Conducting and Jazz applicants. Required of all applicants in Clarinet, Flute, Horn, Percussion, Piano performance, Trumpet, Violin, Violoncello, Voice. | |
| Scores: required of Composition applicants, and Jazz applicants who are applying for the writing concentration | |
| Supplemental forms: required of applicants to majors in Composition, Piano, Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music, or the Sacred Music diploma; and applicants to these graduate awards: Classroom Teacher of Piano, Studio Accompanist, Choral Accompanist and Opera Coach. |
Doctor of Musical Arts Requirements
| Required of all majors: | Application and Application Fee |
| Audition at the Eastman School of Music | |
| Music Research paper – at least one music history or theory research paper demonstrating advanced analytic, scholarly, and writing abilities. | |
| Personal statement and résumé (uploaded online as part of the application) | |
| Recommendations (3) | |
| Transcripts (must be official and must represent all collegiate study) | |
| Required of some majors: | Pre-screening Recording: required for all brass, winds, strings and voice applicants (except as follows). Not required for Accompanying majors, or for lute, harpsichord, organ, and saxophone. Upload your recording to the Eastman Recording Dropbox. |
| Interview: required of Composition, Music Education, and Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music applicants | |
| Scores: required of Composition applicants and Jazz applicants | |
| Supplemental forms: required of applicants to majors in Composition, Jazz, Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music, or the Sacred Music Diploma; applicants to these graduate awards: Classroom Teacher of Piano, Studio Accompanist, Choral Accompanist and Opera Coach.. | |
| Teaching portfolio: required of DMA music education applicants. See Music Education supplemental form for details. |
Doctor of Philosophy Requirements
| Required of all majors: | Application and Application Fee |
| GRE General Test scores | |
| Interview at the Eastman School of Music | |
| Personal statement and Résumé (uploaded online as part of the application) | |
| Recommendations (3) | |
| Research paper(s): composition and music education applicants must submit one music research paper; musicology and music theory applicants must submit two music research papers | |
| Supplemental forms: required of Composition, Musicology and Music Theory majors; music education majors must consult their supplemental information form and submit the requested materials as appropriate | |
| Transcripts (must be official and must represent all collegiate study) | |
| Required of some majors: | Scores: required of Composition applicants |
| Teaching portfolio: required of Music Education applicants. See Music Education form for details. |
Pre-Screening Requirements (MA and PhD)
Applicants to the following degrees and majors are prescreened, meaning that completed files and supplemental materials are reviewed before interviews are scheduled:
- MA Composition
- MA Ethnomusicology
- MA Music Theory Pedagogy
- PhD Composition
- PhD Music Education
- PhD Musicology
- PhD Music Theory
There is no pre-screening requirement for the Master of Arts, major in Music Education. However, candidates for this degree must submit all required materials for faculty review as specified in the supplemental form for Music Education.
All required materials and supplemental forms must be received by December 1 at the latest for faculty review. Auditions are not required for entry into these degree programs, and will not be scheduled on the interview day. Students wishing to continue applied study on an instrument or voice may do so at the secondary level once they are enrolled.
Pre-Screening Requirements (MM and DMA)
Certain degree programs and majors require additional prescreening materials, as noted here. Pre-screen recordings should be uploaded to the Eastman Dropbox. (Only composition and jazz writing applicants should submit pre-screening materials by postal mail. ) Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit pre-screening materials and their online application well before the application deadline to facilitate the pre-screening process. All supplementary materials must be received by December 1 at the latest.
MM Conducting: Submit a professional résumé, including previous education and employment in music, and a representative repertoire list of selections conducted in public performance and in rehearsal, or studied. A pre-screening video recording is also required, and must be uploaded to the Eastman Dropbox. The video must be a minimum of 15 minutes in length, and must show portions of a recent rehearsal and a recent performance. Applicants who are invited to audition for this program will conduct a rehearsal with an Eastman ensemble of a standard work. Audition repertoire will be chosen in consultation with the conducting faculty.
MM applicants in Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media (performance and writing concentrations) must upload a preliminary audio recording to the Eastman Dropbox. Writing concentration applicants must also submit scores.
MM applicants in Performance & Literature: Woodwind Specialist must list both primary instruments in the application. Applicants will be scheduled for an interview, and for auditions on both instruments. Pairings of primary instruments in the same family (flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, oboe/English horn, etc.) are not acceptable for this major.
MM and DMA applicants in Composition must submit scores via postal mail for screening by composition faculty. In addition, composers are also encouraged (but not required) to upload digital scores and recordings online via the Eastman Dropbox. Those invited to Rochester to interview will also be scheduled for an instrumental or vocal audition. Please see the Composition supplement form.
MM and DMA applicants in ALL MAJORS: See prescreening requirements for your instrument.
DMA applicants in Conducting must submit a pre-screening video recording showing the applicant conducting at least two compositions in a performance situation, and at least two works in a rehearsal situation. The recording must be uploaded to the Eastman Dropbox. The conductor should be in full frontal or partial profile view; at least part of the ensemble should be in view. Repertoire should be appropriate to the musical and technical level of the ensemble. The audition for applicants to the DMA program in Choral, Orchestral or Wind Ensemble Conducting consists of a formal audition with an Eastman ensemble, a three-hour written examination in music history, music theory (analysis) and score recognition, and an aural acuity test. Note that applicants to this degree program should have held positions demanding a professional level of conducting for a minimum of two years. Musicians familiar with your work as a conductor should provide letters of recommendation.
DMA applicants in Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media must submit a recording and scores of original arrangements/compositions. Following review, a number of applicants will be invited to Rochester. Recordings must be uploaded to the Eastman Dropbox. Hard copies of scores must be mailed to the Eastman Admissions Office; scores may also be uploaded to the Dropbox (optional).
DMA applicants in Music Education are prescreened and must submit a video (DVD) of the applicant presenting a lesson in a current teaching situation (classroom, studio, rehearsal). See the Music Education supplement form for more details.
Audition Options
Note: All graduate applicants are strongly encouraged to audition on-campus at Eastman for priority consideration for admission and graduate scholarship awards. DMA applicants are required to audition/interview on-campus.
On-campus Auditions at the Eastman School of Music
On-campus audition dates vary, depending on instrument and major. See the Audition Dates page for dates, but be sure to refer back here for important details about your audition requirements.
- This option is required for applicants to majors in Composition, Conducting, and Jazz Studies, and for all DMA applicants.
- All applicants should plan to attend for the entire day of their audition, generally from 9am until 6pm.
- Piano performance majors will need to be available for two days from 9am until approximately 10pm both days.
- Harp applicants do not need to bring their own instruments; contact Professor Kathleen Bride for more information.
- Percussionists should bring their own sticks, mallets, cymbals, etc.; other equipment is provided.
- Voice applicants may either bring their own accompanist or request the School to assign one ($25 fee required). Applicants must submit the Vocal Accompanist Request Form by the deadline. If a favorable pre-screening result is given, the accompanying fee with the music chosen for the subsequent live audition in Rochester must be sent before the audition date can be confirmed.
Regional Auditions
- All graduate applicants are strongly urged to audition on-campus at Eastman.
- This option is NOT permitted for applicants whose instrument is Piano, Guitar, Harp, Organ, or Percussion; these applicants must audition at Eastman, or submit a video recording, as described below.
- This option is NOT permitted for DMA, MA and PhD applicants and applicants in Composition, Conducting, Jazz or Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music.
- Applicants who do not audition on-campus at Eastman have significantly reduced chances of receiving a graduate award.
- A member of the Eastman staff will record each regional audition. There are generally no faculty members at regional sites; however, all recordings made at regional auditions are subsequently evaluated by the faculty.
- All auditions are performed unaccompanied, with the exception of vocal auditions. Voice applicants must provide their own accompanist at regional audition centers.
For information on auditions in China, visit: http://www.usaschoolsofmusic.org
Audition by Self-prepared Recording
- This option is NOT permitted for DMA applicants.
- Recording files must be uploaded to the Eastman Recording Dropbox. Do not send recordings to the faculty.
- The Eastman faculty members who hear live auditions also hear all recorded auditions.
- Applicants in Clarinet, Guitar, Harp, Horn, Organ, Percussion, Trumpet or Tuba must submit a video recording.
Specifications for all Recordings
- Recordings must have been made within the past 9 months, and must follow repertoire requirements.
- A video recording is required for Clarinet, Guitar, Harp, Horn, Lute, Organ, Percussion, Trumpet and Tuba.
- All other applicants may submit either a video or audio files.
- Applicants submitting more than one recording for more than one major must clearly designate each recording for each major.
- Treat pre-screening like an audition and review for quality before uploading!
After the Audition
Notification of decision and financial aid
The Eastman application process includes a thorough review of each applicant’s file following his or her audition/interview. Notification of decision may occur at any time after the application has been evaluated, with most graduate applicants being notified between March 15 and April 1.Accepted applicants normally receive notification of Graduate Awards and the possibility of need-based aid with the offer of admission.
April 15 reply date
We make every effort to provide notification of decision as soon as possible after the audition and review process is completed. In return, we ask for the courtesy of a response as soon as the graduate applicant has made a decision, no later than April 15. After this date, graduate decisions are considered binding. The Eastman School of Music does maintain a wait list in most departments. A prompt response from accepted applicants allows us to proceed with decisions for candidates on our wait list.
The Eastman School of Music subscribes to and upholds ethical admission practices outlined in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). In accordance with Article V of the Code of Ethics of NASM, “[The Eastman School of Music allows]….students to choose without penalty among offers of admission and financial aid…until April 15 for graduate level programs. Written declarations of intent become binding on [this] date….”
It should be emphasized, however, that whenever candidates can reach a decision before this date, they are encouraged to notify all institutions as soon as that decision has been reached. Even if the decision is to not attend, the candidate must notify the institution.
Forms & Special Instructions
Required supplemental forms:
- Composition
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Music Theory and Theory Pedagogy
- Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music
- Sacred Music Diploma
- Vocal Accompanist Request Form
Graduate Award forms:
- Aural Skills Graduate Award
- Choral Accompanist Graduate Award
- Classroom Teacher of Piano Graduate Award
- Computer Music Graduate Award
- Opera Coach/Accompanist Graduate Award
- Studio Accompanying Graduate Award
Special Instructions:
Other forms:
- Audition Repertoire Form
- Credit Card Authorization Form (submit only if instructed by Admissions)
- NASM Release Form (transfer applicants)
- Recommendation Form
- Teacher Preference Form
Statement on Diversity
The Eastman School of Music seeks to create an experience that is musically, socially, and intellectually diverse, and to foster a community of musicians of diverse backgrounds and origins. Further, the Eastman School of Music and the University of Rochester are committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The University complies with all applicable nondiscrimination laws in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. Questions on compliance should be directed to the school or department and/or to the University’s Equal Opportunity Coordinator, University of Rochester, PO Box 270039, Rochester, New York 14627-0039. Phone 585-275-9125.
