The application for Fall 2013 is now closed.
Current applicants log in here for updates
Access the Eastman Dropbox to submit recordings here
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/Interview Options
- After the Audition/Interview
- Statement of Diversity
- Forms & Special Instructions
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 Office of Admissions. Do not send any materials to faculty.
Mailing address:
Office of Admissions
Eastman School of Music
26 Gibbs St.
Rochester NY 14604, USA
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. |
| Personal Statement | Write a personal statement of two to three pages in length on the following topic: Describe your professional goals and plans. How has your background influenced your goals, and how will your graduate studies help you to achieve them? Save this document on your computer and upload within the online application. |
| Résumé or Curriculum Vitae | Upload within the online application. |
| Academic Transcript(s) | Applicants are required to submit academic transcripts from each college/university attended. You may submit your transcript using one of the following methods:
International applicants: If your transcript is not in English, you must also provide a certified English translation. In addition, we strongly recommend that you have your transcripts evaluated by an organization specializing in foreign credential evaluation, such as World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (www.ece.org). In many cases we will require this evaluation before you can be admitted, so it is in your best interest to seek out an evaluation at the time that you apply. Please note that the Eastman School of Music reserves the right to verify the accuracy of all transcripts, and to require submission of official documentation at any point in the admissions review process. Offers of admission are contingent on receipt upon receipt of final official transcripts. 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 Office of Admissions. |
| Recommendations (3 required) | All applicants must list their recommenders in the online application. Recommenders are notified via email and given instructions to submit the recommendation online. You will be able to view the status of each recommendation. 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 uploaded by the application deadline. CDs and DVDs are not accepted. |
| Composition Scores | All applicants for Composition or Jazz Writing programs must submit 3 or 4 scores by postal mail for review by the faculty. All scores must arrive in the Office of Admissions by December 1st. Each score (each individual piece) should be separately bound, no larger than 11” x 17” in size, and clearly marked with the applicant’s name and intended program. Scores will not be returned. Composition applicants are also encouraged, but not required to submit recordings of their works.Scores from Jazz Writing applicants and all DMA Jazz applicants must display writing for large and small jazz group formats, and can include arrangements. Jazz Writing applicants who have a background in classical composition are also encouraged to submit one or two examples of original non-jazz works. Jazz Writing applicants must also upload recordings of these works to the Eastman Dropbox. Recordings from reading sessions and rehearsals are acceptable. If live performances are not available, recordings of computer sequences of works may be submitted. Please note that a separate jazz performance recording featuring improvisation on your primary instrument is also required. |
| Audition | Required for all MM and DMA degree applicants. See Audition Repertoire Requirements for details and dates. Bring a completed Audition Repertoire Form and a complete repertoire list to your audition. |
| Interview | Required for many degree programs and some Graduate Awards. |
| Special Instructions |
See special instructions for the following programs: |
| TOEFL Exam Scores & Non-Native English Essay |
All applicants whose native language is not English please see the International Students page for details. |
| GRE Score | Required of all MA and PhD candidates(including current ESM students). Optional for all other candidates. Eastman’s school code for score reporting is 2224. |
| 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 who successfully pass pre-scerening and will audition in Rochester must complete and submit the Vocal Accompanist Request Form Those requesting an Eastman accompanist must also include clear 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. |
| Graduate Award Additional Instructions | See special instructions for applicants for the following graduate awards: |
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. | |
| Transcripts (must be official and must represent all collegiate study) | |
| Required of some majors: | Music Education 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 within the application) | |
| Recommendations (3) | |
| Transcripts (must be official and must represent all collegiate study) | |
| Required of some majors: | Music Education Essay: required of Music Education applicants(different from personal statement) |
| 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. Pre-screening materials are also required for Opera Stage Directing applicants (see details under Pre-Screening Requirements.) | |
| Scores: required of Composition applicants, and Jazz applicants who are applying for the writing concentration |
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 piano performance, 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 Dropbox. |
| Interview: required of Composition, Music Education, and Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music applicants | |
| Scores: required of Composition applicants, MM Jazz Writing and DMA Jazz applicants | |
| Teaching portfolio: required of DMA music education applicants. See Music Education special instructions 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 | |
| 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 special instructions for details. |
Pre-Screening Requirements (MA and PhD)
Applicants to the following degrees and majors are pre-screened, 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 in Music Education. However, candidates for this degree must submit all required materials for faculty review as specified in the special instructions for Music Education
All required materials must be received by December 1 for faculty review. Auditions are not required for entry into MA and PhD degree programs, and will not be scheduled on the interview day. Students in these degree programs who wish 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 pre-screening 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 application materials must be received by December 1 at the latest.
Specifications for Pre-screening Recordings
- A video pre-screening recording is required for Cello, Clarinet, Conducting, Guitar (DMA), Harp (DMA), Horn, Percussion, Trumpet and Tuba.
- All other applicants may submit either a video or audio pre-screening recordings.
- Applicants submitting more than one recording for more than one major must clearly designate each recording for each major.
- Accepted file formats
- Audio formats = .mp3, .ogg, .m4a, .aiff, .wma, .wav, .aac
- Video formats= .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .ogg, .mov, .avi, .wmv, .m4v, .vob
- We recommend that you record each selection on a separate track to make your upload process go more quickly. It is not necessary to record everything in a single file.
- Important: review your recording for quality before uploading
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 by postal mail.
MM applicants in Opera Stage Directing must upload supporting materials with their application to demonstrate their experience in opera directing. Artwork and/or theatrical designs may be included. Application materials are reviewed, along with the pre-screening recording, and selected applicants will be invited to interview/audition.
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 within 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. If your primary instrument requires a pre-screen recording, you must also upload a separate instrumental or vocal pre-screen recording. Those invited to Rochester to interview will also be scheduled for an instrumental or vocal audition on the day of the interview.
MM and DMA applicants in ALL MAJORS: See pre-screening 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 be included among the three required 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 special instructions 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 shouldbring 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 who successfully pass prescreening must submit the Vocal Accompanist Request Form, the accompanying fee and copies of music chosen for the live audition before the audition date can be confirmed.
Regional Auditions
- All graduate applicants are strongly urged to audition on-campus at Eastman. Applicants who do not audition on-campus at Eastman have significantly reduced chances of receiving a graduate award.
- Regional auditions are 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.
- Regional auditions are NOT permitted for DMA, MA and PhD applicants and applicants in Composition, Conducting, Jazz or Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music.
- A member of the Eastman Admissions staff will record each regional audition. There are 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.
Audition by Self-prepared Recording
- This option is NOT permitted for DMA applicants.
- Applicants who audition by self-prepared recordingmust submit a video recording. Audio-only files are not acceptable.
- Recording files must be uploaded to the Eastman Recording Dropbox. Do not send recordings to the faculty.
- The final deadline for uploading recorded auditions is December 1.
- The Eastman faculty members evaluate all recorded auditions.
- Recordings must have been made within the past 9 months, and must follow repertoire requirements.
- Applicants submitting more than one recording for more than one instrument must clearly designate each recording.
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.
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.
Forms & Special Instructions
Required supplemental forms:
Special Instructions:
Other forms:
- Audition Repertoire Form
- NASM Release Form (transfer applicants)
- Recommendation Form
- Teacher Preference Form
