Advanced Diploma in Performance
Eastman offers a stand-alone performance diploma, providing students who have completed a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in music to focus on performance studies with our applied faculty. The program centers around private instruction as well as high-level chamber music and ensemble experiences. In addition, students have the ability to enroll in practical elective coursework that supplements their performance study and better prepare them for a career as a professional musician.
Pre-requisites: Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor’s degree (in any field). The Advanced Diploma in Performance is a stand-alone program which cannot be pursued concurrently with a degree program.
Admission requirements include completing the online application with supporting materials and an audition (with pre-screening if necessary). Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree should follow the MM audition requirements for their instrument. Those who have completed a master’s degree should follow the DMA requirements. See audition repertoire requirements and application process for more details.
For those interested in Piano Accompanying, the program provides intensive and focused study with Andrew Harley, Associate Professor of Collaborative Piano. Students will combine intensive and equal study of instrumental and vocal repertoire, in a uniquely comprehensive training for the professional collaborative pianists of the future.
Core curriculum:
The curriculum is designed so that there are key elements shared by all students regardless of instrument, but maximum flexibility is maintained so that students can design a course of study that focuses on their individual needs.
The core courses for all areas of performance include:
- Applied Music Lessons (4 units per semester)
- Ensemble (1 unit per semester)
- Diploma Colloquium (1 unit per semester)
- Performance Project (completed in the final semester of study)
The remaining units for the diploma will be electives, with students expected to register for enough electives each semester to bring them up to at least 9 units per semester. Students in the diploma program will enroll in a limited number of specific elective courses, pre-determined based on their performance area and developed in consultation with each department.
This program offered at a lower (discounted) tuition rate than our degree programs, and is not eligible for scholarship assistance, assistantships or Graduate Awards.
Concertmaster Studies Concentration
The Advanced Diploma in Performance – Concertmaster Studies provides intensive and focused study with Juliana Athayde, Associate Professor of Violin and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) Concertmaster. Solo and orchestral repertoire will be studied in lessons and the program culminates in a capstone project where students perform a mock audition in front of a panel of Eastman School of Music faculty and professional orchestral musicians, demonstrating the qualities and standards required for a professional audition. Additionally, students will serve as leaders of Eastman ensembles, pursue significant professional performance opportunities, shadow Professor Athayde in her role as concertmaster of the RPO, and receive individual mentorship as they prepare for their career.
Pre-requisites: Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor’s degree (in any field). The Advanced Diploma in Performance – Concertmaster Studies is a stand-alone program which cannot be pursued concurrently with a degree program.
Admission requirements include completing the online application with supporting materials, including pre-screening recordings and an audition. See audition repertoire requirements for Violin- Concertmaster Studies and application process for more details.
Core curriculum:
The Advanced Diploma in Concertmaster Studies provides intensive and focused study in the area of orchestral playing, audition preparation and execution as well as leadership training, as it relates both on and off stage. The curriculum is designed to prepare the most highly qualified candidates for a career as concertmaster of a professional orchestra.
The core courses for Concertmaster Studies include:
- Applied Music Lessons (4 units per semester)
- Ensemble (1 unit per semester)
- Chamber Music (1 unit per semester)
- Concertmaster Seminar Course (1 unit per semester)
- Music Leadership Coursework/Electives (1-2 units per semester)
- Concertmaster Practicum (1 unit, completed in final semester of study)
- Mock Audition Capstone Project (completed in final semester of study)
Students are expected to register for enough electives each semester to bring them up to at least 9 units per semester. Students in this advanced diploma program may enroll in a limited number of specific elective courses, developed in consultation with the program coordinator.
String Chamber Music Concentration
The Paul R. Judy Ensemble Incubator Program, Advanced Diploma in Performance – String Chamber Music Concentration, is an intensive one-year tuition-free program designed to help an existing string quartet launch their professional career. The program provides regular coachings and guidance from Eastman’s faculty quartet in residence, the Ying Quartet, performance opportunities on and off-campus, and professional development through Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership and Arts Leadership coursework.
Pre-requisites: Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor’s degree (in any field). The Advanced Diploma in Performance – String Chamber Music is a stand-alone program which cannot be pursued concurrently with a degree program.
Admission requirements include completing the online application with supporting materials, including pre-screening recordings and an audition. See audition repertoire requirements for String Quartet and application process for more details. Each member of the quartet must submit an application for admission, one member should apply as the representative member and upload prescreening recordings.
Core curriculum:
The Advanced Diploma – String Chamber Music is designed to help an existing string quartet launch their professional career. The program provides regular coachings with members of the Ying Quartet, performance opportunities on and off-campus, and professional development through Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership and Arts Leadership coursework.
The core courses include:
- Chamber Music Coaching (4 units per semester)
- Chamber Music Seminar (1 unit per semester)
- Arts Leadership courses (3 units per semester)
- Performance Diploma Colloquium (1 unit per semester)
- Capstone Project (public performance completed in final semester of study)
The Paul R. Judy Ensemble Incubator Program includes a fellowship that supports a graduate string quartet in residence at the Eastman School of Music. The program includes free tuition and a generous stipend; additional funding support from the James E. Clark Chamber Music Scholarship fund.