Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MM in Instrumental Conducting, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. 1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited institution.

   1. Exceptions are rare and require the applicant to seek an Exception to Graduate Admission Policy. Please email admissions@music.utah.edu for more information
2. 2. Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all previous collegiate work.

3. 3. International applicants must meet university English proficiency requirements. The School of Music requires higher scores on the TOEFL and IELTS exams.

   1. TOEFL: 85 composite score, with a minimum score of 20 in each category
   2. IELTS: 6.5 band score, with a minimum of 6.0 in each category.

Applying

Complete the following steps to apply to the MM:

1. 1. Submit the online Graduate Admissions application. As part of this application MM applicants need to upload:

   1. Transcripts of course work from all schools attended.
   2. Three letters of recommendation from professors, employers, and/or other professionals qualified to judge the applicants ability to successfully complete doctoral studies.
   3. Statement of Purpose, including future goals.
   4. Comprehensive Repertoire list of works performed (listing date and venue), works rehearsed or read, and works studied and prepared to conduct.
2. 2. Submit a YouTube link of a high-quality conducting video. The video should include a short rehearsal; performance footage is not necessary. At the discretion of the conducting faculty, the candidate may be asked to perform a live audition. The YouTube link should be sent to admissions@music.utah.edu.
3. 3. Have an interview with the conducting faculty.

Note: Applicants audition and application will be reviewed by a committee of faculty members within the conducting area.

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Required Courses

Academic Courses

A total of 11 hours is required

Bibliography

Choose a total of 9 hours from Musicology and Music Theory courses: 

Musicology

Choose one or two courses from the following.

Music Theory

Choose one or two courses from the following:

Area of Specialization

Electives 

Complete 2 hours

 

Recital

Students must fill out the proper recital forms and register for each recital prior to the semester of the scheduled recital. Recitals must be previewed and approved by the Supervisory Committee no later than two weeks prior to the date of the recital. Degree recitals should be held in a School of Music performance venue; exceptions are rare and must be approved through an Exception to Policy.

The Supervisory Committee comprises the Jury for the recitals. Students must be enrolled in private lessons during semesters in which recitals are given. All incomplete grades must be made up prior to the first day of the semester in which the recital is scheduled. Recitals must be held before the last day of classes in the Fall and Spring semesters.

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Graduate Placement Exams

Placement examinations in Music History and Music Theory are taken after the student has been accepted by Graduate Admissions. Preparation materials are available on the School of Music website. Placement examinations must be taken prior to registering for Music History and Music Theory courses.

Results of graduate placement exams determine placement in graduate courses and identify areas in which remedial work may be necessary. Students are encouraged to study diligently for these examinations. Poor performance could result in the student being required to take a considerable number of remedial courses. Students recommended for remedial courses must earn a B- or better in recommended courses before advancing to a higher-level course.

Music History

The graduate Music History diagnostic examination covers the breadth of Western art music from the medieval period to the present through a variety of questions evaluating the students knowledge of important composers, works, terms, and concepts.

Music Theory

The graduate Music Theory placement examination assesses the students competence in harmony, voice leading, counterpoint, form, and instrumentation.

Appointment of Supervisory Committee

Members of the Supervisory Committee consult with the student in planning their degree program, research, and thesis; they also administer the thesis defense. It is the responsibility of the student to approach faculty to request that they serve on the Supervisory Committee. Students should submit the Request for Supervisory Committee form to the Academic Coordinator. The Graduate Studies Committee votes on and approves Supervisory Committees.

The thesis supervisor serves as the Chair of the Supervisory Committee. MM Supervisory Committees consist of three faculty members, the majority of whom must be tenure-line faculty in the School of Music. The Supervisor Committee must be chosen during the first year of study.

Degree Completion

In preparation for the final MM recital, the candidate will submit a formal, research-based presentation of the recital repertoire in written (program notes) or oral (concert lecture) form. The detailed program notes/lecture outline should be submitted to the committee no less than two weeks prior to the recital preview. Candidates should consider including most or all of the following:

1. a description of the rationale behind the programming of repertoire for both required MM performances (repertoire building/expansion, particular research interests, etc.).
2. a discussion of the importance of each work in a broader music historical context.
3. brief biographical information of each composer and the significance of the works in their total body of works.
4. a discussion/description of key moments, where in-depth theoretical analysis of a work informed/changed or enhanced the performance.
5. a description/discussion on how the combination of course-work (all) and performances required (solo, chamber music, orchestra) in the degree has influenced, informed and broadened the candidate's view on performance and teaching.

Length and format to be agreed upon by candidate in consultation with the candidate’s supervisory committee.