Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MM in Vocal Performance, 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.
2. 2. Complete a solo audition, by recording or in person. A live audition is preferred for all areas of study. If a live audition is not possible, submit a YouTube link to a high-quality video. The YouTube link should be sent to admissions@music.utah.edu. Applicants can find audition requirements on the School of Music website.
3. 3. Have an interview with the voice faculty. 

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

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Required Courses

Academic Courses

A total of 11 hours is required

Bibliography

Musicology

Choose two courses from the following.

Music Theory

Choose one course from the following:

Area of Specialization

Elective

Choose one course from the following areas of study:

Recitals

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.

Before beginning the preparation for a graduate recital, the repertoire must be approved by the student’s Supervisory Committee. Repertoire performed at the audition cannot be performed again at recitals. The recitals will be 60 minutes in length demonstrating a high level of proficiency.

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.

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.

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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.

Language Requirement

"Standard proficiency" in French, German, or Italian must be demonstrated. Standard proficiency assumes a reading comprehension level expected of a student who has completed one year of college foreign language instruction or the equivalent. Students may verify standard proficiency in one of the following ways:

1. Complete a second semester language course (1020), or the equivalent at another institution, with at least a “B” grade (3.0).
   
2. Pass the MLA (Modern Language Assessment) in the Testing Center with a score indicating standard proficiency.

Qualifying Examinations

Written qualifying examinations are required of each DMA student. An examination, or parts of an examination, may be repeated only once and only at the discretion of the Supervisory Committee. The qualifying exam must be passed before a student can register for the Dissertation Essay.

Prior to taking the qualifying examination the student must have completed all course work in the subject area of the exam (including required recitals, with the exception of the lecture recital) and no incompletes may be outstanding. The student must be enrolled in at least one credit hour during the semester of the examination. Summer administration of the examinations is allowed if approved through an Exception to Policy.

DMA qualifying examinations will be given in the major area and the Related Field. The major area examination is compiled by the Committee Chair with questions submitted from other members of the Supervisory Committee; the topics are taken from the students course work and major specific materials that a DMA candidate should know. Related Field questions are prepared by the Related Field faculty representative on the committee (other faculty in the Related Field may be consulted as well).

Appointment of Supervisory Committee

Members of the Supervisory Committee consult with the student in planning their degree program, research, and recitals. 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 student's major performance teacher (if tenure-line) serves as the Chair of the Supervisory Committee. If the performance teacher is not tenure-line, they will serve as the “Director of Recitals.” MM Supervisory Committees consist of three faculty members, the majority of whom must be tenure-line faculty in the School of Music. The Supervisory Committee is customarily chosen during the first year of study but must be chosen before the student performs any recitals.