School of Music

Music (MM)

Telephone: (302) 831-2577
https://www.music.udel.edu/prospective-students/graduate-degrees
Faculty Listing: https://www.music.udel.edu/who-we-are/faculty-and-staff

Program Overview

In the School of Music, performers, educators, scholars, and creators of music collaborate to achieve the highest levels of artistry while engaging local, regional, and global communities. We provide opportunities for significant musical growth through ensembles, private study, and academic music courses, while offering cultural enrichment to the broader community. In addition, we support and collaborate with music educators and other professional musicians. To learn more about the mission of the School of Music, please visit: https://www.music.udel.edu/who-we-are/mission.

The School of Music offers Master’s degree programs for students seeking advanced study in music. Through study with our distinguished faculty, graduate students acquire the necessary skills for success in their chosen career path. Graduate students may choose from among four degree concentrations: Performance (with specialization in voice or instrument); Teaching (with specialization in PK-12 music education); Composition; or Conducting.

The rich resources within the School of Music and throughout the University of Delaware enhance our students’ educational experiences. Students have access to internationally recognized guest artists and pedagogues, support and guidance for exploring their own projects, touring opportunities with our renowned ensembles, and a variety of programs for performance and study both domestically and abroad.

Our graduates excel in the highly competitive field of music and have been successful in attaining important positions within their respective areas. Alumni who choose to further their graduate study have found considerable success in the most prestigious doctoral programs in the country.

The School of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Requirements for Admission for the Master’s Degree

Admission is selective and competitive based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. The prospective student is expected to have an undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. The applicant must also submit a transcript of all previous academic work to the Graduate College, revealing an acceptable grade-point average (3.0 on a 4-point scale or its equivalent). The School of Music does not require GRE scores for admission. International students are required to submit TOEFL scores with their materials. The minimum combined TOEFL score required for admission is a 79. The IELTS is not accepted.

As part of their application, all applicants must include a statement of their professional goals addressing the student’s professional experience and interests, as well as three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must come from an academic faculty member.

Students applying for admission for a Master of Music must pass an audition, as well as interviews with appropriate faculty and the Director of Graduate Studies. Those unable to visit campus due to geographic constraints or extenuating circumstances may submit a performance video via online link or schedule a virtual audition, in lieu of a live audition, at the discretion of the School of Music. Video-conference interviews are required for applicants unable to visit in person. Some concentrations require pre-screening materials; details can be found on the School of Music website. Students are highly encouraged to notify the professor in their major area prior to submitting their application.

All admitted students are required to take Music History and Music Theory entrance exams. Students who do not pass these exams will be required to demonstrate competency by either completing a review course or review work as determined by the area’s faculty. In addition, students matriculating into the Conducting concentration with Choral specialization and the Performance Voice concentration must pass an exam testing knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and competency in pronunciation of English, Italian, German, and French. Students who do not pass this exam will be required to complete a Graduate Diction Review course.

Assistantships and Scholarships

Graduate assistantships, and teaching assistantships, tuition scholarships, and fellowships are available to a select number of full-time students. In order to be considered for funding during the audition and interview period, applicants must complete their application by January 15. Additionally, a minimum combined TOEFL score of 100 is required for international students to be eligible for consideration for assistantship funding.Please refer to Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships for additional information.

Programs

Master’s

Certificate

Performing Artist Certificate