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College of Fine Arts & Communication
School of Music

Becoming a Graduate Music Major


2025 Audition Dates

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Saturday, March 22, 2025

An audition is required for consideration of acceptance into all
MM - Performance degrees.

In order to ensure full consideration for Graduate College scholarships, music scholarships, and graduate assistantships, applicants must have all Graduate College documents on-file by January 15 and the audition or portfolio review completed by January 28.

 

Applicants who submit their materials and/or complete their audition or portfolio review after January 28 will receive consideration as School of Music funding is available.

Preparing your Graduate College and School of Music Applications

Step 1 - Apply to the Graduate College

All applicants must apply to the Graduate College prior to beginning the School of Music application. The application to the Graduate College involves:

Step 2 - Apply to the School of Music and Submit an Audition Request or Portfolio

Submit the School of Music application and Audition Request or Portfolio through Acceptd. Please open the tab for the selected concentration to see all required materials. Click the button below when ready to submit.

Audition Dates and application submission deadlines:

  • November 23 audition date applications are due November 4
  • January 25 audition date applications are due January 6
  • February 22 audition date applications are due February 3
  • March 22 audition date applications are due March 3

 

Live auditions are preferred; however, if auditioning live is not possible due to geographic distance from campus and drastic time zone differences (out-of-state/international), you may select and submit Media Only as your audition date. This selection requires you to attach a recorded video(s) of the audition materials required by your instrument/voice part (see Audition Requirements) to your Acceptd application.

NOTE: The audition/portfolio requirement will remain incomplete in the Graduate College until the faculty committee has completed their review.

Audition Requirements

Select music based on the Audition Requirements for the primary instrument, voice part, or area indicated in your application.

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online Portfolio through Acceptd. Applicants may apply for our summer only program, or our 2-year program that includes fall and spring semester coursework.

    • Required Uploads
      • A current resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) in either a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.
      • Portfolio documents
        • A video or unlisted YouTube video recording of a 20-minute demonstration of teaching skills in a normal music classroom setting or rehearsal (do not submit a concert performance).
        • A copy of your State music teacher certification or licensure and evidence of two years of successful classroom music teaching (for example, teacher evaluation forms from your administrator, performance evaluations such as UIL. adjudicator forms, or awards).
        • An essay describing your philosophy of teaching.

     

    All interested applicants should contact Dr. John Denis (j_d526@txstate.edu) with questions about studies in music education at Texas State University.

     

    Applications accepted until June 15th as space allows.

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online Portfolio through Acceptd. Applications accepted for students to begin in a fall semester only.

    • Required Uploads
      • A current resume in either a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Be sure your resume includes an objective statement, all music honors, awards, and/or productions you have participated in, academic awards, organizations (e.g. Pi Kappa Lambda), and any work/volunteer experience. 
      • Portfolio documents
        • Two to three scores of original music as PDF’s or Sibelius files (Media tab) with recordings (if available).
        • One additional work without a notated score (electronic music, non-notated music, film scores) will be considered as a complement to notated scores. Include a short description of the work as context for faculty members reviewing your portfolio.

     

    We will provide results of your portfolio review as soon as possible. Interviews for approved applicants will be arranged with the area coordinator.

     

    All interested applicants should contact Dr. Michael Ippolito (mli11@txstate.edu) with questions about studies in composition at Texas State University.

     

    Applications accepted until June 15th as space allows.

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online pre-screen video through Acceptd. All conducting programs are 2-year programs that include fall and spring semester coursework. 

    • Required Uploads & Deadlines
      • A current resume in either a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Be sure your resume includes an objective statement, all music honors, awards, and/or productions you have participated in, academic awards, organizations (e.g. Pi Kappa Lambda), and any work/volunteer experience. 
      • Pre-screen documents
        • Choral 
          • Video demonstrating rehearsal techniques and two pieces demonstrating your conducting for the entire piece with the camera focused on you, the conductor.
          • Application Deadline: January 15
        • Instrumental – Band
          • 20 – 30-minute video of yourself conducting an ensemble or various ensembles. The video must be taken from the players point of view (front view of you as the conductor). Ideally, the video will include both rehearsal and performance footage, however, both are not required.
          • Application Deadline: January 14
        • Instrumental – Orchestral
          • 20 – 30-minute video of yourself conducting an orchestra or string ensemble. The video must be taken from the players point of view (front view of conductor). Ideally, the video will include both rehearsal and performance footage, however, both are not required.
          • Application Deadline: TBD

     

    We will provide results of your pre-screening as soon as possible. Live auditions/interviews for approved applicants will be arranged with the area coordinator as follows:

    • Choral = January 31
    • Band = The first two weeks of March
    • Orchestral = TBD

     

    All interested choral applicants should contact Dr. Joey Martin (joey.martin@txstate.edu) with questions about studies in choral conducting at Texas State University.

     

    All interested instrumental - band applicants should contact Dr. Caroline Beatty (cb57@txstate.edu) with questions about studies in band conducting at Texas State University.

     

    All interested instrumental - orchestral applicants should contact Dr. Jacob Harrison (jgh111@txstate.edu) with questions about studies in orchestral conducting at Texas State University.

     

    Applications accepted until June 15th as space allows.

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online Portfolio through Acceptd. 

    • Required Uploads
      • Portfolio document(s)
        • Up to two samples of your best writing, at least one of which should be of scholarly nature (i.e. demonstrate your ability to engage with scholarly literature) 

    Applications for the musicology concentration will be accepted until the last day of April (for Fall enrollment) or November (for spring enrollment).  In order to ensure full consideration for the best financial package, applicants should have all Graduate College documents on-file by January 15 and their School of Music portfolio for Acceptd completed by January 28. 

    Once the applicant’s Graduate School requirements and School of Music portfolio for Acceptd are complete, the musicology faculty will contact the applicant to arrange an interview, which might take place in-person or online. 

    Interested applicants may contact Dr. Kevin Mooney (km30@txstate.edu) for pre-application questions about studies in musicology at Texas State University.  

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online Portfolio through Acceptd. 

    • Required Uploads
      • Portfolio documents
        • A research paper or sample of scholarly writing in Microsoft Word or PDF.
        • A composition or pastiche writing (optional).

     

    All interested applicants should contact Dr. Cynthia Gonzales (cg34@txstate.edu) or Dr. Nico Schüler (ns13@txstate.edu) with questions about studies in music theory at Texas State University.

     

    Applications accepted until July 15th as space allows.

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online Audition request through Acceptd. Live auditions are preferred; however, if auditioning in person is not possible due to geographic distance from campus (out-of-state/international), select Media Only as your audition date. Then, attach a recorded video(s) audition of the materials required by your instrument (see link below) to your Audition application – media tab. Applications are for students to begin applied studies in a fall or spring semester only.

    Audition Dates and application submission deadlines:

    • November 23 audition date applications are due November 4
    • January 25 audition date applications are due January 6
    • February 22 audition date applications are due February 3
    • March 22 audition date applications are due March 3

     

    Required Uploads

    • A current resume in either a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Be sure your resume includes an objective statement, all music honors, awards, and/or productions you have participated in, academic awards, organizations (e.g. Pi Kappa Lambda), and any work/volunteer experience. 

     

    Select your music based on the Audition Requirements for your instrument indicated in your application. If you have any questions about the jazz program at Texas State, contact Dr. Utah Hamrick (ulh1@txstate.edu).

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online Audition request through Acceptd. Live auditions are preferred; however, if auditioning in person is not possible due to geographic distance from campus (out-of-state/international), select Media Only as your audition date. Then, attach a recorded video(s) audition of the materials required by your instrument/voice part (see below) to your Audition application – media tab. Applications are for students to begin applied study in a fall or spring semester only.

     

    Audition Dates and application submission deadlines:

    • November 23 audition date applications are due November 4
    • January 25 audition date applications are due January 6
    • February 22 audition date applications are due February 3
    • March 22 audition date applications are due March 3

     

    Required Uploads

    • A current resume in either a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Be sure your resume includes an objective statement, all music honors, awards, and/or productions you have participated in, academic awards, organizations (e.g. Pi Kappa Lambda), and any work/volunteer experience. 

     

    Select your music based on the Audition Requirements for your instrument/voice part indicated in your application. If you have any questions about the Latin Music Studies program at Texas State, contact Professor Cirilo Campos (cc1460@txstate.edu).

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online Audition request through Acceptd. Live auditions are preferred; however, if auditioning in person is not possible due to geographic distance from campus (out-of-state/international), select Media Only as your audition date. Then, attach a recorded video(s) audition of the materials required by your instrument/voice part (seebelow) to your Audition application – media tab. Applications are for students to begin applied study in a fall or spring semester only.

     

    Audition Dates and application submission deadlines:

    • November 23 audition date applications are due November 4
    • January 25 audition date applications are due January 6
    • February 22 audition date applications are due February 3
    • March 22 audition date applications are due March 3

     

    Required Uploads

    • A current resume in either a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Be sure your resume includes an objective statement, all music honors, awards, and/or productions you have participated in, academic awards, organizations (e.g. Pi Kappa Lambda), and any work/volunteer experience. 

     

    Select your music based on the Audition Requirements for your instrument/voice part indicated in your application. If you have any questions about the Latin Music Studies program at Texas State University, contact Professor Cirilo Campos (cc1460@txstate.edu).

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online Audition request through Acceptd. Live auditions are preferred; however, if auditioning in person is not possible due to geographic distance from campus (out-of-state/international), select Media Only as your audition date. Then, attach a recorded video(s) audition of the materials required by your instrument/voice part (see below) to your Audition application on the Media page. Applications are for students to begin in a fall or spring semester only.

     

    Audition Dates and application submission deadlines:

    • November 23 audition date applications are due November 4
    • January 25 audition date applications are due January 6
    • February 22 audition date applications are due February 3
    • March 22 audition date applications are due March 3

     

    Required Uploads

    • A current resume in either a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Be sure your resume includes an objective statement, all music honors, awards, and/or productions you have participated in, academic awards, organizations (e.g. Pi Kappa Lambda), and any work/volunteer experience. 
    • Vocalists: A pre-screen video(s) (uploaded to the Media page on Acceptd). Pre-screen video requirements can be found on the Audition Requirements link (see step 3). Pre-screening results will be communicated via Acceptd as soon as possible. Approved applicants will be invited to audition live on the date selected.

     

    Select your music based on the Audition Requirements for your instrument/voice part indicated in your application. Direct all questions about the audition requirements or the degree plan to the faculty member notated under the audition requirements specific to your instrument or voice part.

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online Audition Request through Acceptd. Live auditions are preferred; however, if auditioning in person is not possible due to geographic distance from campus (out-of-state/international), select Media Only as your audition date. Then, attach a recorded video(s) audition of the materials required by your voice part (see below) to your Audition application on the Media page. Applications are for students to begin in a fall or spring semester only.

     

    Audition Dates and application submission deadlines:

    • November 23 audition date applications are due November 4
    • January 25 audition date applications are due January 6
    • February 22 audition date applications are due February 3
    • March 22 audition date applications are due March 3

     

    Required Uploads

    • A current resume in either a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Be sure your resume includes an objective statement, all music honors, awards, and/or productions you have participated in, academic awards, organizations (e.g. Pi Kappa Lambda), and any work/volunteer experience. 
    • A pre-screen video(s) (uploaded to the Media page on Acceptd). Pre-screen video requirements can be found on the Audition Requirements link (see step 3).

     

    We will provide results of your pre-screening as soon as possible via Acceptd. Approved applicants will be invited to audition live on the date selected.

     

    Select your music based on the Audition Requirements for your voice part indicated in your application. If you have any questions about the Voice Performance program at Texas State University, contact contact Prof. Daveda Karanas (dkb113@txstate.edu).

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online Audition request through Acceptd. Live auditions are preferred; however, if auditioning in person is not possible due to geographic distance from campus (out-of-state/international), select Media Only as your audition date. Then, attach a recorded video(s) audition of the materials required by your instrument (see below) to your Audition application – media tab. Applications are for students to begin in a fall or spring semester only.

     

    Audition Dates and application submission deadlines:

    • November 23 audition date applications are due November 4
    • January 25 audition date applications are due January 6
    • February 22 audition date applications are due February 3
    • March 22 audition date applications are due March 3

     

    Required Uploads

    • A current resume in either a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Be sure your resume includes an objective statement, all music honors, awards, and/or productions you have participated in, academic awards, organizations (e.g. Pi Kappa Lambda), and any work/volunteer experience. 

     

    Select your music based on the Audition Requirements for the instrument indicated in your application. Faculty contact information for questions or clarification are located on the Audition Requirements page.

Expand FAQ List

  • Submit your online Audition request through Acceptd. Live auditions are preferred; however, if auditioning in person is not possible due to geographic distance from campus (out-of-state/international), select Media Only as your audition date. Then, attach a recorded video(s) audition of the materials required by your instrument (see below) to your Audition application – media tab. Applications are for students to begin in a fall or spring semester only.

     

    Audition Dates and application submission deadlines:

    • November 23 audition date applications are due November 4
    • January 25 audition date applications are due January 6
    • February 22 audition date applications are due February 3
    • March 22 audition date applications are due March 3

     

    Required Uploads

    • A current resume in either a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. Be sure your resume includes an objective statement, all music honors, awards, and/or productions you have participated in, academic awards, organizations (e.g. Pi Kappa Lambda), and any work/volunteer experience. 

     

    Select your music based on the Audition Requirements for the instrument indicated in your application. Faculty contact information for questions or clarification is located on the Audition Requirements page.

MM - Music, all Performance concentrations Audition Day Information

  • 8:30am: Check-in Begins
    • If your first activity (audition and/or interview) is in the late morning or afternoon, you do not need to arrive at 8:30am, however, you must arrive at least 15-minutes prior to your first activity (audition and/or interview time).
  • 8:45am: Campus tours begin and will be offered every 30 - 45-minutes throughout the audition day led by one of our School of Music Ambassadors. All tours include a walk through of the Performing Arts Center and Recital Hall. 
    • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
  • 9:00am: Auditions and Graduate Interviews begin
  • 9:30am: Optional parent/guardian question and answer session Option #1 with the School of Music Interim Director and the Recruitment Coordinator.
  • 1:00pm: Optional parent/guardian question and answer session Option #2 with the School of Music Interim Director and the Recruitment Coordinator (Spring audition dates only).
Complete the performance audition and interview for studio/degree plan consideration. Applicants auditioning for Fall acceptance will be considered for School of Music scholarships and assistantships at the same time (no additional application/procedure is required).

What to expect after your Audition

  • Acceptance to the School of Music is contingent upon admission to the Graduate College. NOTE: If you have not submitted all documents to the Graduate College, your audition results will be delayed. After the audition or portfolio review has been completed in the School of Music and Graduate College materials have been submitted, a grade point average (GPA) will be calculated. The School of Music will then make an admission recommendation to the Graduate Dean with whom the final decision rests.
  • After an admission decision has been made, applicants will receive email notification from the Graduate College at the email address provided on your Graduate Application. For additional information regarding your application status, please see the following link on the Graduate College website: http://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/admissions/policy.html#decision. 
    • If accepted, please email Dr. Nico Schüler, nico.schuler@txstate.edu, to confirm attendance plans and arrange an advising session. Students accepted in the program will be cleared to register upon notification.
  • Music scholarship offers will be sent via the Bobcat Online Scholarship System (BOSS) as soon as an offer has been approved. All initial School of Music scholarship offers will be sent to students by the end of March.
    • If you receive a music scholarship offer and wish to accept it, you must do so in BOSS. Music scholarship offers from TXST are not binding until April 15th.
    • If you accept a music scholarship offer from another institution prior to April 15th and want to accept a music scholarship offer from TXST instead, you must notify the original institution prior to April 15th otherwise the TXST offer is void.
  • Initial graduate assistant offers will be sent to you as a PDF attachment via your Acceptd messages as soon as decisions are finalized, but no later than the end of March. The letter will include the details of the assistantship as well as instructions for accepting the offer. 
    • Be sure to turn on your notifications in Acceptd to receive alerts when messages are sent. Your messages are sent to the email that you used to create your Acceptd account which could be different than the email address you used to submit your TXST School of Music application.

Your declaration of intent to attend once accepted as a graduate music major and any acceptance of a scholarship/assistantship are not binding before April 15. After April 15, written approval is required to release you from your signed commitment to Texas State to attend elsewhere.

Associate Director for Graduate Studies

Dr. Nico Schüler

Phone: 512.245.3395

Email: musicgradstudies@txstate.edu

 

Graduate Music Coordinator

Dr. Karla Hamelin

Phone: 512.245.1554

Email: kmh119@txstate.edu