| AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS |
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Rackham Graduate: Piano, Requirements and Dates
Three programs of study leading to the degree Doctor of Musical Arts are available in Piano:
- Program I: Piano Performance
- Program II: Collaborative Piano
- Program III: Piano Pedagogy & Performance
Required Materials
To apply for admission, submit your official application, transcripts, recommendations, and other materials as instructed below. Indicate on your application form whether you wish to apply for Program I, Program II, or Program III. The deadline for applications is December 1 for the fall term and September 15 for the winter term. Programs II and III do not admit for the winter term.
International applicants whose language is not English must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 100 or higher on the Internet based test (250 on the computer based test or 600 on the paper test) or the Michigan English Language Battery (MELAB) score of 83 or higher before the audition may be scheduled.
Program I (Piano Performance)
Pre-screening Requirement
Applicants to the doctoral program in Piano Performance are required to submit a DVD, CD, or VHS tape for preliminary review before a live audition may be scheduled. Accompanying the DVD/CD/VHS tape should be the “Request for Audition/Interview” form and a comprehensive list of your repertoire, including chamber music studied.
All materials should reach the office of Associate Dean Steven Whiting by December 1. Your audition cannot be scheduled until your pre-screening materials have been received and approved.
Program II (Collaborative Piano)
Prerequisites
- Master's degree in piano performance or in accompanying and chamber music, or its equivalent
- Demonstrated ability to pronounce and an elementary ability to translate into English two languages selected from French, German, and Italian
- A repertoire including approximately one-third of the repertoire required for the degree (see repertoire requirements)
- Sufficient experience as a performer to suggest that he or she will be able to fulfill the degree requirements
Pre-screening Requirement
Submit the "Request for Audition/Interview" form and a comprehensive list of your repertoire, including solo and chamber music to Associate Dean Steven Whiting. In addition, please propose an audition program (see requirements below). Your repertoire list and your proposed program are required to be received by December 1st. An audition will not be scheduled until these have been received, reviewed and approved.
Program III (Piano Pedagogy & Performance)
Pre-screening Requirement
Applicants to the doctoral program in Piano Pedagogy & Performance are required to submit a DVD, CD, or VHS tape for preliminary review before a live audition may be scheduled. Accompanying the DVD/CD/VHS tape should be the “Request for Audition/Interview” form and a comprehensive list of your repertoire, including chamber music studied.
Additionally, applicants are required to submit a video recording of sample teaching. The video should be at least 30 minutes in length and should include both private and group teaching, if possible.
All materials should reach the office of Associate Dean Steven Whiting by December 1. Your audition cannot be scheduled until your pre-screening materials have been received and approved.
ALL APPLICANTS Be certain to include the following information on the "Request for Audition" form (attach additional pages, if necessary):
- A summary of your previous piano study, including degrees received or expected at the time of your proposed initial enrollment
- The term or date of your proposed initial intended enrollment
- A complete list of the works you propose to play for the audition
Admission to the doctoral program does not guarantee that the student will ultimately complete the course requirements, become a candidate, or receive the degree. Admission implies only that the applicant has the requisite background and should be given the opportunity to demonstrate his or her ability.
Audition/Interview
Program I: Piano Performance
For admission to the D.M.A. program, prepare the following complete works from memory:
- A major baroque composition
- A major Classical composition (e.g., a sonata by Mozart, Beethoven, etc.)
- A major Romantic piece (for example, Chopin, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt)
- A selection of the applicant's choice
Your audition will also include a brief assesment of collaborative performance.
Program II: Collaborative Piano
For admission to the D.M.A. program, prepare a sixty-minute program, including at least twenty minutes of vocal repertoire and twenty minutes of instrumental repertoire. At least three contrasting styles of music should be included. Solo piano literature may be included. Sight reading will be required.
If possible, bring the necessary soloists and ensemble performers with you to your audition. If this is not possible, the School will attempt to provide performers to assist you if you so request on your "Request for Audition/Interview" form. If you wish the School to supply performers, please indicate on the form specifically those works for which performers are required.
Program III: Piano Pedagogy & Performance
For admission to the D.M.A. program, prepare the following complete works from memory:
- A major Baroque composition
- A major Classical composition (e.g., a sonata by Mozart, Beethoven, etc.)
- A major Romantic piece (for example, Chopin, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt)
- A selection of the applicant's choice
Note that an audition for Pedagogy & Performance (Program III) may require two days. If so, you will be advised when the audition is scheduled. The process will include a teaching demonstration, an interview, and a solo performance audition.
Teacher Request and Contact Policies, and Admissions/Scholarship Decisions
At the audition for Programs I and III, you will be asked to fill out a Teacher Request Form, which will indicate to the piano department which teacher(s) you are interested in studying with if you are admitted to the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. This is an important form, but it is not given to the piano faculty until after your audition, to avoid preferential adjudication. It has no bearing at all on your acceptance to the School, and is used only for contact and administrative purposes after your audition.
Before auditioning, the Piano Department encourages each prospective student to feel free to contact anyone on the faculty for answers to questions about auditions, study at Michigan, or anything else that may be related to your interest in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. After your audition, primary contact from the Piano Department will be with the teacher listed as first choice on your form, unless that teacher has given permission for second or third choices to contact you. This is simply for clarity and efficiency of communication. You may continue to initiate contact with any member of the faculty you wish, and may change your first choice designation after your audition, but the department will ask you to be very clear about your preferences so we can determine studio assignments as soon as possible, according to which professor has space for which students in the coming year.
Admission to the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is based upon evaluation of your application as a whole, and also your audition evaluations. Admissions decisions are made by the Office of Admissions and Student Services and are generally decided within five to seven weeks after your audition. All auditionees are considered for merit scholarships (provided they audition before the final date of consideration; please see Scholarships/Financial Aid for updated information), with decisions being made and sent to applicants by early April. Admitted students may receive several letters from different offices at the University of Michigan concerning scholarships and need-based grants and loans; be sure to be in contact with the School of Music, Theatre and Dance Admissions Office concerning your total award package.
Audition Schedule and Application Deadline Dates
Audition Date |
Application Deadline |
Notes |
01/16/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
program I only |
01/30/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
programs I & III |
02/06/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
programs I & II |
02/13/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
program I only |
02/19/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
programs I & III |
02/20/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
programs I, II & III |
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