Skip Navigation

Woodwinds

Skip Side Navigation

Master of Music in Woodwinds

Major code: M735

Prof. Rod Ackmann
  • Bassoon, Area Chair
Dr. Jonathan Nichol
  • Director, Saxophone
Alexis Seah
  • Interim Saxophone Instructor, Coordinator of Graduate Auditions
Dr. Suzanne Tirk
  • Clarinet
Dr. Valerie Watts
  • Flute
Prof. Shawn Welk
  • Oboe

Spacer

Spacer

This degree requires the following profiencies. View the PDFs linked below for more details.

Application Deadline

To receive full consideration for admission and graduate assistantships, the application deadline is December 1. The School of Music cannot guarantee an audition, interview, admission, or graduate assistantship if application is received after the deadline.

Spacer

Assistantships

There is no separate application for assistantship. Unless the applicant indicates otherwise, we assume that all applicants are interested in being considered for assistantships. Please note that assistantships are usually awarded for the Fall and Spring semesters together. We very seldom have assistantships available for anyone entering in a Spring semester. We do not award assistantships for Summer sessions.

Spacer

Procedure for Applying

Submit the online application (see the Graduate Admissions page), along with all required materials listed below. Note that applicants to graduate woodwind programs do not have to provide the following item that is requested on the online application:

List of specific coursework or pre-requisite coursework that is applicable to this graduate program and has prepared you for graduate study.

After submitting the online application, applicants should contact Alexis Seah, coordinator of graduate woodwind auditions, at alexis.seah@ou.edu to arrange an audition. More details about the audition can be found at the bottom of this page.

Spacer

Application materials required for all graduate degrees

These items must be submitted to the online graduate application system.

  • Resume
  • Personal Statement
    • Submitted to the online application under the Statement of Purpose tab
    • What aspects of the program attract you to OU? Additionally, please answer one of the following prompts:
      • Why do you want to pursue this degree?
      • How would you describe your professional path to this point and your aspirations going forward?
      • What skills, expertise and experience do you bring to the degree, and how will you use your degree, post-graduation?
      • What is important to you musically, artistically, pedagogically, and intellectually?
  • Three letters of reference
    • Submitted to the online application under Recommendations tab
    • Your three reference letters should include:
      • At least one letter from: your studio professor, ensemble conductor, chamber coach, etc., or a person who has considerable knowledge about your abilities as a performer or composer.
      • At least one letter from: a person who can speak to your abilities as a scholar of music.

Spacer

Audition Dates

After submitting the online application, you will need to arrange an audition with woodwind faculty. For graduate woodwind applicants, most auditions will take place on the following dates. To schedule your audition, contact Alexis Seah at alexis.seah@ou.edu.

Spacer

Graduate Woodwind Audition Dates
January 27, 2024
February 3, 2024
February 24, 2024 (all except oboe)
March 2, 2024

Spacer

Audition Details

After submitting the online application, you will need to arrange an audition with woodwind faculty. To arrange an audition, contact the coordinator of graduate woodwind auditions Dr. Jonathan Nichol at jonathan.nichol@ou.edu.

MM applicants are strongly urged to perform a live audition. With the consent of the appropriate applied professor, applicants may submit video or audio recordings in the event of a conflict. The audition requirements for live and recorded auditions remain the same. Video recordings are preferable to audio only. Recordings should be unedited and 20 minutes in duration. Audio or video files or links to online recordings may be submitted to the online application under Digital Portfolio > Upload Media.

Applicants submitting recorded auditions should be aware that if the faculty believes the recording is not an accurate representation of the applicant’s abilities, the applicant may be required to perform a live audition to remain in consideration for admission.

Audition Requirements

  • Applicants to the MM in any woodwind instrument should prepare approximately 20 minutes of music.
  • The repertoire should consist of music appropriate for graduate level study and may include orchestral excerpts and/or jazz.
  • The audition should represent a reasonable breadth of styles/periods and, if appropriate, use of different instruments.
  • The audition does not require accompaniment or memorization but will include an interview with members of the woodwind faculty.

The Woodwind area will offer both in-person and virtual MM auditions, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In-person auditions are highly recommended for acceptance into the program and for graduate assistant consideration. Applicants who wish to audition in-person but cannot attend any of the official audition dates must arrange a separate audition time directly with the applied professor.

Virtual auditions may take place at the discretion of the respective applied faculty member. If a virtual audition is desired, applicants can make this request via email to the appropriate applied professor.

Virtual Audition Guidelines

  • Applicants who wish to audition remotely must submit their recordings two weeks before their chosen audition date.
  • Applicants who have opted for a virtual audition and are unable to attend a Zoom interview on any of the official audition dates must request a separate interview date directly with the applied professor.
  • Applicants must submit a video recording. Audio files are not acceptable.
  • Accepted file formats include (a) a YouTube unlisted playlist, or (b) a Google Drive/Dropbox link.
    • Each repertoire selection should be recorded in a separate video file with a clear label indicating the title of the piece, movements, or excerpts. Pieces with multiple movements should be provided in one video.
    • Videos must have been recorded within the past twelve months.
  • Video recording files must be submitted to Alexis Seah (alexis.seah@ou.edu). The recorded audition materials will be evaluated by the University of Oklahoma woodwind faculty.

Audition Requirements

  • Applicants to the MM in any woodwind instrument should prepare approximately 20 minutes of music.
  • Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the appropriate faculty in advance, to discuss their proposed audition repertoire.
  • The repertoire should consist of music appropriate for graduate level study and may include orchestral excerpts and/or jazz.
  • The audition should represent a reasonable breadth of styles/periods and, if appropriate, use of different instruments.
  • The audition does not require accompaniment or memorization.
  • The audition will include an interview with members of the woodwind faculty.