This degree requires the following proficiencies.
Prof. Lorne Richstone (Emeritus)
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.
Submit the online application as described below. Following admission to the graduate school, supply the additional prescreening recording described below by December 1.
Per Graduate College policy 8.2.1.1, "The student must be in residence at OU for at least two consecutive 16-week semesters during the pursuit of the doctoral degree while enrolled and engaged in coursework or research activities as prescribed by the major academic unit."
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.
All applicants must complete the online application to the OU graduate college (see the Graduate Admissions page). The following items should be submitted along with the online application.
The members of the voice faculty will review all application and prescreening materials and invite applicants to a live audition based on the strength of the preliminary recordings and submitted materials.
Any applicant who passes pre-screening should register for a graduate audition day. See the Benton-Schmidt information at the bottom of this page for more information.
These items must be submitted to the online graduate application system.
This degree requires you to submit a sample of your scholarly writing.
A pre-screening video recording is required (also due by December 1). The video should include a mixture of arias and arts songs, similar to what might be presented in a Master's recital. The video should contain a performance of at least 30 minutes of solo vocal repertoire in at least the 4 major languages: English, Italian, German, and French. Your pre-screening can include more if you desire, but must include the 4 major languages.
Upon successful prescreening, applicants will be contacted by a member of the voice faculty. Any voice applicant who has passed prescreening should register for a graduate voice audition (see the section below for more details).
Applicants hoping to enter graduate voice programs are strongly encouraged to audition on the formal graduate audition days. These audition days will serve as your audition for the School of Music and the DMA program, as well as consideration for Benton-Schmidt scholarships. Full acceptance is pending upon review and acceptance from the School of Music Graduate Studies Committee, with a thorough review of the writing sample. Any prize money awarded from the Benton Schmidt Scholarships is pending full admittance into the School of Music and Graduate College.
The Benton-Schmidt scholarships are cash scholarships awarded to outstanding incoming graduate students. Awards are given based on excellence in vocal performance and versatility as revealed through the performance audition. Scholarships are for the academic year beginning the following Fall semester. All incoming graduate students will be considered for these scholarships.
Funds for these scholarships were made possible through the bequest of Joseph H. Benton, internationally-acclaimed tenor, long-time teacher and devoted supporter of vocal art, in honor of his much-revered voice teacher at the University of Oklahoma, William George Frederick Schmidt.
View the page linked below for repertoire requirements, dates and deadlines, and the online registration form.
