Strings

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.

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.

Procedure for Applying

Applicants should submit the online application (see the Graduate Admissions page), along with all required materials described below.

Following submission of the online application, the applicant should contact the appropriate member of the string faculty (listed above) to schedule an audition. More information about the audition can be found at the bottom of this page.

Application materials required for all graduate degrees

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

Resume
- Submitted to the online application under the Resume tab.
Statement of Purpose
- Submitted to the online application under the Statement of Purpose tab
- Please compose a brief personal statement (approximately 2–3 pages of double-spaced, 12-point font text with 1-inch margins) regarding your desire to pursue a graduate degree in music. Include responses to the following prompts:
  1. How would you describe your professional path to this point?
  2. Why do you want to pursue this degree at OU?
  3. How do you want to grow musically, artistically, pedagogically, and/or intellectually during your graduate studies?
  4. What skills, expertise, and experiences do you bring to graduate study at OU?
  5. Describe your post-degree plans (i.e., How will you apply your newly acquired academic knowledge and expertise?).
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.

Audition

Following submission of the online application, the applicant should contact the appropriate member of the string faculty to schedule an on-campus audition. Although live, on-campus auditions are preferred, video recordings are acceptable. Video files or links to online video recordings may be submitted to the online application under Digital Portfolio > Upload Media.

With the approval of the applied teacher, a current undergraduate music or music education student at OU who plans to apply to the MM program within twelve months of his/her planned graduation from the undergraduate program may use his/her senior degree recital as the MM audition. The recital must meet MM audition requirements. In order for a faculty committee to be organized to attend the recital to evaluate it for MM application purposes, the student must inform all members of the string faculty at least one week before the recital.

Audition Requirements

Violin

Applicants should prepare not less than thirty and not more than forty minutes of music.
The audition program must consist of at least three different works. (An individual movement from a standard concerto or sonata counts as a work.)
A variety of contrasting periods and styles, chosen to demonstrate the applicant’s highest level of musicianship must be presented
At least one work must be performed from memory.

Viola

Applicants should prepare a minimum of thirty minutes of music.
The audition program must include at least three different works, one of which must consist of a movement (or several movements) from a major standard concerto or sonata.
A variety of contrasting periods and styles, chosen to demonstrate the applicant’s highest level of musicianship must be presented o At least one work must be performed from memory.

Cello

First movement of a concerto form the standard repertoire (memorized)
Two contrasting movements from a Bach Solo Cello Suite (memorized)
An etude by Popper or Piatti
A work of the applicant’s choice (showpiece, modern composition, etc.)

Double Bass

First movement of a concerto from the standard repertoire
Two contrasting movements from a Bach Solo Cello Suite
Two or three contrasting orchestral excerpts
A work of the applicant’s choice (showpiece, modern composition, etc.)

Harp

Applicant’s choice of one movement from a standard concerto
Two contrasting solo pieces
Two contrasting standard orchestral excerpts
A piece of the applicant’s choice - showpiece or modern composition.

Guitar

The audition should include works of contrasting style periods, chosen to demonstrate musicianship and technical proficiency.