Music Education

To receive full consideration for admission and graduate assistantships, the application deadline is December 1. The Music Education department will consider applications on a rolling basis for the following semester but cannot guarantee an interview, admission, or graduate assistantship if application is received after the deadline. Applicants for admission in Spring must be received by November 1.

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

Submit the online application (see Graduate Admissions page) along with all application materials below.

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.

Application materials required for this degree

Applicants will also need to submit a detailed description of their teaching and/or other professional experience to the online graduate application.

Submit this to the online application under Supporting Documents.

Depending on the degree concentration, there are additional requirements for application materials or auditions. Click on a degree concentration below for more information:

Choral Conducting

A video recording, with good audio quality, of a recent performance and/or rehearsal. Preferably, the video should contain portions of a performance or performances and portions of a rehearsal or rehearsals that show the general skills of the conductor. (This recording will be evaluated by the Director of Graduate Choral Studies whose assessment will be given to the Music Education faculty to be made a part of your total application.)
- Video files or links to online video recordings may be submitted to the online application under Digital Portfolio > Upload Media.

Instrumental Conducting

A video recording from the point of view of the ensemble, with good audio quality, of a recent band or orchestral performance, classroom instruction, and/or ensemble rehearsal that demonstrates both teaching effectiveness and conducting skills. (This recording will be evaluated by the Director of Bands and/or the Director of Orchestral Studies, as appropriate, whose assessment will be given to the Music Education faculty to be made a part of your total application.)
- Video files or links to online video recordings may be submitted to the online application under Digital Portfolio > Upload Media.

Instrumental (Primary)

A recent recording (audio or video) of a band, orchestral, or choral performance, classroom instruction, or ensemble rehearsal that demonstrates teaching effectiveness. A video recording is preferred for teaching demonstrations.
- Audio or video files or links to online recordings may be submitted to the online application under Digital Portfolio > Upload Media.
An audition for the appropriate applied faculty that demonstrates your level of proficiency on your primary instrument. Length and scope of this audition varies depending on the particular area/instrument. When you submit your online application materials, you will be given instructions on whom to contact to arrange this audition. This audition will be evaluated by the appropriate applied music instructor whose assessment will be given to the Music Education faculty to be made a part of your total application.

Instrumental (Secondary)

A recent video recording of a band, orchestral, or choral performance, classroom instruction, or ensemble rehearsal that demonstrates teaching effectiveness.
- Video files or links to online video recordings may be submitted to the online application under Digital Portfolio > Upload Media.

Kodály Concept

A recent video recording of a band, orchestral, or choral performance, classroom instruction, or ensemble rehearsal that demonstrates teaching effectiveness.
- Video files or links to online video recordings may be submitted to the online application under Digital Portfolio > Upload Media.

Pedagogy and Practice

A recent video recording of a band, orchestral, or choral performance, classroom instruction, or ensemble rehearsal that demonstrates teaching effectiveness.
- Video files or links to online recordings may be submitted to the online application under Digital Portfolio > Upload Media.

Vocal/General

A recent recording (audio or video) of a band, orchestral, or choral performance, classroom instruction, or ensemble rehearsal that demonstrates teaching effectiveness. A video recording is preferred for teaching demonstrations.
- Audio or video files or links to online recordings may be submitted to the online application under Digital Portfolio > Upload Media.
A 30-minute, live, accompanied audition before the applied voice faculty that demonstrates your level of proficiency as a singer. When you submit your on-line application materials, you will be given instructions on whom to contact to arrange this audition. This audition will be evaluated by the voice faculty whose assessment will be given to the Music Education faculty to be made a part of your total application.