Audition Information - MSU College of Music - Michigan State University

Composition Portfolio Information

Composition (MM)

The priority deadline to complete the application process is December 1. Complete files will be reviewed in January. First round decisions will be mailed beginning in February. Applications completed after January 15 will be considered on a rolling basis until the program is filled.

Michigan State University Application

Complete the online application to Michigan State University. There is a nonrefundable application fee. Apply early if you want to be considered for financial aid, a graduate assistantship, or a fellowship. 

College of Music Supplemental Application

Submit the online College of Music Supplemental Application. There is a $60 nonrefundable application fee.  Deadline is Dec 1.

Composition Portfolio

Applicants must submit three or more compositions representative of their work. Deadline is Dec 1.

Transcripts

Submit one official transcript from every college or university attended. Transcripts are considered official when mailed by the institution directly to the College of Music at the address below. Deadline is Dec 1.

College of Music - Office of Admissions
Michigan State University
253 Music Building
East Lansing, MI 48824

Electronic transcripts: MSU accepts e-transcripts only from U.S. schools if sent directly to us by the school.  Please send to admissions@music.msu.edu.

Curriculum Vitae

To be considered for a fellowship or teaching assistantship, please provide a curriculum vitae that includes all relevant education and professional experience including:

• Group teaching experience (where, when, how long, what classes, how many, etc.)
• Private teaching experiences (where, when, how long, ages of students)
• Previous experience as a graduate assistant

Deadline is Dec 1.

Personal Statement

In your personal statement please describe your educational and musical background, goals and objectives, and future career plans. Please feel free to include any information that you feel would be helpful to the College of Music in making our admission decision. Limit your statement to 300-500 words.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT ONLINE SUBMISSIONS: The College of Music prefers to receive personal statements online. Although the MSU Graduate Application also accepts personal and academic statements online, please do not use that application to submit your personal statement. Please use only the College of Music application to submit your personal statement. Deadline is Dec 1.

Letters of Recommendation

Request letters of recommendation from three individuals familiar with your musical abilities.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT ONLINE SUBMISSIONS: The College of Music prefers to receive letters of recommendation online. Although the MSU Graduate Application also accepts letters of recommendation online, please do not use that application for your letters of recommendation. Please use only the College of Music application to submit your letters. Deadline is Dec 1.

Additional requirements for International Graduate Applicants.

Composition (DMA)

The priority deadline to complete the application process is December 1. Complete files will be reviewed in January. First round decisions will be mailed beginning in February. Applications completed after January 15 will be considered on a rolling basis until the program is filled.

Michigan State University Application

Complete the online application to Michigan State University. There is a nonrefundable application fee. Apply early if you want to be considered for financial aid, a graduate assistantship, or a fellowship. 

College of Music Supplemental Application

Submit the online College of Music Supplemental Application. There is a $60 nonrefundable application fee. Deadline is Dec 1.

Composition Portfolio

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree program in music composition, applicants must submit three or more original compositions representative of their creative work. Applicants are encouraged (but not required) to include in the portfolio audio or video recordings of performances of all musical scores they submit. Live recordings are preferred, but MIDI realizations are acceptable.  Upload the scores and media files to the College of Music Supplemental Application.  Deadline is Dec 1.

Transcripts

Submit one official transcript from every college or university attended. Transcripts are considered official when mailed by the institution directly to the College of Music at the address below. Deadline is Dec 1.

College of Music - Office of Admissions
Michigan State University
253 Music Building
East Lansing, MI 48824

Electronic transcripts: MSU accepts e-transcripts only from U.S. schools if sent directly to us by the school.  Please send to admissions@music.msu.edu.

Curriculum Vitae

To be considered for a fellowship or teaching assistantship, please provide a curriculum vitae that includes all relevant education and professional experience including:

• Group teaching experience (where, when, how long, what classes, how many, etc.)
• Private teaching experiences (where, when, how long, ages of students)
• Previous experience as a graduate assistant

Deadline is Dec 1.

Personal Statement

In your personal statement please describe your educational and musical background, goals and objectives, and future career plans. Please feel free to include any information that you feel would be helpful to the College of Music in making our admission decision. Limit your statement to 300-500 words.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT ONLINE SUBMISSIONS: The College of Music prefers to receive personal statements online. Although the MSU Graduate Application also accepts personal and academic statements online, please do not use that application to submit your personal statement. Please use only the College of Music application to submit your personal statement. Deadline is Dec 1.

Letters of Recommendation

Request letters of recommendation from three individuals familiar with your musical abilities.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT ONLINE SUBMISSIONS: The College of Music prefers to receive letters of recommendation online. Although the MSU Graduate Application also accepts letters of recommendation online, please do not use that application for your letters of recommendation. Please use only the College of Music application to submit your letters. Deadline is Dec 1.

Additional requirements for International Graduate Applicants.

Updated on 10/03/2018