Audition Information - MSU College of Music - Michigan State University

Conducting Audition Information

Conducting (MM)

When applying for admission to the Master of Music degree program in music conducting, an applicant must specify one of the following three major areas: band conducting, choral conducting, or orchestral conducting.

To be considered for admission to the Master of Music degree program in music conducting, an applicant must present a live performance audition before a committee of faculty in conducting. The audition must be in the major area of conducting that the applicant specifies.

Orchestral Conducting: 1) Applicants to the master's program in orchestral conducting must submit a video of the applicant in rehearsals and performances.  Please upload your video to our Media Upload Service.  The URL will be provided after you submit the College of Music Supplemental Application.  2) After reviewing all applicants’ materials, we will invite finalists to campus for a live audition. Candidates will be contacted to arrange a date. Auditions will include an extended rehearsal with the Symphony Orchestra (repertoire will vary), a detailed score study question-and-answer session, an assessment of functional keyboard skill and solo instrument proficiency, and meetings with various members of the orchestra and graduate orchestral program, as well as with the MSU conducting faculty. An assessment of foreign language diction skills (French, German, Italian, English, and Latin) is also required either at the time of audition or during the first semester of enrollment.  For additional information, please contact Director of Orchestras Kevin Noe at noekevin@msu.edu.  Deadline is December 1.

Choral Conducting: Before being invited for an audition, applicants are required to submit a video of no more than 30 minutes, preferably with a combination of rehearsal and performance, and shot from in front of the conductor.  Please upload your video to our Media Upload Service.  The URL will be provided after you submit the College of Music Supplemental Application.   Auditions will include a rehearsal with one of the auditioned choral ensembles (repertoire will vary), an assessment of functional keyboard skills, aural skills, a solo vocal proficiency, and foreign language diction skills (French, German, Italian, English, and Latin). For additional information, please contact Dr. David Rayl, director of choral programs, at rayld@msu.edu. Please note: We generally discourage students who are just completing their undergraduate degree from applying to our MM program, unless they have had considerable 'real world' conducting experience. Deadline is December 1.

Band Conducting: 1) Applicants to the master's program in wind conducting must submit a video of the applicant in rehearsal and performance. The video should be no longer than 20 minutes in length. Please upload your video to our Media Upload Service.  The URL will be provided after you submit the College of Music Supplemental Application.  2) After reviewing all applicants’ materials, we will invite finalists to campus in early February for a live audition with the Wind Symphony. Based on the live auditions, acceptances will be awarded. Live audition repertoire will vary from year to year. The audition will also include an assessment of functional keyboard and of solo instrumental proficiency.  Deadline is December 1.

Conducting (DMA)

When applying for admission to the Doctor of Musical Arts degree program with a major in music conducting, an applicant must specify one of the following three major areas: band conducting, choral conducting, or orchestral conducting.

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Musical Arts degree program in music conducting, an applicant must present a live performance audition before a faculty committee. As part of the audition, an applicant must present a ten-minute lecture on a topic related to conducting. The applicant may be asked to conduct a live performance group or to illustrate appropriate conducting techniques in relation to printed scores. The applicant may submit video and audiotape recordings or performances that he or she has conducted.

Orchestral Conducting: 1) Applicants to the doctoral program in orchestral conducting must submit a video of the applicant in rehearsals and performances.  Please upload your video to our Media Upload Service.  The URL will be provided after you submit the College of Music Supplemental Application.  2) After reviewing all applicants’ materials, we will invite finalists to campus for a live audition. Candidates will be contacted to arrange a date. Auditions will include an extended rehearsal with the Symphony Orchestra (repertoire will vary), a detailed score study question-and-answer session, an assessment of functional keyboard skill and solo instrument proficiency, and meetings with various members of the orchestra and graduate orchestral program, as well as with the MSU conducting faculty. An assessment of foreign language diction skills (French, German, Italian, English, and Latin) is also required. This can take place during the audition or at the beginning of the first semester of study. For additional information, please contact Director of Orchestras Kevin Noe at noekevin@msu.edu.  Deadline is December 1.

Choral Conducting: Before being invited for an audition, applicants are required to submit a video of no more than 20 minutes, preferably with a combination of rehearsal and performance, and shot from in front of the conductor.  Please upload your video to our Media Upload Service.  The URL will be provided after you submit the College of Music Supplemental Application.  Auditions will include a rehearsal with one of the auditioned choral ensembles (repertoire will vary), an assessment of functional keyboard skills, aural skills, a solo vocal proficiency, and foreign language diction skills (French, German, Italian, English, and Latin). For additional information, please contact Dr. David Rayl, director of choral programs, at rayld@msu.edu. Please note: We generally recommend at least three years of full time conducting experience prior to applying to our DMA program.  Deadline is December 1.

Band Conducting: 1) Applicants to the doctoral program in wind conducting must submit a video of the applicant in rehearsal and performance. The video should be no longer than 20 minutes in length. Please upload your video to our Media Upload Service.  The URL will be provided after you submit the College of Music Supplemental Application.  2) After reviewing all applicants' materials, we will invite finalists to campus in early February for a live audition with the Wind Symphony. Based on the live auditions, acceptances will be awarded. Live audition repertoire will vary from year to year. The audition will also include an assessment of functional keyboard assessment and of solo instrumental proficiency.  Deadline is December 1.

Updated on 10/03/2018