UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance - University of Michigan

Conducting Audition Information

Conducting (MM & DMA)

Pre-screening Requirements

Applicants to all conducting programs are required to upload to their Artistic Profile a face-to-the-camera video of themselves conducting in rehearsal and interacting with an ensemble he or she regularly conducts, and a performance. For those applicants who have difficulty meeting this request, it is acceptable to use a smaller ensemble (such as a string quartet and piano, for example, rather than a full orchestra) playing a reduced version of a composition.

The musical portion of the video should be at least ten minutes in length and include literature of the applicant’s choice. The examples may be incomplete and a variety of different styles are welcome.

The video should also include the applicant responding verbally to the following: (1) speak briefly about yourself and your musical background; (2) describe your goals in pursuing graduate studies in conducting.

Questions should be directed to the appropriate program adviser:

Band/Wind Ensemble Conducting:  Professor Michael Haithcock (mlhaith@umich.edu)

Choral Conducting:  Professor Eugene Rogers (ecrogers@umich.edu)

Orchestral Conducting:  Professor Kenneth Kiesler (kiesler@umich.edu)

Audition Requirements

A small number of selected applicants will be contacted with audition dates and specific repertoire information.

Band/Wind Ensemble Conducting

In addition to the admissions documents and video, each applicant must also upload a written analysis of Chester Overture by William Schuman. Applicants invited to Ann Arbor for an audition should be prepared to conduct the second and fifth movements of Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy.

Choral Conducting

MM Applicants

In addition to the admissions documents and videos, each applicant must also upload a statement that expresses your views about the role and repertoire of a 21st century conductor with a concentration in the area of choral music.

MM & DMA Applicants

Following review of the video and written application materials, a limited number of applicants will be invited to Ann Arbor for an on-campus audition. Invited applicants should be prepared to conduct the Brahms “Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen” from Ein deutsches Requiem (in German, conducting from the full choral/orchestra score), and “Let Nimrod the mighty hunter” from Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb.

Orchestral Conducting

Following review of the video and written application materials, a limited number of applicants will be invited to Ann Arbor for an on-campus audition. The audition period may include a personal interview, examination of aural skills, a written examination (mainly on the audition repertoire but including questions of a more general nature), and one or more conducting auditions. Repertoire for the conducting audition will be sent out via email several weeks before the audition date.

Principal Instruments for MM Applicants

• Organ
• Piano
• Strings: Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Viola, Violin
• Winds & Percussion: Bassoon, Clarinet, Euphonium, Flute, French Horn, Oboe, Percussion, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba
• Voice

Please make each video a separate track when uploading.

 Updated on 10/05/2018