UNT College of Music
Conducting Audition
Information
Choral
Conducting (MM & DMA)
Applications
Application Materials: Apply online here.
l Once completed forms and all required materials have been received and evaluated, the choral faculty will invite selected applicants to campus for an interview and audition with one of our university choirs.
l If you have questions, please contact Dr. Allen Hightower at Allen.Hightower@unt.edu.
l Applications are due by the first Monday in December.
MM Audition Day Sample Schedule
9:00am – meet with current graduate students
10:00am – meet with director of choral studies
11:00am – lunch with audition panel as available
12:00pm-1:00pm – observe A Cappella Choir rehearsal
1:00pm – individual preparation time
2:00pm – auditions with Concert Choir
3:00pm-5:00pm – interviews* with audition panel in 15-20 minute slots
*The interview will include vocalizing and skills testing. Please bring an art song / aria to perform.
AUDITION INFORMATION
Video
Your video should include rehearsal and performances recordings of your conducting. The camera should face the conductor. Video submissions may be in digital upload or DVD format.
Application
Deadline
Because our on-campus choral conducting audition dates are January 28 & 29 and it takes several weeks for the application materials to clear the university, the college and finally get to us, you would be well served if your application packet got to us no later than December 1, 2018. Early November is preferred.
Application Process
Go to the College of Music web site and apply online. Be sure to include a video of your conducting (view of the conductor) comprised of rehearsal and performance.
On-Campus Audition
Once we receive and evaluate your materials, we will make a determination about inviting you to campus for an audition and interview. We will do our best to let you know at least a month before the audition date on January 28, 2019. The earlier we receive your materials, the earlier we can make this determination.
Audition Process
The student will conduct two pieces in the audition to be assigned by the Director of Choral Studies.
Audition Panel
Orchestral Conducting (MM & DMA)
l MM and DMA students in Orchestral Conducting work 5-6 hours per week with Maestro David Itkin, focusing intensely on score study, baton technique, rehearsal technique, programming, musical interpretation and style, opera and concerto conducting, and public speaking.
l Graduate students also study in Symphonic Literature courses designed specifically for conductors.
l Students regularly work with live ensemble during conducting classes
and often conduct readings and concerts with the UNT Symphony Orchestra and the
UNT Concert Orchestra.
l Beginning in the Fall semester
2019, Prof. Itkin's advanced orchestral conducting class will work with a
36-piece chamber orchestra 20 sessions each semester. These sessions with
live orchestra will take place during regular class sessions, and are in
addition to already scheduled concerts and readings with the two UNT College of
Music Orchestras.
Begin
your UNT application here: http://music.unt.edu/admissions/graduate
David Itkin, UNT Director of Orchestral Studies
Professor David Itkin came to the University of North Texas College of Music in 2008, following a 17-year tenure as Music Director and Conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, where he is now Conductor Laureate. He is currently also the Music Director and Conductor of the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he has held since 2005. Maestro Itkin has also served as Music Director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, the Lake Forest Symphony (Chicago), the Birmingham Opera Theatre, McCall Summerfest, and the Lucius Woods Music Festival in Wisconsin. Maestro Itkin has appeared as guest conductor with more than 40 orchestras around the world, including the San Diego Symphony, the Seoul Philharmonic, the Ft. Worth Symphony, the Colorado Philharmonic, the Slovenska Filharmonia, the New Hampshire Symphony, the Ho Chi Minh City Symphony, the Illinois Symphony, the Delaware Symphony, and the Shanghai Broadcast Orchestra. He is the author of Conducting Concerti: a Technical and Interpretive Guide.
Admission requirements
After completing all portions of the application process, including video excerpts, highly qualified applicants will be invited to the live audition. Admission to the College of Music requires providing the following materials before the first Monday in December.
l Completed College of Music application
l Résumé providing complete information concerning your musical experience and training
l Repertoire list of works studied and conducted
l Video recording showing your conducting abilities
l Statement of career objectives
l Three letters of recommendation
Contact the Director of Orchestral Studies (david.itkin@unt.edu) for more information.
Updated on 04/26/2019