Graduate Auditions

Outline your educational plans and career goals and discuss how your proposed plan of graduate study relates to them. Some areas of discussion might include: Specific attributes of the program at UD that lead you to believe that this degree is appropriate to help you achieve your professional objectives. Within the area of study you have selected, are there areas of special interest to you?

In addition to the requirements above, please review concentration-specific requirements.​​​

To be considered for admission to the School of Music, the minimum TOEFL score is 79. The IELTS is not accepted. International applicants must complete and submit official scores for the TOEFL iBT test. The IELTS is not accepted.

The majority of our graduate funding opportunities are in the form of teaching assistantships. In order to be eligible for a teaching assistantship, students must have a minimum score of 100 on the TOEFL. International students who have completed an advanced degree within the US can apply for a TOEFL waiver for admission. However, they will be required to demonstrate the equivalent proficiencies as stated above for funding consideration. A waiver of proof of English Proficiency is allowed when:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree has been or will be earned from a university recognized by the ministry of education in a country where English is the primary language. 

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree has been or will be earned from a college or university located in the United States and accredited by a regional accrediting association.

Information about test scores can be found o​n the Graduate College website​. You will also find helpful resources on the International Student & Scholar Services website.​​

MM applicants for Performance should refer to the Audition Repertoire page. Auditions for prospective graduate students will be held in-person. Students who cannot attend in-person may make arrangements on an alternate, or submit a pre-recorded audition via the music portfolio within the application. Students may indicate their preference on the audition request form, which is sent following the submission of the application. All graduate applicants will be required to submit a video essay following prompts within the application portfolio.​​

Application Instructions and Timeline

1. Apply to the University of Delaware​​ (by January 15 for funding consideration). The application will require an audition or score submission based upon your area, and an interview. Applications must be completely submitted and fee payment received before consideration.*
2. Confirmation Email. All applicants will receive, via email, confirmation of their upcoming audition and/or interview. Interviews are held online via Zoom, unless otherwise notified.

Final application deadline is May 15.

In addition to the requirements outlined under the section “All Applicants,” applicants must complete the following tasks in order to be considered for admission to the composition program at the graduate level:

• The completion of a Graduate Theory Examination.

• Portfolio Submission. An applicant’s portfolio will include the following items:

• Résumé or CV that includes:

  • Full contact information

  • List of works. Each work should contain information about the year composed, instrumentation, list of performance(s) of the work, including dates, performers, and locations

  • Performance accomplishments on your primary instrument

  • Education, including your principal teacher(s)

  • Teaching Experience

• Three (3) recent works (a work in multiple movements is considered one work). Works may be in different genres, instrumentations and/or electronic media. Each work will have:

  • a PDF file of the full score, fully notated (chord charts are not accepted). This requirement is waived for electronic/electroacoustic works that have no score component.

  • a recording of the same work. Live recordings are preferred, but MIDI realizations are accepted. Accepted formats are MP3, AIFF, or WAV.

  • a program note that accompanies the work. For works that have no score component, there should be descriptions of how the works were realized.

• Composition Interview. This interview is an opportunity for each applicant to demonstrate musical knowledge and ability, as well as leadership skills. Applicants will discuss their composition portfolio with a composition faculty member.

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MM Conducting - Choral is not accepting applications for 2025.

Conducting applicants should use the Music Portfolio to upload the required application materials below:

1. Video: a 20- to 30-minute video of conducting in rehearsal

2. Video: a 20- to 30-minute video conducting in performance.

3. [Orchestral Applicants Only] Video: performance on a primary instrument.

All videos should be from the perspective of the ensemble (facing the conductor), not the perspective of the audience. Prospective students must also submit an up-to-date repertoire list of all works conducted. Feel free to delineate between works conducted in performance and those studied/not conducted in performance.

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Students applying for graduate chamber ensembles fellowships (i.e., the Graduate Woodwind Quintet, Brass Quintet, Percussion Group, or String Qua​rtet) are required to submit solo audition repertoire in addition to chamber ensemble recordings. Requirements for graduate chamber ensemble fellowships are on the Audition Repertoire page.​​

​Please visit the Audition Repertoire page to view specific requirements by instrument/area.

MM Teaching applicants should use the Music Portfolio to submit the required supplemental materials below.

1. Document: Your music education philosophy (we suggest 1-2 pages)

2. Teaching Video and Accompanying Narrative: A 20- to 30-minute video of your best teaching and a brief written narrative/reflection (1-2 pages) explaining the contents of the video.

• ​​All videos should be from the perspective of the class/ensemble (facing the teacher).
• Should you teach multiple class settings (e.g., ensemble, composition, guitar, music technology) or age groups, we encourage you to include clips from all settings.

In addition, please note:

• ​​Prospective MM in Teaching students are not required to audition on a primary instrument.
• Prospective MM in Teaching students will be required to interview with the Music Education faculty, who will reach out later to schedule with you.

3. Video Essay [in lieu of Director of Graduate Studies interview]

All MM applicants are required to submit a video essay. Briefly respond to the prompts below:

• ​What personal and professional goals do you wish to achieve during your time in graduate school?
• What are your expectations from a graduate program?
• How do you see your interests, background, and personal attributes contributing to the UD community?

All prompts should be answered in a single video (1-2 minutes maximum) uploaded into the Music Portfolio along with audition materials within the application.​

Students applying for graduate chamber ensembles fellowships (i.e., t​he Graduate Woodwind Quintet, Brass Quintet, or String Quartet) are required to submit solo audition repertoire in addition to chamber ensemble recordings. Requirements for graduate chamber ensemble fellowships can be found on the Audition Repertoire page.