Graduate Admission Requirements

The School of Music educates prospective teachers, performers, and composers in programs designed to develop persons of professional competence.

Visit the Graduate Study in Music website

Six graduate programs leading to the master’s degree are offered: the master of music or master of science in music education; and the master of music in performance, conducting, composition, and Suzuki pedagogy. Programs range from 30 to 36 credits of graduate study. A minimum combination of two consecutive terms of full-time study in residence is required for the master of music degrees in performance and composition. The master of science or master of music in music education degrees may be pursued on a part-time basis and is the only master's degree that is offered during the summer. The master of music degrees in conducting and Suzuki pedagogy require two years in residence.

Required Application Materials

Admission Requirements Instructions Deadlines
Graduate Application to Ithaca College

Applicants must submit the online Graduate Application and $40 application fee. Assistantship applicants must indicate their intentions on the online application.

More information: Graduate Assistantships

January 15: Deadline for composition and conducting applicants.

March 1: Deadline for performance, music education, and Suzuki pedagogy applicants.

April 1: Deadline for summers-only music education applicants.
Audition Request Form

All applicants must submit the Audition Request Form to schedule an audition or interview with the School of Music. There are pre-screening audition requirements for M.M. in Composition and M.M. in Conducting applicants.

 Applicants may schedule an audition after September 1.
Audition Preparation Form

After submitting the Audition Request Form, applicants will receive an e-mail with more information about completing the online Audition Preparation Form. In addition to academic and musical background information, this form will require:

  • Personal Statement: Applicants must compose a concise personal statement (250 words or less) specific to the applicant's intended degree of study. This statement should outline the particular interest the applicant has in attending the Ithaca College School of Music, and is an important part of the file review. General statements submitted for other college applications are not appropriate for this requirement.
  • Letter(s) of recommendation: Applicants must provide the contact information for their reference(s) when completing the Audition Preparation Form. Reference(s) will be contacted via e-mail to complete an online Teacher Recommendation Form. Two letters of recommendation are required for all applicants, and two additional letters are required if applying for a graduate assistantship.
  • Résumé: Applicants must provide a brief résumé, including previous musical activities, honors and awards received, leadership activities or offices held, and other significant non-music activities.
  • Photo
There is a $14 submission fee for the Audition Preparation Form.

Two weeks prior to your audition date.

Auditions must be completed by March 1 for fall admission, and April 1 for summers-only music education applicants.
Undergraduate Transcripts

General admission to a degree program is granted to applicants who have a good undergraduate scholastic record (a 3.0 average on the 4.0 system is generally considered sufficient) and have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with at least 36 credits in music. Transcripts should be mailed to:

Ithaca College
Office of Admission
953 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850

January 15: Deadline for composition and conducting applicants.

March 1: Deadline for performance, music education, and Suzuki pedagogy applicants.

 

 

Additional Requirements By Degree

M.M. in Composition Applicants must submit at least three representative original scores, and recordings if available. Scores should exhibit a variety of instrumentation and/or vocal forces. After an initial screening, selected candidates will be invited for an interview with the composition faculty, usually on School of Music audition days in February. Scores and recordings should be submitted online with the Audition Preparation Form. Hard copy of scores and recordings must be brought to the on-campus interview.
M.M. in Conducting Applicants are required to submit an initial screening video recording of a performing group they have conducted recently, approximately 15-20 minutes in length. Submissions should be made online with the Audition Preparation Form. It is preferred that the video recording has both performance and rehearsal excerpts and the conducting applicant be facing the camera. The purpose of this recording is to aid in the evaluation of the candidate's conducting competency.  Finalists will be invited for an in-person special audition which will include an interview and live conducting audition in the major area.
M.M. and M.S. in Music Education

Applicants must have completed the requirements for New York State initial or provisional certification, including successful practice teaching in music, or the equivalent requirements for another state. Generally, students entering this degree program have professional music teaching experience. All candidates must submit a 500-750 word scholarly essay on a contemporary issue in music education that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to craft the English language, using and citing scholarly sources. Applicants also must perform an audition on their major instrument or voice.

For summers-only M.M. in Music Education applicants, musicianship may be demonstrated by performing a live audition, submitting an audio or video recorded audition, or submitting a recording of a previous solo performance. Applicants may also submit a video recording of conducting performance, if approved by the performance area faculty member.
M.M in Performance Applicants must perform an audition on their major instrument or voice.
M.M. in Suzuki Pedagogy Applicants must perform an audition on their major instrument.

Admission Deadlines

Fall Admission Deadlines

  • January 15: Application deadline for composition and conducting applicants. Pre-screening materials must also be submitted by this date.
  • March 1: Application deadline for performance, music education, and Suzuki pedagogy applicants. All supporting materials, including the audition, must be completed and submitted by this date.
  • March 21:  Candidates will be notified of acceptance, rejection, or waiting list status.
  • Early April:  Assistantship award recipients will be notified.
  • April 15:  Candidates who wish to enter the program must accept admission and pay their deposit.

Summer Admission Deadlines (Music Education Only)

  • April 1:  All application materials, including the audition, must be completed and submitted to receive full consideration for the summer music education program, as well as for a summer assistantship.
  • April 21:  Candidates will be notified of acceptance, rejection, or waiting list status.
  • Early May:  Assistantship award recipients will be notified.
  • May 15:  Candidates who wish to enter the program must accept admission and pay their deposit. Entrance to the summer program after this date will be accepted on a space available basis until June 15. Any waiting list candidates to be offered admission will be sent decision letters, with a ten day period allowed for return of acceptance and deposit.

Tracking Your Application Status

Through the Application Checklist you can monitor what items we've received and what items are outstanding -- and track your decision.

Tuition Expenses

Tuition for all music degrees has been set at $729 per credit for the 2012-13 academic year.

School of Music  ·  3322 Whalen Center  ·  Ithaca College  ·  Ithaca, NY 14850  ·  (607) 274-3171  ·  Full Directory Listing