The path to an audition at MSM can vary among applicants, while some dates and deadlines are shared by all. Learn about your audition process here.
We have a select number of openings for May auditions.
Instruments: Classical Piano*, Collaborative Piano, Classical Trumpet, Classical Guitar, Classical Horn, Classical Voice*, Classical Viola*
*Prescreening required. Specific information regarding prescreening can be found on each instrument’s respective program page.
Application Due: Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Audition Date: Monday, May 14, 2018
NOTE: May auditions are available to those applicants who have not yet applied for the 2018-2019 academic year.
If you participated in the USA Schools of Music Asia Audition Tour, please visit our International Applicants page to make sure that you have met all the requirements.
You can find information about accommodations (hotels, practice space, parking) here.
If your instrument is prescreened, we will let you know your prescreen results by January 5th.
Specific information about prescreening can be found on the program page to which you are applying.
We do our best to lessen any audition conflicts you might have. You may request a preferred date for your audition during the winter break through your applicant status page. You will only be able to select dates during which your auditions are taking place; so, if your instrument has four scheduled audition days, you will only be able to choose one of those four days. You cannot choose a day that is not in the dropdown menu. MSM will only consider date requests that are submitted before January 5th.
On the day of your audition, you will fill out a repertoire form (provided for you that day) with the pieces that you will present to the faculty. For most auditions, you will choose your first piece, and the faculty will choose the next piece(s). You must be prepared to play all of the pieces you have listed on your repertoire form. Be sure to look at the program page of your intended major for a full list of requirements specific to your audition. Links to the various program pages are provided here, below:
Piano
Voice Classical, Opera Studies
Musical Theatre
Orchestral Performance Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Flute, French Horn, Harp, Oboe, Percussion, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Viola, Violin
Jazz Arts Composition, Bass (Acoustic, Electric), Drumset, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone (Alto, Baritone, Tenor), Trumpet, Trombone (Tenor, Bass), Vibraphone, Voice, Violin/ Viola
Brass Horn, Trumpet, Trombone (Tenor, Bass), Tuba
Composition
Collaborative Piano
Conducting Choral, Orchestral
Contemporary Performance Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Percussion, Piano, Viola, Violin, Voice
Guitar
Organ
Percussion
Strings Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Viola, Violin, Pinchas Zukerman Performance Program
Woodwinds Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Saxophone
Please see below which instruments and programs require an accompanist. If your instrument is not listed, please do not bring an accompanist. If your instrument requires an accompanist, MSM will provide one for you at your audition at no cost. If you prefer to bring your own accompanist, you may do so.
Classical Program: Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Flute, Violin, Viola, and Voice Jazz Arts Program: All Jazz majors will have a combo provided Orchestral Performance Program: Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Flute, Violin, and Viola
Your accompanist’s contact information will be provided to you in advance. You must inform your accompanist of your audition repertoire no later than two weeks before your scheduled audition. You must also provide your accompanist with copies of your scores. If you are using photocopies, please make sure to secure them in a binder so that it will be easy for your accompanist to turn the pages at your audition. If you choose to arrange rehearsal time with your MSM accompanist, it will be at your own cost. The accompanists have a very limited amount of rehearsal time and it is necessary to contact them well in advance if you wish to set up a rehearsal. If you choose not to rehearse with your accompanist ahead of time, you still must contact your accompanist in advance of the audition so that they may review your music.
A rhythm section comprised of MSM alumni and current graduate students is provided at no cost as your accompanists. You will not meet the musicians in advance of your audition. You are required to bring three copies of music for each tune you prepare to perform at your audition.
Recorded Auditions may be an option depending on your desired major and where you live. If you would like to submit a Recorded Audition, please read the requirements below to make sure that you are eligible to do so. Remember, a live audition is always in your best interest.
You are eligible to submit a recorded audition if:
A recorded audition does not replace prescreening. If your major requires prescreening, you must submit prescreening videos in order to be considered for an audition.
Applicants for the following majors and degree programs are not eligible for consideration through a Recorded Audition: Musical Theatre, Collaborative Piano, Composition, Jazz Composition, all Orchestral Performance majors, the Doctoral of Musical Arts, and the Artist Diploma Program.
If you are eligible for a recorded audition, you will be required to upload your recordings to your application Status Page by February 15th. Faculty will adjudicate recorded auditions during audition week and admission results are posted by April 1st.
A strong audition is the main factor in any successful admission result, but it is not the only factor! The MSM Admissions Committee reviews all required application materials before determining admissibility. To review the required materials for your desired major and intended degree program, please visit the links provided here, below.
Admissions results are available no later than April 1st. Provided that we have received all of your required materials; we will send you an email to let you know when your admission result is available. Admissions results are not available over the phone.
Follow these links to find out what’s required for your program and major:
Jazz Arts Composition*, Bass (Acoustic, Electric), Drumset, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone (Alto, Baritone, Tenor), Trumpet, Trombone (Tenor, Bass), Vibraphone, Voice*, Violin/ Viola
Collaborative Piano* Instrumental, Vocal
Conducting* Choral, Orchestral
Organ*
*Graduate studies only
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