Apply to the Graduate College online at http://go.unl.edu/gradapp.
- Create an account.
Click here for a full list of audition days
For all MM & Doctoral Specializations, except MM Music Education: In order to be given priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, two deadlines must be met: (1) the graduate application deadline for all degrees (except MM Music Education) is December 1, 2026, and (2) the deadline for completion of the audition is February 6, 2027.
There are 3 ways in which the audition may be completed:
1a. Audition in person on the preferred Graduate Audition Day: Feb. 6, 2027 for most specializations (8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Alternative audition days are Friday, January 22, 2027 (piano, strings, voice), Saturday, January 23, 2027 (brass, composition, percussion, woodwinds), or Friday, February 5, 2027 (afternoon only). The exception is Conducting, since conducting auditions are coordinated with appropriate faculty to be completed by February 6, 2027.
1b. Audition at a time arranged with the Area Head (for Conducting and others), or
1c. Audition via video.
The deadline for MM Music Education specialization is May 14, 2027. MM, Music Education applicants do not need to schedule an audition.
For more details about completing the audition, how to send a video audition, and filling out the request to audition and assistantship application, please see the "Music Interviews and Auditions" section: https://arts.unl.edu/music/music-interviews-and-auditions.
- Complete your application.
You will be asked to upload scanned copies of your transcripts showing all postsecondary coursework completed, including all studies for which credit was granted (e.g., summer institutes such as Aspen or Interlochen). Further information can be found at https://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/admissions/requirements#transcripts.
GPA requirements are as follows:
- If applying for an MM, we require: Undergraduate GPA = 2.75/4.00 scale
- If applying for a DMA, we require: MM GPA= 3.25/4.00 scale
- If applying for a PhD, we require: MM GPA = 3.50/4.00 scale
You will need to provide contact information, including an email address, for each person from whom you wish a reference. For each recommender, click the Submit Recommendation Request button to send a letter request to your reference writer. A minimum of three letters of recommendation is required; four recommendation letters are recommended.
Applicants will need to submit any “Prepared Creative /Scholarly Materials Requirement” marked with an asterisks (*) below as part of the initial application process.
- Submit your application and pay the application fee of $50 ($25 if you are currently an active student at UNL). After you’ve clicked “Submit,” validated your information, and paid the application fee, you’ll receive a confirmation email indicating that the application was successfully submitted.
Prepared Creative/Scholarly Materials For COMPOSITION Specialization:
- A portfolio of 3-5 scores submitted in PDF format. (Note: If submitting work that does not have a score, e.g., electronic compositions), upload a PDF document outlining the technology used to compose the work in place of a score.)
- Recordings of the submitted compositions. Live recordings are encouraged, but MIDI recordings are acceptable.
NOTE: The composition faculty will review all applications. Applicants who meet pre-screening requirements will be contacted by the faculty to schedule an interview. This personal interview with members of our composition faculty is required. Discussion topics may include your background as a composer and performer, your theory proficiency, and other relevant topics.