M.M. - Wind Band Conducting

NOTE:

• Questions, including whether there are openings for new graduate students in the studio in a given year, should be directed to Dr. Carolyn Barber, Director of Bands cbarber2@unl.edu
• If there are openings in the studio, the online application and pre-screening video is due Dec. 15. 

Pre-Screening Video Requirements:

1. Approximately 10 minutes of rehearsal footage demonstrating the applicant’s abilities teaching, assessing, coaching, and developing ensemble skills.
2. Approximately 10 minutes of performance footage from the ensemble’s perspective (conductor’s face is visible) demonstrating the applicant’s abilities as a creative colleague and performer.

There is no restriction as to the profile of the ensemble (elementary, middle school, high school, college, professional/military, community). The applicant should select the footage that illustrates their best work in partnership with the ensemble. When possible, consideration should be given to the quality of the repertoire and suitability for the ensemble’s skills and for graduate conducting study.

• Applicants will be notified by the end of December if they have passed the pre-screening round. At that point, they should arrange travel and accommodations to participate in the scheduled audition on the Lincoln campus. All expenses associated with the audition are the responsibility of the applicant.
• For the audition, applicants should prepare David Maslanka’s Give Us This Day and John Mackey’s This Cruel Moon. Each applicant is responsible for securing their own full scores and will perform a 20-minute audition with the UNL Wind Ensemble. The audition will focus on Mackey and the second movement of Maslanka and will include opportunities for uninterrupted performance, rehearsal at the applicant’s discretion, and coaching in a quasi-lesson format by the Director of Bands.
• Prior to the audition, a brief diagnostic exam will be administered. The diagnostic is designed to assess the applicant's aural skills, score reading and recognition, analytical skills, knowledge of terminology and transpositions, familiarity with wind band literature, and creative capacity. The skills components of the exam will use Give Us This Day as a point of departure, and applicants may refer to their scores during the assessment. Each applicant will have an interview with the Director of Bands and members of the band faculty to discuss the applicant's professional goals, philosophy, experience, and expectations.

Master of Music

Option III - Wind Band Conducting Emphasis