Graduate Admissions

Graduate Audition Days

 Friday, January 31, 2025 *
Saturday, February 1, 2025 *
 Saturday, February 15, 2025 (Preferred Audition Day & Lunch)
  • Graduate Applications: The application deadline for ALL degree programs and specializations is December 15, 2024.
  • Auditions for choral, orchestral, and wind band conductors will be scheduled at the discretion of the ensemble faculty coordinating with the ensemble rehearsal schedule. Contact the faculty directly for information.

  • Required Auditions: All required auditions, whether in-person or video, must be completed by 5 p.m. February 15, 2025. 
  • Do I need an audition, interview or both? https://arts.unl.edu/music/music-interviews-and-auditions
  • Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships: All graduate applicants are automatically considered for graduate assistantships and fellowships. You will let us know of your interest areas on the audition scheduling request form.
  • MM Music Education (summer online) Fellowships: The priority consideration deadline is May 1, 2025.
*Limited times available on these days

Application Checklist - Specific Requirements

Begin by applying online at http://go.unl.edu/gradapp.

  1. Create an account.
  2. 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. We require: Undergraduate GPA = 2.75/4.00 scale.
  • Students whose native language is not English or who have not previously earned a degree from an institution at which English is the official medium of instruction must enter their TOEFL or IELTS score and upload a copy of their score report. Official scores should be sent directly to UNL. Further information can be found at https://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/prospective/international/english. We require: TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS 6.5 overall band score.
  • 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.

3. 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, and providing you with a link to submit information regarding your audition video and graduate assistant preferences.

4. Prepare the required “Prepared Creative /Scholarly Materials Requirements” (see below).

Prepared Creative/Scholarly Materials Requirements: To assist candidates in achieving success in the required audition, the following requirements have been set by the area.  Please refer to the list below to know what to include on your audition.

 

WOODWINDS

 Flute:

20 minutes of a well-chosen program demonstrating musicianship and technique in a wide variety of styles, including a movement of Bach or Mozart (single movements possible). Orchestral excerpts possible, but not required. Piano accompaniment not required for live audition.

Oboe:

20 minutes of a well-chosen program demonstrating musicianship and technique in a wide variety of styles. For example, Mozart or Strauss, Paris Conservatory, 20th-century. Orchestral excerpts possible, but not required. Piano accompaniment not required for live audition.

Clarinet:

20 minutes of a well-chosen program demonstrating musicianship and technique in a wide variety of styles and in at least two genres (i.e. Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and 20th-century). Piano accompaniment not required for live audition.

Saxophone:

20 minutes of music representing the applicant’s technical, melodic and interpretive abilities. Repertoire chosen should be of Grade IV or V level or higher. Please choose contrasting selections that demonstrate both your melodic ability and your technical range. Applicants may use a transcription (baroque or classical); however, at least one selection must be from the 20th-century/conservatory literature written for the saxophone. Piano accompaniment not required for live audition.

Bassoon:

20 minutes of music demonstrating musicianship and technique in a wide variety of styles, including at least 1 movement of a major concerto from the 18th or 19th century, a 20th century piece of your choice, at least 2 contrasting standard orchestral excerpts, and one pair of etudes (same key) from the Milde Scale and Chord Studies, op.25. Piano accompaniment not required for live audition.