Degree Programs

Audition Requirements

Submit a portfolio of 3 or 4 of your works consisting of sound files and/or videos. Works can be for acoustic, electronic, mixed, and with/without videos.

Demonstrate your craft and depth of compositional knowledge exhibiting an awareness of contemporary aesthetics and techniques.

Include works for a variety of instruments/voices and sizes of ensembles (solo, chamber, etc.).

Make clear your interest in composition as a major and what the student expects to gain from their studies at FIU in this area.

Outline your interest and future goals as a composer.

Audition Requirements

A video or online link 20-30 minutes long with the candidate conducting a wind ensemble, concert band and/or chamber wind group from the ensemble’s perspective. The video will need to feature rehearsal and performance excerpts.

Copy of transcript(s).

Provide names and emails of two people that you would like to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

Audition Requirements

Upload a Video or online link up to 30 minutes long with the candidate conducting an orchestra. The video should include rehearsal passages and either a performance or run-through the work.

Submit academic transcripts from all previous colleges, universities, and/or conservatories.

Recommendation Letters: Provide the names and emails of two people to submit recommendation letters on your behalf.

Audition Requirements

A video or online link 20-30 minutes long with the candidate conducting a wind ensemble, concert band and/or chamber wind group from the ensemble’s perspective. The video will need to feature rehearsal and performance excerpts.

Copy of transcript(s).

Provide names and emails of two people that you would like to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

Audition Requirements

Upload your biography with detailed background in music and guitar including the following information: when did you study, where have you studied and with whom, how long have you studied, what kind of guitar(s), what musical style(s), work experience, awards (if any), and a chronological list of concerts and festivals in which you have performed.

Upload a list of repertoire you have worked on and indicate works performed in concert (both solo and ensemble).

Upload a video(s) of your playing (either from a live concert performance or studio/home recording). If you have a video of your performance available online, then provide a url link.

Audition Requirements

Submit the following:

• A repertoire list
• A brief biography
• A video of at least five minutes in length demonstrating your playing in contrasting styles/works.

Audition repertoire for violin, viola, cello, harp and double bass:

• One movement of any solo work by Bach
• One movement of a standard concerto or concert piece
• Scales and arpeggios in three octaves

Audition repertoire for contrabass:

• Prepare scales and arpeggios in three octaves and a work on the level of the Eccles sonata, the Dragonetti concerto, the Hindemith sonata, or the Koussevitzky concerto. In addition, applicants may be required to play and/or sight read orchestral excerpts to demonstrate knowledge of standard orchestral repertoire.

Audition Requirements

Audition Requirements

A 5-7 minute, high quality video or audio recording(s). Include a brief description of your experience in the Jazz idiom (in school or otherwise) and with whom you have studied. Graduate prospects add information of where you earned your undergraduate degree.

Pre-Screening videos should include the melody and at least one chorus of improvisation on each of the following:

• One medium or up tempo jazz standard
• One jazz standard ballad
• One free selection that contrasts the above two (Latin, fusion, etc.)
• Rhythm section instruments (piano, guitar, bass & drums) include – comping chord changes, walking bass lines, stylistically appropriate drum rhythmic patterns.

Your materials will be reviewed based on the following:

• Instrumental tone quality, technique – clarity, idiomatic articulation, rhythmic feel, etc.
• Maturity of musical interpretation and fidelity to the piece.
•  Level of the pieces performed

Audition Requirements

Resume

Statement of Career Goals

• This should include your goals in the music industry, why do you wish to study music business, what strengths do you bring to the program, what are your weaknesses relative to the music business?

Music Business Essay

• This should be a 1000-word (not including references or bibliography) essay, typed and double-spaced using MLA or Chicago style. You may choose one of the following two topics:
  • The LiveNation company has merged with many music affiliated industries. How has this conglomerate changed the music industry? It is important to understand what facets of the music industry this company now holds. Comment briefly on the process of what happened and how musicians are now working with this commercial venture or capitalizing on its merger.
  • The nonprofit sector of the music industry has developed at a much slower rate than the commercial side of the industry for various reasons. Please state your opinion on the business aspects of the non-profit music industry, and the reason for its gradual development. You may chose examples of leadership, management, or artistic direction from international symphony orchestras, domestic (U.S.) symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, music organizations, or performing arts centers with major music programming.

Audition Requirements

A Statement of Intent

A portfolio of software, hardware, electro-acoustic compositions, sound design, and/or other works involving technology preferably focusing on creative applications of technology. The purpose of this is to best evaluate the candidate’s skill levels and depth of knowledge of music technology techniques, history, and aesthetics.

A C.V. outlining the applicant’s studies and work with music technology and academic background

Provide the names and emails of two people that you would like to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

In certain instances M.M. candidates will also have an interview with the Area Coordinator. The purpose of this interview is to better understand the candidate’s interest and previous experiences with music technology.

Audition Requirements

Repertoire Requirements: Representative works from the major area of organ literature:

• a major Bach work
• a Romantic a work
• a contemporary work

Technique:

• Selections from all Major and Harmonic minor scales and arpeggios, four octaves, in unison, without pedal.
• Must include the following Major Scales and Arpeggios (4 octaves, in unison): Eb major, B major, Ab major
• Must include the following Harmonic Minor Scales and Arpeggios (4 octaves, in unison): C# minor, Eb minor, F# minor, B minor

Audition Requirements

Repertoire Requirements: Must contain 2 (Baroque and/or Classical and Romantic eras) of the 4 pieces intended for your audition:

• All works must be performed by memory
• Baroque: one work of J.S. Bach
• Classical: one sonata of Beethoven
• Romantic: one large important work of the Romantic repertoire
• 20th century: one published work of the 20th-century repertoire

Technique:

•  Selections from all Major and Harmonic minor scales and arpeggios, four octaves, in unison, without pedal.
• Must include the following Major Scales and Arpeggios (4 octaves, in unison): Eb major, B major, Ab major
• Must include the following Harmonic Minor Scales and Arpeggios (4 octaves, in unison): C# minor, Eb minor, F# minor, B minor

Audition Requirements

Include a brief description of your experience in the voice idiom (school or otherwise) and with whom you have studied. Graduate students will also be asked to complete a Diction Diagnostic Test. Submit a high quality video recording(s), including all of the items listed below in the Pre-Screen Requirements:

• Minimum seven selections
• Minimum four languages and style periods
• Minimum one opera aria
• Minimum one oratorio aria
• One German-language “Lied”
• One French-language “Melodie”
• One late 20th century American or British art song (in English), which represents post-Romantic, non-Common Practice compositional style.
• The final two selections may be chosen by the candidate from the above categories or from an additional language or style period.

A 20-30 minute video recording of classroom teaching (should not be a concert or performance).

Submit a 1000 word essay on “The Challenges and Possibilities for Music Education in the 21st Century.”

Upload a copy of your transcript(s)

Provide the names and emails of two people you would like to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

A personal interview will be scheduled after all sets above have been completed. Interviews can be done on-site or done via Skype. All interviews will be no more than 30 minutes long and will focus equally on the following criteria:

• The capacity to articulate ideas clearly and concisely.
• The capacity to demonstrate inter-personal skills.
• The capacity to detail key challenges in the field of music education as well as demonstrate basic knowledge of the field.
• The capacity to delineate their own educational and professional goals.
• The capacity to exemplify and qualify pedagogical practices.
• The capacity to self-evaluate and self-critique.