MusM with a Major in Conducting

Application Information

Applicants must submit the following:

  • Completed application for graduate admission to the College of Fine Arts.
  • Non-refundable application fee of $70.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • Artistic résumé.
  • Preliminary audition video (please see requirements below)
  • Two (2) Letters of recommendation from music professionals/educators, one of whom must teach music history. These may be submitted online using supplied Letter of Recommendation Form, or an offical letter from the recommeder in a sealed envelope.
  • Repertoire list
  • Personal statement indicating the applicant’s purpose in pursuing graduate work, including career objectives.

Application materials and preliminary video deadline: December 1

Apply Online

Submit Application Materials To:

Office of Graduate Admissions
College of Fine Arts
855 Commonwealth Avenue
Room 230
Boston, MA 02215

Orchestral Conducting

The preliminary audition video should include 20–30 minutes of the candidate in rehearsal and/or performance with an orchestral ensemble.

Selected applicants will be invited to audition in person. The repertoire will be chosen from the following works:

  • Beethoven, Symphonies 1 and 2
  • Mozart Overture to Die Zauberflöte
  • Stravinsky, L’histoire du Soldat: “Royal March” and “Petit Concert”

The live audition will also include an individual interview that will examine skills in conducting, sight-singing (in all clefs), keyboard, dictation, musical terminology, score-reading, orchestration, and analysis. Each candidate will also be asked to perform on his or her principal instrument. Candidates will conduct an ensemble as the final part of the audition.

Choral Conducting

This preliminary video should include 20–30 minutes of the candidate in rehearsal and/or performance with a choral ensemble.

Selected applicants will be invited to audition in person. The repertoire will be chosen from the following works:

  • Bach, Cantata No. 131, “Aus der Tiefe rufe ich,” final chorus (“Israel hoffe auf den Hern”)
  • Mozart, “Lacrymosa” from Requiem
  • Britten, Rejoice in the Lamb, pp. 1–10 (through the “Nimrod” chorus)
  • Victoria, Ave Maria

Each candidate will also be asked to sing an art song and play a solo keyboard composition at the level of a Bach two-part invention.

Financial Aid

All accepted students are considered for all available scholarships and assistantships. There is no financial aid application. For more information regarding financial aid, please visit the financial aid link.