A wide variety of performance opportunities await our students each year, with orchestras, bands, choirs and opera, jazz nonets and combos, small ensembles, and more.
A variety of programs and initiatives operate continuously or annually to enhance learning experiences and help students prepare for their future in music.
The MSU College of Music supports and challenges students, values innovation and creativity, and helps every community member achieve professional excellence.
To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Musical Arts degree program in music conducting, an applicant must present a live performance audition before a faculty committee. As part of the audition, an applicant must present a ten-minute lecture on a topic related to conducting. The applicant may be asked to conduct a live performance group or to illustrate appropriate conducting techniques in relation to printed scores. The applicant may submit video and audio recordings or performances that he or she has conducted.
Before being invited for an audition, applicants are required to submit a video of no more than 20 minutes, preferably with a combination of rehearsal and performance, and shot from in front of the conductor. Upload the videos to the Digital Portfolio section of the College of Music Supplemental Application. You will be given access to the Digital Portfolio after the College of Music Supplemental Application is submitted. Auditions will include a rehearsal with one of the auditioned choral ensembles (repertoire will vary), an assessment of functional keyboard skills, aural skills, a solo vocal proficiency, and foreign language diction skills (French, German, Italian, English, and Latin). For additional information, please contact Dr. Sandra Snow, director of choral programs. Please note: We generally recommend at least three years of full-time conducting experience prior to applying to our DMA program.
The deadline is December 1.
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