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School of Music, Theatre & Dance Graduate Requirements and Dates
Master of Music in Conducting (Band/Wind Ensemble, Choral, or Orchestral)
In order to be considered for an audition and interview, applicants to all conducting programs are required to submit a face-to-the-camera DVD of themselves conducting in rehearsal and interacting with an ensemble he or she regularly conducts, and a performance. For those applicants who have difficulty meeting this request, it is acceptable to use a smaller ensemble (such as a string quartet and piano, for example, rather than a full orchestra) playing a reduced version of a composition. The musical portion of the DVD should be at least ten minutes in length and include literature of the applicant's choice. The examples may be incomplete and a variety of different styles are welcome. The DVD should also include the applicant resonding verbally to the following: (1) speak briefly about yourself and your musical background; (2) describe your goals in pursuing graduate studies in conducting.
Professor Michael Haithcock
 Your name and address, names of the works and movements, and the degree program to which you are applying should be clearly indicated on the DVD so that it can easily be identified. The DVD and the application are due by December 1.
DVDs will not be forwarded to the faculty for review until the application and all transcripts have been received and reviewed by the School of Music, Theatre & Dance Office of Admissions.
Questions should be directed to the appropriate program adviser:
- Band /Wind Ensemble Conducting: Professor Haithcock (mlhaith@umich.edu)
- Choral Conducting: Professor Jerry Blackstone (blacksto@umich.edu)
- Orchestral Conducting: Professor Kenneth Kiesler (kiesler@umich.edu).
A small number of selected applicants will be contacted with audition dates and specific repertoire information.
Band/Wind Ensemble Conducting
In addition to the admissions documents and DVD or video tape, each applicant must also submit a written analysis of Chester Overture by William Schuman. Applicants invited to Ann Arbor for an audition should be prepared to conduct the second and fifth movements of Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy.
Choral Conducting
Following review of the videotape and written application materials, a limited number of applicants will be invited to Ann Arbor for the audition process. Applicants should be prepared to conduct chorus and piano in the following works: Brahms "Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen" from Ein deutsches Requiem (in German); Britten Rejoice in the Lamb ("Nimrod" section).
Orchestral Conducting
Following review of the videotape and written application materials, a limited number of applicants will be invited to Ann Arbor for the audition process. The audition period may include a personal interview, examination of aural skills, a written examination (mainly on the audition repertoire but including questions of a more general nature), and one or more conducting auditions. The repertoire will include excerpts from Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring (original version for thirteen instruments), the Finale of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (from the beginning to the entrance of the baritone soloist), and other selections to be announced. For those applicants invited to campus to audition (exact dates TBA), confirmation letters will be mailed by February 1.
Principal Instruments
- Organ
- Piano
- Strings
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Guitar
- Harp
- Viola
- Violin
- Winds and Percussion
- Bassoon
- Clarinet
- Euphonium
- Flute
- French Horn
- Oboe
- Percussion
- Saxophone
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Voice
Audition Schedule and Application Deadline Dates
Audition Date |
Application Deadline |
Notes |
TBA 2009 |
12/01/2008 |
Band/Wind Ensemble |
TBA 2009 |
12/01/2008 |
Choral |
TBA, 2009 |
12/01/2008 |
Orchestral |
General School of Music, Theatre & Dance Graduate Audition and Interview Information
General Rackham Graduate Audition and Interview Information
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