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Rackham Graduate: Piano, Requirements and Dates
Three programs of study leading to the degree Doctor of Musical Arts are available in Piano:
- Program I: Piano Performance
- Program II: Collaborative Piano
- Program III: Piano Pedagogy & Performance
Required Materials
To apply for admission, submit your official application, transcripts, recommendations, and other materials as instructed below. Indicate on your application form whether you wish to apply for Program I, Program II, or Program III. The deadline for applications is December 1 for the fall term and September 15 for the winter term. Programs II and III do not admit for the winter term.
International applicants whose language is not English must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 100 or higher on the Internet based test (250 on the computer based test or 600 on the paper test) or the Michigan English Language Battery (MELAB) score of 83 or higher before the audition may be scheduled.
Program I (Piano Performance)
Pre-screening Requirement
Applicants to the doctoral program in Piano Performance are required to submit an unedited recording (DVD/CD) for preliminary review before a live audition may be scheduled. Accompanying the DVD/CD should be a comprehensive list of your repertoire, including chamber music studied.
All materials should reach the office of Associate Dean Steven Whiting by December 1. Your audition cannot be scheduled until your pre-screening materials have been received and approved.
Program II (Collaborative Piano)
No Pre-Screening recording is required for Collaborative Piano
Prerequisites
- Master's degree in piano, collaborative piano, or an equivalent
- Demonstrated pronunciation and comprehension ability from two European languages into English
- Repertoire including approximately one-third of the repertoire requirement for acheiving the degree (see repertoire requirements)
- Significant performance experience to suggest successful completion of the degree
It is essential that we receive all your materials by December 1. This includes:
1. an approved audition program (see below) sent to Professor Martin Katz (partner@umich.edu)
2. a comprehensive list of your repertoire sent to Dean Steven Whiting (stevenmw@umich.edu)
3. transcripts from your previous schools
4. TOEFL or MELAB score results, when required. No audition appointment will be granted without this score. If any of the above materials are missing, no audition date will be given.
In special circumstances, an unedited DVD will be considered in lieu of a live audition. If you wish to submit a DVD, please contact Professor Katz for permission and instructions before proceeding.
Program III (Piano Pedagogy & Performance)
Pre-screening Requirement
Applicants to the doctoral program in Piano Pedagogy & Performance are required to submit an unedited recording (DVD/CD) for preliminary review before a live audition may be scheduled. Accompanying the DVD/CD should be a comprehensive list of your repertoire, including chamber music studied.
Additionally, applicants are required to submit a DVD of sample teaching. The DVD should be at least 30 minutes in length and should include both private and group teaching, if possible.
All materials should reach the office of Associate Dean Steven Whiting by December 1. Your audition cannot be scheduled until your pre-screening materials have been received and approved.
ALL APPLICANTS Be certain to include the following information on the application form (attach additional pages, if necessary):
- A summary of your previous piano study, including degrees received or expected at the time of your proposed initial enrollment
- The term or date of your proposed initial intended enrollment
- A complete list of the works you propose to play for the audition
Admission to the doctoral program does not guarantee that the student will ultimately complete the course requirements, become a candidate, or receive the degree. Admission implies only that the applicant has the requisite background and should be given the opportunity to demonstrate his or her ability.
Audition/Interview
Program I: Piano Performance
For admission to the D.M.A. program, prepare the following complete works from memory:
- A major baroque composition
- A major Classical composition (e.g., a sonata by Mozart, Beethoven, etc.)
- A major Romantic piece (for example, Chopin, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt)
- A selection of the applicant's choice
Your audition will also include a brief assesment of collaborative performance.
Program II: Collaborative Piano
Prepare a sixty-minute program, including at least three diverse styles or periods of music. A minimum of twenty minutes each of vocal and instrumental repertoire must be included. A maximum of fifteen minutes of solo piano repertoire may be included. This audition program must be approved well in advance by Professor Martin Katz (see above).
Sight-reading and language proficiency will be examined during the audition.
If it is not possible to bring the necessary soloists with you for your audition, the school will do its best to provide you with partners and rehearsal time. If this is requested, your application should specify for which wors you require soloists.
Program III: Piano Pedagogy & Performance
For admission to the D.M.A. program, prepare the following complete works from memory:
- A major Baroque composition
- A major Classical composition (e.g., a sonata by Mozart, Beethoven, etc.)
- A major Romantic piece (for example, Chopin, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt)
- A selection of the applicant's choice
Note that an audition for Pedagogy & Performance (Program III) may require two days. If so, you will be advised when the audition is scheduled. The process will include a teaching demonstration, an interview, and a solo performance audition.
Teacher Request and Contact Policies, and Admissions/Scholarship Decisions
At the audition for Programs I and III, you will be asked to fill out a Teacher Request Form, which will indicate to the piano department which teacher(s) you are interested in studying with if you are admitted to the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. This is an important form, but it is not given to the piano faculty until after your audition, to avoid preferential adjudication. It has no bearing at all on your acceptance to the School, and is used only for contact and administrative purposes after your audition.
Before auditioning, the Piano Department encourages each prospective student to feel free to contact anyone on the faculty for answers to questions about auditions, study at Michigan, or anything else that may be related to your interest in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. After your audition, primary contact from the Piano Department will be with the teacher listed as first choice on your form, unless that teacher has given permission for second or third choices to contact you. This is simply for clarity and efficiency of communication. You may continue to initiate contact with any member of the faculty you wish, and may change your first choice designation after your audition, but the department will ask you to be very clear about your preferences so we can determine studio assignments as soon as possible, according to which professor has space for which students in the coming year.
Admission to the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is based upon evaluation of your application as a whole, and also your audition evaluations. Admissions decisions are made by the Office of Admissions and Student Services and are generally decided within five to seven weeks after your audition. All auditionees are considered for merit scholarships (provided they audition before the final date of consideration; please see Scholarships/Financial Aid for updated information), with decisions being made and sent to applicants by early April. Admitted students may receive several letters from different offices at the University of Michigan concerning scholarships and need-based grants and loans; be sure to be in contact with the School of Music, Theatre and Dance Admissions Office concerning your total award package.
Audition Schedule and Application Deadline Dates
Audition Date |
Application Deadline |
Notes |
01/16/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
program I only |
01/30/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
programs I & III |
02/06/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
programs I & II |
02/13/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
program I only |
02/19/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
programs I & III |
02/20/2009 |
12/01/2008 |
programs I, II & III |
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