Graduate Student Admission

The TCU Master of Music degree program provides the student with resources to successfully continue their study of music with an emphasis in performance, pedagogy, collaborative piano, musicology, theory/composition and music education.

To assure full consideration for the fall 2021 term, an application must be completed online and ALL supporting materials pertaining to the application for admission must be delivered to the TCU College of Fine Arts Office of Graduate Studies BEFORE February 1, 2021. Optimal consideration for scholarships and assistantships will be given to applications completed fully with ALL supporting materials received by February 1, 2021.

January 30, 2021
February 6, 2021
February 27, 2021

To be admitted to the MM/MME degree programs, students must possess a Bachelor of Music or its equivalent, with a major in the area of proposed graduate study, including sophomore-level credit in an approved foreign language in the case of prospective majors in musicology, theory, composition, voice, or voice pedagogy. For  admission, the student must have satisfactory undergraduate preparation for the particular degree sought which includes at least a “B” average in all undergraduate work and satisfactory scores on the appropriate tests required by the school/college.

For international students – A minimum score of 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or the equivalent is required for admission. (See more information below under Application Guidelines.)

Master of Music degree plans

Master of Music Education degree plan

For full consideration, applicants seeking admission to the MM/MME program should complete their application by February 1 to be considered for a fall matriculation. All materials – transcripts, GRE, letters of recommendation, TOEFL, etc. must be received by the graduate office by the February 1 deadline. Incomplete files will not be considered for admission.

Requested official transcripts only should be sent directly by the institution’s Registrar’s Office by mail to: TCU School of Music, Attn: Debbie Alenius, TCU Box 297500, Fort Worth, TX 76129. If sent by Fed Ex, DHL or UPS, send to 2800 S. University Dr., Ed Landreth Hall – Room 120, in lieu of box number.   Unless requested otherwise, all other items should be submitted electronically through Acceptd.

Prospective applicants should consult the School of Music website links below and with faculty in their intended major area for specific requirements and expectations and additional application requirements.

To begin the application process, follow these application guidelines below:

• Complete the TCU College of Fine Arts Graduate Studies Application.
• Complete the TCU School of Music Graduate Audition Request Application. An additional $30 application fee is required for this application.
• On a separate piece of paper, provide a personal statement of your experience and vocational goals, and discuss how the program at TCU can help you achieve those goals. (Upload in the School of Music Graduate Admission/Audition Request Application on Acceptd.)
• CV or résumé. For Collaborative Piano – Include a repertoire list of both solo and collaborative repertoire. (Upload in Acceptd)
• Three current letters of reference from persons qualified to comment on the applicant’s academic musical achievement, teaching and/or professional experience, and potential for success in the degree program. These will be requested electronically through the School of Music Graduate Admission/Audition Request Application on Acceptd. You will need to supply the e-mail address of each reference for this option.
• Audition Video/Recording – required audition pre-screening recording(s). (Upload in Acceptd)
• Have TWO complete OFFICIAL transcripts mailed directly from the Registrar’s Office of each institution attended. (If the last school attended was TCU, we will obtain transcripts that are on file in the Registrar’s Office for you.) Translations must be provided for all international transcripts. Requested official transcripts only should be sent directly by the institution’s Registrar’s Office by mail to:  TCU School of Music, Attn: Debbie Alenius, TCU Box 297500, Fort Worth, TX 76129.  If sent by Fed Ex, DHL or UPS, send to 2800 S. University Dr., Ed Landreth Hall – Room 120, in lieu of box number. Do not upload these in your application as they are not considered official copies.
• TCU Music Theory Diagnostic Exam – Required of all Music applicants. (Upload hand-written scanned test into Acceptd)
• Official TOEFL Score –Required for international students. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all international applicants for the Master’s degree program. Official scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency. A minimum score of 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or the equivalent is required for admission. The TOEFL is waived for international students at the master’s level with a 4 year U.S. undergraduate degree. Be sure to take the exam early enough that scores are available during the admission process. Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency  to school code: 6820.  See other requirements for international students.
• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for graduate programs in Music Composition, Music Education, Music Theory, and Musicology. Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency to school code: 6820.
• Please read the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) portion of the Graduate website.
• All applicants are considered for financial aid on a merit basis.  There is no separate application for financial aid.

• Brass
• Collaborative Piano
• Composition
• Conducting
• Music Theory
• Musicology
• Organ
• Percussion
• Piano
• Piano Pedagogy
• Strings
• Voice
• Woodwinds

College of Fine Arts graduate studies

Master of Music degree offerings

To assure full consideration for the fall 2021 term, an application must be completed online and ALL supporting materials pertaining to the application for admission must be delivered to the TCU School of Music office BEFORE December 1, 2020. Optimal consideration for scholarships and assistantships will be given to applications completed fully with ALL supporting materials received by December 1, 2020.

To be admitted for study leading to the Doctor of Musical Arts degree program, the applicant must hold a master’s degree in music or music education (or the equivalent) of at least 30 credit hours from an accredited college, university, or comparable institution, and present a grade point average of at least 3.0 for all previous graduate level work (A = 4.0). Appropriate preparation for the doctoral study will vary according to the major/degree plan chosen; therefore; prospective applicants should consult the School of Music website links below and with faculty in their intended major area for specific requirements and expectations and additional application requirements.

For international students – A minimum score of 100 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or the equivalent is required for admission.  TOEFL is waived with a United States college degree.  (See more information below under Required Application Items.)

Doctor of Musical Arts degree plans

In addition, applicants must complete the requirements for the major field of study as described below:  

Performance
Applicants must submit a video recording of a live performance and include a program (PDF preferred). These required materials are uploaded through the School of Music Graduate Audition Request.

Composition
Applicants must submit five scores of recent works with recordings, as available. These electronic files will be uploaded as part of your Graduate Audition Request Application.   See complete admission directions.

Conducting
Applicants must submit a video recording of a recent ensemble performance and rehearsal conducted by the applicant and a repertoire list of significant conducted, as well as those prepared for conducting. These required materials are uploaded through the School of Music Graduate Audition Request.

Pedagogy
Students must submit a 15 minute DVD recording of their teaching. The teaching excerpt should include a private lesson and may include a group lesson. International students should submit a video demonstrating their ability to teach using the English language. (Teaching excerpts can be uploaded as part of the School of Music School of Music Graduate Audition Request.)

To begin the application process, follow these application guidelines below:

• Complete the TCU College of Fine Arts Graduate Studies Application.
• Complete the TCU School of Music Graduate Audition Request Application. An additional $30 application fee is required for this application.
• Non-refundable application fees will be charged for both the TCU application and the School of Music application.
• TWO complete OFFICIAL transcripts mailed directly from the Registrar’s Office of each institution attended for all college work. (If the last school attended was TCU, we will obtain transcripts that are on file in the Registrar’s Office for you.) Translations must be provided for all international transcripts. Requested official transcripts only should be sent directly by the institution’s Registrar’s Office by mail to:  TCU School of Music, Attn: Debbie Alenius, TCU Box 297500, Fort Worth, TX 76129.  If sent by Fed Ex, DHL or UPS, send to 2800 S. University Dr., Ed Landreth Hall – Room 120, in lieu of box number. Do not upload these in your application as they are not considered official copies.
• Three current letters of reference from persons qualified to comment on the applicant’s academic musical achievement, teaching and/or professional experience, and potential for success in the degree program. These will be requested electronically through the School of Music Graduate Admission/Audition Request Application on Acceptd. You will need to supply the e-mail address of each reference for this option.
• A double-spaced typed paper of five pages or more that illustrates the applicant’s writing and research skills. A term paper completed as part of master’s level work is sufficient, or the student may submit a research paper, a critical analysis, or an article suitable for publication.  This will be uploaded into Acceptd.
• A curriculum vitae is required. This should include a list of concert performances, compositions, publications, and other musical accomplishments. This will be uploaded into Acceptd.
• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for graduate programs in Music Composition only. Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency to school code: 6820.
• Official TOEFL Score –Required for international students. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all international applicants for the Doctoral degree program. Official scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency. A minimum score of 100 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or the equivalent is required for admission.  If you have a degree from a US institution you may apply and be considered without a TOEFL score; however, admission is highly competitive and it would be advantageous to present an iBT score of 100 or better. The College of Fine Arts Graduate Office prefers you have a TOEFL score if you only have a two year U.S. degree. It is automatically waived if you also have an undergraduate U.S. degree. Be sure to take the exam early enough that scores are available during the admission process. Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency to school code: 6820.  See other requirements for international students.
• All applicants are considered for financial aid on a merit basis.  There is no separate application for financial aid.

Based on the results of pre-screening, an invitation may be extended to perform an on-campus audition and/or interview in the major area before a faculty committee. Applicants should not select an audition day (including scheduling travel) until they have received an official invitation to do so. If invited, the audition/recital/interview should be arranged in coordination with the faculty in the major area and the School of Music Admissions Coordinator. Consult the faculty in your major area for instructions concerning the audition requirements, material to bring, etc. The School of Music Admissions Coordinator will send faculty contact information after application materials are received.

There will be testing in both Music Theory and Music History for all applicants who audition on campus. See Summary of skills to be evaluated

Audition dates are posted below.

Additional requirements for specific areas apply. Please visit the graduate catalog website for detailed application/audition requirements and instructions.

February 4-5, 2021
February 25-26, 2021

• Brass
• Composition
• Conducting
• Organ
• Percussion
• Piano
• Piano Pedagogy
• Strings
• Voice
• Woodwinds