Skip to main content

Conducting Audition Requirements for MM

Main Content

 

Band Conducting

  • A high-quality video recording of a recent ensemble performance and rehearsal you conducted.
  • Repertoire list of significant works you have conducted and prepared.

If the initial screening is accepted, candidates will be invited to campus to guest conduct one of the large ensembles for a final audition.

For questions regarding admission materials for band conducting, contact:

Bobby R Francis
Professor & Director of Bands
817-257-6700
b.francis@tcu.edu
View Profile

Choral Conducting

  • 10 minutes of uncut rehearsal video with an ensemble.
  • 10 minutes of conducting performance video with an ensemble where the conductor can be seen throughout (front view is preferred).

Candidates will meet with faculty, rehearse with the TCU Concert Chorale, and undergo skill testing (piano, diction, musicianship, etc.)

For questions regarding admission materials for choral conducting, contact:

Christopher Aspaas
Associate Professor & Division Chair of Choral Activities
817-257-7609
c.aspaas@tcu.edu
View Profile

Orchestral Conducting

  • A high-quality video recording should include (performance and rehearsal) of at least one movement of a symphony, and/or two contrasting pieces of the standard orchestral repertoire.
  • Proficiency on a musical instrument is required. Submit a high-quality video performance of standard repertoire, though performance level need not meet that of a major. 
  • Conducting portfolio.

If the initial screening is accepted, candidates will be invited to campus for an interview and to guest conduct one of the large ensembles for a final audition. They will also take diagnostic exams in music theory and history. Expect to be on campus for two full days.

For questions regarding admission materials for orchestral conducting, contact:

Germán Augusto Gutiérrez
Professor
817-257-7654
g.gutierrez@tcu.edu
View Profile

Master of Music General Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree: 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.

Academic Standards: For  admission, the student must have satisfactory undergraduate preparation for the particular degree sought which includes at least a “B” average (comparable to at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in all undergraduate work and satisfactory scores on the appropriate tests required by the school/college.

International Student Requirements: A minimum score of 80 on the iBT, TOEFL, 6.5 on the IELTS or 105 on the Duolingo English test is required for admission. The TOEFL may be waived for students who hold undergraduate degrees from a university with English as the language of instruction.Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency  to school code: 6820. Official scores must be sent to TCU from testing agency by application deadline for application to be considered “complete”. Applicants will not be invited to audition without official scores that meet the standard for admission.

Exemption: Exemptions to this requirement are given if the student has completed (or will before matriculation to TCU) an undergraduate degree from a US institution or from a university where English is the language of instruction. To request consideration for this exemption, submit official final or most current official in-progress transcript using the directions below and indicate exemption request on Accept’d music application when prompted. Translations must be provided for all international transcripts.

Fund Your Education

In addition to TCU’s full range of scholarships, the School of Music offers scholarships for creative performance.

State-of-the-Art Learning Facilities

Students have access to world-class venues and studios to launch successful careers in music and beyond.