Graduate Studies in Music at UMD provides a bridge between academic training and the professional world for music educators and performers in four distinct programs: Music Education, Music Performance, Collaborative Piano, and Conducting. Led by vibrant faculty artists who have achieved success at the highest levels and on the world’s largest stages, these fast-growing programs, provide advanced music students with the training and professional opportunities they need to find their place in the professional world.
Graduate Application Process
Before a student can schedule an audition for graduate study in the Department of Music at UMD they must complete an on-line application for graduate study through the UMD Graduate School. This application process is done through the UMD Graduate School application system.
You may begin your application HERE now. This will take you to the University Graduate School application. Once you are on this site, you will need to create a username and password in order to begin the process. Please be sure you choose "Duluth Campus" as the specific university campus you will be applying to.
As a prospective music graduate student you are also required to submit materials to the department of music and perform an audition before committee members in your intended area of study as well as participate in an interview with our Director of Graduate Studies (Dr. David Edmund). Please see the specific application requirements below.
If you are ready to audition, please Register for a Graduate Audition Here.
Music Department Admission and Application Requirements
Those applying for the MM in Music Performance must submit and/or complete the following:
- A Department of Music Graduate Study Application. Begin your application HERE
- A three- to five-page paper addressing current issues in music performance to be used as a professional writing example
- Two letters of reference from professional colleagues or supervisors describing the candidate’s potential for success in the graduate music program
- An entrance performance audition on the candidate’s major instrument or voice, arranged with the applied professor in your area. A DVD or Web based link to a video may be accepted as a substitute for the live audition upon approval of the faculty and Director of Graduate Studies.
Those applying for MM in Music Education must submit and/or complete the following:
- A Department of Music Graduate Study Application. Begin your application HERE
- A three- to five-page paper addressing current issues in music education to be used as a professional writing example
- Two letters of reference from professional colleagues or supervisors describing the candidate’s potential for success in the graduate music program
- A video (VHS or DVD) of classroom teaching or conducting - this should be shared directly with the area head of Music Education
Those applying for the MM in Conducting (Choral or Instrumental) must submit and/or complete the following:
- A Department of Music Graduate Study Application. Begin your application HERE
- A three- to five-page paper addressing current issues in music performance to be used as a professional writing example
- Two letters of reference from professional colleagues or supervisors describing the candidate’s potential for success in the graduate music program
- An entrance conducting audition on campus with an assigned ensemble to be arranged with the applied conducting professor in your area. A DVD or Web based link to a video may be accepted as a substitute for the live audition upon approval of the faculty and Director of Graduate Studies.
- Those applying to for the Choral Conducting degree will be asked to demonstrate foreign language proficiency at the audition.
Those applying for the MM in Music Collaborative Piano must submit and/or complete the following:
- A Department of Music Graduate Study Application. Begin your application HERE
- A three- to five-page paper addressing current issues in music performance to be used as a professional writing example
- Two letters of reference from professional colleagues or supervisors describing the candidate’s potential for success in the graduate music program
- An entrance performance audition on the candidate’s major instrument or voice, arranged with the applied professor in your area. A DVD or Web based link to a video may be accepted as a substitute for the live audition upon approval of the faculty and Director of Graduate Studies.
Registration for Graduate Audition
Entrance Requirements:
For more information on requirements please contact Dr. David Edmund at dcedmund@d.umn.edu or Dee Charles at [email protected].
Priority Audition Dates will be arranged for Graduate Assistant-ships and Scholarship funding. To request audition accommodation, please contact; Dee Charles at [email protected] | 218.726.7890
Please call 218.726.7890 or email [email protected] with questions regarding the application or scholarship audition process.