Graduate Studies | Admissions | Graduate Office | Handbook

For the 2013-14 Academic year, the CWU Music Department anticipates it will be searching to fill six Graduate Assistantship positions.

These assistantship positions require a 2-year commitment to a residential (ie. academic year on Ellensburg campus) master’s program in music, culminating in a master’s degree in one of the department’s degree programs. A combination of duties that may include teaching, coaching, assisting, conducting, and directing are expected of all Graduate Assistants, with 20 hours of duties per week assigned. The compensation package includes a stipend plus in-state tuition waiver, health center fee, and health insurance benefits. (A limited number of non-resident tuition waivers are available). For more information and current compensation figures, contact Diane Houser in the CWU Graduate Office at 509-963-3101 or houserd@cwu.edu.

Graduate Assistant assignments may include duties in these areas:

• Piano: teach Class Piano. Accompany rehearsals. Assist with Piano area organizational duties.
• Choral: direct Lab Choir, direct a Vocal Jazz Ensemble, assist Choral area, including conducting & organizational duties
• Jazz Instrumental: direct a large jazz ensemble, coach multiple jazz combos, assist Jazz area, including directing & organizational duties
• Percussion: teach Percussion Methods course to music ed majors, assist with Theory
• Band: assist with multiple bands, including conducting & organizational duties
• Orchestra: conduct Kittitas Valley Youth Orchestra, assist orchestra area, including conducting & organizational duties
• Theory: Teach ear training labs

Many of the above areas do not comprise a complete assignment, so duties that are compatible with the strengths of each candidate may be assigned from (but not limited to) the list below:

• A combination of partial duties for two or more areas from the list above
• Accompanying (piano)
• Applied studio: technical and/or artistic instruction
• Equipment inventory and/or maintenance
• Methods courses: instruction
• Theory: assignment grading, instruction, tutoring
• Prep String Program: administrative duties, directing

Application Steps

1. Apply for Graduate Admission to Central Washington University. Find the form here.
2. Contact the specific Program Advisor for the degree program of interest. They will provide you with the area specific information you need as well as your particular audition or admission requirements. Find Program Advisors here.
3. Complete the Graduate Assistant application by March 1, 2012. Find the form here.

Please note that all application materials must be sent to the CWU Graduate Studies Office. Once your file is complete and evaluated by the Office of Graduate Studies, the Music Department will be sent materials for admission and/or assistantships consideration. 
DO NOT SEND UNIVERSITY APPLICATION MATERIALS TO THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT.

For more details on Graduate Assistanship positions, contact:
Professor Chris Bruya
Associate Chair/Graduate Coordinator
Department of Music
Central Washington University
400 East University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7458 
Phone 509-963-1916
Fax 509-963-1239
Email: bruyac@cwu.edu

For general information and application materials, contact:
Office of Graduate Studies and Research
Central Washington University
400 East University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7510
Telephone: 509-963-3103
Fax: 509-963-1799
E-mail: masters@cwu.edu

*Last updated 2011-11-29