Prospective Graduate Students

Greetings! We are very pleased that you are interested in finding out more about CWU's graduate degrees in Music.

On this page you will find information about:

• Graduate Degrees we offer
• How to apply for Admission to CWU
• How to apply for Admission to the Music Program
• Graduate Assistantships and how to apply for them
• Other Miscellaneous Information

GRADUATE DEGREES WE OFFER

Master of Music Degree
The Master of Music program is designed to provde opportunity for in-depth study in an area of specialization, to increase professional competence in teaching and performance, and to prepare for continued self-directed study or advanced graduate study.

Degree Programs
CWU offers the Master of Music degree in the following areas:

Composition: Program Adviser: Dr. Elaine Ross

Conducting: Program Advisers:

Wind Band: Prof. Larry Gookin
Orchestral: Prof. Nikolas Caoile
Choral: Dr. Gary Weidenaar

Voice: Dr. Linda Marra
Brass: Dr. Jeffrey Snedeker
Woodwinds: Dr. Hal Ott
Strings: Prof. Carrie Rehkopf
Piano: Dr. John Pickett
Percussion: Prof. Mark Goodenberger

ADMISSION TO CWU

It is important to note that there are two steps in the Admission process. First, students must apply to CWU for acceptance into the university. General information regarding this part of the application process, including online application forms, can be found at:

http://www.cwu.edu/~masters

The second step involves making separate application to the Music Department, according to the department admission requirements below.

HOW TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO THE MUSIC PROGRAM

Admission requirements

The GRE is not required for admission to the Department of Music Graduate Studies. In addition to the general regulations for admission to University Graduate Study, the following requirements apply to the Master of Music Degree:

• Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college with a major in music or its equivelent.
• Acceptance into a specific major field requires an evaluation of a candidate's ability, conducted by faculty in the major field and approved by the Music Department Graduate Committee and/or the Department Chair. Admission into the institution does not assure admission into a music program, but students must be admitted to the university Graduate Program before they can be officially accepted into the Music Graduate program. Therefore, candidates should complete the Admission Requirements for each degree during the application process. Contact the Program Advisers above for more information regarding auditions, interviews, or required application materials for the specific degrees.
• Non-performance majors must also demonstrate a level of musicianship equal to what would be considered appropriate for 300-level study. For clarification of what 300-level study is, consult with the auditioning/interviewing faculty or the Graduate Coordinator. Students may demonstrate this level of musicianship in several ways, appropriate to the desired degree program, or deemed appropriate by the evaluation committee after consultation with the student. Examples include a performance audition in an applied area or conducting (live or taped), a video recording or audio recording of a performance directed by the applicant, or a video recording of a music lesson or class taught by the applicant.

Admission Requirements for each degree

Admission to this program will be based upon an evaluation of appropriate compositions submitted by the student directly to the Program Adviser.

Admission to this program will require evaluation by graduate conducting faculty of evidence of an appropriate level of musicianship, satisfied in one of the following ways:

• A live performance or conducting audition
• A videotape/DVD of a performance of a performance and/or rehearsal directed by the applicant
• Other evidence deemed appropriate in consultation with the evaluating committee.

Admission to this program will be based upon an evaluation of an audition equivalent in scope to at least one-half of a full baccalaureate recital.

Admission to this program will be based upon an evaluation of an audition equivalent in scope to at least one-half of a baccalaureate recital, and evaluation of a paper written for an undergraduate class in the field of music.

Admission to this program will be based upon:

• Evaluation of an undergraduate paper in the field of music education.
• The completion of at least one year of successful public school music instruction. This requirement may be waived by the music education committee upon petition by the applicant.
• Evidence of an appropriate level of musicianship, satisfied in one of the following ways:
  1. A live performance audition
  2. A video or audio recording of a performance directed by the applicant
  3. A video recording of a music lesson or class taught by the applicant
  4. Other evidence deemed appropriate in consultation with the evaluating committee.

To find out more about the General and Curricular Requirements of each degree, CLICK HERE

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS AND HOW TO APPLY FOR THEM

For 2007-2008, the Music Department was allocated 10 graduate teaching assistantships by the CWU Office of Graduate Studies. Priority is given to matching assistantship duties with students' educational goals and individual capabilities, however these positions must also address critical needs in our department, including classroom teaching, ensemble direction, assistance in coordination of department events, instrument inventory, and several other important areas where help is needed.

Please be aware that there is a separate GTA application form that must be filed with the Office of Graduate Studies. The priority deadline for Assistantship Applications is March 1. PLEASE NOTE: GTA appointments are valid for one academic year. GTAs must reapply each year to be eligible for a second year. Students may hold GTA positions for a maximum of two academic years. Summer appointments are not included and must be handled separately. This application form can be found at:

http://www.cwu.edu/~masters/ (see link to Forms and Guidelines)

Each year, the Music Department advertises its available positions as soon as possible. Applicants should be aware that advertised positions may be revised based on capabilities and potential of applicants; for example, duties described in advertised positions can be divided differently based on skills and strengths of applicants. While the duties may be assigned differently than advertised, the duties themselves remain relatively consistent as a whole from year to year.

Descriptions of TA duties assigned for 2007-2008, including compensation packages, can be found here:

Costs for the current school year can be found in the CWU Financial Aid Handbook, available here:

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION THAT MAY BE HELPFUL

• It is highly recommended that interested applicants begin the process of applying for admission to the university and department a full year before the quarter of anticipated enrollment. Review of applications begins as soon as they are complete and officially received by the Office of Graduate Studies. The Department will not receive applications for admission or assistantships until the files are complete and evaluated by the Office of Graduate Studies. DO NOT SEND UNIVERSITY APPLICATION MATERIALS TO THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT.
• Interviews and auditions with CWU music faculty may be arranged at any time, but it is recommended that initial contact be made by November, with plans for interviews and auditions beginning in mid to late January, particularly if one is applying for a Graduate Assistantship. Once again, Program Advisers or the Graduate Coordinator will prove helpful in informing students of timelines, deadlines, etc.
• Here is a suggested timeline, for example, to apply for admission for a graduate degree in music, beginning in Fall 2008.

1. In Fall 2007, make contact with the Music Graduate Coordinator or the appropriate Program adviser (see above).
2. Obtain and complete application for admission via the CWU Office of Graduate Studies.
3. If interested in a Graduate Assistantship, obtain and complete CWU Assistantship Application Form from the Office of Graduate Studies by February 15.
4. In December or early January, schedule an audition or interview with the appropriate Program Adviser. Discuss submission of additional materials listed under "Specific Requirements for Admission" above with the Program Advisers.
5. In January, come to the CWU campus for scheduled audition/interview. Recorded performances, etc. (CD or DVD) are acceptable, but in-person auditions/interviews are highly desirable. While on campus, make sure application is complete for university and for department.

1. Students submit completed university applications to CWU Office of Graduate Studies, and complete audition/interview process with Music Department.
2. Music Department Graduate Committee receives completed university applications from Office of Graduate Studies.
3. MDGC reviews applications, consulting with appropriate faculty.
4. Results of audition/interview are gathered and brought into the evaluation process.
5. Once all application materials are complete, a decision on acceptance for admission is made ASAP, peraferably before April 1.
6. Additional consideration is made for TA applications, attempting to match capabilities with duties. This part in the process can take longer, but decisions are made ASAP, based on qualifications of applicants and department needs. Frequently, these decisions are finalized by April, but can continue until positions are filled.

If you have any questions about the information presented here or would like to begin the application process for a graduate degree in Music at CWU, click HERE