Graduate Study

Doctor of Musical Arts - Overview & Emphasis:

• Composition
• Conducting
• Jazz Studies
• Performance

Admission Criteria:

• MM GPA = 3.25/4.00 scale
• Successful Audition or Accepted Portfolio (Composition only)
• Evidence of scholarly writing ability
• Evidence of fit between the applicant's goals/interests and the School's ability to address those goals/interests
• (For International Students Only) TOEFL minimum=Paper-600 Internet-100 (IELTS 7.0)

Steps to Complete Application Portfolio:

1. Submit Screening Materials: Audio CD (performance) or video DVD (conducting) or audio CD & scores (composition)
2. Complete UNL Graduate College Application form (and $50 application fee), available on-line at www.unl.edu/gradstudies/ is required.
   Include one official copy of transcripts of all undergraduate work and all previous graduate work (including all studies for which credit was granted; e.g. summer institutes such as Aspen or Interlochen).
3. Upon receiving approval of screening materials (performance & conducting only), schedule Audition (audition requirements may be found here)
4. Submit three letters of recommendation (use form available at www.unl.edu/gradstudies/prospective/recommendation.pdf) from persons who will provide a comprehensive assessment of the applicant's character, musical ability, and promise as a graduate student is required.
5. Submit a Statement of Purpose (500-700 words; Times, 12-point font; Word, rtf or pdf format; double-spaced) should be written by the applicant describing his/her future goals and how the DMA can help attain those goals.
6. Complete a Written Exercise, a 500-700 word essay (Times, 12-point font; Word, rtf or pdf format; double-spaced) without consulting any outside references (human, electronic or in-print) via an e-mail to music2@unl.edu on the following question:



Select two compositions performed, conducted or originally composed from a recent Masters or DMA recital that represent different historical periods or contrasting styles/genres and


1. Discuss the characteristics of style and form in each composition, and
2. Discuss each composer's contribution to THIS PARTICULAR GENRE OF MUSIC (i.e., discuss additional compositions, historical and/or theoretical significance of contribution, or compare/contrast your composition to well-known compositions of a similar genre or style.)

The essay must include this honor code statement at the beginning of the essay: "On my honor, I have not received any unauthorized aid on this essay." Students' essays will also be subjected to random plagiarism software checks. Any violations of the honor code statement or evidence of plagiarism will result in the student's application portfolio being withdrawn from further consideration.




7. (For International Students Only) Send your official TOEFL scores to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln by going to the TOEFL website and following the instructions for score reporting.  The institution code for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is 6877.

NOTE: An interview is required and will be conducted with each candidate following the audition.

Send all admissions materials (other than Graduate College Application form and transcripts) to Janet Sievert, Assistant to the Director, 121 Westbrook Music Bldg., University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Lincoln, NE 68588-0100 or music2@unl.edu.