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To register online for your audition, first submit your Meadows Graduate Application. Once submitted, the application status page will provide a checklist of remaining materials along with a link to the audition calendar. Once there, applicants will be able select the desired audition date.
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View and prepare the required graduate audition repertoire
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Pre-Screening requirements
All voice candidates wishing to participate in the Dallas auditions must first submit a pre-screening video with their Graduate Application. To be eligible for the December audition date, submissions must be received by November 1. To be eligible for the January or February audition dates, submissions must be received by December 1. All submissions will be evaluated by faculty following the respective due date. Results of the pre-screening submission will be sent by email. Notifications are typically sent one to two weeks following respective due date.
To submit your Pre-Screening video(s), first upload your media to YouTube, Vimeo, or other file sharing website. Complete the Meadows Graduate Application and upload link(s) to your video recordings or small media files on the Meadows Portfolio Page. Audition repertoire must comply with the stated requirements.
All Artist Diploma candidates must first submit a pre-screening video with their Graduate Application by December 1. All submissions will be evaluated by faculty following the respective due date. Results of the pre-screening submission will be sent by email. Notifications are typically sent by mid-January. Candidates that progress to the next stage of review will be invited to a live campus audition. The live audition will be arranged on an individual basis.A Recorded Audition Submission may be submitted with application in place of the Pre-Screening submission and waives consideration for a live audition. See information below for instructions on submitting a Recorded Audition.
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Private Teacher Request
Complete the Private Teacher Request Form by February 20 (not required for students in areas with only one faculty member and an application will need to have been initiated)
Recorded Auditions
While we strongly prefer that a prospective applicant audition in person, we will consider auditions submitted through a video recording.
- To submit your Recorded Audition video(s), first upload your media to YouTube, Vimeo, or other file sharing website. Complete the Meadows Graduate Application and upload link(s) to your video recordings or small media files by February 1 on the Meadows Portfolio page.
- Audition repertoire must comply with the stated requirements.
- Submissions are due by February 1 for scholarship consideration.
- Music faculty may choose an interview or follow-up visit with candidates before reaching an admission decision.
Changes or Cancellations: Candidates who may need to reschedule or cancel a standing audition appointment should contact the Division of Music Admissions at meadowsgrad@smu.edu. Candidates are unable to make revisions online.
Supplemental Materials
Supplemental materials for Conducting, Music Composition, Music Education, Musicology, Piano Pedagogy and Theory Pedagogy majors are required.
- Conducting majors – Choral & Instrumental - application deadline: February 1
Submit link to your 20-minute video of an ensemble rehearsal with your Meadows Online Application. Choral Conducting applicants should also submit a demonstration of singing ability and upload a sample research paper through the Meadows Online Application. Finalists in the Conducting programs will be invited to campus for a live audition. - Musicology - application deadline: February 1
Upload examples of research papers or articles showing your scholastic capabilities in your Meadows Online Application. - Music Composition - application deadline: February 1
Samples of original compositions (scores and digital recordings) are required of all applicants to the Music Composition program. Submit link(s) to your composition work(s) and upload PDF samples through the Meadows Online Application. In addition, all candidates must schedule an interview with the Music Composition faculty by emailing lharder@smu.edu. - Music Education - application and media deadline: March 1
Upload examples of research papers or articles showing scholastic capabilities, a CV or résumé, and paste the YouTube or Vimeo link to your 15-minute video demonstrating teaching skills in a normal classroom setting or rehearsal all through the Meadows Online Application. In addition, candidates must schedule an on-campus or phone interview with the Music Education faculty by emailing sarahallen@smu.edu. - Piano Pedagogy - application deadline: February 1
A 30-45 minute video demonstrating one full private lesson to a child and one full group lesson (if you have this experience), an on-campus or phone interview with the Piano Pedagogy faculty (email lysinger@smu.edu), CV or resume of teaching experience, and a full lesson plan and post-lesson self-assessment are required for consideration. - Theory Pedagogy - application deadline: February 1
Samples of term papers or analyses must be uploaded with their application by all candidates for admission to the Theory Pedagogy program. In addition, candidates must schedule an interview with the Music Theory faculty by emailing mfeezell@smu.edu.
Additional Documents Required for International Applicants
TOEFL
Submission of a TOEFL is required for all international music applicants whose first language is not English. The iBT TOEFL is preferred but we will also accept IELTS and the Computer Based TOEFL. Before an applicant can be considered for admission into a graduate program, the applicant must request the TOEFL score to be sent from the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey directly to "Southern Methodist University", DI Code 6660, and the appropriate Department Code in the Humanities category: 19 Music. Applicants who have graduated with a 4-year degree from a U.S. or English-speaking university may be exempt from this requirement.
The following minimums must be met for consideration:
Master of Music Applicants:
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum overall score of at least 80 with a minimum score of at least 20 in each of the four sections
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of at least 6.5 with a minimum score of at least 5.5 in each of the four sections
- Computer Based TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 213
Performer's Diploma Applicants or candidates being considered for the Artist Diploma:
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum overall score of at least 64 with a minimum score of at least 20 on the speaking and listening sections and a minimum score of at least 12 on the reading and writing sections
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of at least 6.0 with a minimum score of at least a 5.5 in each of the four sections
- Computer Based TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 193
Performer’s Diploma and Artist Diploma candidates that do not attain the minimum score outlined above still have the option to attend SMU, but they must complete a 6 week summer Intensive English Program offered by SMU before they begin their music studies. The cost of the program will not be covered by any scholarships that may be awarded by the Meadows School of the Arts. Applicants for the Masters of Music program are not eligible for this option should they not attain the minimum score outlined above.
I-20 and F-1 Visa
All international students admitted to a graduate program will be notified of additional documents necessary to request an I-20 which may include:
- photocopy of passport page that shows official spelling of student’s name
- proof of financial support, usually in the form of a certified letter from a bank
- transfer-in documentation if currently studying in the US
*Auditions are only required for performance applicants. Voice, Conducting, and Artist Diploma applicants will first submit a pre-screen audition recording with their application. Musicology, Music Composition, Music Education, and Theory Pedagogy applicants are not required to schedule an audition and should refer to the Supplemental Materials section above for additional application requirements.
Financial Aid
Scholarships and graduate assistantships for qualified, admitted students are available from the graduate division. Candidates for graduate awards are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is not required from international students on the F-1 visa. For additional information, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Meadows School of the Arts, PO Box 750356, Dallas, Texas 75275-0356 (email pghender@smu.edu).
Graduate Diagnostic Examinations
Graduate candidates who have successfully completed the admissions process and have been admitted into the Master of Music or Master of Sacred Music programs are required to take DIAGNOSTIC EXAMS in MUSIC HISTORY and MUSIC THEORY prior to enrollment. Students are expected to demonstrate skills and knowledge in music history, aural skills and theoretical materials equivalent to those of graduating seniors who have met general requirements in these areas at SMU. It is to the student's financial advantage to prepare seriously for the diagnostic examinations.
Students who fail the diagnostic examinations will be required to enroll for Graduate Theory Review (MUTH 6000) and/or Graduate History Review (MUHI 6000). The successful exams or the above-named courses are prerequisite for all graduate theory and history courses. STUDENTS CANNOT BE ADVISED INTO GRADUATE COURSES AT MATRICULATION IF THEY MISS THE EXAMS. Additionally, any required Graduate Review coursework must be successfully completed by the end of the first term. Students who do not complete Graduate Review coursework in the fall term will be placed on academic probation in the spring term and required to enroll again into the applicable review courses for credit. Additionally, tuition and fees will be charged in the spring term and the cost of the review courses are NOT covered by scholarship, grants or tuition waiver. Failure to complete requirements according to the probation conditions will result in suspension from the program at the end of the spring term.
Submission and Contact Information
All application materials should be directed to the following:
Graduate Application Processing
PO BOX 518
Dallas, TX 75275-0518
You may also email application related documents to gradappmaterials@smu.edu.
Questions regarding the application or admission process may be directed to:
Meadows Admission Office
meadowsgrad@smu.edu
214-768-3217