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The Department of Music offers undergraduate studies leading to either a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music or a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance. Graduate studies lead to a Master of Music Degree, with specializations in Collaborative Piano, Composition, Conducting, History and Literature, Instrumental Performance, Opera, and Voice
Undergraduate Application Information
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For Undergraduate Applicants
Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance:
The Bachelor of Music degree in Performance is an intensive program for students planning to pursue graduate study and careers in classical music performance. It requires 86 credits in music, including a junior half-recital and senior full recital, studio lessons, performance courses, and an academic core of music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology. Admission to the BMus program is by audition only. Current students considering a BMus audition should speak to their studio teacher about preparation. Please note that a successful BMus audition does not guarantee admission to the university.
BMus applicants should submit pre-screening materials as part of the University application by January 15, 2025. In-person audition will be held by invitation in February 21-23 2025. BMus applicants will be notified if accepted for an audition and sent an audition time.
Auditions: On-campus auditions (by invitation): February 2025 (TBD). Requests for virtual auditions should be made to the program director when an applicant is invited to audition. In-person auditions are preferred.
For more information:
Please email tgoodheart@binghamton.edu for Voice questions
Please email jzhu28@binghamton.edu for Instrumental questions
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music:
The Bachelor of Arts major in Music is an academically oriented program for students planning graduate study and careers in a wide range of musical fields and other areas; many students complete the BA in Music as part of a double major. It requires 48 credits in music, including an academic core of music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology, as well as studio lessons and ensemble performance. Students entering the program should normally be able to read music and have at least a few years of performing experience.
You may want to go right to our application, but we hope you'll take a minute to check out the stuff that everyone should know (like important dates and deadlines, checking your status and applying for federal student aid), as well as information for special applicant groups (EOP applicants, talent applicants and home-schooled applicants).
BA applicants may submit a Talent Review application by January 15.
For more information, please email musinfo@binghamton.edu
Graduate Application Information
- For Graduate Applicants
Graduate Applications, Auditions, and Interviews for Fall 2025
Graduate Director: Chris Bartlette, cbartlette@binghamton.edu
Instrumental Performance, Opera, Vocal Performance
On-campus auditions: February 2025 (TBD)
Requests for virtual auditions should be made to the program director when an applicant is invited to audition. In-person auditions are preferred.
Composition
Zoom Interviews (by invitation): Will be contacted by program director.
History and Literature
Auditions/Interviews (by invitation): Will be contacted by program director
Application Information:
Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2025 in order to be fully considered for admission and funding. The first round of funding decisions will take place by early March.
There are several steps to the application process. Begin by starting an online application through the Graduate School website . If you are applying for the MM Opera program, select Music – Opera MM in the program of study. If you are applying for a specialization other than Opera, select Music MM and indicate your area of study.
All applicants are automatically considered for a departmental graduate assistantship. Check the box on the online application form and include the requested statement (there is no separate application for a departmental graduate assistantship). In addition to the requested statement of career plans, please submit a complete list of employment and other experience, both music-related and other.
To apply, you must submit the following materials. For general guidelines for these materials, see the Graduate School’s Admission Requirements website.
- The online application with the application fee
- Transcripts from each college or university that you have attended
- A personal statement of 2 to 3 pages describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to the graduate admissions committee
- Résumé or curriculum vitae detailing both educational and professional experience
- Two letters of recommendation
- Additional, concentration-specific application materials, which are uploaded to the Portfolio section of the online application.
- For collaborative piano candidates: Click here for specific requirements.
- For composition candidates: PDF files of THREE or more recent, contrasting scores --- and accompanying recordings, as possible. MIDI versions are acceptable, but please include live recordings when available.
- For conducting applicants: A recently recorded video file (10-30 minutes) of rehearsal and performance conducting; a recent audio file on the candidate's major instrument or voice, including at least two composition(s) in contrasting styles; and a resume of conducting experience, repertoire and career goals.
- For instrumental performance applicants: A recently recorded pre-audition video file including at least two compositions in contrasting styles
- For music history and literature applicants: Examples of written work. GRE scores are not required but may be submitted as part of an application.
- For opera or vocal performance applicants: A recently recorded pre-audition video file including four compositions in contrasting styles; at least 3 languages should be represented. Opera and song literature should be included, with at least two opera arias.
7. International students must also submit the following materials. For more information about these materials, see the International Students section of the Graduate School’s Admission Requirements website
- International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) form
- Supporting financial documentation, such as band statements, scholarship or sponsor letters, etc.
- Proof of English proficiency, such as official TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or Duolingo English test scores
