Application Deadline: Dec. 1

The Butler School of Music is offering a grace period for submission of the music application. Applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. (Central) on Monday, December 9 will be considered as received on time.

Graduate School Requirements

Follow the Graduate School instructions to submit the ApplyTexas application, application fee and transcripts. Collaborative Piano applicants are not required to submit a GRE score. International applicants should review the Graduate School instructions to determine if they are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.

Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music Requirements

Submit the following documents through the Butler School of Music application.

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose is a 500-word essay outlining your objectives for graduate study, career plans and reasons for applying to our program.

Letters of Recommendation

Three recommendation letters, written in the last 12 months, pertaining to your potential for graduate study in music are required. Provide contact information for your three chosen references in your Butler School of Music application. Notification emails will be sent to your references after you submit the application. Any delay in submitting your application will delay the notifications to your references.

Résumé or Curriculum Vitae

All applicants for graduate degree programs must submit a résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) providing complete information concerning musical training, experience, awards, honors, publications and performances.

Repertoire List

The repertoire list should include all collaborative works performed or rehearsed. If appropriate, you may optionally include a representative selection of solo repertoire, including concertos and other large ensemble works featuring prominent solo passages.

Prescreening

Collaborative pianists must submit a video prescreening recording to be considered for a live, on-campus, audition. Current University of Texas at Austin students applying for a further degree and graduate students who are reapplying to end an official leave of absence are exempt from the prescreening requirement. Prescreening results are released in mid-December.

Select an Audition Date

All collaborative piano applicants must perform and pass a live, on-campus, audition to pursue a degree in music. Applicants will receive prescreening results in mid-December, and those with positive results will be invited to audition on campus.

Collaborative Piano Prescreening and Audition Requirements

2020 Audition Dates: February 8, 15

Video Prescreening:

  • A 20-minute video of a recent live collaborative performance(s) which the applicant feels best represents their pianistic and collaborative abilities.

Each individual work must be uploaded as a separate video file.
Upload and attach your video prescreening to the Butler School of Music application form and submit by December 1. Audio-only prescreening submissions do not qualify.

Should you have any questions concerning the audition requirements, please contact Dr. Colette Valentine.

Audition (if invited):

All invited applicants must confirm specific repertoire choices with Professor Valentine.

  • All applicants:

    • An example of an orchestral reduction, which can be either a movement from a standard instrumental concerto or a standard operatic aria.
    • Sight-reading
    • Interview with the collaborative faculty
    • Optional: A short solo piano piece or movement
  • M.M. & A.D. only:
    • Two contrasting movements from a standard instrumental sonata.
    • A list of six art songs; two each in German, French and English, from which faculty will choose at the audition.
  • D.M.A. only:
    • A complete, standard instrumental sonata. Several options would be appreciated (but not required) to facilitate partnering.
    • A list of nine art songs; three each in German, French and English, from which faculty will choose at the audition.

Helpful Hints for a Smooth Application Process

  1. Include your UT EID and full name on any document you submit to the Graduate School or the Butler School of Music.
  2. Use MyStatus to track the receipt of credentials sent to the Graduate and International Admissions Center. You will need your UT EID and password to access this service. You will not be able to check the status of your admission file prior to submitting the ApplyTexas application and receiving the acknowledgement email with your UT EID and temporary password. Check your application status regularly.
  3. Add "mga@mail.music.utexas.edu" to your safe senders list.