Application Deadline: Dec. 1

The Butler School is not accepting M.M. or D.M.A. Orchestral Conducting applications for fall 2020 entry.
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. Conducting 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 and experience (demonstrating mastery of an instrument or voice), awards, honors, publications and performances.

Repertoire List

The repertoire list should include all works conducted or rehearsed, but may also include a representative selection of solo or chamber performance repertoire, if desired.

Prescreening

Conducting applicants 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 graduate conducting applicants must perform and pass a live, on-campus, audition to pursue a degree in conducting. Applicants will receive results in mid-December, and those with positive results will be invited to audition on campus.

Audition Dates:
Band/Wind Conducting: February 28
Choral Conducting: January 24, 31
Orchestral Conducting: (closed)

Band/Wind, Choral and Orchestral Conducting Prescreening and Audition Requirements

Video Prescreening (required):

  • One session of ensemble rehearsal lasting no less than fifteen minutes, preferably edited to highlight segments focused on dealing with specific rehearsal problems of intonation, ensemble balance, technique, style or interpretation. Videos of unbroken runthroughs in a rehearsal setting are not considered rehearsal material.
  • One unedited performance of a complete work, preferably the same work featured in the rehearsal video above.

The camera should be positioned behind the ensemble facing the conductor and the conductor should be clearly visible.

Audition (if invited):

  • Repertoire and audition expectations will be discussed at the time the applicant is invited to audition live.

Helpful Hints for a Smooth Application Process

  • Include your UT EID and full name on any document you submit to the Graduate School or the Butler School of Music.
  • 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 online application and receiving the acknowledgement email with your UT EID and temporary password. Check your application status regularly.
  • Add "mga@mail.music.utexas.edu" to your safe senders list.