Application Deadline: Dec. 1

The Butler School is not accepting M.M. or D.M.A. Opera Directing applications for fall 2021 entry.

Madam Butterfly

Graduate School Requirements

Follow the Graduate School instructions to submit the ApplyTexas application, application fee and transcripts. Performance 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 (C.V.) providing complete information concerning musical training, experience, awards, honors, publications and performances.

Repertoire List (Opera Coaching only)

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

Prescreening (Opera Directing only)

Submit prescreening materials to be considered for an on-campus interview. 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 Opera Coaching Audition Date

Opera Coaching applicants must perform and pass an audition to pursue a degree in music. Auditions will be held on the morning of Jan. 15.

Opera Coaching Audition Requirements

M.M. in Opera Coaching:

  • One solo piano work or extended symphonic section of an opera lasting at least three minutes in length. Performance from memory not required.
  • One Mozart opera aria with recitative from any vocal category, to be played and sung at the same time by the applicant, in the original language. This component will be judged on the applicant's coordination ability, not on vocal quality or technical accomplishment.
  • Applicant's choice of one of the following works, to be performed with a soloist without rehearsal:
    • Puccini: Madama Butterfly, "Un bel dì" (starting from "Piangi?")
    • R. Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier, "Mir ist die Ehre widerfahren"
    • Charpentier: Louise, "Depuis le jour"
    • Verdi: Rigoletto, "Ella mi fu rapita... Parmi veder le lagrime"
  • Sight-reading of selections from operatic and/or symphonic literature (using piano reductions).
  • Interview with Butler Opera Center faculty.

D.M.A. in Opera Coaching:

  • One solo piano work or extended symphonic section of an opera lasting at least three minutes in length. Performance from memory not required.
  • Applicant's choice of one of the following works, to be performed with a soloist without rehearsal:
    • Puccini: Madama Butterfly, "Un bel dì" (starting from "Piangi?")
    • R. Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier, The Presentation of the Rose, "Mir ist die Ehre widerfahren"
    • Charpentier: Louise, Louise's aria, "Depuis le jour"
    • Verdi: Rigoletto, "Ella mi fu rapita... Parmi veder le lagrime"
  • Applicant's choice of one of the following works, all parts to be played and sung by the applicant. This component will be judged on the applicant's coordination ability, not on vocal quality or technical accomplishment.
    • Any sextet or finale from Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni or Cosí fan tutte.
    • Puccini: La boheme, Act I beginning through Benoit's entrance.
    • Bizet: Carmen, Quintet, "Nous avons en tête une affaire."
  • Applicant's choice of extended secco recitative from Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni or Cosí fan tutte or Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia.
  • Sight-reading of selections from operatic and/or symphonic literature (using piano reductions).
  • Sight-reading of short texts in Italian, German, French and English.
  • Simultaneous sight-reading of both vocal line and piano accompaniment to an operatic aria.
  • Interview with Butler Opera Center faculty.

Request an Opera Directing Interview

Opera Directing applicants will receive prescreen results in mid-December, and those with positive results will be invited to interview on campus.

Opera Directing Prescreen & Interview Requirements (closed for 2021 entry)

M.M. & D.M.A. in Opera Directing: (The Butler School is not accepting Opera Directing applications for fall 2021 entry.)

Prescreening (required):

  • Statement of purpose: Focus on how this degree will be applicable to your future career goals.
  • Résumé/C.V.: List any and all opera directing experience.
  • Applicants to the D.M.A. in Opera Directing are also required to submit video of appropriate opera directing performance or working rehearsal footage that demonstrates the applicant working with operating performers in some capacity. Both opera scenes and full opera productions are acceptable. Video prescreening is not required from M.M. applicants, but may be optionally included. 

Interview (if invited):

  • Interview with Butler Opera Center faculty.

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.