Doctoral Requirements | UO School of Music and Dance

Doctoral Requirements

Note: Any student who is admitted to a graduate program in music at the University of Oregon must currently possess the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree in music. A student accepted without an undergraduate degree in music will be admitted conditionally. Under this status, the student will be required to complete a series of undergraduate music courses.

In addition to the general requirements outlined on the Graduate Admissions page, you must submit the following supplemental materials for your specific program. Applicants for all doctoral programs must apply for and be admitted in BOTH a PRIMARY and a SUPPORTING area.

Ph.D. applicants in composition MUST choose one of the following as a supporting area: ethnomusicology, intermedia music technology, musicology, music education, or music theory

Note: DVDs need to be encoded for area/region 1. Use one of the following formats: QuickTime, AVI, or MP4/M4V

All additional materials must be sent to:
School of Music and Dance
Graduate Admissions
1225 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1225 USA

Primary Areas

Composition

Composition Portfolio that includes:

Scores and CD, DVD, or tape recordings of original works for large and small ensembles, that demonstrate marked ability and technical skill in composition
Evidence of a senior recital of your works
List of compositions
List of performances of compositions

An interview arranged directly with a member of the composition faculty is encouraged

Music Education

Evidence of three years of successful full-time music teaching in either elementary or secondary school or both
DVD or videotape of teaching
CD, DVD, or tape recording of performances where applicable
Interview with faculty

Musicology

Part of the graduate online application: Two writing samples exemplifying your scholarship and research ability (one of which will satisfy general Application Materials)
In addition, for Historical Performance Practice:
Optional recent high quality CD, DVD, or tape recording of performance

Music Theory

Part of the graduate online application: Two papers (one of which will satisfy general Application Materials) exemplifying your scholarship and ability to develop a single, coherent line of reasoning and your ability to analyze tonal or atonal music or both
Take the Music Theory Qualifying Examination, which is administered by proctor and is scheduled individually. Arrange for a proctor (generally one of your professors) to contact Stephen Rodgers (ser@uoregon.edu) and indicate their willingness to proctor the exam. Click here for a study guide. For priority consideration, the exam must be received by January 29, 2012.

Performance

Part of the graduate online application: Repertoire list
Audition (or recent high-quality recording, preferably CD or DVD). See Graduate Audition Requirements
Flute and saxophone auditions are by invitation only. Submit your preliminary audition recording by December 10, 2011.

NOTE: Any student admitted on the basis of a recorded performance must perform a placement audition upon arrival on campus to begin studies.

Supporting Areas

Arts Administration
This supporting area is administered by the Arts and Administration Program in the School of Architecture and Allied Arts.

Additional arts administration application and requirements available at http://aad.uoregon.edu

Collaborative Piano

Part of the graduate online application: Repertoire list
Audition on campus (or recent high-quality recording, preferably CD or DVD). See Graduate Audition Requirements

NOTE: Any student admitted on the basis of a recorded performance must perform a placement audition upon arrival on campus to begin studies.

Composition

Composition Portfolio that includes:

Scores and CD, DVD, or tape recordings of original works for large and small ensembles, that demonstrate marked ability and technical skill in composition
List of compositions
List of performances of compositions

Conducting (Choral or Instrumental Emphasis)

Part of the graduate online application: Copies of concert programs conducted
Evidence of two years of successful conducting experience
Conducting audition
DVD or videotape, if available, of conducting skills

Intermedia Music Technology

IMT Portfolio that includes:

Audio recordings of recent compositions (at least 3), one of which may be in a film or video format. Audio recordings should be in a DAT or CD form; video recordings should be in DVD, QuickTime, AVI or 1/2 inch VHS form. Evidence of work in collaborative contexts enhances the application.
Statement of one to two pages that describes (a) your experience with electronic and computer music instruments, audio recording, and/or other related software equipment; (b) your experience working in other artistic disciplines and in collaborative projects; and (c) your reason for wanting to enroll in this degree program. This statement is in addition to the one requested for general admission.
Summary of all creative, professional and academic work related to the IMT degree.
List of all software and hardware with which you have worked indicating level of expertise.

Please be sure to visit the IMT website. It contains comprehensive information about the IMT program.

Jazz Studies (Instrumental Performance or Composition/Arranging Emphasis)

Part of the graduate online application: Repertoire list
Preliminary audition CD, DVD, or tape. Live audition, if selected. All candidates must submit a preliminary audition recording by December 10, 2011. DVD, CD, cassette or videotape only: 15 to 20 minutes; recordings must focus on the applicant and not supporting musicians; three or four pieces in varied styles (ballad, swing, straight 8th, etc.) that demonstrate improvisation skills.
In addition, for jazz arranging emphasis:
Representative scores and recordings of arrangements and/or jazz compositions: complete scores (with accompanying recording) of compositions and/or arrangements of two selections for jazz ensemble. At least one of these pieces should be scored for a large ensemble (10 or more pieces).

Jazz faculty will review preliminary recordings and scores within two weeks of the date they are received. Please also see Jazz Graduate Degrees and Programs of Study.

Multiple Woodwinds

Part of the graduate online application: Repertoire list
Audition on campus (or recent high-quality recording, preferably CD or DVD). See Graduate Audition Requirements

NOTE: Any student admitted on the basis of a recorded performance must perform a placement audition upon arrival on campus to begin studies.

Music Education

Evidence of two years of successful full-time music teaching in either elementary or secondary school or both
DVD or videotape of teaching
CD, DVD, or tape recording of performances where applicable
Interview with faculty when visiting campus for primary area

Musicology, Ethnomusicology, or Historical Performance Practice

Part of the graduate online application: Statement of Purpose. It should describe your reason for wanting to enroll in this degree program. This statement is in addition to the one requested for general admission.
Part of the graduate online application: Two writing samples exemplifying your scholarship and research ability (one of which will satisfy general Application Materials)
In addition, for Historical Performance Practice:
Optional recent high quality CD, DVD, or tape recording of performance

Music Theory

Part of the graduate online application: Two papers (one of which will satisfy general Application Materials) exemplifying your scholarship and ability to develop a single, coherent line of reasoning and your ability to analyze tonal or atonal music or both

Performance

Part of the graduate online application: Repertoire list
Audition (or recent high-quality recording, preferably CD or DVD). See Graduate Audition Requirements
Flute and saxophone auditions are by invitation only. Submit your preliminary audition recording by December 10, 2011.

NOTE: Any student admitted on the basis of a recorded performance must perform a placement audition upon arrival on campus to begin studies.

Piano Pedagogy

Part of the graduate online application: Repertoire list
Audition (or recent high-quality recording, preferably CD or DVD). See Graduate Audition Requirements

NOTE: Any student admitted on the basis of a recorded performance must perform a placement audition upon arrival on campus to begin studies.

Violin/Viola Pedagogy

Part of the graduate online application: Resumé/curriculum vitae, emphasizing teacher training and experience. This resume is in addition to the one requested for general admission.
Part of the graduate online application: Statement of Purpose. It should describe your reason for wanting to enroll in this degree program: one to two pages that describes (a) the applicant's experience with teaching and/or working with children ages preschool through high school, as well as students at the college level; (b) the applicant's experience in working as part of a team, on a music teaching staff or otherwise; (c) the applicant's reason for wanting to enroll in this degree program and what motivates his or her desire to teach. This statement is in addition to the one requested for general admission.
DVD (high quality) of teaching, preferably in both group and private string instruction settings, no less than 30 minutes in length. May be waived if the applicant has no prior teaching experience.