Application Process and Requirements
All applicants for graduate study at Westminster are required to:
- Complete the graduate application for admission
- Submit the non-refundable $50 application processing fee
- Complete an audition or submit an audition tape with the application. Please note: auditions will not be scheduled and tapes will not be evaluated unless Westminster has received the application and fee. It is encouraged that applicants send in all required documents before auditioning. Click here for audition dates and requirements.
- Submit a repertoire list. All applicants must submit a current and complete list of works performed.
- Submit two reference letters. We would like a reference from your current or most recent music teacher. The remaining reference(s) can be of your choosing. Ask your teachers to mail the recommendations directly to the Admissions Office
- Submit a personal statement. Each graduate applicant is asked to write a substantial essay of 500 words.
- Submit a current resume.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university attended.
- Submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores, if English is not your native language
Send all requested documents to:
Office of Admission
Westminster Application Processing Center
Rider University
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-9943
Applications must be received at least three weeks in advance of the requested audition date.
| Audition Date |
Application Received by |
| December 4, 2009 |
November 13, 2009 |
| January 29, 2010 |
January 8, 2010 |
| February 19, 2010 |
January 29, 2010 |
| March 5, 2010 |
February 12, 2010 |
| All Regional Auditions - January 2010 |
January 8, 2010 |
In addition to the admission audition the following programs have specific requirements. Click here for a complete listing of graduate audition requirements.
Program Specific Requirements:
| Choral Conducting |
- Pre-screening recording – postmarked by December 1, 2009
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- On campus audition
|
| Composition |
- Current resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Three recent works which best demonstrate present abilities.
- Submit a list of all composition
- The composition faculty will supply each applicant with a motive to be used in composing a tonal, two-part invention.
|
| Music Education (M.M.) |
- Students applying for a concentration in Choral Conducting must follow the requirements for a Choral Conducting applicant
- An interview with a member of the music education faculty.
- Although not required, the department would be pleased to review a DVD or videotape of the candidate teaching.
|
|
Master of Music Education (M.M.E.) |
- Videotape of conducting or classroom teaching (approximately forty minutes and should not be a concert or performance).
- Written proposal for the "focus track" of study (Focus Track: Choral Music, Orff Certification, Kodaly Certification, Music Technology, Kindermusik or New Jersey Teacher Certificate).
- Submission of a portfolio.
- Personal interview.
|
| Master of Voice Pedagogy (M.V.P.) |
- Audio recording demonstrating singing ability (need not be current).
- Two letters of recommendation speaking to singing and/or teaching ability.
- A candidate's statement of intent, outlining professional goals and expectations for Westminster's MVP program.
- A sample of academic/professional writing, new or previously composed (e.g., research paper completed for previous academic work, published or submitted article, an original review of an article from the Journal of Voice or Journal of Singing or a brief, original paper on a topic, such as breathing, phonation, registration or voice literature).
- Candidates with significant prior teaching experience may include printed programs, audio recordings, reviews or letters of support from former or current students (optional).
- Admissions interview
|
| Piano Accompanying and Coaching |
- In the admission audition a member of the voice faculty will perform the vocal literature. The candidate will have 30 minutes to rehearse with the vocalist.
|
Sacred Music
|
- Conducting Audition -applicants will conduct Westminster Chapel Choir in an assigned piece at the on-campus audition
- Sacred Music Interview - interview with a member of the Sacred Music faculty
- Applicants for Sacred Music Composition will also have an interview with the composition faculty and follow the requirements for a composition primary.
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