Application & Audition Procedures (BM, MM, DMA)

All applicants must apply to the Moores School of Music and the University of Houston.

• Bachelor of Music (Composition Major)
• Master of Music (Composition Major)
• Doctor of Musical Arts (Composition Major)
• Scholarships
• Teaching Assistantships

Bachelor of Music (Composition Major)

All undergraduate composition applicants are required to audition on an applied instrument or voice and interview with the composition faculty. It is strongly encouraged that applicants take the theory placement exam that is offered on all audition days.

In addition, students should submit a portfolio with their application that contains:

1. At least three representative scores of original compositions
   (it is possible to apply with fewer than three scores, but in this event please contact Dr. Rob Smith for more information)
2. Recordings of the above works, if available, on CD
3. A list of all compositions
   (please include instrumentation, durations, and dates)

For more information, please contact the composition coordinator, Dr. Rob Smith. Applications, deadlines, and audition days/requirements may be found at: http://www.music.uh.edu/prospective/undergraduate.html

Master of Music (Composition Major)
Doctor of Musical Arts (Composition Major)

All graduate composition applicants should submit a portfolio with their application that contains:

1. Representative scores of at least 60 minutes worth of compositions in a wide variety of instrumental and vocal combinations
2. Recordings of the above works on CD
   (the inclusion of live recordings is strongly encouraged for MM students and required for DMA students)
3. A list of all compositions
   (please include instrumentation, durations and dates)

Selected applicants will be invited to campus for an interview with the composition faculty and will be notified about their interview approximately one week after the application deadline, or sooner if their application is submitted earlier. If a campus interview is not possible arrangements may be made to interview via video conferencing or phone, although a campus interview is preferred.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for a teaching assistantship, in which case a campus audition/interview is required. TA applicants must also take the theory placement exam that is offered on all audition days.

For more information, please contact the composition coordinator, Dr. Rob Smith. Applications, deadlines, and audition requirements may be found at: http://www.music.uh.edu/prospective/graduate.html

Scholarships

Available for students at all levels of study who demonstrate outstanding promise in music composition. All applicants are automatically considered for music scholarship unless their application is received after deadlines.

Grants are also available specifically for contemporary music performance (AURA). Grant awards are determined by general wind, string and percussion auditions held at the start of each semester. Pianists and vocalists interested in these grants should arrange for auditions with Dr. Rob Smith.

Teaching Assistantships

Numerous classroom-teaching positions are available for freshman, sophomore and non-major music theory classes. All TA recipients receive a stipend and a scholarship of at least $1,000. For out-of-state students, scholarship awards will activate in-state tuition rates. The University of Houston tuition rate is one of the lowest in the nation. Auditions/Interviews for these positions are held on all audition days and must be done on campus. Applicants for these positions must also take the theory placement exam that is offered on all audition days.