Among numerous other emphases in the graduate program, the UNL School of Music offers both a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in the wind band conducting area. The program director and principal advisor for wind band conducting majors is Dr. Carolyn Barber, UNL's director of bands.
Applicants to the wind band conducting program should be individuals who wish to join a community of scholars, performers and pedagogues dedicated to the study and practice of wind band conducting as an applied performance medium. Enrollment in the wind band conducting studio is intentionally limited and auditions are competitive. A high degree of musicianship, scholarship, and an engaging interpersonal style are essential. The objective of the program is to develop skillful, expressive conductors who are prepared to succeed in both professional and academic settings.
Following are snapshots of the MM and DMA programs in wind band conducting. For the most complete and accurate overview of our graduate programs as well as online application materials and financial aid information please consult the official handbooks published online:
http://www.unl.edu/music/handbooks/handbooks.shtml
For additional information on graduate study and financial aid, consult the School of Music's website:
http://www.unl.edu/music/grad/grad.shtml
- MM in Wind Band Conducting
- DMA in Wind Band Conducting
- Graduate Teaching Assistantships
- Doctoral Fellowships
- Student Loans
Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting
NOTE: Send all admissions materials (other than Graduate College Application form) to UNL School of Music Admissions Coordinator; 108 Westbrook Music Building, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Lincoln, NE 68588-0100
Degree: MM
Area: Wind Band Conducting
Major Area Professor: Carolyn Barber cbarber2@unl.edu
Admission Criteriea:
- Undergraduate GPA = 3.00/4.00 scale
- Successful Audition
Materials for Admissions Portfolio:
- A completed UNL Graduate College Application form (and $45 application fee), available online at www.unl.edu/gradstudies/ is required.
- Two official copies of transcripts of all undergraduate work and all previous graduate work (including all studies for which credit was granted; e.g. summer institutes such as Aspen or Interlochen) are required.
- Three letters of recommendation are required (use form available at www.unl.edu/gradstudies/prospective/recommendation.pdf ) from persons who will provide a comprehensive assessment of the applicant's character, musical ability, and promise as a graduate student.
- Audition screening tape: 20-25 minute standard VHS tape or DVD of conductor with camera angle limited to side or front view of the conductor. Approximately 10-15 minutes should be footage of a recent rehearsal; the remainder of the tape should be footage of a recent public performance.
Following the receipt of application materials (January 15), the conducting faculty will then review each file and determine if an on campus audition and interview will be required.
On-campus audition and interview: Upon faculty review of the materials that are submitted, a limited number of finalists may be invited to campus for a formal audition and interview. Scheduled for late February or early March, the audition/interview process includes the following:
- MM finalists should prepare at least three movements (applicant's choice) of Percy Grainger's Lincolnshire Posy. Each finalist is responsible for securing his or her own full score (Fennell edition).
- each finalist will perform a 20-minute audition with the UNL Wind Ensemble, adjudicated by the director of bands and members of the ensemble faculty. The audition will begin with a run-through of the selected movements, followed by 5-10 minutes of rehearsal (lead at the discretion of the applicant). For the remainder of the audition, the applicant will be coached in a quasi-lesson format by the director of bands.
- each finalist will have an interview with the director of bands and members of the band faculty to discuss the applicants professional goals, philosophy, and experience, and to address any questions the applicant may have regarding the conducting program at UNL.
- a brief diagnostic exam designed to assess the applicants aural skills, score reading and recognition, analytical skills, knowledge of terminology and transpositions, and familiarity with wind band literature (grades 1-6). The skills components of the exam will use Lincolnshire Posy as a point of departure.
DMA in Wind Band Conducting
NOTE: Send all admissions materials (other than Graduate College Application form) to UNL School of Music Admissions Coordinator; 108 Westbrook Music Bldg., University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Lincoln, NE 68588-0100
Degree: MM
Area: Wind Band Conducting
Major Area Professor: Carolyn Barber cbarber2@unl.edu
Admission Criteriea:
- Undergraduate GPA = 3.25/4.00 scale
- Successful Audition
- Evidence of scholarly writing ability
- Evidence of "fit" between the applicant's goals/interests and the School's ability to address those goals/interests
Materials for Admissions Portfolio:
- A completed UNL Graduate College Application form (and $45 application fee), available online at www.unl.edu/gradstudies/ is required.
- Two official copies of transcripts of all undergraduate work and all previous graduate work (including all studies for which credit was granted; e.g. summer institutes such as Aspen or Interlochen) are required.
- Four letters of recommendation are required (use form available at www.unl.edu/gradstudies/prospective/recommendation.pdf ) from persons who will provide a comprehensive assessment of the applicant's character, musical ability, and promise as a graduate student.
- Statement of Purpose (500-700 words; Times, 12-point font; Word, rtf or pdf format; double-spaced) should be written by the applicant describing his/her future goals and how the DMA can help attain those goals.
- Written Exercise (500-700 words; Times, 12-point font; Word, rtf or pdf format; double-spaced) in the form of an essay composed without the use of any outside references (human, electronic or print) on the following question:
Select two compositions from a recent Masters or DMA recital (instrumental/vocal performance or conducting) from different historical periods of music and:
- Discuss the characteristics of (1) style and (2) form in each composition.
- Discuss each composer's contribution to THIS PARTICULAR GENRE OF MUSIC (additional compositions, historical and/or theoretical significance of contribution, etc.)
The essay must be preceded by this honor code statement: "On my honor, I have not received any unauthorized aid in the composition of this essay." Students' essays will also be subjected to random plagiarism software checks. Any violations of the honor code statement or evidence of plagiarism will result in the student's application portfolio being withdrawn from further consideration.
- Audition screening tape: 20-25 minute standard VHS tape or DVD of conductor with camera angle limited to side or front view of the conductor. Approximately 10-15 minutes should be footage of a recent rehearsal; the remainder of the tape should be footage of a recent public performance.
- An interview will be conducted with each candidate by phone or in person (see below).
Following the receipt of application materials (January 15), the conducting faculty will then review each file and determine if an on campus audition and interview will be required.
On-campus audition and interview: Upon faculty review of the materials that are submitted, a limited number of finalists may be invited to campus for a formal audition and interview. Scheduled for late February or early March, the audition/interview process includes the following:
- DMA finalists should prepare all six movements of Percy Grainger's Lincolnshire Posy. Each finalist is responsible for securing his or her own full score (Fennell edition).
- each finalist will perform a 20-minute audition with the UNL Wind Ensemble, adjudicated by the director of bands and members of the ensemble faculty. The audition will begin with a run-through of selected movements, followed by 5-10 minutes of rehearsal (lead at the discretion of the applicant). For the remainder of the audition, the applicant will be coached in a quasi-lesson format by the director of bands.
- each finalist will have an interview with the director of bands and members of the band faculty to discuss the applicants professional goals, philosophy, and experience, and to address any questions the applicant may have regarding the conducting program at UNL.
- a brief diagnostic exam designed to assess the applicants aural skills, score reading and recognition, analytical skills, knowledge of terminology and transpositions, and familiarity with wind band literature (grades 1-6). The skills components of the exam will use Lincolnshire Posy as a point of departure.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs)
The School of Music offers GTAs in various areas on a competitive basis to students in both the MM and DMA programs. Appointments are for one year only, and are renewable for one additional year depending upon satisfactory scholarship and musical progress. GTAs in the band area assist with show planning and performance preparation for the Cornhusker Marching Band, assist in conducting the University Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Campus Band, assist, conduct and administer the Big Red Express athletic pep bands, assist with undergraduate conducting classes, and participate in all aspects of the band program.
Assistantships include a stipend, health benefits and tuition for up to 24 credits. For up-to-date information and an application contact the School of Music's admissions coordinator: 113 Westbrook Building, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0100, 402/472-6845
http://www.unl.edu/music/grad/grad.shtml
Doctoral Fellowships
A limited number of graduate fellowships in music are available. Inquiries should be addressed to the director of the School of Music: 120 Westbrook Bldg., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0100, 402/472-6830
In addition, the Graduate College administers a number of unrestricted fellowships. Inquiries should be addressed to the Office of Graduate Studies: 1100 Seaton Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0619.
http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/current/funding-fellow.shtml
Student Loans
Information about student loans may be found at the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, 16 Administration Building, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0411, 402/472-2030.
