This 18-credit post-master’s artist diploma addresses the specific needs of advanced students and young professionals preparing for a career in music performance. The program includes ongoing development of technique and musicianship, with an emphasis placed on private lessons, ensemble participation, and preparation for professional auditions and competitions. Your course work will allow you to focus on your primary area of study while preparing for a vast number of professional opportunities.
Students may choose from the following areas of study: Brass Studies, Percussion Studies, String Studies, or Woodwind Studies.
Still Accepting Applications
Apply NowAcademic Plan Code: CLAS
Degree: ADPL
Credits: 18
Academic Load: Full-time or part-time. Students have up to six years to complete the program.
Application Deadlines
Spring: October 1
Summer: n/a
Fall: January 6
Program Information
Brass Studies
Percussion Studies
String Studies
Woodwind Studies
212-998-5424
Admissions Requirements
Since this is a post-master's program, a master's degree is required prior to enrolling in this program.
How to Apply
These instructions and requirements are for all applicants. If you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, please read the special instructions for international applicants.
Your application will require the following items. The following are acceptable document types for uploads: .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .png, .doc, .docx, and bitmap.
1. Prepare Your Application
Résumé/CV
You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.
Statement of Purpose
You are required to upload a typed, double-spaced, two- to three-page statement explaining your purpose in undertaking graduate study in this particular program as part of your application. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself and to inform the admissions committee about your goals, interests, and career plans as they relate to your intended academic pursuits.
Letters of Recommendation
Submit two letters of recommendation. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read detailed instructions on submitting letters of recommendation.
Transcripts
Upload one official copy of transcripts from every postsecondary school you have attended or are attending. Make sure to request them in advance of the deadline.
If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES or ECE evaluation. Please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.
GRE
Not required.
Proficiency in English
See testing requirements.
Audition
All prospective students must apply for admission to NYU Steinhardt before scheduling an audition.
See audition details for:
2. Apply
Application
After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application. Your application must be completed, dated, electronically signed, and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST of the stated deadline.
Application Fee
You will be prompted to pay a $75 application fee, payable by major credit card only. After submitting your payment, you will see your application status change from “saved” to “submitted.” Please print this screen for your records, as it confirms that your application has been successfully sent to our school. If you have problems submitting your payment, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. Learn more about our fee waiver policy.
Mailing Additional Items
If any remaining application materials need to be mailed to our office, mail the materials together in a single mailing using this document cover sheet. Items received without the cover sheet take longer to process and match to your application. Please do not mail your materials in binders or folders. Any mailed materials must be received by, not postmarked by, the stated deadline. Only completed applications will be considered and reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt of mailed materials.
3. Receive Your Admission Decision
Decision
You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in late November for Spring semester enrollment and in late March or early April for Summer or Fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.
Application Policies
Application deadlines are "in-office" deadlines, not postmark deadlines. It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials are in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline, and we reserve the right to return any application that arrives after the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. Should a deadline fall on a weekend, the in-office deadline will be the next business day. We advise you to apply early.
Please check the online system to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application. Due to the volume of applications and related materials received, the Office of Graduate Admissions will only contact you if your application was successfully submitted and is deemed incomplete because of missing required materials. Otherwise, you will hear from us when the admissions committee has made its decision.
Deferral policy: NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future semester must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendations, by the application deadline.
Audition
Brass Studies
Audition Details and Requirements
You should submit an audition video online via GetAcceptd.
- Prepare two contrasting études, two contrasting solo movements, and four orchestral excerpts
- Accompanists are not required
The submission deadline is February 19, 2022.
If you have any questions, please contact Wayne du Maine, Director of Brass Studies, at wd37@nyu.edu.
Percussion Studies
Schedule Your Audition
Upon submitting your application and materials, contact Jonathan Haas (jonathan.haas@nyu.edu) and Sean Statser (sjs512@nyu.edu) to schedule your audition date and time. There is no prescreen required for the NYU Percussion Program.
While NYU is operating in-person, for the continued safety of all involved, we will hold final spring 2022 auditions via Zoom or video submission. However, under current NYU and public health guidelines, applicants may request an in-person audition (subject to NYU approval). An in-person audition is not required – remote or video auditions may be submitted and will receive equal consideration.
Audition Dates
Auditions will be held on the following dates:
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Monday, February 7, 2022
Sunday, February 13, 2022
Monday, February 14, 2022
Sunday, February 20, 2022
Saturday, February 26, 2022
Sunday, February 27, 2022
Remote or Video Auditions
If invited for a final audition, applicants will be asked if they would prefer to play for the faculty live via Zoom or to submit a final recorded video audition via the GetAcceptd protocol, accompanied by a live Zoom interview.
On Campus In-Person Auditions
NYU is currently following, and will continue to follow, the prevailing guidance from the CDC and the New York State and New York City Health Departments, and the advice of NYU’s medical consultants. While our full intention is to provide an option for in-person auditions for fully-vaccinated individuals, be advised that NYU reserves the right to adjust and/or cancel in-person auditions if public health circumstances change or evolve. For the latest information on NYU’s COVID actions and policies, please visit the NYU Returns hub.
To Request an On Campus In-Person Audition
- Request an in-person audition by filling out a request form.
- You and your guest will each receive an email from NYU Campus Safety with instructions to upload your proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
- Once approved to be on campus, you and your guest will be required to use the Daily Screener to enter NYU buildings on the day of your in-person audition. You must also bring a copy of your confirmation email from NYU Campus Safety.
- NOTE: If you do not receive a confirmation email from NYU Campus Safety or cannot complete the Daily Screener, you will not be permitted to enter NYU buildings. If you are accompanied by a different, unapproved guest, that guest will not be permitted to enter NYU buildings. Unfortunately, nothing that can be done on the day of the audition to allow access if these situations occur.
Additional Notes
- If you are unavailable for the audition dates above, additional dates can be scheduled on a case-by-case basis with Professors Haas and Statser.
- We would like to have the opportunity to engage in a question and answer session regarding your goals and interests; this is also a great time for you to ask us any questions you may have about the Percussion Studies program and studying at NYU.
Audition Details and Requirements
Repertoire
- Marimba
- One major work from the four mallet solo marimba repertoire
- Snare drum
- One solo from the Delecluse 12 Etudes of applicant’s choosing
- Timpani
- One Carter Solo of applicant’s choosing
- Multi solo
- One solo from the major percussion repertoire of applicant’s choosing
- Orchestra excerpts:
- One major work each, of applicant’s choosing, for
- Xylophone
- Snare drum
- Timpani
- One major work each, of applicant’s choosing, for
The above list represents suggestions of possible audition repertoire, not required; you are welcome to perform works of your choosing and we encourage applicants to present selections that best represent their skill sets and interests. If you have questions about your selected repertoire, please reach out to Jonathan Haas (jonathan.haas@nyu.edu) and Sean Statser (sjs512@nyu.edu) in advance of your audition or video recording.
String Studies
Submit Your Prescreen Video
All prospective String Studies graduate students are required to submit an online prescreen video via GetAcceptd.
Prescreen Deadline: Prescreen videos are due December 1, 2021.
Prescreen Details and Requirements
Please prepare the following for your prescreen:
Violin, viola, and cello: a movement of Bach and a movement of a concerto
Bass and harp: two contrasting movements
Please note, it is not mandatory to have an accompanist for either the prescreen or the final video audition.
While NYU is operating in-person, for the continued safety of all involved, we will hold final spring 2022 auditions via Zoom or video submission. However, under current NYU and public health guidelines, applicants may request an in-person audition (subject to NYU approval). An in-person audition is not required – remote or video auditions may be submitted and will receive equal consideration.
Saturday, February 19, 2022: Final recorded video auditions due
Week of February 21, 2022: Zoom interviews or live Zoom auditions
Remote or Video Auditions
If invited for a final audition, applicants will be asked if they would prefer to play for the faculty live via Zoom or to submit a final recorded video audition via the GetAcceptd protocol, accompanied by a live Zoom interview.
On Campus In-Person Auditions
NYU is currently following, and will continue to follow, the prevailing guidance from the CDC and the New York State and New York City Health Departments, and the advice of NYU’s medical consultants. While our full intention is to provide an option for in-person auditions for fully-vaccinated individuals, be advised that NYU reserves the right to adjust and/or cancel in-person auditions if public health circumstances change or evolve. For the latest information on NYU’s COVID actions and policies, please visit the NYU Returns hub.
To Request an On Campus In-Person Audition
- Request an in-person audition by filling out a request form.
- You and your guest will each receive an email from NYU Campus Safety with instructions to upload your proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
- Once approved to be on campus, you and your guest will be required to use the Daily Screener to enter NYU buildings on the day of your in-person audition. You must also bring a copy of your confirmation email from NYU Campus Safety.
- NOTE: If you do not receive a confirmation email from NYU Campus Safety or cannot complete the Daily Screener, you will not be permitted to enter NYU buildings. If you are accompanied by a different, unapproved guest, that guest will not be permitted to enter NYU buildings. Unfortunately, nothing that can be done on the day of the audition to allow access if these situations occur.
Please contact MPAP-String-Studies@nyu.edu with any questions.
Audition Details and Requirements
Violin repertoire:
- A first or last movement from a standard concerto memorized
- Two movements of unaccompanied Bach memorized
- A twentieth-century composition
- A virtuosic solo piece
Viola repertoire:
- Two movements of a major work from the concerto repertoire memorized
- Three movements from an unaccompanied Bach suite (originally for cello) or sonata or partitas (originally for violin) memorized
- One movement of a major work from the sonata repertoire
- A work or movement composed post-1960
Cello repertoire:
- Two movements of a standard concerto memorized
- Three movements from a Bach suite memorized
- One movement of a sonata: Brahms, Beethoven, Shostakovich, or comparable work
- A work or movement composed post-1960
Double bass repertoire:
- First two movements of Dittersdorf, Koussevitzky, Vanhal, or Bottesini concerti, memorized
- Two movements of an unaccompanied Bach cello suite, memorized
Harp repertoire:
Substitutions of equal level/ability may be made with a prior consultation with Professor Brandee Younger (bay209@nyu.edu).
- One Schmidt étude
- Faure Impromptu or Chatelaine en sa Tour
- Contemporary piece of applicant's choice
Woodwind Studies
Audition Deadline and Requirements
All prospective Woodwind Studies graduate students are required to submit an online prescreen video via GetAcceptd.
Prescreen Deadline: Prescreen videos are due December 1, 2021.
Prescreen Details and Requirements
Please prepare the following for your prescreen:
- Two standard etudes of contrasting styles
- Two standard orchestral excerpts of your choosing
Woodwind doublers should prepare a short etude on each of their doubles.
Please note, it is not mandatory to have an accompanist for either the prescreen or the final video audition.
The Woodwind Studies program will hold final spring 2022 auditions via Zoom or video submission. If invited for a final audition, applicants will be asked if they would prefer to play for the faculty live via Zoom or to submit a final recorded video audition, accompanied by a live Zoom interview. Audio-only recordings will not be accepted for either prescreen or final auditions. Invitations for final audition/interviews will be sent out no later than January 14, 2022.
Saturday, February 19, 2022: Final recorded video auditions due
Week of February 21, 2022: Zoom interviews or live Zoom auditions
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact mpap-orchestras@nyu.edu.
Audition Requirements
- Two movements of a sonata from the standard repertoire
- A first or last movement from a standard concerto and/or other virtuosic solo piece
Woodwind doublers should prepare a movement from a sonata from their primary instrument and an etude or excerpt on each of their doubles.
Please note, it is not mandatory to have an accompanist for either the prescreen or the final video audition.