How to Apply

Advanced Diploma in Classical Instrumental Performance

You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.

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.

Submit two letters of recommendation. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read detailed instructions on submitting letters of recommendation.

List and upload a copy of an official transcript from every postsecondary institution (college/university) you have attended or are attending. Please note: This includes transcripts from institutions where you received transfer credits or did not complete a degree.  Make sure to request an official transcript(s) in advance of the deadline.

• Transfer Credits: We understand accepted transfer credits may be clearly listed on your degree awarding institution’s transcript. The Office of Graduate Admissions still requires a transcript from the initial credit-granting institution where you took the course(s). Delay in listing and uploading these transcripts can significantly delay the application review process.

Institutions Outside the US or Canada

If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES, ECE or TEC/SpanTran international credentials evaluation. Please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.

See detailed instructions on submitting transcripts.

Not required.

See testing requirements.

Brass (Pre-Screening Requirements):
Prescreen: No
Final Audition: live or video over GetAcceptd 

Brass (Final Audition):

All applicants are required to complete the audition form to sign up for a live audition. If you are unable to attend a live audition, please be sure to select the appropriate option and submit your video recording via GetAcceptd.

Audition dates: January 24, 2026, February 28, 2026, & March 1, 2026

Prepare two contrasting études, two contrasting solo movements, and four orchestral excerpts.

Please note, it is not mandatory to have an accompanist for the final audition.

Trumpet:
o Exposition from Hummel or Haydn Trumpet Concertos
o A movement from a solo work of your choice
o One musically contrasting etude of choice
o Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition repertoire
o Major scales covering one to two octaves if possible
o Possible major and minor scales in all keys, sight-reading, and transposition

Horn:
o Exposition of a Mozart or Strauss concerto
o One movement of a standard solo work
o Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition
o Possible sight-reading and all major and minor scales

Tenor Trombone:
o One technical etude by from one of the following books by Bitsch, Blazhevich or an equivalent in difficulty
o One movement from a major solo work from the standard solo literature.
o Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition
o Possible sight-reading and all major and minor scales

Bass Trombone:
o Two contrasting etudes showing the applicant’s level of technical and musical advancement.
o One movement of a solo work from the standard solo literature.
o Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition repertoire
o Possible sight-reading and all major and minor scales

Euphonium & Tuba:
o One movement from two solo works from the standard solo literature.
o 6-8 contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition repertoire (tuba candidates only)
o One technical etude that showcases the applicant’s level of technical and musical proficiency (euphonium applicants only)
o Major scales covering one to two octaves if possible
o Possible sight-reading

Percussion
Prescreen: no
Final Audition: live or video over GetAcceptd

Percussion (Final Audition):

After submitting your NYU Steinhardt graduate application, please contact Professors Jonathan Haas (jonathan.haas@nyu.edu) and Sean Statser (sjs512@nyu.edu) to schedule a live audition date and time. Should you be unable to attend a live audition at NYU, applicants may submit audition videos through GetAcceptd

Audition dates:

Thursday, February 19, 2026
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Friday, February 27, 2026
Sunday, March 1, 2026

* 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 requirements:

• 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
• Chamber Music
  • Prepare Metric Lips (Marimba 1) - You will play this in your audition with members of the NYU Percussion Ensemble

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 Professors Jonathan Haas (jonathan.haas@nyu.edu) and Sean Statser (sjs512@nyu.edu) in advance of your audition or video recording.

Strings (Pre-Screening Requirements):
Prescreen: GetAcceptd
Final Audition: live or video over GetAcceptd

The String Studies program requires a pre-screening video, to be submitted through GetAcceptd, by December 1 for fall enrollment. An accompanist is not required for the prescreening video.

Please prepare the following for your pre-screen:

Violin, viola, and cello: A movement of Bach and a movement of a concerto, memorized

Bass and harp: Two contrasting movements

Strings (Final Audition):

If invited for an audition, and you are not able to come to a live audition, you may submit a final recorded video audition through GetAcceptd. The video must be submitted by 2/23/2026 and must contain all the required repertoire for your instrument.

Live auditions will be scheduled for 2/27/2026 - 3/1/2026. Auditions must be completed by 3/1/2026 to receive consideration for talent-based scholarship
awards. Late auditions can be arranged individually.

Audition requirements:

Violin repertoire:

1. A first or last movement from a standard concerto memorized
2. Two movements of unaccompanied Bach memorized
3. A work written after 1960, preferably by a living composer
4. A virtuosic solo piece

Viola repertoire:

1. Two movements of a major work from the concerto repertoire memorized
2. Three movements from an unaccompanied Bach suite (originally for cello) or sonata or partitas (originally for violin) memorized
3. One movement of a major work from the sonata repertoire
4. A work written after 1960, preferably by a living composer

Cello repertoire:

1. Two movements of a standard concerto memorized
2. Three movements from a Bach suite memorized
3. One movement of a sonata: Brahms, Beethoven, Shostakovich, or comparable work
4. A work written after 1960, preferably by a living composer

Double bass repertoire:

1. First two movements of Dittersdorf, Koussevitzky, Vanhal, or Bottesini concerto, memorized
2. 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).

1. One Schmidt étude
2. Faure Impromptu or Chatelaine en sa Tour
3. Contemporary piece of applicant's choice

Woodwinds Studies (Pre-Screening Requirements):

The Woodwind Studies program requires a prescreening video to be submitted through GetAcceptd. A pianist is not required for the prescreening video.

Flute

• Two contrasting selections (selections may include an individual movement from different works or single movements works)

Oboe

• Two contrasting selections (selections may include an individual movement from different works or single movements works)

Clarinet 

• Two contrasting selections (selections may include an individual movement from different works or single movements works)

Bassoon 

• Two contrasting selections (selections may include an individual movement from different works or single movements works)

Saxophone

• Two contrasting selections (selections may include an individual movement from different works or single movements works)

Woodwinds (Live Audition):

Invitations to schedule a live audition will be sent by January 2026. A pianist is not required for the live audition.

Live Audition Dates:

Saturday, February 21, 2026 and Sunday, February 22, 2026

Flute

• Mozart: Concerto in G major, K. 313 or D major, K. 314, movement one exposition
• A work of applicant’s choice
• A work from an underrepresented composer
• Two contrasting orchestral excerpts

Oboe

• Two movements of a sonata from the standard repertoire
• First or last movement from a standard concerto and/or other virtuosic solo piece
• Two contrasting orchestral excerpts

Clarinet 

• Two full works (concerto or sonata) from different time periods
• A work from an underrepresented composer 

Bassoon

• Two movements of a sonata from the standard repertoire
• First or last movement from a standard concerto and/or other virtuosic solo piece
• Two contrasting orchestral excerpts

Saxophone

• Two movements of a sonata from the standard repertoire
• First or last movement from a standard concerto and/or other virtuosic solo piece

Start your application now

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.

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.

Most application materials can be successfully submitted via the online application.

If you plan to send application materials, transcript(s) or international credentials evaluation(s) to NYU Steinhardt Office of Graduate Admissions, please review these instructions.  Materials sent to other divisions of NYU may not be obtainable by our office and will significantly delay processing.

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.

• Learn more about applying for financial aid.
• Learn more about scholarship opportunities.
• Learn more about cost of attendance and tuition and fees.