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.

Upload one official copy of transcripts 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 copy of the 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 or ECE 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: February 22, 2025 & February 23, 2025

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 13, 2025
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Friday, February 28, 2025
Sunday, March 2, 2025

* 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 Chamber Music 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 January 6, 2025. Invitations to schedule a live audition will be sent to select individuals by January 24, 2025.

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 2/23/2025 and must contain all the required repertoire for your instrument.

Live auditions will be scheduled for 2/28/2025 - 3/2/2025. Auditions must be completed by 3/2/2025 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 during your lifetime or 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 during your lifetime or 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 during your lifetime or 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):
Prescreen: GetAcceptd

We encourage prospective students to upload their prescreening videos to GetAcceptd by December 1 for Fall enrollment. Those who meet this deadline will be notified of their results by December 20. Applicants who submit prescreening videos between December 2 and January 6 will receive notification of their results before February 1.

Final Audition: live or video over GetAcceptd 
Please note, it is not mandatory to have an accompanist for the prescreen.

Flute

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

Oboe, Bassoon and Saxophone

Two standard etudes of contrasting styles

Two standard orchestral excerpts of your choosing 

Clarinet

Two contrasting etudes showing the applicant's level of technical and lyrical ability

2-3 standard orchestral excerpts 

Doublers

One short etude on each of your doubles

Woodwinds (Final Audition):
Select applicants will be contacted in late January to schedule a live audition. Please note, it is not mandatory to have an accompanist for the final audition.

Audition dates: February 22, 2025 and February 23, 2025

Flute

Mozart: Concerto in G major, K. 313 or D major, K. 314, movement one exposition

Work of applicant’s choice

Work from 20th/21st century

2 contrasting orchestral excerpts

Oboe, Bassoon and Saxophone

Two movements of a sonata from the standard repertoire

First or last movement from a standard concerto and/or other virtuosic solo piece

Clarinet

One major solo work with or without accompaniment

Two contrasting movements from a standard concerto

A work by a composer from underrepresented gender, racial, ethnic, or cultural heritages

4 standard orchestral excerpts

Doublers

One movement from a sonata on primary instrument

One etude or excerpt on each of your doubles

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.

If any application materials need to be mailed to our office, mail the materials to NYU Steinhardt, Office of Graduate Admissions, 82 Washington Square East, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10003-6680.  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.

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.