How to Apply

DMA, Music Performance

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

Upload a statement of purpose (maximum of four pages) that discusses your knowledge and expertise, interests, and professional experiences as they relate to pursuing the DMA and your areas of primary and secondary fields of study.

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

Upload to the Writing Sample section of the application two graduate-level documents written within the last five years. These should address your proposed area(s) of study within the DMA.

For specific audition or portfolio requirements and how to schedule an audition date after you have applied, contact your area of focus.

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

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 Get Acceptd.

Audition dates: February 22, 2025 & February 23, 2025.

Please prepare the following for your 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

Jazz
Portfolio over GetAcceptd, no live audition

Applicants music submit a portfolio of their work via GetAcceptd including recordings, scores, and two samples of academic writing.

Piano (Pre-Screening Requirements)
Prescreen: GetAcceptd
Final Audition: live

Prepare a 60-minute free program, showing technical, interpretive, and expressive strengths. Part of the repertoire should relate to a proposed area of research and performance specialization.
Applicants must submit a pre-screening video via GetAcceptd. Select applicants will be invited for a live audition and interview. The audition should contain the same repertoire as the pre-screening video.

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

Contact Jonathan Haas, jonathan.haas@nyu.edu and Sean Statser, sjs512@nyu.edu to arrange your audition date and time (must be completed by January 22).

Marimba
Prepare one major work from the four-mallet solo marimba repertoire

Snare Drum
Prepare one solo from Delécluse's "12 Studies for Snare Drum”

Timpani
Prepare one solo by Elliot Carter

Multiple Percussion
Prepare one major solo from the percussion repertoire (optional for undergraduate applicants)

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

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

The program in String Studies requires a pre-screening video to be submitted via GetAcceptd which is due no later than December 1. Invitations to live auditions will be sent approximately 2 -3 weeks after December 1. For further information about the DMA., please contact Dr. Cyrus Beroukhim, csb5@nyu.edu.

Violin, Viola, and Cello
Prepare one movement of work by J.S.Bach and a movement of a concerto.

Bass and Harp
Prepare two contrasting movements.

Strings (Final Audition)
Live auditions will take place on Friday, January 19th. Applicants submitting the final audition by video must submit the entire program via GetAcceptd.

Prepare:

• A complete concerto from the standard repertoire
• A complete sonata from the standard repertoire
• A complete Bach suite, sonata or partita 
• A work written during your lifetime or by a living composer

Voice Performance 
Prescreen: GetAcceptd
Final Audition Dates: live

• Saturday, January 25, 2025 (10:00am-1:00pm)

Voice Performance (Western Concert Repertoire, Pre-Screening Requirements)
Applicants must prepare two memorized selections including:

• Prepare and memorize one aria (operatic or concert).
• Prepare and memorize one art song.

The pre-screening selection should include two different languages chosen from Italian, German, French, and English.

Voice Performance (Western Concert Repertoire, Final Audition)
Prepare and memorize:

• One German Lied.
• One French mélodie.
• One English or American art song. 
• One additional selection in any language (selected from Western concert music, music theatre, and/or popular music).

Voice Performance (Music Theatre, Pre-Screening Requirements)
Prepare two memorized selections including one selection written before 1965 and one selection written after 1965. The pre-screening submission should represent your ability to sing with contrasting vocalism and balanced registration.

Voice Performance (Music Theatre, Final Audition)
Prepare and memorize:

• One music theatre selection written before 1965.
• One music theatre selection written between 1965 and 1990.
• One music theatre selection written after 1990.
• One pop/rock selection (from outside the music theatre repertoire).
• Two additional selections (selected from Western concert music, music theatre, and/or popular music)

Woodwinds Studies (Pre-Screening Requirements)
Prescreen: GetAcceptd
Final Audition and Interview: February 1, 2025
Please note, it is not mandatory to have an accompanist for the prescreen.

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

Oboe, Bassoon or Saxophone
Two standard etudes of contrasting styles
Two standard orchestral excerpts

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

Doublers
One short etude on each of your doubles

Woodwinds Studies (Final Audition)

Flute
Three complete works (including a work from 20th/21st century) representing a variety of styles

Oboe, Bassoon or Saxophone
Two movements of a sonata
First or last movement from a concerto and/or other virtuosic solo

Clarinet
A complete concerto (memorization encouraged but not mandatory)
A contemporary work written after 1970
A work by a composer from underrepresented gender, racial, ethnic, or cultural heritages
5-6 orchestral excerpts

Doublers
One movement from a sonata on primary instrument
One etude or excerpt on each of your doubles

DMA applicants are required to complete the music theory diagnostic exam online as part of the application process. We recommend completing the exam by November 25th, with a hard deadline of December 8th. Please note that we cannot extend the DMA application deadline for students who have not completed the exam on time. Further details will be provided upon your DMA application submission. Please consult our FAQ page for a full breakdown of the exam, including timing information and technical requirements.

All DMA students pursue a sub-specialization in a secondary field related to music performance: music technology, music business, performing arts administration, music education, music theory, or music composition. Students pursuing a sub-specialization in music theory, screen scoring composition, or concert composition may be asked to satisfy additional requirements post admission.

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.

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 March or early April for fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.