Located in one of the world’s centers for jazz music, this master of music program combines advanced performance training and related academic coursework with unparalleled opportunities in the music industry. You’ll perform weekly at landmark music venues, study with internationally acclaimed artists, learn new concepts for distributing your music, and build a professional career in the modern jazz industry.
Concentrations in Instrumental Performance without a focus on jazz are also available: explore the brass, strings, percussion, and woodwind concentrations.
Degree Name: Instrumental Performance: Jazz Instrumental Performance
Academic Plan Code: MUIP
Academic Sub-Plan Code: JIP
Degree: MM
Credits: 36
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
Program Website | 212-998-5424
Admissions Requirements
Basic competence in music history and theory is a prerequisite for all graduate degree programs in music. Entering graduate students are required to take advisory exams in both areas prior to arrival. Placements will be determined by interpreting the exam results in light of your educational background and the degree program for which you are enrolled. Remedial courses cannot be used to meet degree requirements.
All Fall semester performance applicants who wish to be considered for talent-based scholarship awards must submit their application materials by January 6. Once deadlines have passed, you may be considered for admission on a space-available basis and for talent-based scholarships if funds remain available. US students should also file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1 to be considered for student loans and other school-based scholarships.
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
Not required.
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.
Pre-Screening Materials
Not required.
Audition Materials
Scheduling an audition
A live, in-person audition for the MM in Jazz Studies is not required
Audition requirements
Please upload to the portfolio section of your graduate application an audition video with four selections of your choice that demonstrate the breadth and range of your work and a command of the jazz language.
The audition committee is looking to establish your proficiency. Please make sure your audition video features you as the soloist, and at the beginning of the video you clearly state your name and instrument.
Please also upload the information sheet to the portfolio section of your graduate application along with your audition video.
For additional information or questions, contact the Jazz Studies program at jazzstudies@nyu.edu.
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 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.
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 recommendation, by the application deadline.
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.