How to Apply

PhD, Music Performance and Composition: Performers

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

As part of your application, you are required to upload a statement of purpose that discusses your ideas for doctoral research, their context and potential impact, and argues how your expertise and interests make you the best candidate for pursuing this research. Please also identify the faculty member(s) that you are most interested in working with. The name of this faculty member, together with your name, should be included on the header of the statement. Maximum length: four pages. 

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

Please upload to the Writing Sample section of the application three research papers or writing samples that best represent your ability to research and write effectively. Ideally, one sample should address your proposed area of specialization.

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

Brass:  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 1, 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: There is no live audition for the PhD application in Jazz as the degree is research-based. We ask that applicants schedule a Zoom or phone interview with Dr. David Schroeder to discuss the application requirements, including portfolio of creative work. Additionally, Dr. Schroeder will discuss the PhD curriculum, including academic course work, and the dissertation process.

Percussion: 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).

Piano: The program in Piano Studies requires a pre-screening video to be submitted via GetAcceptd , due no later than December 1. Selected candidates will be invited to a live audition and interview in mid-January 2025. For further information about the Ph.D., please contact Dr. Manuel Laufer, mlf351@nyu.edu.

For the pre-screening recording, please prepare a 60-minute free program showing technical, interpretive, and expressive strengths. Part of the repertoire should relate to a proposed area of research. The live audition should contain the same repertoire as the pre-screening video. 

Strings: 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 the due date. For further information about the Ph.D., please contact Dr. Cyrus Beroukhim, csb5@nyu.edu.

Final auditions will be held on January 17, 2025.

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 prepare the following for your audition:

• 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

All works except the sonata must be memorized.

Vocal Performance: You are required to submit audition materials to the portfolio section of the online application. The audition requirements for the Music Theatre and Classical Voice areas of focus are the same requirements as for the Master's programs. Contact Dr. Errik Hood, errik.hood@nyu.edu for further details. 

Vocal Performance 2025 Audition Dates:

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

Woodwinds: The program in Woodwind Studies requires a pre-screen video to be submitted via  GetAcceptd, that is due no later than December 1. Invitations to schedule a live audition will be sent no later than December 15. PhD live auditions and interviews will take place on February 1, 2025.  For further details please contact Dr. Meghan Bennett, meghanbennett@nyu.edu

Please prepare the following for your pre-screen:

Flute
Two contrasting pieces

Oboe, Bassoon and 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

Please prepare the following for your audition:

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

Oboe, Bassoon and 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

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.