Prospective Graduate Students

The Graduate Program of the Hunter College Music Department:
At Hunter College, we offer a flexible music program—allowing us to meet the diverse needs of our students—at surprisingly affordable prices. Students may study full-time or part-time, which makes our program ideal for the busy NYC professional; indeed, a number of our students are professional musicians and music teachers who are able to complete their M.A. studies at night: required courses in our department are generally offered in the evening.

Admissions
Concentrations
Course Information
Graduate Handbook

We offer an M.A. in Music with concentrations in Composition, Ethnomusicology, Music History, Music Theory, Performance, and Mixed Concentration. We also offer a master’s degree in Music Education. This program, the Teacher Education Program (TEP) in Music, is jointly administered by the Music Department and the School of Education. Upon graduation, students receive an M.A. in Music Education and are recommended for New York State Certification as a music teacher (Pre-K-12). Since one of the primary purposes of the TEP program is to earn teacher certification, individuals who are already certified music teachers with an M.A. degree are not eligible for admission to the program.

Please click here for concentration details. 

Prospective Graduate Students

1. Graduate Music Programs at Hunter:
   We offer M.A. concentrations in Composition, Ethnomusicology, Music History, Music Theory, Performance, Mixed Concentration, and an M.A. in Music Education. For prospective M.A. students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than music, we expect them first to complete the equivalent of 29 undergraduate credits in music, that is, four semesters of music theory, four semesters of musicianship (sight singing, ear training, and keyboard), and three semesters of music history, as a prerequisite to entering our M.A. program. Under this scenario one must first apply to Hunter as a “second-degree” undergraduate (transfer student), and remain in that status in order to fulfill the undergraduate course requirements. In the final semester of completing the prerequisite courses one may officially apply and audition for the M.A. program.
2. Submitting an Application for Admission:
   To apply to Hunter, prospective students must complete and send in the official application provided by the Admissions Office. Students are required to forward transcripts from their previous school(s), and provide a statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation. The final decision regarding each application is made by the Admissions Office, based largely on the recommendation of the Music Department. Admission deadlines may be found here. Students whose native language is not English or whose post-secondary education was in a country where English is not the native language must take a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See the Office of Admissions website for more information about TOEFL.
3. Auditions, M.A. in Performance and TEP: Applicants to the Performance concentration and TEP must audition. Auditions are held on two or three different dates each semester; click here for audition dates. To register for an audition, prospective students must:
   • Send in an official application to the Admissions Office, and
   • Fill out the M.A. Audition Registration Form.
     
4. Each applicant will be contacted to confirm the audition time and date. Note that an audition time and date can be confirmed only after the official application has been received by the Admissions Office.
5. Each audition is about 15 minutes long and held in front of a panel consisting of two or three members of the Music Department faculty.
6. Audition repertoire for the M.A. in Classical Instrumental or Vocal Performance should consist of a program of three or four representative works from different style periods. Singers preparing an audition in classical voice should prepare songs and/or arias in at least three languages with at least one selection from the 20th and 21st century repertoire. This could include Western and Eastern European languages as well as Asian languages. Audition repertoire for the M.A. in Jazz Performance should consist of a program of three selections that demonstrate fluency in a variety of styles and tempos.
7. Students auditioning for an M.A. in Jazz Performance (instrumental and vocal) must include at least three selections in varying styles, including at least one up-tempo selection, and at least one ballad.  At least one selection must be partly or fully notated (via a lead-sheet or transcription; any selection in any volume of The Real Book would be appropriate to fulfill this requirement) and at least one selection must centrally demonstrate the applicant’s improvisational abilities. For the M.A. in Jazz Vocal Performance, at lest one selection must include lyrics (i.e. the entire audition may not consist of scat soloing and/or wordless syllabic singing, although at least one selection that includes this idiom would also be welcome.)
8. Students should present each of the jurors with a list of the pieces (not copies of the music) prepared for the audition, as well as the name and affiliation (if any) of their current private teachers. The panel will ask to hear portions of these pieces and will interview each candidate briefly. Students are required to provide their own accompanists. Upon request the Director of Performance Studies will provide names of students available to accompany auditions.
9. Submission of Work Samples for the M.A. Concentrations in Composition, Ethnomusicology, Music History, and Music Theory:
   Applicants must present samples of their work in the area in which they wish to concentrate. (Samples of papers or compositions are not required for prospective Performance students.)
   • Students who want to concentrate in Composition should submit a portfolio of samples of recently completed works in the online application of the Office of Admissions.
   • Students who want to concentrate in Ethnomusicology, Music History, or Music Theory should submit one or two sample research papers on a musical subject. In addition, music theory applicants can submit samples of music theory work, such as a choral harmonization, figured bass realization, or a short composition. All Ethnomusicology, Music History, or Music Theory applicants are encouraged to contact the Graduate Advisor for further details about the application process.
10. Further Information for Prospective Graduate Students:
    • Audition Dates
    • M.A. Audition Registration Form
    • M.A. in Music
    • Teacher Education Program in Music
    • Admission for students who did not major in music as an undergraduate
    • Graduate FAQs
    • Graduate Financial Aid

Prospective students are also encouraged to contact the Music Department Graduate Adviser if you have any specific questions about our programs.

Graduate Advisor:
Yayoi Everett, Director of Graduate Studies
Room 520B Hunter North; 212-772-4236
ye532@hunter.cuny.edu

Fall 2023 Advising Hours:
Tuesdays and Fridays 12-1:30pm (In-Person/Virtual) or by appointment

For Frequently Asked Questions, see FAQs – Graduate.