Graduate School Bulletin

Spring 2024

Admission to the M.A./Ph.D. Programs at the Master’s Level in Music (Critical Music Studies) and in Music (Composition)

The following are required for admission to the Graduate program in Music (Critical Music Studies) and in Music (Composition) leading to an M.A. and/or Ph.D. degree, in addition to the requirements of the Graduate School:

A. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.

B. Official transcripts of all undergraduate records, and all graduate records, where applicable.

C. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) in undergraduate music courses.

D. Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the student’s work.

E. Examples of undergraduate work:

  1. For Critical Music Studies track applicants, essays in music history, analysis, theory, ethnomusicology, or criticism.
  2. For Composition track applicants, musical scores and recordings.

F. Acceptance by both the Department of Music and the Graduate School.

Applicants are invited to submit any other evidence of their abilities in support of their application for admission, such as recordings of music performances.

All students entering the M.A. program will be assessed in the following areas:

1. Ear training.

2. Basic keyboard skills (for Composition students only).

3. The history and cultural study of music.

4. The analysis of music.

These exams are advisory only; students will be advised on which courses to take to address any gaps or develop specific skills.

Admission to the M.M./D.M.A. Program at the Master’s Level

The following are required for admission to the M.M. Program in Performance, in addition to the requirements of the Graduate School:

A. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.

B. Official transcripts of all undergraduate records, and all graduate records, where applicable.

C. An audition in the major field of performance. Students residing at a distance from the University may gain provisional acceptance by sending a recorded audition. Audition dates, usually designated for February, are announced by the Department mid-fall. These dates, as well as specific requirements for auditions, are posted on the Departmental website.

D. Letters of recommendation from the former principal teacher and at least two other persons familiar with the student’s work. One letter should come from a person familiar with the student’s academic work.

E. While acceptance into the program is based primarily upon excellence in performance, the program contains a significant academic component. Applicants to the program are therefore required to submit two examples of their work in music history, music theory, or ethnomusicology, such as papers completed as part of coursework in those One paper is required for entry at the master’s level; two are required for entry at the doctoral level.

F. Acceptance by both the Department of Music and the Graduate School.

Entering students will be examined in ear training during the week before the beginning of classes, and will be placed in the appropriate courses. Entering students in Voice will also be examined in basic keyboard skills.

Admission to the Ph.D. Programs in Music (Critical Music Studies) or in Music (Composition)

See Admission to the M.A./Ph.D. Program, above. In addition, a master’s degree, usually in the pertinent area of competence, is required. As evidence of ability to carry on doctoral work in the area of specialization, applicants should submit examples of recent work as follows:

1. For the Composition track: recordings and scores.

2. For the Critical Music Studies track: essays that demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in two or more of the following areas: the history, theory, analysis, or criticism of any music tradition, music’s relationship to culture and politics, musical and sonic media, the ethnography of music and sound.

Applicants who plan to include study in performance as a part of their degree program should follow the audition procedure outlined under Admission to the D.M.A. Program, above. Students who intend to work in a secondary area of specialization must demonstrate to the pertinent faculty competence commensurate with a master’s degree at a distinguished level in that area.

Students who do not possess the Master of Arts degree in Music from Stony Brook will be asked to demonstrate achievement commensurate with that degree by the end of the first or second year of study, as advised, by taking the relevant M.A. qualifying examinations.

Entering students who have not already done so must successfully complete the appropriate advisory examinations described under Admission to the M.A./Ph.D. Program. These exams are advisory only; students will be advised on which courses to take to address any gaps or develop specific skills. These must be completed by the end of the first year of study.

Although most students will move directly from the master’s to the doctoral level of the M.A./Ph.D. program, successful completion of the Stony Brook M.A. degree does not guarantee acceptance into the Ph.D.-level program. Students wishing to continue from the M.A. to the Ph.D. degree must formally apply for admission to the Ph.D. program by the posted deadlines for fall admission. This should be accompanied by two letters of recommendation from Stony Brook faculty. In order to demonstrate the ability to continue on at the doctoral level, students must submit appropriate examples of work: master’s papers for Critical Music Studies; the Master's Composition Portfolio for Composition. Students may also elect to finish with the M.A. degree.

Admission to the D.M.A. Program

See Admission to the M.M./D.M.A. Program, above. In addition, a master’s degree, usually in the pertinent area of performance, is required. Applicants must audition in person before a faculty committee. Students residing at a significant distance from the University may gain provisional acceptance by sending a recorded audition. Audition dates, usually designated for February, are announced by the Department mid-fall. These dates, as well as specific requirements for auditions, are posted to the Department’s website.

Students who do not possess a Master of Music degree from Stony Brook must demonstrate a level of achievement in ear training, and demonstrate preparation in music history and theory, commensurate with the M.M. requirements. Voice students who do not possess a Master of Music degree from Stony Brook must also satisfy the piano proficiency and foreign language requirements of the Stony Brook M.M. degree in Voice. Harpsichord students who do not have a Stony Brook M.M. must also satisfy the foreign language requirement of the Stony Brook M.M. in Harpsichord.

Applicants who plan to include a secondary area of specialization in Composition or Critical Music Studies within their D.M.A. program must apply by submitting examples of work in the proposed secondary area and demonstrating to the pertinent faculty competence commensurate with a master’s degree at a distinguished level in that area. Students who are accepted in a secondary area of specialization must take the appropriate advisory examinations described under Admission to the M.A. Program. These exams are advisory only; students will be advised on which courses to take to address any gaps or develop specific skills. These must be completed by the end of the first year of study.

Although most students will move directly from the Master’s to the Doctoral level of the M.M./D.M.A. program, successful completion of the Stony Brook M.M. degree does not guarantee acceptance into the D.M.A.-level program. Students wishing to continue from the master’s to the Doctorate degree must formally apply for admission to the Ph.D. program by the posted deadlines for fall admission. This should be accompanied by two letters of recommendation from Stony Brook faculty; typically this will be the studio teacher and one academic faculty member. In order to demonstrate the ability to continue at the doctoral level, students must play an audition. Students may also elect to finish with the M.M. degree.