Graduate Wind Conducting

The goal of the graduate program in wind band conducting at The University of Texas at Austin is to provide an environment in which students can experience all learning, teaching, and administrative aspects of a comprehensive university band program.  This includes:

• Conducting, teaching, and administrative tasks with Wind Ensemble/Wind Symphony/Symphony Band/Concert Band
• Conducting, teaching, and administrative tasks with Longhorn Band & Longhorn Pep Band
• Organizing rehearsal plans
• Planning and conducting sectionals for all ensembles

The graduate programs in band/wind ensemble conducting are designed to be small and highly select. The objective of the master’s and doctoral programs in band/wind ensemble conducting is to prepare highly competent conductors of wind music. Graduates will be prepared to function effectively in professional and academic settings.

The faculty of The University of Texas at Austin considers study in music history, theory and related fields essential components of a conductor’s preparation. The musical environment provided by the University and the Austin metropolitan area represents an ideal setting for graduate study in wind conducting.

The Butler School of Music maintains an excellent library and a distinguished faculty, in addition to sponsoring several outstanding wind performing organizations. These performing ensembles, which are composed entirely of students, differ in size, purpose and repertoire. Collectively they provide an outstanding musical resource for those enrolled in the conducting program.

Admission Procedure

The graduate programs in band/wind ensemble conducting are designed to be small and highly select. It is expected that the applicant will have had significant experience as a conductor (no less than two years of professional experience). Requirements for admission include:

1. A bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited institution. Exceptions may be made for students with degrees in other fields if equivalent training can be demonstrated.

2. A mastery of advanced conducting techniques gained through conducting experience beyond the training level.

3. Familiarity with a substantial repertoire of music (see Repertoire List).

4. A video excerpt recording of a performance (with the camera facing the conductor) of between ten to twenty minutes, and a video excerpt of approximately ten minutes of rehearsal. In both cases, the repertoire is of the candidates choosing.

The committee will be looking for a demonstration of unusually effective musical sensitivity on the part of the applicant, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with and stimulate a group of performers.

Applicants interested in the master’s degree should be familiar with and be able to conduct approximately 25% of the repertoire in both lists. Applicants interested in the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree should be familiar with and be able to conduct at least 50% of the repertoire in both lists.

Questions can be addressed to the graduate director of admissions at:
mga@mail.music.utexas.edu

and online application materials may be found at:
https://music.utexas.edu/apply/graduate-admissions

Repertoire List

Wind Ensemble Repertoire

Band Repertoire