Artist Diploma in Music

Two-year post-master's program for musicians with exceptional talent, taught by a principal teacher plus a master teacher committee.

Department

Shepherd School of Music

Awarding body

Not stated on the pages we checked

Official award

Artist Diploma

Award family

Artist DiplomaAn Artist Diploma. It is a non-degree performance award with its own title: it is never relabelled as a master’s degree.

Qualification level

Diploma

Qualification standing

Conservatory award (non-degree)An award made by a conservatory in its own name that is not an academic degree, such as an Artist Diploma.

Orientation

Orientation not published

Previous degree required

Not published

No program-level accreditation or validation record has been verified yet. That does not mean none exists; check the national authority and the institution.

Delivery

On campusTaught at the listed campus.

Study mode

Not published

Duration

Not published

Intakes

Not published

Campus

Rice University main campus

Taught in

Not stated on the pages we checked

English

English teaching not verifiedAn English-language website does not mean a program is taught in English.

Audition

Audition required

Audition details

• Format: Recorded prescreening and live audition
• Prescreening: Online prescreening/portfolio submission before live audition or interview
• Prescreening deadline: December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST)

Required repertoire, as published

• Bassoon: Bassoon: Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required AD prescreening repertoire is by video submission: One Milde Étude Op. 24 One melodic étude of the applicant's choice Three to five minute solo of the applicant's choice Required AD live audition repertoire: Three to five minute solo of the applicant's choice One Milde Étude Op. 24 A slow, melodic étude of the applicant's choice Orchestral excerpts: Overture to Mozart's Marriage of Figaro , and the solo from Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade , movement 2 For works that require accompaniment, the Shepherd School will provide a pianist and one hour of rehearsal time. Additional rehearsal time must be arranged and paid for by the applicant. All piano parts must be made available to the Shepherd School pianist three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the audition committee may decide to hear only certain portions.
• Cello: Cello: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) For admission into the Artist Diploma program in cello, each applicant must play an audition showing a high and consistent level of artistry as well as a background indicating considerable performance experience. Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission Please include the following: The entire first movement of a major standard cello concerto (memorized) Two contrasting movements of a Bach Suite A movement, or approximately 10 minute excerpt, from a work written in the last 75 years in a contemporary idiom A virtuoso work for cello such as- but not limited to- Cassado 'Dance of the Green Devil'; Chopin Polonaise Brillante; Davidoff At the Fountain; Faure Papillon; Paganini Moses Variations or Moto Perpetuo; Popper Spinning Song or Elfentanz; Tchaikovsky Pezzo Capriccioso, etc… this repertoire requirement can also be fulfilled by choosing two significant etudes or caprices of Popper, Piatti, Paganini, Grützmacher, Servais, etc.. Required live audition repertoire The repertoire for the audition must include one work from each of the following groups: Bach - One of the six solo suites (complete, from memory) A standard concerto (complete, from memory) such as those by Barber; Bloch Schelomo; Dvorak; Elgar; Haydn D Major or C Major; Prokofiev Op. 125; Schumann; Shostakovich No. 1 or 2; Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations or Walton. A Classical or Romantic sonata (complete) A work in a contemporary idiom written within the last seventy-five years. (If longer than 10 minutes, a significant movement or representative 10-minute portion is sufficient.) Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to consider choosing a work of a female or underrepresented minority composer. A virtuoso work for cello such as- but not limited to- Cassado 'Dance of the Green Devil'; Chopin Polonaise Brillante; Davidoff At the Fountain; Faure Papillon; Paganini Moses Variations or Moto Perpetuo; Popper Spinning Song or Elfentanz; Tchaikovsky Pezzo Capriccioso, etc… this repertoire requirement can also be fulfilled by choosing two significant etudes or caprices of Popper, Piatti, Paganini, Grützmacher, Servais, etc.. For works that require piano accompaniment, the Shepherd School will provide a pianist and limited rehearsal time if requested. If the Shepherd School is to provide the pianist, all piano parts must be made available three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the jury may decide to hear only certain portions. Auditions with interviews will be held February 2 or 3, 2027.
• Clarinet: Clarinet: The submission must be played in a continuous unedited segment; any indication that there has been editing or that recording equipment was paused/stopped between selections will result in the disqualification of the application. All pieces should be played unaccompanied. Required AD prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Mozart Clarinet Concerto , 1st movement, Exposition only (beginning of Solo until bar 133) Joan Tower Wings Copland Concerto , from the beginning to end of the cadenza Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream ( measures 1 - 48) Beethoven Symphony No. 6 First movement (measures 474-492) and Second movement (measures 68-78) Beethoven Symphony No. 8 Third movement Menuetto and Trio (no repeats) Required AD live audition repertoire: The entire Mozart Clarinet Concerto, K. 622 The entire Debussy, Premiere Rhapsodie The entire Copland, Concerto Joan Tower, Wings Orchestral excerpts (do not use excerpt books for these passages): Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream (measures 1-48); Beethoven Symphony No. 6 , First movement (measures 474-492) & Second movement (measures 68-78); Beethoven Symphony No. 8 , Third movement Menuetto & Trio (no repeats); Brahms Symphony No. 3, movements 1 and 2 (please prepare solos and tutti passages); Kodály: Dances Galánta ( bar 31 - bar 66); Rimsky Korsakov: Capricco : Movements I. Alborada and III. Alborada; Stravinsky: Firebird Suite: Variation of the Firebird; Ravel: Daphnis and Chloé Suite No. 2 Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate sight-reading ability with material chosen by the instructor. The complete program must be performed with piano, with the exception of the unaccompanied works. The Shepherd School will provide a pianist and one hour of rehearsal time. Additional rehearsal time must be arranged and paid for by the applicant. All piano parts must be made available to the Shepherd School pianist three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the audition committee may decide to hear only certain portions.
• Double Bass: Double Bass: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission When recording the prescreening submission, please record with your full body and instrument in the frame. Two movements from a concerto Two contrasting movements of Bach Standard excerpts: Mozart Symphony No. 35 (first and fourth movements); Beethoven Symphony No. 5 (third movement); Brahms Symphony No. 2 (first and fourth movements); Strauss Ein Heldenleben #9, #40, the Battle Scene complete. Required graduate audition repertoire Full Bach suite of the applicant's choice Major concerto Standard excerpts: Mozart Symphony No. 35 (first and fourth movements); Beethoven Symphony No. 5 (third movement); Brahms Symphony No. 2 (first and fourth movements); Strauss Ein Heldenleben #9, #40, the Battle Scene complete. One virtuoso work One solo piece written after 1950 For works that require piano accompaniment, the Shepherd School will provide a pianist and limited rehearsal time if requested. If the Shepherd School is to provide the pianist, all piano parts must be made available three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the jury may decide to hear only certain portions. Auditions with interviews will be held February 2 or 3, 2027.
• Flute: Flute: Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required AD prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Two movements from the Bach Partita in A Minor, BWV 1013 Two movements from a Mozart concerto (accompanied) First movement of either the Ibert concerto or the Nielsen concerto (accompanied) Six flute excerpts and three piccolo excerpts, all chosen from the live audition list Required AD live audition repertoire: J. S. Bach Partita in A Minor, BWV 1013 (complete) Mozart Concerto in G Major, KV 313 (complete) OR Concerto in D Major, KV 314 (complete with cadenzas) Ibert Concerto (I and II only) Nielsen Concerto (complete) Orchestral Excerpts: Flute (major solos in the listed orchestral repertoire) Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 3 Brahms Symphony No. 4 (IV) Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun Dvorak Symphony No. 8 (IV) Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis Prokofiev Classical Symphony Ravel Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2 Rossini Overture to William Tell St. Saëns Volière from Carnival of the Animals Strauss Till Eulenspiegel Stravinsky Variation from The Firebird Orchestral Excerpts: Piccolo (major solos in the listed orchestral repertoire) Beethoven Symphony No. 9 (IV) Ravel Mother Goose Suite (III-Laideronnette) Rossini Overture to Semiramide Shostakovich Symphony No. 6 (I) The complete program must be performed with piano, with the exception of the unaccompanied works. The Shepherd School will provide a pianist and one hour of rehearsal time. Additional rehearsal time must be arranged and paid for by the applicant. All piano parts must be made available to the Shepherd School pianist three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the audition committee may decide to hear only certain portions. *Optional Resources: Institute for Composer Diversity Music by Black Composers International Music Score Library Project
• Harp: Harp: Auditions will be taking place on February 8, 2027. Once your graduate application has been received, your audition will be scheduled. Please note that there may be times in the season when scheduling is backlogged. Required graduate live audition repertoire One étude Two contrasting works demonstrating your highest level of artistry, performed from memory One orchestral excerpt of the applicant's choice
• French Horn: Horn: The video submission should be recorded so that all orchestral excerpts are played in succession in any order you wish without stopping the recording or editing. Solos may be pre-recorded. Required AD prescreening repertoire is by video submission: First movement of Mozart Concerto No. 4 Strauss Horn Concerto No. 2 - first page Schumann Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70 - first page Orchestral Excerpts: Strauss Till Eulenspiegel (opening horn solo in first horn part) Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte (opening horn solo in first horn part) Mahler Symphony No. 1 , movement 3 (#13 - #15 in second horn) Beethoven Symphony No. 7 , movement 1 (m. 84-102 in the first horn part) Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 , movement 1 (#17 - #22 in first horn part) For copies of the above orchestral excerpts, please reach out to Spencer Simpson, Music Admissions Administrator , and include your name and intended degree program. Required AD live audition repertoire: Complete Strauss Horn Concerto No. 2 ; Schumann Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70 ; and Mozart Concerto No. 4, K 495, first movement with cadenza Prepare excerpts which cover the following criteria: soft and low (examples: Mahler 1st low tutti or Variation 8 of Strauss Don Quixote ) soft and high (examples: Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major or Pavane ) loud and low (examples: Shostakovich 5th low tutti or Variation 7 of Don Quixote ) loud and high (examples: Beethoven 7th or Wagner Siegfried Call ) full range (examples: openings of Ein Heldenleben or Till Eulenspiegel ) In addition, scales, sight-reading, and transposition will be tested. For works that require accompaniment, the Shepherd School will provide a pianist and one hour of rehearsal time. Additional rehearsal time must be arranged and paid for by the applicant. All piano parts must be made available to the Shepherd School pianist three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the audition committee may decide to hear only certain portions.
• Oboe: Oboe: Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. All of the following repertoire is required for both the AD prescreening submission and live audition: Prepare approximately 30 minutes of varied solo, étude, and orchestral excerpts clearly demonstrating an advanced performance ability. For works that require accompaniment, the Shepherd School will provide a pianist and one hour of rehearsal time. Additional rehearsal time must be arranged and paid for by the applicant. All piano parts must be made available to the Shepherd School pianist three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the audition committee may decide to hear only certain portions.
• Percussion: Percussion: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required AD prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Marimba: Contemporary solo (4 mallets): 2 minute excerpt One movement from any Suite or Sonata by Bach (e.g violin, cello, lute - no repeats) Snare Drum: Delecluse: Étude No. 1 from " 12 Études for Snare Drum " (beg. - downbeat of m. 36) Orchestral Excerpts: Three snare drum excerpts Three timpani excerpts Three xylophone excerpts Two glockenspiel excerpts Required AD live audition repertoire: Marimba: Contemporary solo (4 mallets) Two contrasting movements from one or two Suite(s) or Sonata(s) by Bach (e.g violin, cello, lute - no repeats)* *one movement with two mallets and one movement with four mallets Snare Drum: One concert snare drum solo (e.g. Delecluse) One rudimental snare drum solo (e.g. Tompkins, Rieppi) Timpani: One solo (e.g. Carter, Hochrainer, Delecluse) Orchestral Excerpts: Five snare drum Five timpani Four xylophone Three glockenspiel Two cymbals Two tambourine Sightreading Auditions will take place on January 29, 30, 31, February 5, and 6, 2027.
• Piano: Piano: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission Any recent recording of a recital is acceptable, provided that it offers varied repertoire from several contrasting musical periods, or separate video performances may be uploaded in order to fulfill the requirement of different stylistic periods. Good audio quality helps the faculty make an accurate assessment of your playing. The faculty would prefer a recording that does not have compressed dynamics. Try, if possible, to set your recording levels manually. Please set the automatic volume to the "off" position. Required graduate audition requirements Repertoire for the live audition should represent four of the five stylistic periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist/Early 20th-century, or Post-1950. Please include the following: Complete sonata One complete concerto Two contrasting études, at least one of which should be of virtuoso character We will provide an accompanist for your concerto. Upon your acceptance to a live audition, your proposed repertoire is subject to faculty approval. We will correspond with you as to whether your repertoire meets our criteria and also will provide you with the accompanist for your audition. Prior to the audition, the faculty will select the portion of the concerto to be included in the live audition. Your accompanist will let you know what portion you will perform and the rehearsal time. Auditions will take place February 13 and 14, 2027.
• Trumpet: Trumpet: Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required AD prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Haydn Concerto (1st mvt complete, complete with cadenza) Honegger Intrada (complete) Charlier Étude No. 2 Du Style in Bb on B-flat trumpet, or on C trumpet in B-flat (complete) Required AD live audition repertoire: Haydn Concerto (1st mvt, complete with cadenza) Honegger Intrada (complete) Charlier Étude No. 2 Du Style in Bb on B-flat trumpet, or on C trumpet in B-flat (complete) Bitsch Étude of your choice, not including lyrical ones (complete) Orchestral Excerpts: 1947 Stravinsky Petrouchka (ballerina solo) Resphigi Pines of Rome (1st mvt and off-stage lyrical solo) Mahler Symphony No. 5 (1st mvt complete) Bach Magnificat (opening) All major and minor scales, sight-reading and transposition For works that require accompaniment, the Shepherd School will provide a pianist and one hour of rehearsal time. Additional rehearsal time must be arranged and paid for by the applicant. All piano parts must be made available to the Shepherd School pianist three weeks before the scheduled audition date. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the audition committee may decide to hear only certain portions.
• Viola: Viola: Online prescreening submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required prescreening submission is by video Two contrasting movements from a Bach solo cello suite or violin sonata or partita One movement from a major concerto One movement from a sonata . Required graduate audition repertoire The applicant should present a program of 60-70 minutes in duration, including one work from each of the five categories below. One piece must be written after 1970. Bach (from memory) any of the six cello suites or any of the violin solo sonatas or partitas One complete concerto (from memory) by Stamitz or Hoffmeister One complete concerto (from memory) from the following list: Bartók; Hindemith Der Schwanendreher ; Walton; Piston; Schnittke; Harbison; Penderecki or work of similar importance A substantial work for viola and piano such as Brahms, Clarke, Hindemith, Rochberg, Shostakovich, Schumann, Vieuxtemps or Bax A work such as Bach's Chaconne transcribed from the D Minor Partita for Solo Violin, the Passacaglia from Hindemith's Sonata Op. 11, no. 5 , ' La Campanella ' or one of the Caprices by Paganini, a virtuosic transcription of William Primrose With the exception of category 1, the complete program must be performed with piano, where applicable. The Shepherd School will provide a pianist and limited rehearsal time if requested. If the Shepherd School is to provide the pianist, all piano parts must be made available three weeks before the scheduled audition time. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the jury may decide to hear only certain portions. Auditions with interviews will be held February 2 or 3, 2027.
• Violin: Violin: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required Prescreening Repertoire is by Video Submission Two contrasting movements of Bach solo sonata or partita One movement of a concerto One virtuoso work These works should be recorded without piano accompaniment and be performed from memory. Required graduate audition repertoire Bach: any of the six solo sonatas and partitas (complete) from memory A major concerto (from memory) such as one of the following: Bartók #2; Beethoven; Berg; Bernstein: Serenade ; Brahms; Britten; Bruch: Scottish Fantasy ; Dvorak; Elgar; Glazunov; Korngold; Lalo; Mendelssohn; Nielsen; Paganini #1; Prokofiev #1 or #2; Shostakovich #1; Sibelius; Stravinsky; Tchaikovsky; Walton One complete Mozart or Haydn concerto (from memory) A work for violin unaccompanied or with piano composed after 1950. (If longer than 10 minutes, a representative 10-minute portion is sufficient). Memorization is not required for this work. A virtuoso work of the applicant's choice. With the exception of the Bach, the complete program must be performed with piano, where applicable. The Shepherd School will provide a pianist and limited rehearsal time if requested. If the Shepherd School is to provide the pianist, all piano parts must be made available three weeks before the scheduled audition time. The applicant must be prepared to perform all chosen works in their entirety. However, the jury may decide to hear only certain portions. Auditions with interviews will be held February 2 or 3, 2027.

SourceSpecific to this program and intake. Check the current admissions cycle; nothing here guarantees admission, and you cannot assume you may audition for a particular teacher.

Portfolio

Portfolio requirement not published

Interview

Not published

Academic prerequisites

Fall 2027: no applications accepted in: Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Horn, Oboe, Orchestral Conducting (areas marked with an asterisk on the graduate audition index).

Deadlines

• Online prescreening/portfolio submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) (Fall 2027 auditions) · Fall 2027

Source could not be re-checked automatically.

The institution does not publish tuition for this program on the pages we checked. Ask for current fees, what they include and whether lessons, accompanists, practice rooms, instrument hire, software, recording, recitals, travel and residency costs are extra.

Not published on the program’s source pages: tuition, duration, full-time or part-time options, intakes, whether a previous degree is required, accreditation or validation record.