Master of Music

Two-year master's degree with instrument, voice, composition, musicology, conducting and chamber music majors.

Department

Shepherd School of Music

Awarding body

Not stated on the pages we checked

Official award

Master of MusicMMus

Award family

MM / MMusA Master of Music or MMus, exactly as titled by the awarding institution.

Qualification level

Master’s degree

Qualification standing

Academic qualificationA degree, or a certificate or diploma awarded by a degree-awarding institution within a national qualifications framework.

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

• Cello: Cello: 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 Étude by Popper or Grützmacher or Caprice by Piatti, Franchomme, or Paganini One movement (or about five minutes) of a major concerto Prelude from an unaccompanied Cello Suite by Bach Required graduate audition repertoire Étude by Popper or Grützmacher or Caprice by Piatti, Franchomme, or Paganini An important movement of a major concerto demonstrating your virtuosity and artistry The prelude and one other movement from an unaccompanied Cello Suite by Bach A work in a contemporary idiom written within the last seventy-five years. Applicants are encouraged to consider choosing a work of a female or other underrepresented minority composer. The concerto and Bach Suite should be played from memory, if possible. No accompanist is needed or desired for the audition. Auditions will be held January 25, February 1, or 8, 2027.
• Clarinet: Clarinet: Graduate Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) The submission is by video and 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. Required graduate prescreening repertoire: Solo Repertoire (with piano accompaniment) Mozart Clarinet Concerto , First movement, Exposition only (beginning of solo until bar 133) Etudes Choose one of the following caprices: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, or 17 from Paganini, Dix-Sept Caprices adapted for the clarinet and published by Éditions Musicales Alphonse Leduc Orchestral Excerpts (unaccompanied) Pick 2 excerpts from the list below : 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) Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol, Movement 1 (letter A - B, letter C for 21 bars) Brahms Symphony No. 3, First movement (bars 23-47), Second movement (beginning for 22 bars) Required graduate live audition repertoire: Solo Repertoire The entire Mozart Clarinet Concerto, K. 622 Kovács, Béla Hommage à Johann Sebastian Bach. Edition Darok. EDL 2103 Choose and prepare one of the following: Joan Tower Wings Nielsen Clarinet Concerto (Wilhelm Hansen Copenhagen edition) Weber, Concerto #1 in F minor or #2 in E-flat Copland, Concerto (entire work) Orchestral Excerpts Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream (measures 1-48); Beethoven Symphony No. 6, 1st movement (measures 474-492) & 2nd movement (measures 68-78) Scales All major and minor scales, both slurred and articulated, in three octaves. (Scales in C#, D, and Eb should be prepared in two octaves.) Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate sight-reading ability with material chosen by the instructor. No accompanist is needed or desired for the audition. Auditions will be held on January 15 or 17, 2027.
• Composition: Composition: Graduate Portfolio Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Composers must submit a minimum of three compositions that are representative of their work. If possible, please also submit a live audio or video recording of each work. If no live recording is available, you may submit the score only. MIDI recordings are not acceptable. Prescreening decisions on your portfolio will be released mid-December. Applicants who pass the prescreening round will be contacted via email by a faculty member to set up an interview and a potential campus visit in late January or early February.
• Double Bass: Double Bass: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Prescreening submission is by video and should include the live audition repertoire. When recording the prescreening submission, please record with your full body and instrument in the frame. Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required Repertoire for the prescreening submission and live audition Two contrasting movements of solo Bach (from any of the solo suites for cello) Two contrasting movements of a major concerto Representative excerpts from: a Mozart Symphony (Nos. 39, 35, 40, 41 ); Brahms Symphony No. 1 or 2 ; Beethoven Symphony No. 5 , 3rd movement; Strauss Don Juan or Ein Heldenleben Students are expected to know major and minor scales and arpeggios in three octaves for the audition. No accompanist is needed or desired for the audition. Auditions will be held on February 5 or 8, 2027.
• Flute: Flute: Graduate Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required graduate prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Two complete contrasting movements from a Mozart concerto. Cadenzas are not necessary but may be played if desired. A work for solo flute to be chosen from the following: Bostonian Scenes, 1. Promenade Along with Charles River , Valerie Coleman Zinfandel (flute version), Reena Esmail Chant for solo flute, Timothy Hagen Yuhwa (The Goddess of the Willow Trees) for solo flute, Adolphus Hailstork Homeland (Flute Alone) by Allison Loggins-Hull One contrasting work or movement of your choice* Excerpt from Mendelssohn: Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream , 2 measures before P to the end Four additional orchestral excerpts to be chosen from Brahms: Symphony No. 4 last movement, mm. 93 - 105; Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, mm. 1 - 4 and mm. 21- 30; Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis , solo from movement III; St. Saëns: Volière from Carnival of the Animals ; Stravinsky: Variation from The Firebird A pianist is not required for the prescreening submission. Required graduate live audition repertoire: Two contrasting movements from either the Bach Partita in A Minor, BWV 1013 or one of the following Bach sonatas: B Minor, A Major, E Minor or E Major Mozart Concerto in G Major, KV 313 with cadenzas OR Mozart Concerto in D Major, K. 314 with cadenzas One other work representing a different style/period Orchestral Excerpts: Brahms: Symphony No. 4 last movement, mm. 93 - 105; Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun , mm. 1- 4 and mm. 21-30; Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis , solo from mvt. III; Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2 , solo, St. Saëns: Volière from Carnival of the Animals; Stravinsky: Variation from The Firebird A pianist is not required for the audition. Auditions will be held on January 29, 30, or 31, 2027. *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. If you have not heard from us by January 4, 2027, please email us. 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: Graduate Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) The prescreening 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 graduate prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Exposition of Mozart Concerto No. 4 Contrasting solo of the applicant's choice Orchestral Excerpts: Strauss Till Eulenspiegel (opening horn solo in first horn part) Ravel Piano Concerto in G, movement 1 (#25 - #26 in first horn) 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 graduate live audition repertoire: Two contrasting solos of your choice (examples: first movement of Mozart No. 2 or No. 4 contrasted with a Strauss concerto or major contemporary piece of solo horn) 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, bass clef, sight-reading, and transposition will be tested. No accompanist is needed or desired for the audition. Auditions will be held January 29, February 5, or 6, 2027.
• Musicology and Music History: Musicology: Applicants for the MM in Musicology degree must complete the following for their application by December 1, 2026: Statement addressing the applicant's career goals and why the applicant wants to study Musicology. Copies of two recent research or analysis papers. GRE scores optional for Fall 2027 - The ETS school code for Rice University is 6609. After December 1, applicants will be screened by the Musicology faculty, and those who move on to the next round will take online exams in music history and music theory. These tests evaluate your current knowledge of these subjects and must be completed without any outside assistance. Based on the test results, applicants will be invited to meet with the Musicology faculty in person at Rice University or to interview with them via Zoom in late January or early February.
• Oboe: Oboe: Graduate Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required graduate prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Two contrasting études OR two contrasting works for solo oboe OR two contrasting movements from a solo work with accompaniment. Choose one of the three. Three contrasting orchestral excerpts Required graduate live audition repertoire: An aria or other solo work by J. S. Bach The exposition of the Mozart Concerto Two contrasting Ferling Studies Three contrasting orchestral excerpts No accompanist is needed or desired for the audition. Auditions will be held on February 1 or 8, 2027.
• Organ: Organ: Audition Dates are January 24-25 or February 11-12, 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 audition repertoire Prepare 30-45 minutes. A major work by J.S. Bach Two or more additional selections demonstrating contrasting styles and characters Sight reading and harmonization skills will be evaluated. Memorization of one or more works is encouraged. *Please plan on spending 2 days with us. A practice session on the organ will be scheduled on the first day and your audition will be scheduled on the second day.
• Percussion: Percussion: 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: Snare Drum: Long Roll: Play a continuous buzz roll beginning at pp and crescendo to ff over a period of 30 seconds Delecluse: Étude No. 1 from " 12 Études for Snare Drum " (beg. - downbeat of m. 36) Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade , Mvt. III (Reh. D - E and after 5 after F for 4 measures) Marimba: Play any 4 mallet movement from a Suite or Sonata by Bach for violin, cello, or lute (no repeats) Timpani: Long Roll: play a continuous roll on the 29" drum tuned to an "A" over a period of 30 seconds. Begin at pp and crescendo to ff. Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 , Mvt. I (18 before S - End) Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 , Mvt. 1 (2 before T - 3 before U) Required graduate live audition repertoire: Snare Drum: One concert snare drum solo (e.g. Delecluse) One rudimental snare drum solo (e.g. Tompkins, Rieppi) Two Marimba Solos: (One should be four-mallets and the other should be two-mallets) One contemporary solo One movement from any Suite or Sonata by Bach (e.g. violin, cello, lute) One Timpani Solo: (e.g. Carter, Hochrainer, Delecluse, Woud, Rieppi) Orchestral Excerpts: Four snare drum Four timpani Four xylophone Two glockenspiel One cymbals One tambourine Auditions will take place on January 29, 30, 31, February 5, and 6, 2027.
• Collaborative Piano and Accompaniment: Piano Chamber Music And Accompanying: Prescreening submission is by video Upload a video recording of a chamber music or duo performance at least 20 minutes in length Upload a video recording of a solo piano work performed from memory of at least 10 minutes in length. Both should be of the highest possible sound quality. Required graduate audition repertoire At least two solo works of different historical periods performed from memory. An entire standard duo-sonata for piano and a wind or string instrument. Sight-reading and an interview may be required.
• String Quartet: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1 by 11:59 PM (EST) A representative for the group should complete the String Quartet Supplement Form and upload it to the graduate application. Following a review of the video recordings, groups under final consideration will be invited for a live interview-audition in February. Prescreening submission requirements Two or three complete works of contrasting style Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required graduate live audition repertoire Two or three complete works of contrasting style Individual members will also be asked to play solo auditions to include a movement of a concerto and two contrasting movements of solo Bach There will be a discussion with the faculty following your audition. Be prepared to share your short and long-term goals and any projects you feel set you apart as a rising string quartet. Audition dates are TBA.
• Trombone: Trombone: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required graduate Tenor Trombone prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Solo of your choice Orchestral Excerpts: Mozart: Requiem - " Tuba mirum" Ravel: Boléro - trombone solo Berlioz: Hungarian March (2nd trombone part) Schumann: Symphony No. 3 (Rhenisch) - Mvt. 4: "Feierlich" (1st trombone part) Mahler: Symphony No. 3 - Mvt. 1 trombone solo Wagner: Die Walküre - Act 3, Prelude: "Walkürenritt" (Ride of the Valkyries), major section Required graduate Tenor Trombone live audition repertoire: Two contrasting movements by a Baroque composer Another solo piece of your choice Orchestral Excerpts: Mozart: Requiem - " Tuba mirum" Ravel: Boléro - trombone solo Berlioz: Hungarian March (2nd trombone part) Schumann: Symphony No. 3 (Rhenisch) - Mvt. 4: "Feierlich" (1st trombone part) Mahler: Symphony No. 3 - Mvt. 1 trombone solo Wagner: Die Walküre - Act 3, Prelude: "Walkürenritt" (Ride of the Valkyries), major section Major Scales (two octaves) Sight reading (may include Tenor and Alto Clefs) No accompanist is needed or desired for the audition. Required graduate Bass Trombone prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Solo of your choice Orchestral Excerpts: Haydn: The Creation - "Achieved is the Glorious Work" Schumann: Symphony No. 3 (Rhenisch) - Mvt. 4: "Feierlich" Wagner: Das Rheingold - " Entry of the Gods into Valhalla" Wagner: Die Walküre - Act 3, Prelude: "Walkürenritt" (Ride of the Valkyries), major section Required graduate Bass Trombone live audition repertoire: Two contrasting movements from a Baroque sonata or Bach Cello Suite Another solo piece of your choice Orchestral Excerpts: Haydn: The Creation - "Achieved is the Glorious Work" Schumann: Symphony No. 3 (Rhenisch) - Mvt. 4: "Feierlich" Berlioz: Hungarian March Strauss: Ein Heldenleben Wagner: Das Rheingold - Scene 4, " Entry of the Gods into Valhalla" Wagner: Die Walküre - Act 3, Prelude: "Walkürenritt" (Ride of the Valkyries), major section Major Scales two octaves Sight reading (may include Tenor Clef) No accompanist is needed or desired for the audition. Auditions will be held on January 15, 29, or 30, 2027.
• Trumpet: Trumpet: 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: 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) Required graduate 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 No accompanist is needed or desired for the audition. Auditions will be held on February 5 and February 6, 2027.
• Tuba: Tuba: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Required prescreening repertoire is by video submission: A technical étude A vocalise A three-octave chromatic scale Two contrasting orchestral excerpts Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Required graduate live audition repertoire: Major and minor scales in two octaves, and a chromatic scale in three octaves. Scales are to be performed from memory. A solo piece or concerto movement of your choice Two contrasting (lyrical/technical) études Standard orchestral excerpts Sight reading If preferred, solo works may be performed on Bass Tuba, but applicants should perform the majority of their audition on Contrabass Tuba. Audition dates will be posted soon.
• Viola: Viola: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable Prescreening submission is by video Two contrasting movements from a Bach solo cello suite or violin solo sonata or partita One movement from a major concerto One movement from a sonata Required graduate audition repertoire A major concerto (two movements minimum) Three movements from a Bach solo cello suite or violin solo sonata or partita One composition of a different style It is recommended that the Bach and concerto be memorized. No accompanist is needed or desired for the audition. Audition dates are January 31, February 1, 6, or 7, 2027.
• Violin: Violin: Online Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening requirements are acceptable. Prescreening submission is by video One movement of a Bach solo sonata or partita One movement of a concerto These works should be performed from memory. Required graduate audition repertoire Two contrasting movements of Bach or Chaconne Complete first movement of a major concerto with cadenza, where applicable One work of the candidate's choice These works should be performed from memory. No accompanist is required for the audition. Auditions will be held February 5, 7, 8, 12, and 15, 2027.
• Classical Voice: Vocal: Graduate Prescreening Submission due December 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST) Required graduate prescreening repertoire is by video submission: Please include three selections in contrasting styles and languages (must include one aria and one art song). Multiple uploaded files of your prescreening selections are acceptable. Required graduate live audition repertoire:* Three songs, one each in English, French, and German Three arias in contrasting styles and original languages, at least one aria in Italian *The above selections for the audition must be a representation of each of the following periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and music composed after 1950 to the present. Our faculty supports and recommends that each candidate include repertoire from underrepresented composers if possible. Auditions will be held on January 29, 30, and 31, and February 12, 13, and 14, 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: Piano Chamber Music and Accompanying, Tuba (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.