Master of Music

Master of Music with graduate areas in choral music, composition, jazz performance, performance and literature, piano pedagogy, vocal coaching and accompanying, wind band conducting, and musicology.

Department

School of Music

Awarding body

Not stated on the pages we checked

Official award

Master of MusicMM

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

Urbana-Champaign campus1114 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL 61801

Taught in

English

English

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

Audition

Audition requirement not published

Audition details

• Format: Live or recorded
• Prescreening deadline: December 1, 2026 for the listed instruments and areas (Fall 2027 term)

Required repertoire, as published

• Violin: Applicants for the MM degree must play: | First movement of a major concerto – performed by memory | Two movements of a Bach solo sonata or partita – performed by memory | Two additional contrasting works: | If you play a sonata or other chamber music, it is preferred that you perform those works with the appropriate instrumentalist(s) at your audition – this will be your responsibility. There may be a list of local pianists for hire that you can contact, but we cannot guarantee availability. | Applicants for the Artist Diploma (AD) program must follow the instructions below: | Please submit a 70-minute recital program, and we will choose from this program to hear in your audition. If you play a sonata or other chamber music, it is preferred that you perform those works with the appropriate instrumentalist(s) at your audition – this will be your responsibility. There may be a list of local pianists for hire that you can contact, but we cannot guarantee availability. | Applicants for the DMA degree program must play the following: | An etude, equivalent to a Rode or Paganini Caprice |
• Viola: • Two contrasting movements of a concerto. | • Two contrasting movements of a sonata with piano, or two contrasting movements of a solo sonata, partita, or suite. | • One additional work written after 1990. | NOTE: Lesser-known works and works by underrepresented composers are welcome and encouraged. | It is highly recommended that all graduate candidates attend an on-campus audition. If an applicant is unable to travel to campus for a live audition, the faculty will accept a recorded audition, and a virtual interview may occur. Graduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should upload the audition directly to their Graduate College application.
• Cello: Master of Music (MM) | • A fast movement of a concerto from memory. | • Two contrasting movements of a Bach cello suite from memory. | • An etude, caprice, or virtuoso work. | • One contrasting work of your choice that demonstrates your musical interests and musicianship. Selections might include: a 20th/21st-century composition, a work by a BIPOC composer, a work from a musical style or period not otherwise represented in the audition, etc. | Piano accompaniment for the audition is not required. | Graduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should upload the audition directly to their Graduate College application. Graduate applicants who submit a recorded audition will also register for a virtual interview with the faculty. Applicants can register for their interview after submitting the Graduate College application.​ | Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) | • Two contrasting movements of a concerto from memory. | • Two contrasting movements of a Bach cello suite from memory. | • Two contrasting works of your choice that demonstrate your musical interests and musiciansh
• Double Bass: • Two movements from a Bach Cello Suite. | • Orchestral excerpts – prepare key passages from the following choices: | a. Mozart’s 35th Symphony & 40th Symphony ; or 41st Symphony . | b. Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony , Scherzo , or Strauss’ Don Juan . | c. Til Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks . | • A complete standard concerto from memory. | Graduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should upload the audition directly to their Graduate College application. Graduate applicants who submit a recorded audition will also register for a virtual interview with the faculty. Applicants can register for their interview after submitting the Graduate College application.​
• Harp: Applicants should prepare: | • Three contrasting works from different historical periods and styles, including at least one solo work from the 20th or 21st century. Chosen solo works should be memorized. | • An orchestral excerpt or cadenza. | Applicants who submit a recorded audition should include repertoire consisting of 30 to 45 minutes of music. Selections should include contrasting works, as specified above, as well as an orchestral excerpt or cadenza. Movements from concerti or chamber music are acceptable. Orchestral excerpts or cadenzas, and chamber music do not have to be performed from memory. | It is highly recommended that all graduate candidates attend an on-campus audition. If an applicant is unable to travel to campus for a live audition, the faculty will accept a recorded audition, and a virtual interview may occur. Graduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should upload the audition directly to their Graduate College application. | Cookie Settings
• Classical Guitar: Section 1 (6 to 8 mins): | Two contrasting movements by J. S. Bach taken from suites, sonatas, or partitas for lute, cello or violin. | or two contrasting movements by S. L. Weiss chosen from his sonatas (a.k.a suites). | Section 2 (8 to 10 mins): | One concert piece (i.e. Theme and Variations, Sonata, Fantaisie) by Mauro Giuliani, Fernando Sor, Niccolo Paganini, or Dionisio Aguado. | Section 3 (10 to 15 mins): | A 20th century work to select from (or similar pieces): | Manuel de Falla: Homage pour le tombeau de Debussy | Federico Moreno-Torroba: Sonatina, Castillos de España | Joaquín Rodrigo: Tres piezas españolas, Invocación y danza, En los trigales | Eduardo Sáinz De La Maza: Campanas del alba | Antonio José: Sonata | Frank Martin: Quatre pieces breves | Heitor Villa-Lobos: Suite populaire bresilienne, 5 Preludes, 12 Etudes | Manuel Ponce: Sonata III, Sonatina meridional, Theme varie et finale | Alexandre Tansman: Cavatina | Astor Piazzolla: Cinco piezas | Leo Brouwer: Sonata, El decameron negro, Elogio de la danza, Rito de los orishas | Alberto Ginastera: Sonata | Hans Werner He
• Flute: Pre-screening requirement: All graduate flute applicants are required to submit a pre-screening recording. Selections should include the following: | Mozart Concerto in G Major, K 313, or D Major, K 314, first movement exposition. | One contrasting piece from the solo repertoire. | Three orchestral excerpts from the standard orchestral excerpt repertoire (found most commonly in the Baxtresser or Kujala orchestral excerpt books). | Live/Recorded Audition Requirements: Applicants for the MM and DMA in flute should prepare: | Mozart Concerto in G Major, K 313, or D Major, K 314, 1st and 2nd movements. | A Baroque period sonata, preferably by Bach or Telemann. | 20th/21st century piece(s) of choice. | 4 orchestral excerpts displaying a variety of styles. | It is highly recommended that all graduate candidates attend an on-campus audition. If an applicant is unable to travel to campus for a live audition, the faculty will accept a recorded audition, and a virtual interview may occur. All applicants submitting a pre-recorded sound file in lieu of a live audition should be prepared to play
• Oboe: Prospective MM, AD, and DMA students should prepare thirty minutes of music demonstrating different styles, time periods, and forms (etudes, concerti, sonatas, and orchestral excerpts). In addition, applicants should prepare the following orchestral excerpts: | • Beethoven, Symphony Nr. 3 (Funeral March). | • Brahms, Violin Concerto (2nd mvmt. solo). | • Mendelssohn, Symphony Nr. 3 “Scottish” Vivace non troppo (at letter A and after letter B). | • Shostakovich Symphony Nr. 5 (3rd mvmt. solo, after 84). | • Stravinsky, Pulcinella, larghetto (at 8). | It is highly recommended that all graduate candidates attend an on-campus audition. If an applicant is unable to travel to campus for a live audition, the faculty will accept a recorded audition, and a virtual interview may occur. Graduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should upload the audition directly to their Graduate College application. | Cookie Settings
• Clarinet: Prospective M.M. and D.M.A. students should prepare thirty minutes of music, including repertory that demonstrates diversity of styles, time periods, and forms (sonatas, concerti, orchestral excerpts, and studies). | It is highly recommended that all graduate candidates attend an on-campus audition. If an applicant is unable to travel to campus for a live audition, the faculty will accept a recorded audition, and a virtual interview may occur. Graduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should upload the audition directly to their Graduate College application. | Cookie Settings
• Saxophone: Pre-screening requirement: ALL graduate saxophone applicants are required to submit a pre-screening recording along with their other application materials. Selections should include three contrasting pieces or movements from different major style periods. Prescreening recordings should be uploaded directly to the Graduate College application. | Master of Music and Artist Diploma | Live Audition Requirements: Applicants for the MM degree and AD should prepare a recital program equivalent to a BM performance degree recital. Applicants should also be prepared to perform major and harmonic minor scales (full range) and sight read. Please be sure your repertoire includes: | One work composed for the saxophone before 1970 | One work composed for the saxophone after 1970 | One work of the applicant’s choice | Applicants should prepare a selection of music that demonstrates their familiarity with diverse musical styles, periods, and composers. | Doctor of Musical Arts | NOT accepting DMA applicants for Fall 2027 | Applicants for the DMA degree should prepare a recital program equivalent to a
• Percussion: Pre-screening requirement: | All graduate percussion applicants are required to submit a pre-screening video recording by December 1st. Please upload each prescreening video requirement individually. | 1 Concert Snare Drum Solo, from Delecluse Douze Etudes or equivalent | 2-3 Minutes of a solo work for Marimba or Vibraphone of a work suitable for a graduate audition. Works may include (but are not limited to) Juri Seo: V or 12 Preludes, Thomas: Merlin Schwantner: Velocities, Ptaszynska: Graffito, Wijeratne: The Spirit and the Dust, Sueyoshi: Mirage, etc. | A solo timpani work or etude from Delecluse Trente Etude or similar (something that demonstrates rolls, muting, tuning preferable) | One orchestra excerpt each on: Snare Drum, Xylophone OR Glockenspiel, Timpani, Cymbals OR Tambourine | Live/Recorded Audition Requirements: | Applicants who advance through the prescreening round are strongly encouraged to attend an on-campus audition. | 1. Perform one major solo in each of the following instrumental areas: | Snare Drum (concert style) | Marimba | Timpani | Multiple-Percussion (an aud
• Piano: If you have any questions about the graduate requirements, please email Dr. Chi-Chen Wu at ccw@illinois.edu . | All applicants are required to perform all audition repertoire, including prescreening materials, from memory. | Pre-Screening Requirements: | All graduate piano applicants are required to submit pre-screening recordings by December 1. Selections should include repertoire representing three contrasting stylistic periods , with each piece performed in a single, unedited take. Works consisting of multiple sections or movements (e.g., a Prelude and Fugue from Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier or Brahms’s Klavierstücke , Op. 119) must be recorded in one take. A complete sonata is not required; however, if it is part of the program, an Allegro movement must be included. Follow the recording instructions listed at the bottom of this page. | Prescreening recordings should be uploaded directly to the Graduate College application. | Applicants who pass the prescreening will be invited to play an on-campus audition or submit a final audition recording. | Live/Recorded Audition Requirement

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

Deadlines

• Graduate College Music application deadline for all programs (Fall 2027 term); prescreening deadline for wind band conducting, choral music, trombone, bassoon, percussion, flute, saxophone, collaborative piano, piano (performance) and voice · Fall 2027 (2026)
• Graduate deadline to upload audition recording (video audition in lieu of live audition) · Fall 2027 (2027)

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, audition requirement, whether a previous degree is required, accreditation or validation record.