Music Graduate Program Admissions

Applicants desiring to begin graduate studies in the fall semester should have the following materials on file in the Greatbatch School of Music office by March 31, unless otherwise indicated below. Applications received by November 1 are exempt from the $40 application fee. Please read the Statement of Faith and Vision of Our Common Life before signing the graduate application.

All materials should be submitted online, emailed to the Greatbatch School of Music, or mailed to:

Graduate Music Coordinator
Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College
One Willard Avenue
Houghton, NY 14744

Application Requirements

Complete the Online Application

Apply for Spring 2022 Apply for Fall 2022

Complete the Following Steps

Submit a graded sample of an Undergraduate Upper-Level Academic Writing in Music

(preferably a history or analysis paper)

Complete and submit a Repertoire List

(see application for guidelines)

Submit your transcripts(s)

Official undergraduate transcript(s) Official graduate transcript(s), if applicable

Write and submit a personal statement

In 300-500 words, please describe your educational and musical background, degree objectives, and/or future career plans. Include a brief statement of your Christian testimony. If there is additional information that you feel would be helpful to the admission committee, please feel free to include it. If you are applying for graduate assistantship, please address the qualifications relevant to the graduate areas in which you seek an award.

Complete an audition registration form

All applicants to the graduate program at the Greatbatch School of Music are required to present an entrance audition. These auditions are designed to give studio faculty the opportunity to meet each applicant and to assess strengths and potential for success in graduate music studies. The applicant will also be interviewed by the Graduate Committee. Include: An Accompanist Request, if applicable Scores for Accompanist, if applicable

Complete an audition and interview

Complete a required interview designed to give studio faculty the opportunity to meet you and assess your strengths and potential for success in graduate music studies. You will also be interviewed by the Graduate Committee.

Admission Criteria

Music, M.A.

Normally possess a Bachelor of Music Degree
Prepares 2-3 pieces from the repertoire of the major instrument or voice which represents the student’s current level of ability, to be played at audition

Collaborative Performance, M.M.

Normally possess a Bachelor of Music Degree or its equivalent
Demonstrate strong interest and ability in collaborative performance
Have substantial ensemble and/or solo repertoire in their resume
Have good sight reading ability
Audition requirements are found on the webpage linked above

Composition, M.M.

Hold the Bachelor of Music degree in composition or its equivalent OR demonstrate equivalent experience in writing original music for both instrument and vocal/choral genres
Have and submit a portfolio of original compositions, including scores and an audio or video recording of the works.

Conducting, M.M.

Normally possess a Bachelor of Music degree or its equivalent
Demonstrate strong interest and ability in conducting
- Usually, this will include (but is not limited to) successful completion of at least two undergraduate courses (or equivalent) in conducting

If you are an applicant for the MM in Instrumental or Choral Conducting: you must send a video recording

Must be either a DVD or private/unlisted YouTube URLs (no VHS)
It is requested, though not required, that the recording have both your performance and rehearsal footage

Performance, M.M.

Normally possess an undergraduate Bachelor of Music degree in performance, music education, or in the performance area sought
Should demonstrate outstanding accomplishment and talent in their audition

If you are an applicant for the MM in Instrumental or Choral Conducting: you must send a video recording

Must be either a DVD or private/unlisted YouTube URLs (no VHS)
It is requested, though not required, that the recording have both your performance and rehearsal footage

International Students

Citizens of countries other than the United States and Canada have additional application requirements. These students must complete the Financial Declaration and Financial Affidavit and be approved by the Graduate Committee before being invited to submit an application to the graduate program. If you are an International Student applicant:

You must complete the Financial Declaration and Affidavit Form (PDF)
You must be approved by the Graduate Committee before being invited to submit an application to the graduate program

Students From a Non-English Speaking Country

If you are a Student from a non-English speaking country:

You must take the Test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and receive a paper-based TOEFL score of 600, a computer-based score of 250, or internet-based score of 100
- Houghton’s TOEFL code is 2299
- More information on the TOEFL can be found here

Applicants who do not have an undergraduate music degree should send a video recording of themselves in performance.

Houghton College

The official website of Houghton College

Admission—Music