The Choral Studies Area offers a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting. The program is designed to be small and highly selective. Enrollment is intentionally limited and auditions are competitive. Our objective is to develop technically capable, expressive conductors, prepared to succeed.

Assistantships and Scholarships

Graduate Assistantships are available for Master's and Doctoral students up to $8000. Graduate assistantships have teaching responsibilities and/or other responsibilities that are determined by the needs of the School. For Choral Conductors, duties are divided among the various ensembles and include:

• Teaching assistant for undergraduate choral conducting classes.
• Assist with all aspects of the University Singers, our concert choir
• Assist with all aspects of the University Chamber Choir
• Assist the Director of Choirs with all aspects of the choral program

Conducting Assignments

Choral Conducting majors work with the University Singers, University Chamber Choir, Collegiate Choir and/or Sound Fuzion. Responsibilities include running sectional rehearsals, full rehearsals and conducting pieces on the public concerts.

Audition Information

All potential students must apply and be accepted by both the School of Music and by the University. Acceptance to the School of Music is contingent upon being accepted by the University. Seek enrollment in the University by contacting the University Graduate Office of Admissions at 901.678.2911. For more information, visit the University Graduate School's web site.

Applicants for the choral conducting degrees must submit a videotape of a rehearsal and performance along with the required admission forms as soon as possible. Applicants are required to submit a list of performances with compositions studied during the past year. Qualified applicants will be invited for an in-person audition, including an interview. The committee will be looking for the potential of success as a choral artist by evaluating present conducting technique. A major portion of the interview will be devoted to assessing potential student's aural musical skills. Students will sight-sing, and be given an error detection exam. The ability of the applicant to communicate effectively with an ensemble during a rehearsal is also taken into consideration. In addition to the audition, it is necessary for all graduate students to take a proficiency exam in music history and music theory. These tests are given on the first two days of registration every semester. Contact the Graduate Music Office for specific dates and times.

Admission and Assistantship applications and other information about acceptance into the School of Music may be obtained by contacting:

Associate Director for Graduate Studies
Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
The University of Memphis
129 Music Building
Memphis, TN 38152-3160
Call 901.678.3532

Return the Graduate school application to the University Graduate School Admissions office. Return the application for Graduate Assistantships in Music to the Music School Graduate Studies Office.

Requirements for admission

Requirements for admission into the graduate choral conducting program include:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Music from an accredited institution
• A mastery of advanced conducting techniques gained through conducting experience beyond the undergraduate level.
• Submission of transcripts of all previous college work

For more information on the Choral Conducting Graduate degree, contact Lawrence Edwards, Director of Choral Activities, at edwards@memphis.edu.