The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

Auditions in February Only

The Admissions Office has compiled these instructions to help you complete the paperwork and perform the audition needed for us to estimate your ability to succeed at Peabody. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have questions or need further assistance. The number is 1-800-368-2521. If you live in Maryland, or outside of the USA, call (410) 234-4848.

1. Fill in the application form. Answer all questions and remember to sign it.

2. Complete the teacher preference form, and return it with your application so we will know with whom you wish to study.

3. Submit four copies of an essay of 1500 or more words on a musical subject of your choice. The paper should have been written within the last two years and must be typed and supported by citations and references. The four copies must be submitted with the application so members of the graduate committee will have time to review them before your interview. This paper will serve as the basis for your DMA interview, and should adequately reflect your academic capability. Of particular interest to the DMA interviewing committee is written and verbal evidence of a capacity for independent thinking, initiative, and ability to present, develop, and support a thesis or point of view. The DMA application process is complex.Your application and writing sample will be assigned to a committee for review several weeks before your interview. Thus, your application cannot be processed until we have your writing sample in hand. This will become important if we run out of interview times.Be reminded that DMA auditions only take place in February, so we have no "fall back" position if the interview or audition times fill. Please include your writing sample with your application form.

4. Send the application, teacher preference form, four copies of your essay, and a check for $100.00 to the Admissions Office before December 1st so we can schedule a February audition for you. Acceptance to the DMA program depends on the outcome of several activities, which can only be held on campus. Therefore, we are unable to accept taped auditions for DMA entrance. Auditions for the DMA program occur only during February Audition Week, and the number of DMA applicants we can handle is limited. If we run out of room, applications will be processed in the order of arrival at Peabody, so it is to your advantage to get your application materials in early.

5. Fill out the top portion of the three recommendation forms and give them to three persons who know your musical ability. Ask that the forms be completed and returned to the Admissions Office as soon as possible. Those filling out the forms for you will appreciate it if you also give them a stamped envelope addressed to the Peabody Admissions Office. As an alternative, you can submit the recommendation forms with your application.

6. Submit a complete, typewritten, repertoire list with asterisks indicating works you have performed publicly.

7. Request that transcripts be sent to the Admissions Office from all schools you have attended since high school. High school transcripts are not necessary. If your most recently attended school is Peabody Conservatory, we will request your Peabody transcript from the Registrar. All other transcripts must be requested from the original schools.

8. International students will need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Have the results forwarded to us. It is probable that those scoring less than 213-C or 79-Internet on the TOEFL will need to study English before beginning, and/or during their programs. Our TOEFL code number is 5532.

9. If you are seeking a performance scholarship or any other form of financial assistance, refer to the financial aid web site. Questions about Financial Aid should be addressed to the Financial Aid Office at (410) 234-4900.

10. To save our applicants time and expense, and to preserve the available slots for on-campus auditions, Peabody pre-screens applications for several majors. In all cases, pre-screening recordings must be in our hands by the application deadlines. The faculty will make its decisions in December or early January, and we should have results to you roughly one month before Audition Week. Those approved from the pre-screening process will continue to item 11. Here are the majors and the specifics of the pre-screening process:

    Composition - (February Interviews Only) Pre-screening is based on your portfolio, so it must be included with your application by the December 1 deadline. Do not send original scores. They will not be returned to you.

    Conducting - (February Auditions Only) Pre-screening is done by DVD. Only NTSC format (standard US television) can be accepted. The recordings should consist of 3-4 excerpts, each 2-3 minutes in length, of contrasting standard repertoire demonstrating a variety of styles and tempi. The camera should be placed at the back of the orchestra with the focus on the front of the conductor. A full-size orchestra is not required; a quintet with piano would suffice, for example. The applicant's name and a written log of the excerpts with timings should be included on the tape. The log should not be on the DVD. Appropriate dress is expected. If you pass the pre-screening, you will be invited to audition with orchestra at Peabody. Details, including repertoire, will not be available until that time.

    Piano - Send an audio CD recording with your application.Videotapes and other digital media are not accepted. The material on the recording should be a half-hour of music that represents your audition. A recording of a recital can be used if it was performed within the past two years. Selections on the recording do not have to be the same ones you will perform for your audition. This recording must be in our hands along with your application form by December 1st. Please note that we tend to run short of on-campus audition slots in piano. If we have too many applicants after the pre-screening we will schedule auditions in the order the applications were received, so it pays to get yours in (along with the pre-screening recording) as early as possible.

    Voice - Send a CD recording with three selections along with your application. Repertoire should follow the regular audition guidelines.

11. About a month before your audition, you will receive an invitation from us stating the day and time of your performance (30 minutes in length). Check the Peabody web site for a complete description of audition requirements. Plan on spending three days in Baltimore. This will allow time for required activities, including a 90-minute Theory exam, the 30-minute Eartraining placement exam, and the 90-minute DMA History Exam. (Voice majors will take an oral diction test at the time of the audition. You will be asked to read (not sing) from a song or aria in French, German and Italian. English may be included for some international students.) In some cases the placement test results come into play as part of the acceptance/rejection process. Your interview with the Graduate Committee will be held at that time, and if you have applied for graduate assistantships, those interviews will be arranged.

12. On the day of your audition plan to arrive early and check in at the reception area. A warm-up room will be made available approximately thirty minutes before your audition time. Accompanists are provided for voice auditions held at Peabody. Accompanists are not required for other majors, but you may bring one if you wish. Note: If you change your audition repertoire, make 10 copies of the new list of titles to bring with you to your audition.

13. Information from your audition, along with the rest of your credentials, will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. On April 1, we will mail you a letter containing your audition results, including teacher assignment, scholarship and financial aid information. Should your folder be incomplete, the decision will be delayed until we have the missing information (e.g. missing transcripts).

We hope this instruction sheet has been helpful and look forward to meeting you at your audition. As an additional reminder, there is a checklist of things to submit in the application booklet.

NOTE: Documents and recordings submitted cannot be returned. Please make copies of all documents for your records.

Deadline Reminder