Graduate Assistantships (GAs) are available to qualified students who have been admitted to graduate programs (MM, GPD, DMA) as full-time degree candidates during the Regular Decision application round only. Consideration for a GA requires the following:
Required Exams – the following GA interviews will not be scheduled unless the applicant meets the minimum test score requirement. Please click through for details.
Graduate assistantships are awarded in various types, dependent on what is available in a given year: 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, full. The award comes in two parts:
- Tuition Scholarship (80%)
- Taxable Stipend (20%)
- Provided in the form of bi-weekly paychecks
- Subject to federal and Maryland state tax laws
GAs must pay tuition by the published deadlines each semester, and as such will need personal resources to cover the 20% work/stipend component that has not yet been earned at the time tuition is due. If you have questions about this, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 667-208-6590, or via email at [email protected].
Additional Information
- Graduate assistantships are awarded for the duration of your degree, provided you remain in good standing academically and with your supervisor. For doctoral students, GAs are a 2-year appointment.
- GAs are expected to provide up to 12-15 hours of work each week of the academic year, although duties and loads may vary according to the department.
- Please note that some GAs are available to second year Peabody students only.
- International applicants who are not current Peabody students are required to submit a verified English Proficiency exam score by the December 1st deadline in order to be considered. All positions require English fluency.
Available Assistantships for 2023-2024
All assistantships offered by Peabody are described below. However, only those listed here are available on the application for the coming academic year. This list may be updated periodically:
Accompanying
Open to Piano majors only
Accompanying GA duties include playing for studio lessons, repertoire classes, juries, and master classes. There are more applicants for Accompanying assistantships than any other, making them highly competitive. Requirements include:
- Ability and interest in collaborative playing
- Knowledge of the repertoire
- Excellent sight-reading skills
- Repertoire lists and/or printed programs uploaded to the application as validation of prior experience
- Interview – keyboard or piano required
- Sight-reading
- Instrumental and vocal accompanying
Composition
The names of those who apply to this assistantship will be sent to the Department Chair of Composition for consideration. No additional interview is required. Responsibilities include:
- Assisting with administrative duties for the Composition Department
- Serving as liaison between the Composition Department and guests
- Scheduling
- Assisting with guest billing and payments
- Equipment supervision
- Managing concerts, stage crews, making and printing programs
- Assisting with interdepartmental collaborations
- Updating the Composition Department website and other communications
- Assisting with auditions
- Checking Composition Seminar attendance
- Providing assistance to Composition faculty
- Managing and communicating all department and project deadlines
Computer Music
Computer Music assistantships are normally awarded to those pursuing advanced graduate study in the field. Responsibilities include:
- Working with computers and digital sound equipment
- Teaching and tutoring
- Concert production (dependent on prior experience/skills)
Requirements:
- A strong background in computer music composition, performance, or research
Conducting
Open to Orchestral Conducting majors only
Responsibilities may include:
- Assisting with all aspect of the Large Ensemble activities, including conducting full-ensemble and sectional rehearsals
- Preparing performance materials
- Engaging in other administrative duties
Ear Training
Responsibilities of GAs are determined by the assigned faculty member and may include, but are not limited to:
- Classroom teaching
- Individual tutoring and responding to student emails
- Grading homework/exams
- Assistance setting up the classroom
- Attending class sessions
- Composing dictations
- Weekly meetings to discuss lesson plans and pedagogy
Requirements include:
- A minimum score on the following exams is required to qualify for an interview:
- Graduate Assistant and DMA Theory Test (GADMA)
- Ear Training Dictation Exam
- The interview (keyboard or piano required) may include, but is not limited to:
- Sight-singing in alto, bass, tenor, and/or treble clef(s)
- Playing and analyzing a chord progression at sight
- Demonstrating skills at the piano, e.g., accurately playing a work comparable to a two-part Bach invention (legato without using the pedal)
- Desired skills:
- Good keyboard and aural skills
- A solid theory background
- Excellent intonation when singing
- Experience teaching, especially in the classroom
Ensemble Library
The Ensemble Library Graduate Assistantship is designed to provide a high level of training in performance librarianship and is ideally geared towards the incoming graduate student with some experience in this area. The ultimate goal is to provide the GA with employable skills, allowing them to transition directly into a career as a performance librarian for music festivals, academic institutions, or professional ensembles following graduation.
The GA would report to and work closely with the Ensemble Librarian, assisting in all music preparation tasks, while also learning about the structural processes required to plan library support for a full season of diverse ensembles. The GA would work up to 7 hours per week, varying between in office and take-home projects. Responsibilities include:
- All aspects of score and part preparation, including but not limited to: copying string bowings, entering cuts, correcting notation errors, erasing unnecessary marking from previous use, matching rehearsal systems, etc.
- Research repertoire and provide accurate instrumentations in ArtsVision for planning purposes
- Assist with maintaining the collection and updating the catalog
- Repair parts, scores, and folders as needed
- Bind parts and scores, using coil, comb, and signature binding techniques as appropriate
- Scan PDFs of parts/scores
- Organize parts for distribution
- Collect, re-organize, and shelve parts after performance
- Provide leadership and guidance to the part time Library Interns with marking bowings and other duties
Requirements include:
- At least one year of experience working in a performance or academic library (preferred but not required)
- Knowledge of orchestral, opera, jazz, choral, and/or wind ensemble repertoire (preferred but not required)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Well organized and attentive to detail
- Experience in independent and self-motivated work
- Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds
Guitar
Open to Guitar majors only
Guitar assistants work for the three full-time faculty in the department. Responsibilities include assistance with:
- Master classes
- Studio rep classes
- Preparatory collaborations
- Practice monitoring
- Maintenance of the department web page and other communications
- Classroom, clerical, and organizational tasks
Jazz
Open to Jazz majors only
Responsibilities include:
- Coaching Assistant for jazz ensembles
- Leading sectionals/combos
- Occasionally subbing for the conductor
- Assisting with Various Academic Courses
- Assistance with preparing class material (printing/copying)
- Occasionally overseeing a class
- Assisting the Jazz Coordinator with administrative duties for the Jazz Department
- Student Communication for master classes and concert series
- HopVan Certification – help transport students to off-campus venues/events
- Assisting with the Jazz Composers Forum/Hittin’ with the Youngins
- Organize submitted material for Faculty Review
- Assist with all soundchecks & performances
- Serving as liaison between the Jazz Department and Guest Artists
- Greet Guests at the entrance and help them find their way through Peabody
- Help coordinate stage setup for master classes
- Equipment supervision
- Assist with the organization of jazz equipment
- Assist with the transportation of equipment when needed
- Help to enforce jazz suite policies
- Assisting with auditions
- Various services to be discussed and determined by the Jazz Department Chair
Requirements include:
- Successful completion of the Graduate Performance Diploma audition
- Strong writing and communication skills
- A high level of performance
- Teaching experience (preferred but not required)
- Computer skills are (desirable but not required)
Opera Accompanying
Opera Accompanying GAs are demanding positions which require flexibility as well as a variety of skills and duties. Responsibilities include:
- Accompanying opera mainstage rehearsals
- Accompanying Opera Workshop classes, rehearsals and scenes performances
- Accompanying opera auditions in the fall
- Working under supervision to coach singers
- Conduct rehearsals (if qualified)
- Create study recordings (if needed)
- Help evaluate the progress of the participants
- Keep abreast of the need for additional rehearsal time
Requirements include:
- Excellent keyboard skills
- Interview
- Sight-reading
- Excerpts from piano and operatic repertoire: the opening of La Bohème (conducted) and a short solo.
- Familiarity with vocal diction in languages other than English
- Prior experience conducting, preparing, and/or producing opera (preferred but not required)
- Some familiarity with operatic repertoire helpful, or interest in learning more about working in opera
Keyboard Studies
Open to Piano majors only
Keyboard Studies graduate assistants’ responsibilities include:
- Attending class meetings
- Taking attendance
- Helping faculty members grade in-person and/or video assignments
- Occasionally teaching classes, or leading a specific activity within a class
Additional responsibilities may be determined by each faculty member.
Requirements include:
- Exam – minimum score required to qualify for an interview
- Graduate Assistant and DMA Theory Test (GADMA)
- Interview – keyboard or piano required
- Demonstrate facility in theoretical skills at the keyboard, including chord progressions, melody harmonization, transposition, and analysis
- Sight-reading
- Three to four years of experience teaching piano lessons privately or in group settings
- Only students applying for a degree in piano performance are eligible for this assistantship
Performing Arts and Health
This is a new two-year assistantship open to DMA students only, in all fields of study, under the direction of the Chair of the Department of Performing Arts and Health.
Graduate assistants will support the development of new curricular and research initiatives within the Conservatory’s Department of Performing Arts and Health and participate as appropriate in scholarly, educational, and professional activities. Previous experience with scientific research and those with priors degrees or minors in a non-music discipline are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants will be scheduled for an interview during Audition Week. Responsibilities include:
- Assistance with research projects, including data collection, analysis, and writing
- Administrative tasks as assigned
- Event and meeting support
Requirements include:
- A letter of interest specifically for this assistantship
- A list of research/technical experiences and skills
- Interest in a broad and historical understanding of the established and evolving discipline of Performing Arts Health
- Interest in collaborative engagement with their peers and faculty members as a researcher
- Openness to learning multiple research techniques and methods for data analysis, writing skills for grant applications and scientific publishing
- Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues across disciplines and at all levels
Piano Maintenance
The piano maintenance graduate assistant helps keep Peabody’s pianos in good condition. Daily responsibilities include:
- Tuning pianos
- Performing repairs including string replacement, installation of action parts, pedal repairs, and re-gluing key tops
- Action regulation, key re-bushing, and cleaning pianos will also be required
- Assist with maintaining the piano inventory, the student piano loan program, and general organization of the shop
- During select times of the year will assist with climate control and humidifier maintenance
Requirements include:
- One or more years of experience strongly preferred
- Previous experience/training in piano technology and use of workshop tools such as screwdrivers, hammers, drill press, and other shop equipment is preferred
- Ability to understand and follow written or verbal instructions
- Ability to operate hand tools and light power tools
- Ability to participate in the following physical activities 100% of the workday:
- Standing
- Walking
- Sitting
- Bending
- Use of upper and lower extremities (L and R)
- Use of hands and wrists (L and R)
- Ability to interact and/ or work with faculty, students, staff, and visiting artists in a respectful and courteous manner
- Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move and position objects and materials weighing up to 50lbs
- Ability to push/ pull materials or objects weighing up to 25 lbs
- Ability to stand, walk or otherwise move about campus on a continuous basis
- Ability to ascend/ descend stairs on a regular basis
Applicants will be contacted directly by the department if selected for an interview.
Music Theory
There are seven Music Theory assistants, one for each full-time member of the classroom theory faculty. The responsibilities of the assistants are determined individually between the assistant and the specific faculty member, and may include, but are not limited to:
- Classroom teaching
- Individual tutoring and responding to student queries vie email
- Grading of homework assignments
- Assistance with photocopying
- Organizing materials for course reserves
- Assistance setting up the classroom for daily work
- Updating the department website
- Attending class sessions
Requirements include:
- Exams – minimum score required to qualify for an interview
- Graduate Assistant and DMA Theory Test (GADMA)
- Ear Training Placement Exam
- A very solid theory background, including analytical and written work in harmony and tonal counterpoint
- Good keyboard and aural skills
- Interview
- Will include a discussion of music examples at sight
- Sight-reading at the keyboard
Wind Conducting
Open to Wind Conducting majors only
This graduate assistantship is limited to Wind Conducting majors, with priority given to DMA students. Responsibilities include:
- Assisting with the conducting classes for non-majors
- Running sectionals for the Peabody Wind Ensemble
- Assisting with administrative duties for the Peabody Wind Ensemble
- Serving as cover conductor for the Peabody Wind Ensemble
- Conducting the Peabody Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds in performance as assigned
Internal Assistantships
Open to rising 5th year BMMA and rising 2nd year MA students
The following assistantships are awarded when available by the faculty. Application procedures vary. Contact the departmental coordinator and/or the admissions office for more information.
Required Documents
If awarded a GA, you will need to bring the following forms to the Human Resources office during orientation in order to enter the payroll system: