Graduate Assistantships

• Graduate Assistantship interviews are scheduled during the February Audition Week only.
• Assistantship awards are in the amount of full tuition, although some awards are divided and assigned a proportionate amount of duties.
• The award is for one year, and at the recommendation of the faculty is renewable for a second year.
• Graduate Assistants are expected to provide 12-15 hours of work each week of the academic year although duties and loads may vary according to the department.
• Several assistantships are available only to students in the second year of graduate study and are so noted.

Accompanying (open to piano majors only)

Accompanying graduate assistants play for studio lessons, repertoire classes, juries, and master classes. In addition to ability and interest in collaborative playing, knowledge of the repertoire and excellent sight-reading skills are required. Applicants should bring repertoire lists and/or printed programs to the interview as validation of prior experience. Sight-reading is part of the interview. There are more applicants for Accompanying assistantships than any other, making them highly competitive.

Chamber Music

The Director of Chamber Music has one graduate assistant who helps with organizational, communicational, and clerical tasks related to the program. The assistant is required to have a thorough knowledge of chamber music, including repertoire, types of ensembles, and stage set-ups, as well as good computer, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Interviews involve a 20-minute discussion designed to determine whether the applicant has the skills to be a successful assistant. A small clerical task is also assigned to be completed within 24 hours (usually typing a concert program from a stack of information forms) to evaluate the applicant’s typing skills, meticulousness, and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner. Applicants must email Mr. Michael Kannen (mkannen@jhu.edu) by Feb. 10, 2013, as part of the screening process.

Conducting (open to conducting majors only)

Conducting Assistantships are available in opera, choral, and orchestral areas. Applicants are instructed to indicate their specialty on the application form, so we can schedule the appropriate interviews(s). Choral conducting assistantships are open to experienced conducting majors.

Computer Music

There are two assistantships in the Computer Music Department, normally awarded to those pursuing advanced graduate study in the field. Applicants need a strong background in computer music composition, performance, or research. Assistants work with computers and digital sound equipment, teaching and tutoring, and/or concert production depending on their skills.

Ear Training

There are two assistantships in Ear Training. Responsibilities include teaching classes, working with students having difficulties, grading papers, and testing undergraduates during audition periods. Applicants must place out of Graduate Theory Review and Ear Training by placement exam. Candidates must be able to sight-sing in the soprano, alto, tenor and bass clefs, possess the skill to accurately play two- and three-part Bach Inventions on the piano (legato without using the pedal) and have good command of the English language for teaching.

ESL

A half assistantship is awarded in English as a Second Language. Applicants must have experience or interest in teaching international students. A letter of interest, C.V., writing sample, transcripts, and list of references should be submitted to Patricia Palmer, Coordinator of ESL (ppalmer@jhu.edu). An interview may be required.

Guitar

The guitar department currently has two half-time graduate assistantship positions. Both 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.

Humanities

The Humanities Department is supported by three half assistantships. Interested students must have excellent writing and communication abilities, excellent computer/internet skills, and demonstrated interest in academic work, writing, and scholarship. Applicants submit a letter of interest, C.V., writing sample, transcripts and a list of references to Dr. Hollis Robbins, Chair of Humanities. In addition to phone and email correspondence, the department may schedule a formal interview with candidates.

Jazz

One graduate assistantship is awarded in Jazz Studies. Applicants must fulfill the requirements of the Graduate Performance Diploma audition and possess strong writing and communication skills in addition to a high level of performance. Teaching experience is preferred but not required, and computer skills are desirable. Duties include coaching jazz ensembles, overseeing Jazz Fundamentals and Jazz Improv I and II classes, equipment supervision, and providing assistance to jazz faculty members.

Library and Bibliography

Three graduate students hold half-assistantships in the Arthur Friedheim Music Library. Each works 7.5 hours per week from the first day of classes through the last day of final exams. Assistants will be assigned to manage the operation of the music library during evening and weekend hours and assist faculty with the graduate-level music Bibliography course. Library-related responsibilities include training and supervision of student staff, performing advanced and confidential circulation functions, and answering reference questions. Course-related responsibilities may include grading of homework assignments, class preparation, tutoring of ESL students, and substitute or group teaching. Assistants must be able to attend one section of the course regularly and meet weekly with the Head and Circulation Librarians. Applicants must have completed a graduate-level bibliography or research course by the end of this academic year. Preference will be given to MM and DMA students, and individuals with music library work experience. Outstanding writing and verbal skills are required.

Music Education

The Music Education assistants help with instruction as appropriate to their background and are responsible for transporting students and video-taping student teaching activities and performance workshops. They will also assist with the continuing education Saturday Series and attend the Maryland State Music Educators Conference as representatives of Peabody. The assistantship is open to all graduate students, but priority will be given to MM Music Education students and those in MM or DMA programs with school teaching experience.

Musicology

Musicology graduate assistants help with course preparation, proctoring, tutoring, instruction, and other activities of the department. Musicology assistantships are normally half assistantships, with a total of six half assistantships awarded to the department. Priority is given to MM in Musicology students and to current Peabody students in the MM/GPD/DMA programs. In order to assist with a broad range of courses spanning many centuries and subject areas, musicology graduate assistants must have superior knowledge of music history and foreign languages, as well as evidence of excellent ability in research, writing, speaking, and technology (e.g. Blackboard, web-based learning). A resume must be submitted to the department chair, Dr. Susan Weiss, by February 10 as part of the screening process. The department will respond to all applicants, notifying those who pass the screening process of the day and time of their interview. Contact Dr. Susan Weiss (sweiss@jhu.edu) for more information.

Opera Accompanying

There are two full assistantships in opera accompanying which may be divided at the discretion of JoAnn Kulesza, musical director of the opera program. These are demanding positions which require a variety of skills and duties. In addition to accompanying opera rehearsals, the assistants work under supervision to coach singers and, if qualified, conduct rehearsals. The opera accompanying assistants are also expected to help evaluate the progress of the participants and keep abreast of the need for additional rehearsal time. Applicants must have excellent sight reading skills and knowledge of vocal diction in languages other than English. Often the person awarded this assistantship has conducted, prepared, and/or produced opera.

Piano Maintenance

The Piano Maintenance assistant helps keep Peabody's pianos in good condition. Work includes replacing broken strings and performing minor repairs. The assistants also do light tuning such as touching up pianos. Preference is given to students who have woodworking skills or experience tuning pianos. At the interview applicants are tested on the ability to hear and tune unisons and on their aptitude for using tools. All applicants must submit a resume of piano maintenance/tuning experience to Mary Schwendeman (mschwen1@peabody.jhu.edu) by February 10 as part of the screening process.

Piano/Keyboard Studies (open to piano majors only)

Three Piano/Keyboard Studies graduate assistants work with the two full-time facultiy and two adjunct faculty. The work load is 12-14 hours per week. Assistants attend class meetings, take attendance, and meet individually with each student every week to hear and grade assignments. They sometimes teach classes and, when needed, tutor students who desire additional support. Assistants may also hear auditions and juries. Candidates must be piano majors and demonstrate facility in theoretical skills at the keyboard, including playing by ear, melody harmonization, and figured bass realization. All candidates must place out of Graduate Theory Review by placement exam. The 15-minute assistantship interview will include examples demonstrating fluency in theoretical skills at the piano, as well as an excerpt from the candidate’s piano repertoire and sight-reading. Most assistants have had three to four years’ experience teaching privately or in group piano.

Music Theory

There are seven Music Theory assistants, one for each full-time member of the classroom theory faculty. The duties 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, and attending class sessions. A very solid theory background, including analytical and written work in harmony and tonal counterpoint, and good keyboard and aural skills, is required. Successful candidates must earn highest marks in all areas of the GADMA examination and must place out of Ear Training Review by placement examination. The assistantship interview, lasting 15-20 minutes, will include discussion of music examples at sight and sight-reading at the keyboard.

Vocal Accompanying

Vocal accompanying assistantships are awarded to students enrolled in either the MM or GPD in Vocal Accompanying program. Candidates should be excellent sight-readers with a good command of one or more of the operatic languages. Hours for the vocal accompanying assistantship can be fulfilled by working for either the voice or opera department, or a combination of the two. Good organizational skills are a must. Awards are based on an audition interview with Eileen Cornett during February audition week. The audition consists of solo playing, sight-reading, and performing an art song/aria while following a singer and conductor.

Wind Conducting

This graduate assistantship is limited to Wind Conducting majors, with priority given to DMA students. Duties 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 Wend Ensemble, and conducting the Peabody Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds in performance as assigned.

Internal Assistantships - For Second Year Students Only

The following assistantships are awarded by the faculty when openings occur. Application procedures vary. See the departmental coordinator and/or the admissions office for more information.

• Audio Sciences - Contact Mr. Scott Metcalfe, Director of Recording Arts & Sciences, for more information.
• Composition - Contact Mr. Michael Hersch, Chair of Composition, for more information.
• Opera Production - Contact the Opera Office at operaoffice@jhu.edu for more information. 
• Voice - Contact Phyllis Bryn-Julson, Chair of Voice, for more information.
• Accompanying Coordinator - This assistantship is restricted to graduate piano majors who have worked as accompanists at Peabody. The accompanying coordinator serves as a liaison between students needing partners and piano majors who are approved school accompanists or assistantship holders. This position processes time sheets for student payroll and monitors weekly hours for accompanying graduate assistants. An interview with Ellen Mack during February audition week is required.