Graduate Music Admissions
Requirements for Admission to Master of Music Degree Programs
An earned baccalaureate degree in music from an accredited college or university-
A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Applicants with a
cumulative undergraduate GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may be granted
provisional admission by approval of the Crane Graduate Admissions
Committee.
- Submission of a Graduate Application which is available by clicking the link or contacting the SUNY Potsdam Graduate Office at (315) 267-2165.
- Submission of a typed letter of intent written by the applicant and expressing the applicant’s professional goals as relevant to the program for which application is made
- Submission of a non-refundable $50.00 US application processing fee
- Submission of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, even if a degree was not earned
- Submission of two letters of recommendation
- Successful completion of the Graduate Theory and History Exams (exam may be taken only once). Graduate Music Theory/History Entrance Exams Description
- applicants with an undergraduate music theory, music history, and aural skills GPA of 3.0 or above are exempt
- undergraduate music theory, music history, and aural skills GPAs are calculated by the Crane Graduate Office as soon as all official transcripts have been received. Applicants will be notified via email of their status.
- the Graduate Theory and History Exams will be offered as needed, (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.). Please call the Crane Graduate secretary at (315) 267-3418 to schedule an exam.
- Canadian and other international students must also provide a certification of finances; and for non-native English speaking candidates proof of TOFEL scores of 550 (paper) or 213 (computerized)
Additional Admissions Requirements by Degree Program
Music Education
- An essay or college-level paper that demonstrates the student’s ability to organize ideas, research a topic, and write in an academic style. The essay must be typewritten, well documented and include a bibliography
- A video of the candidate teaching a class or conducting a rehearsal or a live video audition on the applicant’s principal instrument. The teaching video may be sent as a DVD or submitted via YouTube. See below for information about auditions.
Composition
- A portfolio of representative compositions
Performance
- A live audition in the applicant’s performance area or the submission of a video recording Vocalists should contact the Crane Graduate Office at (315) 267-3418 for additional information.
- Piano Performance applicants must prepare a program from 50 to 60 minutes which includes three style periods. A complete classical sonata, a major Romantic work, and one virtuosic etude are required. Remaining works are to be chosen by the applicant. All works must be prepared in their entirety.
Students who wish to audition by video (due to distance from Postdam, NY) should select any audition date and note their desire to submit a video audition in the Comments box on the online audition form. Video auditions must be approved by the Crane Graduate Office; email confirmation will be sent within two weeks of submitting the online audition form. Video auditions may be by DVD or YouTube depending on the wishes of the auditioning area. Your video must reach The Crane School of Music by the final audition day for the semester you are applying for (December 10, 2011 for Spring 2012 admission; February 24, 2012 for Fall 2012 admission).
- Fall admission, or summer admission for students planning to continue in the Fall: April 1
- Summer admission (for summer programs only): May 1
- Spring admission is dependent on class availability. Deadline is September 15 for all materials except the audition (see above), if required.
Contact and Application Information
For more information and/or an application for admission, please contact:Crane Graduate Office
The Crane School of Music
SUNY Potsdam
44 Pierrepont Avenue
Potsdam, NY 13676
(315) 267-2775
E-mail: gradmusic@potsdam.edu