Graduate Studies
Why choose Butler for your Master’s degree?
We offer more. With a variety of degree options, including the opportunity for a dual Master’s degree, and competitive tuition rates, you are sure to find a home at the Butler University School of Music. Our graduate students perform in some of the best concert halls in the city located right on campus, study with world-renowned faculty, gain professional teaching experience through the Butler Community Arts School, and enjoy the endless musical and cultural activities Indianapolis has to offer.
Graduates of our program go on to prestigious employers and doctoral programs across the country with recent placements in the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University- Bloomington, the Los Angeles Opera, Princeton University, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Rice University, Eastman School of Music, and more.
Select your degree program of choice for more information.
Master of Music (MM)
Composition
Choral Conducting
Instrumental Conducting
Music Education (thesis and non-thesis options)
Performance
Piano Pedagogy
Master of Arts (MA)
We offer a limited number of graduate assistantships, fellowships, and tuition waivers to students applying for Fall entry and to returning students. Graduate awards are reviewed and renewed annually. NOTE: New students applying for entry in the spring semester will not be eligible for a graduate assistantship, fellowship, or tuition waiver, but may apply for the following academic year.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships
A graduate assistantship covers the cost of tuition for 15 credit hours per academic year plus an additional stipend paid over nine months. Any fees outside of tuition, such as Applied Music Instruction fees and housing, are not covered by the assistantship. Assistantships are renewable annually. All graduate assistants work with a faculty or staff supervisor to determine specific duties and schedule.
Click here to view descriptions of each Graduate Assistantship position. Positions include:
- Butler Symphony Orchestra
- Bassoon Performance/Bassoon Reed Company
- Collaborative Piano
- Computer Lab
- Concert Bands
- Jazz
- Musicology
- Music Theory Tutor
- Percussion
- Piano Pedagogy
- Recruitment and Outreach
- Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Fellowship
- Indianapolis Youth Orchestra Fellowship (formerly New World Youth Symphony Orchestra)
Tuition Waivers
Tuition waivers cover part or all of tuition for one academic year. Any fees outside of tuition, such as Applied Music Instruction fees and housing, are not covered by a tuition waiver. Click here to view full descriptions of Tuition Waivers. Awards typically include:
Applying for an Assistantship or Tuition Waiver
Prospective Students may apply for a graduate assistantship or tuition waiver on the the JCA Graduate Music Supplement portion of the Butler Graduate Application OR by completing the following Graduate Assistantship/Tuition Waiver Application. Application deadline is January 1. Only students applying for Fall term entry are eligible for an award.
Current or Returning Students may apply for an award or position by completing the Graduate Assistantship/Tuition Waiver Application. Application deadline is January 1. Students seeking to renew a current assistantship or tuition waiver should express their interest to their direct faculty supervisor or the Director of Graduate Studies.
NOTE: Many assistantships and tuition waivers require an interview or audition. Students will be contacted via email by the School of Music office to schedule any required interviews or auditions. If you have questions or concerns, please contact music@butler.edu OR 317-940-9065.
Additional Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid awards Federal Direct Loans to degree-seeking graduate students enrolled at least half-time (three credit hours). There is no gift assistance for graduate students awarded through the Office of Financial Aid. Federal Direct PLUS Loans for Graduate Students and Private Loans are available to those needing additional assistance.
Graduate students who are studying abroad for credit with their program may be eligible to use loans for associated costs. Learn more about Graduate Financial Aid here.
Cost of Attendance
For the most up-to-date graduate tuition and fees, please visit butler.edu/tuition (NOTE: be sure to scroll down to the “Graduate Tuition” header and find the Jordan College of the Arts line in the fee chart). In addition to tuition, graduate music students are also responsible for an Individual Music Instruction fee listed under the “Miscellaneous Fees” header; most of the other fees in this section are only applicable to undergraduate students. Questions? Contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@butler.edu or toll free (877) 940-8200.
Application Process and Deadlines
Application Deadline for Fall Admission is January 1, contact music@butler.edu for Spring Admission
Application Steps:
- Complete the Butler Application, including the JCA Music Graduate Supplement.
- Submit two letters of recommendation. Recommenders should comment on your musical and academic abilities. Letters may be submitted via the Application for Graduate Admission (preferred) or emailed to music@butler.edu.
- Submit any required pre-screening materials. See Pre-Screening and Audition Requirements tab below.
- Schedule an interview and/or audition. If you are invited to audition and/or interview, you will be contacted via email for scheduling by the School of Music office. If you have completed the above steps and have not yet heard from the School of Music office, please email music@butler.edu or call 317-940-9065. Audition requirements are listed below.
International applicants must also submit the following:
- TOEFL scores or equivalent proof of English proficiency
- A clear copy of your passport
- Evidence of financial support
Pre-Screening and Audition Requirements By Degree:
Please note that although you may request an audition and/or interview date on your application, auditions and interviews must be officially confirmed with the School of Music office. Please do not finalize travel plans until you have confirmed audition/interview details with the School of Music office (music@butler.edu or 317-940-9065).
Composition
Pre-screening: An online portfolio of at least three original scores and recordings of representative compositions should be submitted via email to music@butler.edu. The subject line of the email should include your full name and the words “Comp Pre-Screen”. Links to your online portfolio should be via a file-sharing service such as DropBox, GoogleDrive, or SoundCloud.
Audition/Interview: You will be contacted by the School of Music regarding the results of your pre-screening. If you pass the pre-screening, you will be invited to interview with the Composition faculty via an on-campus interview. Virtual interviews are available by request. For the interview, you should bring paper copies of at least three scores to discuss with the faculty. A performance audition is not required.
Choral Conducting
Pre-Screening: A video recording in front view of you conducting a rehearsal or performance should be submitted via email to music@butler.edu. The subject line of the email should include your full name and the words “Choral Conducting Pre-Screen”. It is preferred that video recordings be submitted as a link to an online source such as YouTube, DropBox, GoogleDrive, etc.
Audition/Interview: You will be contacted by the School of Music regarding the results of your pre-screening. If you pass the pre-screening, you will be invited to interview and audition with the choral faculty. The audition will consist of conducting a portion of a Butler choral ensemble rehearsal, an informal solo performance on either voice or piano, and an aural skills exam.
Instrumental Conducting
Pre-Screening: A video recording in front view of you conducting at least one recent rehearsal and one recent performance, ideally containing the same repertoire, should be submitted via email to music@butler.edu. The repertoire should include at least two selections of contrasting style and/or period. The subject line of the email should include your full name and the words “Instrumental Conducting Pre-Screen”. It is preferred that video recordings be submitted as a link to an online source such as YouTube, DropBox, GoogleDrive, etc.
Audition/Interview: You will be contacted by the School of Music regarding the results of your pre-screening. If you pass the pre-screening, you will be invited to interview and audition with the instrumental conducting faculty. The audition will consist of a conducting audition, a short demonstration on your primary instrument, and a written exam assessing your musical skills and knowledge.
Music Education
Pre-Screening: No pre-screening is required for the MM in Music Education degree.
Audition/Interview: You will work with the School of Music to schedule an interview with one or more members of the Music Education faculty. A performance audition is not required.
Musicology
Pre-Screening: A scholarly paper representing undergraduate music history/musicology work should be submitted on the JCA Graduate Music Supplement or emailed to music@butler.edu. If emailed, please include your full name and the words “Musicology Pre-Screen” in the email subject line. The GRE is no longer required for admission.
Audition/Interview: You will work with the School of Music to schedule an interview with one or more members of the Musicology faculty. A performance audition is not required.
Performance
Pre-Screening: A pre-screening is required for Voice applicants only. A link to a video recording of a recent performance, such as an undergraduate senior recital, or a new recording of one to two pieces of solo repertoire should be emailed to music@butler.edu. The subject line of the email should include your full name and the words “Voice Perf Pre-Screen”. Links to the video recording(s) can be via YouTube, DropBox, GoogleDrive, or other file sharing service. A pre-screening is not required for instrumental areas.
Audition/Interview: You will work with the School of Music office to schedule an in-person performance audition. Audition requirements vary by instrument area, please view the MM in Performance page for details. Remember, if you are a vocalist, you will need to pass your pre-screening before being invited to audition.
Piano Pedagogy
Pre-Screening: A video demonstrating your teaching abilities should be emailed to music@butler.edu. The video should include footage of you teaching two different students for a total of 20 minutes in length. It is preferred that video recordings be submitted as a link to an online source such as YouTube, DropBox, GoogleDrive, etc. The email subject line of the email should include your full name plus the words “Piano Ped Pre-Screen”. The body of the email should include the age of each child in your video(s), the number of years of piano study for each child, and the number of years each child has studied with you.
Audition/Interview: You will be contacted by the School of Music regarding the results of your pre-screening. If you pass the pre-screening, you will be invited to interview with the Piano Pedagogy faculty as well as complete a piano performance audition with the piano faculty. The piano performance audition will require you to perform from memory three important, contrasting works from different styles and periods (i.e. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary). You will also be required to complete a sight-reading exercise.
General Admission Questions
Contact the Office of Graduate Admission
- gradadmission@butler.edu
- 888-940-8100 (toll free)
- butler.edu/admission/graduate-admission
Audition, Assistantships, and Curriculum Questions
Contact the School of Music office
- music@butler.edu
- 317-940-9065 (local)
- 800-368-6852, ext. 9065 (toll free)
-OR-
Associate Director of Graduate Studies in Music, Dr. Nicholas Johnson
- ndjohns1@butler.edu
- 317-940-9064 (local)
- 800-368-6852, ext. 9064 (toll free)