Master of Music in Performance

Priority Deadline: February 1, 2027 for Fall 2027 entry

Step 1: Complete the Application for Graduate Admission. 

Application Requirements:

• Completion of a US bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Online Application for Graduate Admission
• Personal Statement
• Résumé
• Two letters of recommendation commenting on your musical and academic abilities.
• Transcripts from all colleges and universities where you did the following*:
  • Earned a degree
  • Earned more than 15 credits (undergraduate and graduate)
  • Completed any program prerequisite (regardless of number of credit hours)
  • Completed courses for which candidates are applying for transfer credit
• International applicants must provide proof of a minimum level of proficiency in the English language as well as submit additional financial documentation. See the International Student Application process.
• Pre-screening videos

*Transcripts
Copies of official transcripts may be uploaded in the online application for application review only. Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required to submit official, final transcripts issued directly from the institution(s) for verification prior to enrollment. More information is available in the application for admission.

Step 2: Complete an audition. Vocalists must first pass the pre-screening phase and be invited to audition. All other instrument areas will schedule an audition through the JCA Admissions office upon completion of their application. Audition requirements for each area are listed below. In-person auditions are preferred when possible. If you have questions or have not been contacted regarding the results of your pre-screening, please email JCAadmissions@butler.edu. For audition repertoire questions, please contact the faculty member in your area (see “Faculty” tab below).

Step 3: Complete any Graduate Assistantship position interviews/auditions. Requirements differ by position. We will do our best to include any required evaluations during your audition day.

Audition requirements

• Brass and Woodwinds: Please consult the appropriate faculty in your instrument area to discuss repertoire, contact information is available on the Faculty & Staff page. Etudes, scales, arpeggios, and orchestra excerpts may also be included. No accompanist provided or required.
• Piano: Perform three solos from three different historical style periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, or 20th/21st Century). Memorization is required. Auditions will also include sight reading.
• Percussion: Prepare one major solo in three of the following areas: snare drum, marimba, timpani, multiple-percussion or Latin percussion, drum set; as well as two contrasting orchestra excerpts for snare, xylophone, and timpani. Sight-reading may also be required.
• Strings: Prepare 20-30 minutes of repertoire representing at least three different periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary), at least one piece must be memorized. Sight-reading may also be required. No accompanist provided or required.
• Voice: A Pre-screening video is required before an invitation to audition is extended, see requirements for the pre-screening and audition below.
  • 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, Google Drive, or other file sharing service.
  • If invited to audition, you are expected to prepare at least one selection in French, Italian and German, as well as one aria from opera or oratorio. Repertoire should represent various periods and styles. An accompanist will be provided, but you are welcome to utilize your own.

Total Credit Hours: 30 credit hours
Anticipated Duration: 2 years
Degree requires a full recital and final oral comprehensive exam

Required Courses:

• Major Instrument or Voice lessons
• Recital
• Final Comprehensive Exam
• Ensemble
• Music Education Elective
• Research in Music
• Research in Music
• Music History Electives
• Music Theory Elective
• General Music Electives

Download full degree guide as a PDF

We offer a limited number of graduate assistantships, fellowships, and tuition waivers to graduate music students in the fall of every academic year. Graduate awards are reviewed and renewed annually. Below is a list of positions related to the MM in Performance degree; view a full list of graduate assistantship positions.

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.

Ensemble Performance Scholarship

Eligibility: Full-time, degree-seeking graduate students seeking fall-term entry only. Students pursuing any degree plan are welcome to apply.

How to Apply: Select the Ensemble Performance tuition waiver when prompted on the Graduate Application. A performance audition is required, students pursuing the MM in Performance degree will automatically be considered for the award and do not need to complete a separate audition for consideration.

Award Details: Includes a full tuition waiver of graduate tuition for 15 credit hours per year.

Duties: Perform in two approved university ensembles.

Faculty Supervisors: Relevant ensemble directors and applied faculty, see Faculty & Staff page.

Jazz Area Assistantship

Eligibility: Full-time, degree-seeking graduate students seeking fall-term entry. Students pursuing any degree plan are welcome to apply.

How to Apply: Select the Jazz Area assistantship when prompted on the Graduate Application and contact Dr. Matt Pivec, Director of Jazz Studies, at mivec@butler.edu. A jazz audition and interview is required.

Award Details: Includes a full tuition waiver of graduate tuition for 15 credit hours per year.

Duties: Serve as assistant to Director of Jazz Studies which may include ensemble/combo rehearsal logistics, performing in Jazz Ensemble or Combos, performing at prospective undergrad student auditions, and other duties as assigned. The position will require 10 hours per week of service.

Faculty Supervisors: Dr. Matt Pivec, Director of Jazz Studies.

Collaborative Piano Assistantship

Eligibility: Full-time, degree-seeking graduate students seeking fall term entry only. Preference will be given to students pursuing a MM in Piano Pedagogy or Piano Performance; however, students pursuing other degree plans are welcome to apply.

How to Apply: Select the Collaborative Piano assistantship when prompted on the Graduate Application. A collaborative piano audition is required of all applicants.

Award Details: Includes a full tuition waiver of graduate tuition for 15 credit hours per year plus a stipend.

Duties: Serve as collaborative pianist for lessons and/or studio classes (vocal and/or instrumental). Position will require 10 hours of service per week, this will include preparation time for lessons/classes for which you play.

Faculty Supervisors: Amanda Hopson, Coordinator of Collaborative Piano and Kate Boyd, Professor of Piano and Piano Area Coordinator

See full list of applied faculty and their contact information on our Faculty & Staff page.