Admission Requirements for Masters in Music

Our Master of Music programs are aimed at exceptional students seeking to hone their craft in the performance of their instrument, in specialized academic research, and in the application of teaching methodologies.

1. Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance or Musical Education. The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music will be considered an equivalent degree, however, applicants must demonstrate the same standards of knowledge in the areas of performance, history and theory of music similar to those candidates with a Bachelor of Music. These skills will be evaluated through listening to diagnostic tests in music history and theory.
2. Application for admission – Complete and submit the application for admission to the graduate program and pay the fee of $100.00 (non-refundable) on the date stipulated in the Academic Calendar.
3. An official credit transcript from the accredited university institution where you studied. The transcript is required to demonstrate that the student completed the Baccalaureate degree with a General Academic Index of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 point scale.
4. Three letters of recommendation from teachers or people who are familiar with the musical work done by the student. The recommendation must be delivered in a closed and sealed envelope, with the signature of the person recommending on the back of the envelope.
5. Annotated list of the repertoire studied throughout your undergraduate studies, as well as your graduate studies before applying to the program.
6. Audition – Applicants must submit a live audition. For the audition, applicants must prepare a recital program of no less than 50 minutes of music in a variety of styles. Each department reserves the right to request additional requirements such as memorization, sight reading, composers or specific pieces to be included in the required repertoire. These requirements may be updated annually. The orchestral instruments department may require the preparation of specific excerpts. This information is available in the Admissions Office and this page. The audition panel will consist of faculty from the department in the student's area of specialty. The Academic Deans reserve the right to attend and participate in any graded audition jury.

Video audition

Applicants from outside Puerto Rico have the option of submitting an unedited recording with the material required for the audition on DVD region code 1 (DVI, Quicktime, MP4, AVI). Edited videos will not be accepted.

1. Musical history and literature and music theory: All students in graduate programs, including those from CMPR, will be required to take two exams that will serve as diagnostic tests or prerequisites for certain graduate-level courses. These exams include topics in music history and literature and music theory. The student will meet this requirement by passing diagnostic exams or by enrolling and passing remedial courses (one each semester). The courses are:  Music History Review for Graduate Students and Music Theory Review for Graduate Students. A grade of no less than C is required to pass both courses. These courses do not count as part of the curriculum required to complete the Master of Music in Performance degree.
2. Italian, German and French language skills (only for Singing): All students at the graduate level must have approved at least one year of study (six credits minimum) in each of the following languages: French, Italian, German or evidence of equivalent studies in each Students who have not completed these courses and who who have been accepted to the program may be admitted on the condition that they complete the courses required as a prerequisite for graduation. Any language course completed as a graduation prerequisite does not count as a curricular requirement for the Master of Music in Performance.
3. Vocal Diction and the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA, only for Canto): All candidates for the singing specialty will take a diagnostic exam in Diction and the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). If the student does not pass this exam, he or she must complete a sequential course in diction at the undergraduate level as a prerequisite for graduation. This course does not count as part of the curriculum required to complete the degree in Master of Music in Performance.

1. Have completed a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education or an equivalent university degree in Music. Students with any other Bachelor of Music degree will be required to have passed 15 additional credits in Music Education courses in the following subjects:

• • • Psychology of Learning (3 crs.) 
    • Philosophical and Social Foundations of Education (3 credits)
    • General teaching methods (3 crs.)
    • Nature and Needs of the Exceptional Child (3 crs.)
    • Education of the Exceptional Student in the Regular Classroom (3 crs.)

*Candidates who have not completed these courses may apply for admission to the Teacher Certification Program simultaneously to fulfill this requirement.

2. Admission Application – Complete and submit the admission application with payment of the $100.00 fee (non-refundable) on or before the date indicated in the academic calendar.

3. Essay, of no less than 500 words, in which the applicant will explain their reasons for entering the program, their goals, professional objectives, and the qualities they possess to achieve them.

4. An official transcript from the accredited college where the student completed his or her bachelor's degree with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00-point scale.

5. Three letters of recommendation from professors or administrators who can assess the applicant's potential for continuing graduate studies and their teaching experience. The recommendation must be submitted in a sealed envelope, with the recommender's signature on the back.

6. Video – Present a 5-minute demonstration class of the applicant's area of teaching experience during the interview or submit a 15-minute video of the applicant's teaching experience (classroom or instrumental or vocal group rehearsal) with the application for admission.

7. Interview with the Dean of Academic Affairs and/or the Director of the Graduate Program.

The applicant must have the necessary understanding and communication skills of the Spanish and English languages to successfully complete the Master of Music degree in Music Education.

Admission requirements are subject to change and periodic review. Any amendment or change to them will be published as an appendix to this document.

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1. Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance or Musical Education. The Bachelor of Arts with a specialty in Music will be considered an equivalent degree. However, applicants must demonstrate the same standards of knowledge similar to those candidates with a Bachelor of Music.
2. Admission Application – Your application must be submitted before the deadline with the corresponding non-refundable payment.
3. An official credit transcript from an accredited university institution where you studied. The transcript is required to demonstrate that the student completed the baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
4. Résumé – Summary of your background and achievements.
5. Annotated list of repertoire presented in concerts.
6. Three letters of recommendation from teachers or professionals in the music field who are familiar with your work.
7. Shortlisting Video – The candidate will submit a high-quality, unedited video recording that includes three to four excerpts from orchestral works of various styles. Excerpts can come from concerts or rehearsals. Recommended formats for your video are: YouTube, Dropbox or Google Drive sent to email admisiones@cmpr.edu.

The video duration should be a maximum of 25 minutes, to be distributed as follows:

• The candidate will briefly talk about his or her musical preparation, goals, and interest in studying conducting at a master's level (duration two minutes).
• The videos of the works must not be more than three years old.
• Videos should not have reverb effects.
• The camera should focus on the candidate where his or her gestures and posture can be appreciated, in addition to the orchestra or chamber ensemble.
• Direction of a rehearsal or concert. The repertoire must consist of three works from contrasting periods to choose from the Classical, Romantic and 20th Century periods.
• The skills you must show are: understanding of musical styles, artistic challenges, expressiveness, conducting technique and gestural skills. Only works from the standard orchestral repertoire, operatic works or contemporary works will be accepted. Do not include pop, jazz or Broadway repertoire. Small sets of any size are accepted.
• It is a requirement to submit in writing the repertoire presented in the recording, date and place of rehearsal or concert and copy of the concert programs (if applicable).
• The candidate must present a video of no more than three minutes playing a work on their main instrument or, if their instrument is the voice, singing a work from the Italian anthology.

If the preselection evaluation is favorable, the candidate will be invited to an in-person audition.

In-person audition

Selected candidates must attend an in-person audition to conduct the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music Orchestra. The list of repertoire that must be prepared and presented for the audition is included, which will last between 20 to 25 minutes. It may be required to direct the entire work or some segment of the work. The candidate's ability to identify errors in areas such as rhythm, notes, tuning, balances, etc. will be evaluated.

Evaluation of musical skills: All candidates who participate in in-person auditions must also pass the following requirements:

1. Written essay – The candidate must write an essay which must be 1 to 2 pages, double spaced, with a font size of 12 points (times new roman or arial), written in Spanish. It must be an original work. The candidate will choose one of the topics that will be provided.
2. An interview with the faculty of the graduate management program and the dean of Academic Affairs where the candidate will be evaluated regarding their experience and professional goals. The candidate is expected to be able to discuss matters of analysis related to the material studied for the audition or other works presented in the interview. An assessment of sight-reading on the piano of selections from orchestral literature will also be included.
3. A written exam that will consist of questions related to, but not limited to, transportation, harmony, style, composers and repertoire.

Introduce:

• Egmont Overture by Ludwig van Beethoven
• Symphony no. 40, K 550 by WA Mozart, movements I and II
• Romeo and Juliet, (fantasy overture) by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• A Soldier's Story by Igor Stravinsky, scene 3

All classes in the Master of Music Program in Orchestral Conducting will be offered in Spanish. Applicants from non-Spanish-speaking countries must be able to speak, read and write fluently in Spanish.

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1. Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance or Musical Education. The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music will be considered an equivalent degree, however, applicants must demonstrate the same standards of similar knowledge as those candidates with a Bachelor of Music.

   Candidates must demonstrate musical leadership based on experience directing a choral ensemble, preferably with experience directing church, school, private or community choirs.

2. Admission Application – Your application must be submitted before the deadline with the corresponding non-refundable payment.
3. An official credit transcript from an accredited university institution where you studied. The transcript is required to demonstrate that the student completed the baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
4. Résumé – Summary of your background and achievements.
5. Annotated list of repertoire presented in concerts.
6. Three letters of recommendation from teachers or professionals in the music field who are familiar with your work.
7. Shortlisting Video – The candidate will submit a high-quality, unedited video recording that includes three to four excerpts from choral works of various styles. Excerpts can come from concerts or rehearsals. Recommended formats for your video are: YouTube, Dropbox or Google Drive sent to email admisiones@cmpr.edu.

The duration of the video must be a maximum of 25 minutes, to be distributed as follows:

• The candidate will briefly talk about his or her musical preparation, goals, and interest in studying conducting at a master's level (duration two minutes).
• The videos of the works must not be more than three years old.
• Videos should not have reverb effects.
• The camera should focus on the candidate where their gestures and posture can be seen, as well as the chorus.
• Direction of a rehearsal or concert. The repertoire must consist of three works from contrasting periods to choose from the Renaissance, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century periods.
• The skills you must show are: understanding of musical styles, artistic challenges, expressiveness, conducting technique and gestural skills. Do not include pop, jazz or Broadway repertoire. Small sets of any size are accepted.
• It is a requirement to submit in writing the repertoire presented in the recording, date and place of rehearsal or concert and copy of the concert programs (if applicable).
• The candidate must present a video of no more than three minutes playing a work on their main instrument or, if their instrument is the voice, singing a work from the Italian anthology.

If the preselection evaluation is favorable, the candidate will be invited to an in-person audition.

In-person audition

Selected candidates must attend an in-person audition to direct the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music Choir. The list of repertoire that must be prepared and presented for the audition is included, which will last between 20 to 25 minutes. It may be required to direct the entire work or some segment of the work. The candidate's ability to identify errors in areas such as rhythm, notes, tuning, balances, etc. will be evaluated.

Evaluation of musical skills: All candidates who participate in in-person auditions must also pass the following requirements:

1. Written essay – The candidate must write an essay which must be 1 to 2 pages, double spaced, with a font size of 12 points (times new roman or arial), written in Spanish. It must be an original work. The candidate will choose one of the topics that will be provided.
2. An interview with the faculty of the graduate management program and the dean of Academic Affairs where the candidate will be evaluated regarding their experience and professional goals. The candidate is expected to be able to discuss matters of analysis related to the material studied for the audition or other works presented in the interview. An evaluation of sight reading at the piano of a chorale by Johann Sebastian Bach will also be included.
3. A written exam that will consist of questions related to, but not limited to, transposition, harmony, style, performance practices, diction, vocal pedagogy, languages, composers and repertoire.

Introduce:

• Crucifixus at 8 by Antonio Lotti
• Ave verum corpus by William Byrd

All classes in the Master of Music Program in Choral Conducting will be offered in Spanish. Applicants from non-Spanish-speaking countries must be able to speak, read and write fluently in Spanish.

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1. Bachelor's Degree in Music with a specialization in Piano Performance and an advanced level of performance
   piano.
2. The Bachelor of Arts in Music may be considered an equivalent degree, without
   However, applicants must demonstrate a high level of pianistic performance similar to
   of those candidates with a Bachelor's degree in Performance Music. These skills will be
   evaluated through hearing.
3. An official transcript of credits from the accredited university institution where you studied
   Studies. A transcript is required to demonstrate that the student completed the degree.
   Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance with a General Academic Index of 3.00 or higher in
   a scale of 4.00 points.
4. Three letters of recommendation from professors or people who are familiar with the
   Musical work performed by the student. The recommendation must be submitted in an envelope.
   closed and sealed, with the signature of the recommending person on the back of the envelope.
5. Annotated list of the repertoire studied throughout his undergraduate studies, as well as the
   postgraduate studies before applying to the program. The repertoire list must include works from
   solo piano and collaborative piano works and chamber music.

Admission requirements are subject to change and periodic review. Any amendment or change to them will be published as an appendix to this document.

1. Musical history and literature and music theoryTo all students in programs
   Graduates, including those from CMPR, will be required to take two exams
   which will serve as diagnostic tests or prerequisites for certain courses at the level
   graduate. These exams include topics in music history and literature and music theory.
   The student will fulfill this requirement by passing the diagnostic exams or by
   Register for and pass remedial courses (one per semester). The courses are: Review
   Music history for graduate-level students and Music theory review
   For graduate-level students. A grade of no less than C is required.
   Pass both courses. These courses do not count as part of the required curriculum for
   complete the Master's degree in Performing Music.

1. Demonstrable keyboard skills such as: sight-reading, harmonization, and
simple improvisation.
2. Recommended:
     a. Minimum of 2 semesters of support at the BM level.
     b. Knowledge of a language - Italian, German or French.
3. Communication skills in Spanish and English (written and spoken)

The audition jury will be composed of the faculty of the piano department. The Deans
Academics reserve the right to attend and participate in any audition jury.
graduates.

1. An advanced-level solo piano piece that demonstrates your technical, musical, and
   artistic as a pianist.
2. A movement of two sonatas for instrument and piano from contrasting eras.
3. Two extracts from instrumental concertos and their orchestral reduction for piano, in
   that both soloist and pianist are active.
4. 4-6 art songs from the repertoire in different languages: German, French, Italian or
   English.
5. Three opera arias: one by Mozart and the others from different styles and eras.
6. Sight-reading.
7. The candidate will be assigned a (short and simple) piece one week before their audition.
   so that she can bring it assembled to the audition. The piece can be a slow movement of a
   sonata, a lied or simple aria by Mozart or Schubert, a portion of a concerto for
   woodwinds or brass instruments by Weber, Mozart, Haydn or Hummel, etc.

The candidate is responsible for identifying and bringing the collaborating musician with whom they will perform
the collaborative repertoire that he has prepared for the audition.

1. BM degree in Piano Performance with an overall average of 3.0 points.
2. A Bachelor of Arts in Music may be considered an equivalent degree,
   However, applicants will need to demonstrate a high level of piano performance
   similar to that of candidates with a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. These
   Skills will be evaluated and tested in the audition.
3. An official transcript of credits from the accredited university institution where
   completed studies. A transcript is required to demonstrate that the student completed
   Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance with a General Academic Index of
   3.00 or higher on a 4.00 point scale. It is recommended to demonstrate this in the
   Transcription of at least 1 semester of piano pedagogy at the elementary level or
   equivalent experience.
4. Three letters of recommendation from teachers or people who are familiar with
   the musical work done by the student.
5. Annotated list of the repertoire studied throughout his undergraduate studies, as well
   such as postgraduate students before applying to the program. The repertoire list must
   Include solo piano works, collaborative piano works, and chamber music.
6. List of pedagogical experiences in piano teaching, detailing:
   Schools/institutions where he has taught, levels, ages and formats
   (group/individual).

Admission requirements are subject to change and periodic review. Any amendment or change to them will be published as an appendix to this document.

1. Musical history and literature and music theoryTo all students in programs
   Graduates, including those from CMPR, will be required to take two exams
   which will serve as diagnostic tests or prerequisites for certain courses at the level
   graduate. These exams include topics in history and literature and music theory. The
   The student will fulfill this requirement by passing the diagnostic exams or by enrolling.
   and pass remedial courses (one per semester). The courses are: History Review of
   Music for graduate-level students and Music theory review for students
   at the graduate level. A grade of no less than C is required to pass both courses.
   These courses do not count as part of the curriculum required to complete the degree of
   Mastery.

1. The student will present an audition on the instrument that will include a musical program,
   Recital-style performance of advanced works in various representative styles.
   It must include a work from the Baroque or Classical period. The rest of the works will be from other periods.
   Contrasting pieces of free choice. The entire program will be played from memory.
   2. Demonstrable keyboard skills as evidenced by the audition:
        a. Sight reading.
        b. Harmonization of melodies.
        c. Simple improvisation.

Every student who has been accepted to the Master of Music program must take a diagnostic exam to demonstrate their competitiveness, comparable to a fourth year of baccalaureate in music, in the areas of theory, harmony, form and analysis, and music history. If you do not pass these exams, you must take remedial courses (non-credit) in the areas in need. You must complete remedial courses before enrolling in the required theory, analysis, and history courses required in the Master of Music in Music Performance and Education program. The student who does not appear to take one or both diagnostic exams will be automatically placed in the corresponding remedial courses.

Vocal Diction and the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA, only for applicants to the Choral Conducting program) – All applicants for the Master of Choral Conducting program must take a diagnostic exam in Diction and the International Phonetics Alphabet (IPA) and demonstrate their knowledge of diction in the English, German, French, Italian and Latin languages. If the student does not pass this exam, he or she must complete a sequential course in diction at the undergraduate level as a prerequisite for graduation. These courses do not count as part of the curriculum required to complete the Master of Music in Conducting degree.

Note: The applicant must have basic knowledge of the use of technology (computer)