University of Arizona
College of Fine Arts - School of Music

Choral Studies

Graduate Study

The University of Arizona offers Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Choral Conducting.  Students are provided with regular opportunities each semester to rehearse and conduct university ensembles. Selected students are afforded additional leadership experiences through Graduate Teaching Assistantships, including with Treble Glee, University Community Chorus, Green Valley Community Chorus and in other academic units. Graduate students in the program also regularly hold a variety of part-time, professional conducting positions in the greater Tucson area.

The graduate choral program embodies its commitment to and value of diversity and equity through an innovative curriculum, intentional programming, and recruitment, support and inclusion of a diverse population in each conducting cohort.  In addition, the program hosts the University of Arizona Choral Studies Arizona Distinguished Speakers Series, featuring content-area experts presenting lectures on underrepresented composers and musics.  The series is an integral part of the curriculum but also is made freely available to all.

Students who wish to apply can find information in the Application Information section of this page.  For more information contact Dr. Elizabeth Schauer at erschaue@arizona.edu.

Application Information

All applicants must complete both the UA Graduate College application (UA GradApp) and the UA School of Music application (Acceptd) for admission. Students who apply by December 1 will be given the greatest consideration for financial aid. Please be prepared to upload the following documents and materials directly to the UA School of Music via the Acceptd online application:

  • Official academic transcript(s) from all institutions that you have attended*
  • Résumé/CV
  • 2 letters of reference
  • 2-3 video recordings of conducting (preferably rehearsal and performance) – a minimum of 10 minutes and maximum of 30 minutes total, demonstrating music of at least two different styles/characters
  • Short personal video of applicant with introduction and statement of career goals (not longer than 3 minutes)
  • A Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages) in which you explain how graduate study in music at The University of Arizona will fit into your educational and career goals
  • English proficiency requirements for international students (please see below).
  • Optional (Not Required)
    • Head Shot
    • Third letter of reference
    • Information about qualifications for non-choral GTA positions

* In order to expedite the review of your application, you may submit unofficial transcripts if official transcripts are not immediately available, but you will need to submit official transcripts before you can be admitted to the university. In keeping with Graduate College policy, international students from countries that do not post the degree on the transcript must submit a copy of their degree certificate/diploma. All international transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas should be submitted in the original language with official English translations.

If you need assistance with the Acceptd website, please contact Dr. John Brobeck. If you are not able to upload your application, please send your documents to the following address:

The University of Arizona School of Music
Office of Student Services
Graduate Audition Material
John Brobeck
1017 N. Olive Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85721

After a review of applications, some students will be invited for on-campus auditions. On-campus auditions for students wishing to begin studies in Fall 2024 are scheduled for November 15 (2024), February 7 and March 5 (2025).

International Students

International students whose native language is not English must meet or exceed minimum university standards for English Proficiency to be admitted to School of Music graduate programs, unless they have completed a bachelors or graduate degree at an approved institution in the U.S., or in a country where English is the official language. Acceptable English Proficiency credentials include TOEFL iBT (79 minimum), IELTS (minimum composite score of 7, with no subject area below 6), and CEPT Full Academic (minimum 110). Duolingo scores are not accepted by the UA. For UA Graduate College policies on English Proficiency for international students see the Graduate College site.

Regardless of prior academic work and degrees, international students intending to hold a graduate assistantship involving instruction must submit English Speaking subtest scores. The minimum English Speaking subtest scores necessary to hold an instructional position include the following: TOEFL iBT (24 minimum), IELTS (7.5 minimum), and CEPT Full Academic (44 minimum).

International students needing to demonstrate spoken and/or written proficiency in English are encouraged to take the CEPT Full Academic Test, an online two-part test administered by the UA Center for English as a Second Language that currently costs only $40.00. There are no exceptions for English proficiency requirements. The School of Music will not request exemptions from standard Graduate College and U.S. Immigration procedures and policies.

Current Students

Brandon Brown

Brandon Brown

Dane Carten

Dane Carten

Keenan Elijah Dolan

Keenan Elijah Dolan

Deltrina Grimes

Deltrina Grimes

Youngeun Kim

Youngeun Kim

Ziyun Li

Ziyun Li

CJ Madsen

CJ Madsen

Meg Palermo

Meg Palermo

Chad E. Pittman

Chad E. Pittman

Xinke Shen

Xinke Shen

Jordan M. Shomper

Jordan M. Shomper

Clay Whittington

Clay Whittington