Masters

Music - Music Performance

Overview

The Master of Music in Performance at Illinois State University offers intensive applied study with accomplished artist teachers in a collaborative and supportive environment. Students develop advanced technique, artistic depth, and professional performance skills through individualized instruction and advanced academic coursework.

A defining feature of the program is its emphasis on collaboration. Students regularly work with collaborative pianists, student composers, and ensembles, gaining valuable experience in rehearsal, performance, and the interpretive process. These interactions foster adaptability, communication, and a deeper understanding of repertoire across styles and settings.

Performance students benefit from close faculty mentorship and a strong community of musicians, allowing for focused artistic growth while engaging in meaningful performance opportunities. The program encourages students to refine their individual artistic voice while building the professional skills needed for a range of performance settings. Graduates are prepared for careers as performing artists, as well as for further study at the doctoral level.

Point of Pride

Recent graduates have been admitted to leading DMA programs, secured positions in professional orchestras, wind ensembles, and military bands, and are building successful freelance careers across a range of performance settings.

Dr. Angelo Favis
(309) 438-8960
Cook Hall 402

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How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

Have an undergraduate degree in music, or the equivalent for international students.
Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate enrollment.

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

English Proficiency Scores for International Students

International students from non-native English speaking countries are required to submit English proficiency scores, dated within two years of application, from one of the accepted testing agencies unless English waiver qualifications are met. See the minimum English proficiency scores by test.

Application Materials

School of Music application (included within the university application).
Three current letters of recommendation.
A live or recorded performance audition on your primary applied instrument. Find suggested repertoire of your specific instrument/voice.

The GRE is not required.

Additional Admission Requirements for International Students

English translation(s) of official transcript(s), verified with fresh seals and signatures.
Declaration of Finances.
Official English Language Exam Score (TOEFL or IELTS). The minimum iBT TOEFL score is 79. The minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5. Official scores need to be sent to Illinois State directly from ETS (TOEFL) or the testing center which administered the test (IELTS).
Copy of passport.

The documents listed above for international students need to be sent to the Office of Admissions.

Application Deadlines

Fall Term — January 15; will review after if space permits
Spring Term — November 1; will review after if space permits
Summer Term — Not available

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Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
be in good-standing
be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Graduate School Tuition Scholarships

The School of Music awards a limited number of Graduate School Tuition Scholarships on a competitive basis to incoming students who show promise for success and who have not received an assistantship or other awards funding tuition costs. These tuition scholarships are awarded upon recommendation of the faculty and approval by the Graduate Advisory Committee and are contingent upon funding from the University.

Incoming students who have been admitted into graduate programs in the School of Music must be enrolled full-time and have a minimum entrance GPA of 2.8 to be eligible. In addition, incoming summers-only MMEd students may be eligible to receive these scholarships but must be full-time teachers and not already receiving funding from their employing school district.

Review more information about graduate funding options at Illinois State University.

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources.

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