Prospective Students

To become a member of an OU Bands ensemble, you should first apply to the University of Oklahoma. If you are majoring in Music, after your apply to the university, you must also apply to the School of Music.

Please go to our auditions page to find more detailed information about audition requirements for each ensemble. Non-majors can participate in ensembles as well. But if you are majoring in music, you should first audition for a degree program (see the link above) and then you will audition separately for ensembles.

 To be considered for admission to the graduate wind conducting program all applicants must:

• Meet the University of Oklahoma Graduate College entrance requirements through the Office of Admissions (gradweb.ou.edu).
• Meet the School of Music admission requirements by March 1 and submit materials under items 2 and 3 to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music:
  • resume/vita that lists your work experience and significant accomplishments in the profession
  • three recent recommendations from professionals qualified to comment on your professional and personal qualities as well as the ability to succeed in graduate school.
  • transcripts of all college work (copies are acceptable).
  • submit an Application for Graduate Assistantships.
• Meet Wind Conducting Degree entrance requirements:
  • Two years secondary school or equivalent conducting/teaching experience.
  • A 20 minute video sample of teaching and conducting.
  • Complete a live audition with the University of Oklahoma Wind Symphony or Symphony Band that demonstrates acquired and potential skill as a conductor and teacher.

In addition to applying for admission, interested graduate students should submit the following:

1. Curriculum Vita
2. Recent sample of teaching and performance with current performing ensemble in digital format (20 minutes in length)

Send materials to: Dr. Shanti Simon, 500 West Boyd, Suite 116, Norman, OK 73019.

Prospective students who meet the criteria for entrance to the Graduate College and School of Music are reviewed by the band conducting faculty and selectively invited to audition for the wind conducting program on the basis of submitted materials for Wind Conducting Program in the School of Music.

In a live audition applicants are expected to achieve ensemble progress through both planned rehearsal objectives and the ability to react spontaneously to the needs of the music and ensemble.

Auditions for the Master of Music degree consist of a 20-30 minute rehearsal with the University of Oklahoma Wind Symphony or Symphony Band with repertoire prepared by the applicant and familiar to the ensemble.

MM candidates should bring a labeled video cassette for the conducting audition with 5 copies of a curriculum vita—including a repertoire list—for review by a School of Music audition committee.

Auditions for the Doctor of Music Arts consist of a 35-45 minute rehearsal with the University of Oklahoma Wind Symphony on repertoire prepared by the applicant and familiar to the ensemble. Auditioning DMA applicants must submit a writing sample of recent research that demonstrates the candidate’s potential to add to the knowledge of the profession through a doctoral dissertation.

DMA Audition candidates selected for a live audition must bring a labeled DVD and 5 copies of the following:

• Curriculum Vita
• Repertoire List of conducted and studied works for band and chamber winds
• Writing Sample Guidelines:
• minimum of 5 double-spaced pages
• minimum of 2 cited sources
• grammatically correct
• a clearly stated purpose
• includes the writer’s opinions/conclusions supported by evidence
• DMA applicant’s audition and dossier are reviewed by a School of Music audition committee, which makes a recommendation to the Graduate Studies Committee. The Graduate Studies Committee recommends action to the Graduate College.

On-campus conducting auditions are held during ensemble class rehearsals between October and March.

Large Ensemble

Overture to Candide – Bernstein/Grundman or Beeler
Christus Factus Est – Anton Bruckner/Thurston
O Magnum Mysterium – Morten Lauridsen/Reynolds
Lincolnshire Posy – Percy Grainger
Irish Tune from County Derry – Percy Grainger
Colonial Song – Percy Grainger
Symphony in B-Flat – Paul Hindemith
March from Symphonic Metamorphosis – Paul Hindemith
Hammersmith – Gustav Holst
Suite in E-Flat – Gustav Holst
William Byrd Suite – Gordon Jacob
Symphony for Band – Vincent Persichetti
Trauermusik – Richard Wagner/Boyd/Votta
Folk Song Suite – Ralph Vaughan Williams

Chamber Music

Rondino, Op. Post. – Ludwig Beethoven
Serenade in d minor, Op. 44 – Antonin Dvorak
Petite Symphonie – Charles Gounod
Serenade in B-flat, K. 361 Gran Partita – W. A. Mozart
Serenade in C minor, K. 388 – W. A. Mozart
Serenade in E-flat – Richard Strauss

The University of Oklahoma School of Music, Department of Bands offers .50 Graduate Teaching Assistantships beginning the fall of each year for students pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts or Master of Music degree in conducting. Graduate students are integrated into all aspects of the University Band program to create opportunities for professional and personal development. Conducting students work in a team environment with the band faculty, staff, student workers and other graduate students.

Graduate conducting students have opportunities to:

• Guest conduct the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, and Concert Band.
• Assist with Marching Band rehearsals and section rehearsals.
• Create and teach drill for the Pride of Oklahoma.
• Rehearse and conduct various Pep Bands (football, basketball, special events).
• Perform administrative duties with band program, camps, festivals and clinics.
• Team teach in a nationally innovative music education curriculum by coaching undergraduate music education majors in teaching and conducting classroom activities.
• Graduate Teaching Assistants receive a 9-month stipend plus a basic health insurance plan. Qualifying (.50) Graduate Assistants receive partial but substantial tuition assistance. Additional compensation in the summer may be available in a summer work program that includes assistance with camps and clinics. Positions are contingent on budget funding.

Prospective graduate students must meet Graduate College entrance requirements as well as School of Music audition requirements. Contact Dr. Shanti Simon for additional information.

The University of Oklahoma School of Music is a fully accredited institutional member of NASM with over 60 faculty members, approximately 300 undergraduate students, and 150 graduate students. The School of Music provides a wide range of opportunities for musical and intellectual growth with degrees offered at the Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral levels. The School of Music is a part of the College of Fine Arts, one of 19 colleges within the University. The University of Oklahoma is a major national research university with a commitment to high-quality undergraduate and graduate education. The Norman campus has 25,000 students and over 1,200 full-time faculty members. Norman, a community of 110,000, is located twenty minutes south of Oklahoma City, a metropolitan area with a population exceeding 1,000,000.

The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer