Music (PhD)

The Glenn Korff School of Music boasts a comprehensive faculty and an accommodating array of facilities. Westbrook Music Building houses a music library containing approximately 55,000 books, scores, and periodicals; 18,000 recordings; and computer listening and video booths. The Glenn Korff School of Music also maintains a music computer lab, a state-of-the-art music technology research classroom equipped with computers and software for music instruction, composition, and notation.

The performance complex consists of the Lied Center for Performing Arts, with stage dimensions sufficient for major touring production companies, and the Kimball Recital Hall. 

Specializations

• Music Education
• Piano Pedagogy
• Vocal Pedagogy

Program-Related Information

Graduate Chair

Rhonda Fuelberth
402-472-2503
rfuelberth2@unl.edu 

Program Website

https://arts.unl.edu/music

• Minimum English proficiency: Paper TOEFL 600, Internet TOEFL 100, IELTS 7.0.
• Resume/CV
• For Music Education specialization:
  • Resume/CV
  • Personal Statement: Statement of purpose.
  • Portfolio: Video Screening. First prepare your videos with content as described here and post them to a video-hosting platform (e.g. YouTube), then create a PDF with links to these videos and upload the PDF in this application's Portfolio upload slot. Video samples of teaching showing at least two different teaching settings, not to exceed 10 minutes. Include a brief narrative describing the context of the educational environment (i.e. class being taught, level of learners, goals and objectives, etc.).
  • Writing Samples: Can be copies of theses, articles, grants, etc.
  • Other Upload: Cover Letter of Application.
  • Interview: Applicants may be asked to complete an interview in person, by phone, or by video conference.
• For Piano Pedagogy specialization:
  • Resume/CV
  • Personal Statement
  • Portfolio: Video Screening. First prepare your videos with content as described here and post them to a video-hosting platform (e.g. YouTube), then create a PDF with links to these videos and upload the PDF in this application's Portfolio upload slot. 1) Video Screening Playing: 3 contrasting piano pieces. 2) Video Screening Teaching: 15 minutes maximum, edited to highlight your excellence in piano teaching. It is preferable that you present a combination of private and group teaching, and that you include some presentation of new materials or skills to students.
  • Writing Sample: Minimum 10 pages. Academic paper, thesis, journal article, or grant proposal. This sample should demonstrate appropriate scholarly attribution using an accepted citation style. Applicants' essays will be subjected to random plagiarism software checks. Any evidence of plagiarism will result in the candidate's application portfolio being withdrawn from further consideration.
  • Other Upload: Cover Letter of Application.
  • Interview/audition: Applicants may be asked to complete an interview in person, by phone, or by video conference. Audition should be a minimum of 30 minutes in length and consist of 3 contrasting pieces from the standard piano repertoire performed by memory. Live audition is preferred. Applicants may be asked to complete an interview in person, by phone, or by video conference.
• For Vocal Pedagogy specialization:
  • Resume/CV: Include detailed description of previous teaching.
  • Personal Statement: (500-700 words; Times, 12-point font; Word, rtf or pdf format; double-spaced). Statement should be written by the applicant describing his/her future goals and how earning the Ph.D. can help attain those goals.
  • Writing Sample: A 5-10 page double spaced discussing some topic in Vocal Pedagogy. Academic paper, thesis, journal article, or grant proposal. This sample should demonstrate appropriate scholarly attribution using an accepted citation style. Applicants' essays will be subjected to random plagiarism software checks. Any evidence of plagiarism will result in the candidate's application portfolio being withdrawn from further consideration. (This may be the same topic as the teaching/research presentation.)
  • Portfolio: Audio/Video Screening. First prepare your audio/video files with content as described here and post them to a hosting platform (e.g. YouTube), then create a PDF with links to these videos and upload the PDF in this application's Portfolio upload slot. (1) Screening Audio: 3 contrasting pieces from Art Song or Operatic repertoire. (2) Screening Video: 15-minute edited video recording demonstrating excellence in vocal teaching (may be private or group instruction, or combination thereof).
  • Other Upload: Cover Letter of Application
  • Applicants may be asked to participate in a three part Interview/Audition and Teaching Demonstration.
• Letters of recommendation: Three letters required; four recommended.
• Academic Eligibility: Minimum master's degree GPA 3.5.

For financial consideration: Apply by December 15 for fall admission.

• For Fall admission: Apply by July 1. International students are encouraged to apply early, by April 1.
• For Spring admission: Apply by November 1. International students are encouraged to apply early, by October 1.