Career Opportunities:
Graduates of the Masters in Music in Instrumental Conducting most often have careers in educational and non-profit artistic/cultural organizations. They lead school, community college, and community-related music, chamber, band, orchestra, and symphony programs. Students in this program are also well prepared for doctoral level work.
Faculty Expertise:
The School of Music faculty are well-renown in their chosen fields. Students have the opportunity to work very closely with a number of faculty to build their particular area of expertise.
Dr. Nicholas G. M. Ross - Orchestra || Dr. Daniel J. Schmidt - Wind
Admission Requirements:
Students must have completed a Baccalaureate degree in music with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and be admitted to Northern Arizona University’s Graduate College. Please see the required forms and further information at the Graduate College website. Additionally, audition and evaluation material must be approved by the appropriate School of Music faculty.
Application Procedures:
Step 1. Go online and apply to the NAU Graduate College at nau.edu/gradcol. The Graduate College application will require your undergraduate transcripts.
Step 2. Contact Dr. Krista Rodin, the NAU School of Music graduate coordinator; Krista.Rodin@nau.edu
Orchestra
Step 3. Contact Dr. Nicholas G. M. Ross, the Director of Orchestras; Nicholas.Ross@nau.eduStep 4. Send two letters of recommendation, a current curriculum vita, a letter of application describing your musical background, conducting/teaching experience, instrumental performance experience and career goals, and a 10-15 minute DVD recording of your conducting both a rehearsal and a performance with one of the ensembles that you are currently conducting (with a view from the front of the conductor) to; Dr. Nicholas G. M. Ross, NAU Box 6040, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6040.
After reviewing application materials from the Graduate College, letters of recommendations and the rehearsal tape, selected applicants will be invited to NAU for an on-campus interview/audition. While on campus, each applicant will conduct a 25-minute rehearsal with the NAU Symphony Orchestra (repertoire TBA).
Wind
Step 3. Contact Dr. Daniel Schmidt, the director of instrumental studies; Daniel.Schmidt@nau.eduStep 4. Send two letters of recommendation, a current curriculum vita, a one page narrative describing your career goals and musical philosophy, and a DVD recording of a 10-minute rehearsal with one of the ensembles that you are currently conducting (with a view from the front of the conductor) to Dr. Daniel Schmidt, NAU Box 6040, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6040.
After reviewing application materials from the Graduate College, letters of recommendations and the rehearsal tape, selected applicants will be invited to NAU for an on-campus interview/audition in February or March.
Graduate Assistantship:
Graduate Assistantships may be available for students in the MMus Instrumental Conducting degree. For further information on these Assistantships, please contact:
Dr. Nicholas G. M. Ross - Orchestral or Dr. Daniel J. Schmidt - Wind
Program of Study Requirements
To see a the specific courses required for the MM degree in instrumental conducting, please click on the following link:
MM_Instrumental Conducting PoS 09-10.docx
Orchestral Conducting Emphasis
Orchestra Program Description:
This program is designed to provide extensive training and practical experience for students wishing to pursue a conducting career in a professional or academic setting.
Learning Objectives:
Upon graduation from the Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the history of orchestral conducting
- Demonstrate understanding of the operations and vision of a comprehensive orchestral music program
- Conduct symphonic and chamber orchestras as well as a broad range of choral/orchestral works, including opera and musical theater
- Competitively apply for professional employment and/or admission to any doctoral program in conducting
Why Study at NAU's School of Music?
Conducting is simultaneously performance and teaching. At NAU, conducting and teaching opportunities abound, both with undergraduate students as well as in the Community School. Graduate students in this program regularly conduct performances and rehearsals with both the NAU Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. Additionally, s/he will have the opportunity to work with the acclaimed NAU Opera Program as a rehearsal/assistant conductor. Additional opportunities may include conducting the NAU Academy Orchestra. The extensive individualized attention the students in this program receive from Dr. Nicholas G. M. Ross and faculty within NAU’s School of Music prepares her/him well for a successful professional career as well as for further graduate study.
Wind Conducting Emphasis
Wind Program Description:
This program teaches the skills, repertory, and professional strategies needed to become a successful wind conductor in an educational institution or in other professional music arenas. The Instrumental Conducting studio is purposely small to ensure maximum time at the podium and for highly individualized instruction. Conducting masters’ students have an array of hands-on musical opportunities, including conducting the NAU Collegiate Band, coaching chamber music and sectionals, and working as assistant conductor to the NAU Wind Symphony. Related activities include working with the NAU Marching Lumberjack Band and conducting the NAU Basketball Band.
Learning Objectives:
Upon graduation from the Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting students will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the history and heritage of orchestra or wind conducting
- demonstrate understanding of the operations and vision of a comprehensive instrumental music program, incl. marching band, wind symphony, symphonic band, collegiate concert band, and athletic pep bands.
- demonstrate knowledge of appropriate musical literature in an historical context
- conduct large ensembles
- be well prepared for admission to any doctoral program in conducting in the U.S.
Why Study at NAU’s School of Music?
Conducting is simultaneously performance and teaching. At NAU, teaching opportunities abound, both with undergraduate students as well as in the Community School. All graduate students in this program conduct at least one piece in performance with the NAU Wind Symphony, and may run Wind Symphony rehearsals as well. Instrumental studio professors often use conducting students for various chamber ensembles. At the conclusion of the program, each conducting student must present a lecture recital that includes thirty minutes of lecture and thirty of recital to demonstrate the ability to simultaneously teach and perform. The close individualized attention students receive in NAU’s School of Music prepares one well for a successful professional career as well as for further graduate study.