Become an artist
practice. rehearse. perform. compose. think. study. grow. become an artist.
above: The Philharmonia Orchestra of Yale in historic Woolsey Hall
Welcome to the Yale School of Music For over 100 years, we have nurtured successful performers, composers, and cultural leaders. As one of the leading professional music schools in the world, we seek students of extraordinary musical talent to pursue their advanced studies with our distinguished faculty. The Yale School of Music is an integral part of an international research university that cherishes its academic heritage and values all of the arts while embracing innovation and progress. At Yale you will find an array of libraries, art galleries, historical collections, theaters, and a rich concert life. New Haven and surrounding towns offer an abundance of historic villages, diverse neighborhoods, charming shops, fine restaurants, and outdoor experiences.
I invite you to consider Yale as you plan for your graduate studies. With a bold vision for its future, the School of Music is preparing the next generation of the world’s great artists and cultural leaders.
Robert Blocker The Henry and Lucy Moses Dean of Music
a world-class education Become part of a close-knit musical community where distinguished artists coach chamber ensembles and faculty studios are open for student practice. master of music (mm) A two-year program for students holding a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent
Degrees & Programs
master of musical arts (mma) A two-year program of pre-doctoral study open to students with a master’s degree
doctor of musical arts (dma) Awarded to holders of the MMA who demonstrate distinguished achievement in their field
left: A lesson with pianist Boris Berman
artist diploma (ad) A two-year program for composers and performers with a master’s degree or its equivalent
bachelor of arts / master of music (ba/mm) A five-year track for students in Yale College
certificate in performance For exceptional students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree
Areas of Study
woodwinds Flute Oboe Clarinet Bassoon brass French Horn Trumpet Trombone Tuba strings Violin Viola Cello Double Bass Percussion Guitar Harp Piano Organ Composition voice Opera Early Music, Oratorio, & Chamber Ensemble conducting Choral Conducting Orchestral Conducting
within a world-class university The Yale School of Music offers intensive conservatory training in the rich cultural and academic environment of one of the world’s great universities.
left, from top: Gilmore Music Library, Digital Media Center for the Arts, and the Center for Studies in Music Technology
Resources At Yale you will develop not only as a musician but as a complete artist, as a citizen of the intellectual and cultural world. To study at Yale is to live and work amidst stunning works of visual art, great theater productions, superb libraries, important scientific discoveries, and vital research into countless areas of inquiry. Your colleagues across the University are emerging architects, lawyers, artists, doctors, historians, and philosophers.
gilmore music library
oral history of american music
At your fingertips are 100,000 scores and parts, 70,000 books about music, and 35,000 recordings, plus sheet music, periodicals, online resources, photographs, and more.
Hear interviews with musicians like Aaron Copland, John Cage, and Duke Ellington.
archives & manuscripts Hold the papers of musicians like Charles Ives, Robert Shaw, Vladimir Horowitz, and Kurt Weill.
collection of musical instruments
digital media center for the arts Work at the cutting edge in audio, video, and graphics labs, studio space for recording and photography, and a variety of workshops.
center for studies in music technology (csmt)
Explore one of the foremost historical collections Innovate and collaborate with state-of-the-art of its kind, with items dating back centuries. hardware and the latest software.
Study with some of the most illustrious composers, performers, and conductors of our time. Every faculty member is a distinguished artist in the field – and is dedicated to cultivating the talent and skill of the next generation. Our collaborative environment encourages every member of the community to pursue individual interests. Play early music at the celebrated Collection of Musical Instruments or work with a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer to premiere a new work. Faculty not only give lessons, coachings, and master classes but offer valuable mentorship. Guest artists and educators enhance the Yale experience. Play under conductors like Peter Oundjian, Lorin Maazel, and Marin Alsop. Craft your interpretation in masterclasses with Emanuel Ax or Alan Held. Work with visiting composers like Krzystof Penderecki. Hear some of the world’s finest musicians in the remarkable acoustic of Morse Recital Hall. With guests like Malcolm Bilson and the Takåcs Quartet, faculty artists, student recitals, and ensemble performances, the School of Music presents well over 200 concerts each year.
see faculty list in back
Yale brings you together with the people that will form the heart of your education.
bottom: Kazuhide Isomura of the Tokyo String Quartet coaches an ensemble. top: Clarinetist David Shifrin gives a lesson.
with world-class artists
Collaboration
Did you know? All Yale School of Music students receive a full-tuition scholarship. Students can also apply for funds to travel to competitions and other career-building events.
above: Aldo Parisot rehearses with the Yale Cellos in Morse Recital Hall . bottom right: Hyo Kang gives a violin lesson.
Opportunities
founded: 1894
a few notable alumni
recent prizes & awards
location: New Haven, Connecticut
Eliot Fisk, guitar Richard Stoltzman, clarinet Anthony Tommasini, music critic Michael Torke, composer
Boulanger Prize Gaudeamus Prize Coleman Competition Fischoff Competition Grieg Competition Percussive Arts Society Competition San Antonio Piano Competition Solti Competition Tchaikovsky Competition Wronski Competition Yellow Springs Competition Besanรงon International Competition for Young Conductors American Choral Directors Association Graduate Conducting Competition
number of students: 215 rate of admission: 8-9% international students: 40-45% performances: around 250 each year pianos: YSM is an all-Steinway School
ensemble in residence Tokyo String Quartet
fred plaut recording studio This state-of-the-art studio connects via analog or digital fiber optics to four concert halls across campus.
instruments The Yale Collection of Musical Instruments is one of the foremost historical collections of its kind, with nearly 1,000 items dating back centuries. Many have been restored to playing condition. Yale’s six notable organs include the Newberry Memorial Organ, one of the most renowned Romantic organs in the world, and the new Taylor & Boody mean-tone organ in Marquand Chapel. yale opera, die zauberflöte, 2009
music in schools
vocal music
community engagement
Yale Opera undertakes a full opera production each year in New Haven’s historic Shubert Theater, plus evenings of opera scenes, one-act operas, and art songs.
The Yale School of Music offers numerous opportunities for outreach and engagement projects.
Through the Institute of Sacred Music, Yale offers a major in Early Music, Oratorio, and Chamber Ensemble. Choral activites, organized through the Institute of Sacred Music, range from the 24-voice Schola Cantorum to the 60-voice Camerata.
Students teach in local public schools, participate in think tanks with visiting leaders in the field, and perform for a variety of local audiences.
music.yale.edu/community the collection of musical instruments
from early music to new music
archives & manuscripts
Perform in ensembles and concert series like:
Yale’s archives include the papers of musicians like Charles Ives, Vladimir Horowitz, Cole Porter, Robert Shaw, Virgil Thomson, and Kurt Weill.
Yale Opera New Music New Haven The Philharmonia Orchestra of Yale The Yale Baroque Ensemble Lunchtime Chamber Music Studio-focused ensembles like the Yale Percussion Group and the Yale Cellos Yale in New York, with concerts at Carnegie Hall and Steinway Hall
The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale is one of the world’s largest buildings devoted entirely to rare books and manuscripts, with about 500,000 volumes and several million manuscripts. gilmore music library
joan panetti’s hearing class
david lang with a composition student
don’t miss the downbeat
Apply Now All materials must be submitted by december 1
Visit us online for details or to apply music.yale.edu/admissions
Application form
Prescreening recording/materials
december 1 · Application deadline
admissions office
Application fee ($100)
Transcripts from universities and conservatories
Résumé
Three letters of recommendation
mid-january · Prescreening results
203-432-4155
late february · Auditions
april 15 · Responses from applicants due
Sprague Memorial Hall 98 Wall Street P.O. Box 208246 New Haven, CT 06520-8246
early september · School begins
gradmusic.admissions@yale.edu
The following are required from some applicants: TOEFL score report For applicants whose first language is not English GRE general test For MMA applicants and all composition applicants Sample of scholarly writing For MMA applicants
late march · Final decisions released
graphic design Monica Ong Reed writing Dana Astmann photography Bob Handelman Jennifer Lester Laura Tagliatela
Beyond Boundaries music.yale.edu The Yale School of Music, a graduate professional school within Yale University, is a worldwide leader in educating the creative musicians and cultural leaders of tomorrow.