Music Performance (Master's) at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The Master of Music in Performance at the Michigan State University College of Music requires concentrated study in one of five performance areas: piano, stringed instruments, wind instruments, percussion instruments or voice. Performance specialist options in multiple brass, multiple strings and multiple woodwind are also offered.

Faculty: College of Music | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Concentrated study in one performance area: piano, strings, winds, percussion or voice. Audition disciplines include bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, euphonium, flute, harp, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin and voice, plus specialist tracks in multiple brass, multiple strings and multiple woodwind.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate Application and College of Music Supplemental Application, both due December 1. A successful admissions audition in the chosen discipline. Unofficial transcripts and diplomas; curriculum vitae (for fellowship or assistantship consideration); separate piano assistantship form for piano teaching assistantship candidates (filed at least two weeks before the audition); personal statement of 300-500 words; three letters of recommendation (submitted through the Graduate Application). International applicants whose native language is not English (College of Music minimums for collaborative piano, composition, conducting, jazz, performance and piano pedagogy): TOEFL iBT 80 (no subscore below 19, writing at least 22; for tests taken after January 21, 2026: 4.5 overall, none below 4, writing at least 4.5), IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0), PTE Academic 53, Duolingo 110 (temporarily accepted). Applicants to performance degrees, including conducting, with a degree from a U.S. accredited university may be exempt.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants can start in fall (late August), spring (January) or summer (May) in the MPH programme; intake terms for other graduate programmes are set by each department or program.

The graduate application fee is $75 for domestic and international applicants, with one fee per application; applicants may submit up to two applications to different graduate majors per semester. Applications are reviewed by the department or program, which sets its own deadlines.

MPH application deadlines (SOPHAS completion): fall May 18, spring October 18, summer February 15; MSU supplemental application: fall June 1, spring November 1, summer March 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

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