Composition	Scores and, where possible, recordings of recent works. Applicants for the PhD program must include recordings as well as scores. Please limit your scores and recordings to 2-3 that exemplify your best work.
Music in Historical and Theoretical Perspective	2-3 original essays in music research, analysis or criticism. In addition to these, you may send papers on other subjects if you think that they support some aspect of your application for admission. Please limit your essays to those that exemplify your best work
Performance	An Audition is required. See “Audition Instructions” enclosed.
	DMA: Submit two original essays in music research, analysis, or criticism that demonstrate your ability to carry out scholarly work in music. The papers, typically generated in prior course work, should be at least ten pages in length and demonstrate knowledge of proper bibliographic citation practices.

Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Music
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York 11794-5475

There are no special forms to fill out for financial support. Everyone who applies is automatically considered for financial assistance from the music department, usually in the form of a Graduate Assistantship and/or Tuition Scholarship.

Prospective graduate students can also find useful information about Stony Brook on the University's home page. The first page of this site directs the reader to information about the Stony Brook area, campus events, and libraries and research programs. It also links to a list of Web sites for every department and program on campus.

Please also see the Graduate School website which has updated information about the application process: http://www.grad.sunysb.edu/prospective/applying/index.shtml

FAQs

Application materials should be mailed to the graduate coordinator of the music department in one large envelope. To that end, we suggest:

Have your references send their letters to you. Do not open the envelopes. We need two originals of each letter (if the recommendations are not done online).
Have your school(s) send your transcripts to you. Do not open the envelopes. We need two (2) official copies of each transcript. Photocopies are NOT acceptable. We know that procuring transcripts from overseas schools and conservatories can be difficult, but this is not a requirement that can be waived. We will need transcripts, in English, for every school you attended. If your school does not offer English transcripts, we will need an official (notarized) translation. Some overseas documents will need to be evaluated by World Educational Services (www.wes.org).
Application: You MUST apply online. We do not accept paper applications.
MM/DMA: Indicate on your application which instrument or vocal area you wish to study.
MA/PhD: Indicate which area you wish to study – History/Theory or Composition.
If you know your GRE or TOEFL scores, please enter them on the application. We will verify them electronically at a later date.
History/Theory or DMA students: collect your writing samples.
MM/DMA Applicants: Enclose a completed audition form. (N.B.: Some MM/DMA studios require pre-audition screening recordings to be submitted as early as December 15. Please see below for details.)

Graduate Coordinator
Department of Music
Stony Brook Unversity
Stony Brook, NY 11794-5475

NOTE: Intentional misrepresentation by a student of his/her native/primary language is academic dishonesty, and is grounds for dismissal from the University.
NOTE: Our institution code is 2548 and our department code is 19 for the TOEFL exam.
NOTE: We prefer internet based testing. Minimum scores are 213 for computer-based tests and 550 for paper-based tests. The minimum score for the Internet-based test has not yet been officially established, but will most likely be 90.
NOTE: All doctoral students (Ph.D. DMA) and GA/TA students who are not native/primary speakers of English will have to take a SPEAK test upon arrival at the University. Depending on the result of this test, you may have to take ESL classes.

Paper-based test: 550

Computer-based test: 213

Internet-based test:
• 80 for Master Degree.
• 90 for admission to a doctoral program and to be eligible for consideration for TA/GA support.

In general a doctoral student should have an iBT of 90 or higher, although candidates with lower scores may be considered in special circumstances.

NOTE: If you have a degree from a US Educational Institution (example: Bachelor, Master) you might be eligible for a TOEFL waiver. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN “AUTOMATIC” TOEFL WAIVER. The TOEFL is not automatically waived for any student whose native/primary language is not listed as “English” on their application.

Why do you require two originals of every document?
One set of originals is for the Graduate School and the other is for the Music Department. This is part of being in a large university.

Who has to take the GRE?
MM and DMA applicants do NOT have to take the GRE.
NOTE: Stony Brook University’s code is 2548. GRE scores can only be accepted if sent electronically; scores that are mailed in are not acceptable

What if I haven’t taken the TOEFL or GRE exam yet?
We need to have the results in our office no later than the second week in February. If your score is not received on time, it could jeopardize your admission to the program.

What sort of writing samples do I have to send?

DMA Applicants: Submit two original essays in music research, analysis, or criticism that demonstrate your ability to carry out scholarly work in music. The papers, typically generated in prior course work, should be at least ten pages in length and demonstrate knowledge of proper bibliographic citation practices (your paper must contain a bibliography). Please send PHOTOCOPIES of your papers (do not send your originals).

Applicants to the History and Theory Program: 2-3 original essays in music research, analysis or criticism. In addition to these, you may send papers on other subjects if you think that they support some aspect of your application for admission. Please limit your essays to those that exemplify your best work. Please send PHOTOCOPIES of your papers.

Composition Applicants: You do not need to submit essays; you only need to submit scores and recordings.

NOTE to MM/DMA students: Do NOT wait for “audition results” before sending in supplemental materials. You will go to your audition, and the performance faculty makes their recommendations for admission. After this is done, the academic faculty reviews the files for academic admissibility – to determine if you meet the academic requirements for admission to the program. It is only after both of these processes are concluded that you would get any information regarding the results of your audition.