Advanced Diploma in Performance
For the first time in its history, Eastman now offers a stand-alone performance diploma, providing students who have completed a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in music to focus on performance studies with our applied faculty. The program centers around private instruction as well as high-level chamber music and ensemble experiences. In addition, students will have the ability to enroll in practical elective coursework that will supplement their performance study and better prepare them for a career as a professional musician.
Pre-requisites: Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor’s degree (in any field) or have appropriate professional experience in music. The Advanced Diploma in Performance cannot be combined with a degree program.
Admission requirements include completing the online application with supporting materials and an audition (with pre-screening if necessary). Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree should follow the MM audition requirements for their instrument. Those who have completed a master’s degree should follow the DMA requirements. See audition repertoire requirements and application process for more details.
Core curriculum:
The curriculum is designed so that there are key elements shared by all students regardless of instrument, but maximum flexibility is maintained so that students can design a course of study that focuses on their individual needs.
The core courses for all areas of performance would be:
- Applied Music Lessons (4 units per semester)
- Ensemble (1 unit per semester)
- Diploma Colloquium (1 unit per semester)
- Performance Project (completed in the final semester of study)
The remaining units for the diploma will be electives, with students expected to register for enough electives each semester to bring them up to at least 9 units per semester. Students in the diploma program will enroll in a limited number of specific elective courses, pre-determined based on their performance area and developed in consultation with each department.
Advanced Diploma in Concertmaster Studies
The Advanced Diploma in Concertmaster Studies provides intensive and focused study with Juliana Athayde, Associate Professor of Violin and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) Concertmaster. Solo and orchestral repertoire will be studied in lessons and the program culminates in a capstone project where students perform a mock audition in front of a panel of Eastman School of Music faculty and professional orchestral musicians, demonstrating the qualities and standards required for a professional audition. Additionally, students will serve as leaders of Eastman ensembles, pursue significant professional performance opportunities, shadow Professor Athayde in her role as concertmaster of the RPO, and receive individual mentorship as they prepare for their career.
Pre-requisites: Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor’s degree (in any field) or have appropriate professional experience in music. The Advanced Diploma in Concertmaster Studies cannot be combined with a degree program.
Admission requirements include completing the online application with supporting materials, including pre-screening recordings and an audition. See audition repertoire requirements for Violin- Concertmaster Studies and application process for more details.
Core curriculum:
The Advanced Diploma in Concertmaster Studies provides intensive and focused study in the area of orchestral playing, audition preparation and execution as well as leadership training, as it relates both on and off stage. The curriculum is designed to prepare the most highly qualified candidates for a career as concertmaster of a professional orchestra.
The core courses for all areas of performance would be:
- Applied Music Lessons (4 units per semester)
- Ensemble (1 unit per semester)
- Chamber Music (1 unit per semester)
- Concertmaster Seminar Course (1 unit per semester)
- Music Leadership Coursework/Electives (1-2 units per semester)
- Concertmaster Practicum (1 unit, completed in final semester of study)
- Mock Audition Capstone Project (completed in final semester of study)
Students are expected to register for enough electives each semester to bring them up to at least 9 units per semester. Students in this advanced diploma program may enroll in a limited number of specific elective courses, developed in consultation with the program coordinator.
Residency Requirement, Duration of Study, and Cost of Attendance
The Diploma requires a minimum of 2 semesters of full-time study, with students enrolled in only 9 units per semester. Typical time to completion is one year of full-time study. This program offered at a lower (discounted) tuition rate than our degree programs, and is not eligible for scholarship assistance, assistantships or Graduate Awards. Complete information about estimated costs can be found here.