Applicants for the BM in Orchestral Conducting degree are encouraged to submit the following materials with their application as soon as possible and no later than December 1, 2025 by 11:59 PM (EST), for an initial skills assessment/screening.
Please use the link at the bottom of this page to upload your prescreening materials in multiple files. Multiple files for the prescreening round may be submitted. There is a $10 fee to use this service.
Applicants are also reminded to be aware of the high school requirements for admission to Rice University.
Application and Audition Requirements
For the Prescreening Round
Submit a video introducing yourself and answering the following questions:
- When and under what circumstances did you discover your passion for conducting?
- How did you get started in music?
- Do you have any ensemble participation experience?
- Can you share some highlights of your music activities?
Submit a 15-minute long video showing your musicianship through an instrument or voice (playing an instrument or singing).
- Record selections of your choice that show contrasting musical styles and display your musical and artistic strengths. This should be done in a continuous take.
- Include the date of recording as well as the composer(s) and title(s) in the video.
Submit an unedited video of between 20 and 30 minutes containing the following:
- Put together an ensemble of musicians and conduct Mozart Symphony No.27 KV.199 with a string quartet or quintet and 2 woodwind instruments (no horns needed). The woodwind instruments can be flutes, oboes, or clarinets, or the combination of any of them. Duration of the video should be between 20 and 30 minutes, and should start with the very first encounter of this piece between musicians and conductor, and include rehearsal and a play through at the end. The sections required for this are Mov.1 - Exposition (until the repeat) and Mov.2 - Exposition (until the repeat). The purpose is to see the interaction between the conductor and the ensemble and the sense of musical leadership from the conductor.
Submit a written essay (one-page single spaced) describing how you see yourself as a conductor after finishing your training in orchestral conducting.
Online Interview and Assessment (for those who have passed the prescreening stage)
Demonstrate basic level of aural skills, musical literacy and music theory (including reading treble, alto, and bass clefs).
Sight sing and solfege (melodic and rhythmical) while conducting along.
Discussion on the live audition repertoire.
In Person Audition (for those who have passed the online interview and assessment)
Dictations in one and two voices.
Review of basic keyboard skills.
Interview with Conducting Faculty.
Conduct the following repertoire to demonstrate abilities to lead others, both mechanically and musically:
Auditions will be held over a two-day period on January 18 and 19, 2026. Online interviews will be scheduled as early as December 2, 2025.
If you are under the age of 18 at the time of your audition, we will need this form filled out.
