Admissions
General Information and Requirements
Students who wish to apply to the Institute of Sacred Music must submit the online application found at www.yale.edu/ism/apply. That application also serves as an application to the relevant professional school for the program selected. Divinity applicants who wish to apply to the Divinity School for consideration there independently of their Institute application must also fill out the application of that school. Music applicants need to file only one application.
Online applications are to be submitted, and all supporting materials are to be sent directly to the Institute of Sacred Music, to arrive no later than:
- • December 1 for students applying to the Institute of Sacred Music jointly with Yale School of Music; and
- • February 1 for students applying to the Institute of Sacred Music jointly with Yale Divinity School.
The Institute’s Admissions Committee will consider applications for all degree programs, invite music applicants for auditions and interviews, and then make its recommendations to the appropriate admissions committee of either the School of Music or the Divinity School. Letters of joint acceptance will be sent to successful candidates on or around April 1. There is no early decision process, nor is there a summer program. For divinity applicants there is a priority application deadline of January 15, which carries a reduced application fee. Divinity School students must obtain the ISM director’s approval to complete a degree on a part-time basis. School of Music students must be enrolled full time and in consecutive years.
Letters of recommendation and transcripts will be kept on file for one year. Students who are not admitted may reapply the following year without resubmitting these materials, although they may send new ones if they choose. All other application materials and the application fee must be submitted, as for first-time applicants, by the deadline.
Institute of Sacred Music/School of Music Application Requirements
The Institute admits outstanding choral conductors, organists, and singers to its music programs based on the application and auditions. Composers interested in applying to the Institute should indicate their interest on the School of Music application.
The following materials must be received by December 1:
- 1. Completed online application with nonrefundable application fee of $100 (U.S.) payable to Yale University. This fee must be submitted with the application and cannot be waived.
- 2. Official transcripts of all academic records sent in a sealed envelope from all colleges and universities attended
- 3. Curriculum vitae (a résumé of academic, performance, and employment information). Optional: examples of involvement in liturgical, musical, or artistic activities (orders of worship, prayers, hymn texts or tunes, sermons, special events, etc.)
- 4. Repertory list of major performance area
- 5. Audition recording (see recording guidelines below)
- 6. A writing sample, such as a term paper, thesis, course paper, etc.
- 7. A short essay (500–1,000 words) relating your goals to the mission of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. The essay might discuss
- • the sacred in music
- • your sense of vocation
- • your interest in interdisciplinary study
- 8. Three letters of recommendation
- 9. Official scores from GRE (for M.M.A. applicants) and TOEFL, if applicable (see test guidelines below)
Recording Guidelines
An audition recording (CD, DVD) is required of music candidates. Recordings should be labeled clearly with the applicant’s name, instrument or voice type, and works performed. A recent recital recording may be submitted if the program falls roughly within the repertory guidelines.
Organ
Representative works from the major areas of organ literature—a major Bach work, a Romantic work, and a contemporary work.
Choral Conducting
Applicants must submit a videotape up to fifteen minutes in length showing the conducting of both rehearsal and performance.
Voice: Early Music, Oratorio, and Chamber Ensemble
Repertoire for the audition recording should include seven selections from the oratorio and art song repertoire of contrasting style and language. Selections can be chosen from any period and include opera arias or contemporary compositions. At least three selections should be from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. In your selections, highlight your versatility as a performer.
Applicants should submit two copies of their audition CD. Each CD case should include the following information in type: applicant’s name, voice type, age, repertoire listing, and current school (if applicable). Please include a repertoire listing on the cases only, and label each CD with applicant’s name and voice type.
Institute of Sacred Music/Divinity School Application Requirements
For degrees in Yale Divinity School, the Institute admits students who seek a theological education with emphasis on liturgical studies or religion and the arts, as well as M.Div. candidates for ordination who desire interaction with practicing church musicians as part of their education.
Applicants admitted to the ISM who are pursuing an M.A.R., M.Div., or S.T.M. degree are fully enrolled students in the Divinity School as well. Students who wish also to be considered for enrollment in the Divinity School alone (should they not be accepted to the ISM) must fill out a separate Divinity School application by the deadline; they will pay only one application fee.
The following materials must be received by February 2 (January 15 priority deadline):
- 1. Completed online application with nonrefundable application fee of $75 (U.S.) by January 15 or $100 by February 1, payable to Yale University. This fee must be submitted with the application and cannot be waived.
- 2. Official transcripts from each college or university attended, each in a sealed envelope, from the registrar or designated school records official.
- 3. A personal statement not to exceed 700 words explaining reasons for your interest in theological study at the Institute and the Divinity School. Include your preparation for or interest in the academic programs in liturgical studies, in religion and the arts, or in preaching, and/or interest in and preparation for the ministry in common formation with musicians.
- 4. A writing sample of 5–6 pages representing the best of your academic writing and thinking. A portion of a senior thesis or term paper is acceptable.
- 5. Three letters of recommendation
- 6. Scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if English is not your first language (see below for details). TOEFL scores will not be accepted.
- 7. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (optional; recommended for those considering an eventual Ph.D.).
Audition/Interview
School of Music Applicants
Applicants are chosen for formal audition on the basis of the performance recording, scores, and application credentials. If selected for audition, applicants will be informed as soon as possible of the time and place to appear before an auditions committee. Auditions are held in New Haven as follows:
- • for organ on February 25–28, 2010
- • for choral conducting on March 1, 2010
- • for voice on February 24–25, 2010
- • for all M.M.A. applicants on February 26–27, 2010 (both days required)
M.M.A. applicants will be expected to audition and take a written examination.
Organ applicants are strongly encouraged, though not required, to perform different works from those on the application recording. However, works should be chosen from the same three categories (see above). Applicants will be asked to demonstrate sight-reading ability and other essential musical skills.
Choral conducting applicants will be expected to present a highly developed level of comprehensive musicianship, including theory, transposition, keyboard skill, and score reading. Individual conducting assignments for the live audition will be made in the letter of invitation to audition.
Voice applicants may perform the same or different works from the audition recording. However, works should be chosen from the same repertorial categories (see above). Applicants will be asked to demonstrate sight-reading ability and other essential musical skills.
Composition applicants must come for personal interviews with the Institute’s Admissions Committee and the School of Music composition faculty. Composition applicants should file the application of the Yale School of Music, indicating their interest in studying jointly with the Institute of Sacred Music.
Divinity School Applicants
Divinity School applicants are not required to appear for an interview. Decisions made by the admissions committees of the Institute and the Divinity School are based on the application and supporting materials. Applicants are welcome to visit the Institute and the Divinity School campus at any time. Special open house events for prospective students are held during the academic year. Applicants are encouraged to attend one of these events, which offer the opportunity to attend classes, tour the campus, and talk with faculty, staff, and current students.
Graduate Record Examination
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General test is required of all applicants to the Master of Musical Arts program who hold a master’s degree from a school other than Yale. The computer-based General Test is given regularly at testing centers around the world. Contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for more information: www.gre.org, or call 609.771.7670, or write to PO Box 6154, Princeton NJ 08541-6154. Please use institution code #7072. Failure to use this code may result in lost scores.
All applicants in the composition department, regardless of the degree sought, must also take the GRE General test.
Those applying jointly to the Institute and the Divinity School are strongly urged to submit GRE scores to support their application.
Note: Candidates who have not submitted the required test scores will not be considered for admission.
Tests of English for Speakers of Other Languages
Students for whom English is a second language must demonstrate a level of language proficiency appropriate for study.
Applicants to the Institute with the School of Music should arrange to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of the Educational Testing Service. More information and applications are available at www.toefl.org, or call 609.771.7670, or write to PO Box 6154, Princeton NJ 08541-6154. Please use institution code #7072. Failure to use this code may result in lost scores. The Institute expects students to achieve a score of 600 (or 250 for the computer-based examination and 100 for the Internet-based examination) on the TOEFL.
Applicants to the Institute and Yale Divinity School programs must show evidence of proficiency in the English language either by attaining a satisfactory score on the International English Language Testing System or by having received a degree from an accredited university or college where English is the language of instruction (TOEFL scores will not be accepted for Divinity programs). For information, contact IELTS Inc., 100 East Carson St., Suite 200, Pasadena CA 91103; telephone, 626.564.2954; fax, 626.564.2981; e-mail, ielts@cell.org; Web site, www. ielts.org.
Applicants are urged to submit all required materials as soon as possible. Applicants should check periodically to be certain that requested credentials have arrived at the Institute’s Office of Admissions. All inquiries should be directed to the Office of Admissions, Yale Institute of Sacred Music, 409 Prospect Street, New Haven CT 06511-2167.
International Students
In order to gain admission to the Institute and to obtain a visa, international students must show that they have sufficient funds to provide for their expenses while in residence as a student in the United States. Bank affidavits and certificates of finance will be required.
Transfer Applicants
Internal
Students currently enrolled at the Divinity School or the School of Music who wish to apply for transfer to the Institute of Sacred Music should submit the following:
- 1. Completed online application form. The application fee is waived.
- 2. Official transcripts of academic records from all colleges and universities attended, including most recent Yale transcript. Unofficial copies may be obtained from current school registrars at student’s request.
- 3. Copies of all letters of recommendation from student’s file. Copies may be obtained from current school registrar.
- 4. Two letters of recommendation from current faculty, at least one from Institute faculty
- 5. An essay to include a discussion of reasons for pursuing graduate study at the Institute of Sacred Music, comments on specific areas of interest for study, an indication of your sense of vocation, and areas of greatest importance as you consider your future career in relation to the Church. The essay is not to exceed one page.
- 6. Official scores from GRE or TOEFL or IELTS (if applicable; see above for details)
Internal transfer students whose transfers would entail a third year of study should apply by October 1. See the sections on the Extended Degree Program and Transfer Students for more information.
External
Students enrolled at other colleges or universities who wish to transfer to the Institute of Sacred Music should speak to the Institute’s Office of Admissions regarding their particular circumstances.
