Graduate Assistants receive tuition remission (ranging in value from 20-50%) in exchange for academic service to the school. Assistantship positions and responsibilities range from tutoring and coaching to assisting ensemble directors and area coordinators and providing administrative support to program directors and school staff. All positions are designed to connect you to unique and invaluable professional experiences working with students, faculty, and staff.
Once you are an admitted graduate student, you are invited to apply for a Graduate Assistantship. Through the application process, you will have an opportunity to express interest and share qualifications for positions in specific areas of the school. We strongly recommend submitting your graduate assistantship application no later than March 15th.
Graduate Assistantships are categorized by support type:
- Musicianship Support - service includes tutoring, grading, and leading some instruction in the musicianship classrooms and providing direct administrative assistance to faculty members.
- Ensemble Director Support - service includes directly assisting ensemble directors in preparing for and facilitating rehearsals, administrative tasks, and concert performance logistics.
- Applied Area Support - service includes assisting faculty in specified applied areas (woodwinds, brass, keyboards, strings, voice) by supporting teaching studios, small ensembles, and maintaining applied area inventory and supplies.
- Degree Program Support - service includes assisting faculty in specified departmental areas (Music Performance, Music Education, Music Technology, Music Therapy, Music Ministry; graduate and undergraduate divisions) and may include grading, coaching, tutoring, and teaching.
- Administration/Faculty Support - service includes assisting various staff members and administrators in event planning, staging and set up, maintaining computer labs and music libraries, marketing and advertisement, and community arts programming and administration.
Service Requirements and Award Values:
- Gold-level Assistantship - up to a maximum of 20 service hours each week during the academic year. Valued at 50% tuition remission.
- Silver-level Assistantship - up to a maximum of 14 service hours each week during the academic year. Valued at 35% tuition remission.
- Bronze-level Assistantship - up to a maximum of 8 service hours each week during the academic year. Valued at 20% tuition remission.
General Requirements of all Graduate Assistants:
- Attend graduate student orientation and complete required training
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (3.0 GPA minimum each semester)
- Fulfill responsibilities and communicate regularly with faculty/staff supervisor(s)
- Demonstrate the highest standards of artistry and professionalism at all times
Did you know?
As an enrolled student, you can apply and compete for additional funding to support your education. Check out some of our recent endowed scholarship recipients. Students are also eligible to join the Gig List and be paid for performing through our Hire-a-Musician program.