Early Music

Artist Diploma in Early Music

The Artist Diploma in Early Music is a post-baccalaureate, performance-oriented program designed for students already performing at a high level who desire additional intensive private instruction, coaching, and ensemble performance experience in Early Music performance practices. The Artist Diploma in Early Music has been designed to be completed in two semesters over the course of one year but may be completed over a maximum of four semesters spread over two years.

Enrollment in the program is highly selective and limited to only twelve students. Both singers and instrumentalists (violin, viola, viol da gamba, cello, bass, harpsichord, lute, guitar, harp, recorder, flute, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, and cornetto) are encouraged to apply to the program.

Faculty

Applicants to the program should indicate a primary Early Music faculty member with whom they would like to study. View current Early Music faculty.

A primary instructor will serve as the student’s advisor and provide individual instruction to the student on a weekly basis. Applicants to the program may also request up to two other members of the Early Music faculty to serve as supporting faculty members. Supporting faculty members serve as ensemble coaches and provide individual instruction to the student on an occasional, as needed, basis. The Early Music faculty will make every effort to fulfill an applicant’s requests for their primary and secondary instructors. However, the faculty reserves the right to assign supporting faculty instructors as deemed appropriate.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Artist Diploma in Early Music program must have already completed a Bachelor of Music degree or its equivalent prior to admission. Applicants should have also obtained proficiency (defined as one year of college-level language training) in at least one of the following four languages: Italian, French, German, or Latin. Vocal students must demonstrate proficiency in any three of the languages.

Audition Requirements

Admission to the Artist Diploma in Early Music program is by audition only. Applicants must submit audio or video recordings of three representative selections, totaling no more than 15 minutes that demonstrate their artistry and proficiency on their primary instrument or voice. All audition materials must be submitted online. Begin submitting your pre-recorded audition materials using our Audition Dropbox.

Recitals

Public recitals comprise an essential component of the Artist Diploma in Early Music program. Each Artist Diploma student must complete a total of three recitals while in residence: one solo, one ensemble, and one lecture-recital. At least one of these recitals will be a professionally produced, off campus recital co-presented in association with the Seattle Early Music Guild’s annual concert series.

Baroque Opera

Each fall, the Cornish Opera Theater stages a baroque opera production. Artist Diploma students are encouraged to participate in this production as singers or instrumentalists whenever possible.

Curriculum

Students enrolled in the Artist Diploma in Early Music program follow a curriculum comprised of individual Private Instruction with their primary instructor, a weekly Performance Studio with all Artist Diploma students and their respective Primary Instructors, twice weekly Chamber Ensemble rehearsals with both Artist Diploma students and Early Music faculty coaches, and a weekly Topics in Performance Practice Seminar with all Artist Diploma students and a series of guest faculty lecturers and discussants.

For a typical Artist Diploma student, the curriculum might look something like this:

Additional Requirements

Vocalists or performers of non-continuo instruments will be expected to arrange continuo coaching with the appropriate Early Music faculty. All Artist Diploma students will be required to develop and present to the Early Music faculty a complete press kit (including bio, photos, and demo CD) prior to completion of the program.

How to Apply

To begin the application process, complete the Early Music Application Form. Submit your completed application form along with your audition materials at our Audition Dropbox.