Master of Music Therapy auditions

Find out all you need to know about the New Zealand School of Music’s Master of Music Therapy audition process, including application and preparation.

Apply to audition—Music Therapy

If you are applying to study Music Therapy you need to audition. Your application must be submitted by 22 July to start studying in Trimester 1 of the following year. Late applications may be accepted. Please apply to study in 2027 by following this link. Once you have selected your degree and major, the NZSM will be in touch with you directly to arrange an audition.

Apply now

Audition and interview process

Music Therapy is a demanding profession, both musically and personally. Your audition and interview are to determine your suitability for entry into this programme. As well as the audition, you will be interviewed and during the interview we may use some simple interactive aural and improvisation activities with you.

Auditions will be submitted as recordings. Guidelines for a recorded audition can be found on this page along with instructions for uploading an unlisted video to YouTube.

If the recording is acceptable, we will invite you to a skills test and interview, via video conference.

Audition dates

  • 22 July: application submitted via Pūaha
  • 19 August: audition recording and document submissions due
  • Mid-September and early October: interviews and referee checks.

Audition

You will be assessed on your ability to play with expression, communication and musicality; musical strengths, passions and flexibility; and your ability to listen, learn and adapt. You are welcome to include your own compositions. See below for specific guidelines to making a recorded audition.

  1. Perform two contrasting pieces on your principal instrument (this includes voice), for a duration of about 5–10 minutes.  Vocalists: present a variety of songs from different eras (three or four), and if you are a singer-songwriter include a “cover version” of another artist’s song(s) as well as your own compositions. Demonstrate a variety of tempo, qualities and style of accompaniment. If you usually sing with guitar, include one unaccompanied song.
  2. Demonstrate any other instrumental/vocal skills you have. This might include voice, piano, guitar, if these were not your principal instrument.

Interview

If you are invited for a video conference it may include these elements:

Interactive Skills

  • Aural tests.
  • Free improvisation and interactive exercises (no preparation needed).

Discussion

There will be a 25-minute discussion about your motivation and psychological readiness to train as a therapist. Therapeutic training requires the integration of academic and practical musical skills and an ability to reflect honestly and with insight on your personal experiences and on relationships with others. We will discuss any barriers to your study with consideration for your safety, and that of future clients and other students in this training. It is also an opportunity for you to ask questions. Discussion may include academic readiness for Master's study.

Other checks

Applicants will submit a sample of academic writing and transcripts, as part of the application process. All applicants undergo safety checking before placements can occur.

International students

International students should contact Wellington University International. Your audition will be arranged with them. To ensure to your recorded audition meets requirements see information below and recorded audition guidelines

Making a recorded audition

Read the recorded audition guidelines before you start filming.

  1. Introduce yourself by name and state the date of recording.
  2. Primary instrument audition:
    Play/sing two prepared pieces on your primary instrument/ voice. These should be of contrasting styles and should be about 5–10 minutes each in length. State the name of each piece and the composer before you begin.
  3. Functional guitar (if your audition instrument is not guitar):
    If you have ability/experience playing guitar, play a piece/song of your choice at your highest skill level. This is for placement purposes, as guitar skills are required for the courses and practicum. State the name of the piece and composer before you begin. If you do not have guitar skills, please state this.
  4. Functional keyboard (if your audition instrument is not piano):
    If you have ability/experience playing piano/keyboard, play a piece of your choice at your highest skill level. This is for placement purposes, as piano/ keyboard skills are required for the courses and practicum. State the name of the piece and composer before you begin. If you do not have piano skills, please state this.
  5. Functional voice (if your audition instrument is not voice):
    If you have ability/experience singing, sing a song of your choice at your highest skill level. This is for placement purposes, as vocal skills are required for the courses and practicum. State the name of the song and composer before you begin. If you do not have vocal skills, please state this.
  6. Share your motivation for applying. Answer each of the following with an approximately 5-minute response.
    1. Describe what music therapy is as a profession/career.
    2. Why do you want to study music therapy?
    3. What do you think would be the hardest thing about being a music therapist?
    4. Talk about one experience when you have seen music make the difference in another person's life.

Questions

Contact music@vuw.ac.nz if you have questions about auditioning.