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Welcome to Artist Diplomas at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music!

Our highly selective Artist Diploma program is designed to advance musicians who have demonstrated potential for concert careers. The aim of this program is to refine further students’ musicianship to pursue a career in the field of music performance. Applicants must have completed at least a bachelor’s degree. At this time, the keyboard area is not offering Artist Diplomas in Solo Performance or Chamber Music Performance.

*Applications for Artist Diploma in Solo Performance are only accepted in percussion (marimba/vibraphone), strings (violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, harp),  jazz and woodwinds (bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone). 

*Applications for Artist Diploma in Orchestral Performance are only accepted in brass (trumpet, trombone, horn, tuba), strings (violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, harp) and woodwinds (bassoon, clarinet, oboe). 

*Applications for Artist Diploma in Chamber Music Performance are only accepted in strings (violin, viola, cello, bass).

The College of Music offers six Artist Diploma programs at the graduate level:

• Artist Diploma in Opera + Solo Vocal Performance This is a graduate program for pre-professional singers who exhibit the potential for a national and/or international performing career. An undergraduate degree in voice performance is the minimum requirement for admission. The Artist Diploma program offers exceptionally gifted singers the opportunity to deepen their artistry, broaden their musical perspective and refine their performance skills under the guidance of College of Music faculty. In addition, all Artist Diploma students have access to courses and career advising offered by the college’s Entrepreneurship Center for Music. Studies include individualized voice instruction, vocal coaching and performance opportunities in opera, solo, oratorio and other concert work, with elective studies in entrepreneurship, as preparation for a performance career.

• Artist Diploma in String Quartet Performance The College of Music at CU Boulder offers an Artist Diploma in String Quartet Performance for one string quartet to work intensively with members of the renowned Takács Quartet and other members of the string faculty. Applications will be open to 1) preformed string quartets and also 2) individuals who apply for ‘Artist Diploma String Quartet Performance’ who would like to be considered for placement in a new graduate string quartet formed by the Takács Quartet. The next application will be available in Fall 2023 for entry in Fall 2024. The Takács Graduate Quartet Residency is a two-year position generously funded by the Starling Foundation and Takács Society. While participating in the program, the graduate quartet will play recitals, perform in master classes, receive regular coaching and collaborate with other instrumentalists and composers. A generous travel budget provides the quartet with support for competitions and concert opportunities outside of Boulder.  

• Artist Diploma in Solo Instrumental Performance This is a graduate program for pre-professionals who exhibit potential for a national and/or international performing career.  An undergraduate degree and a successful audition are required for admission into this program. The Artist Diploma program offers exceptionally gifted instrumentalists the opportunity to deepen their artistry, broaden their musical perspective and refine their performance skills under the guidance of College of Music faculty. Additionally, all Artist Diploma students have access to courses and career advising offered by the college’s Entrepreneurship Center for Music. Students are provided both coaching and individualized instruction, with extensive opportunities for performance, in preparation for a performance career.

• Artist Diploma in Chamber Music Performance This is a graduate program for pre-professionals who exhibit potential for a national and/or international performing career. An undergradiate degree and a successful audition are required for admission into this program. The Artist Diploma program offers exceptionally gifted instrumentalists the opportunity to deepen their artistry, broaden their musical perspective and refine their performance skills under the guidance of College of Music faculty. Additionally, all Artist Diploma students have access to courses and career advising offered by the college’s Entrepreneurship Center for Music. Students are provided both coaching and individualized instruction, with extensive opportunities for performance, in preparation for a performance career.

• Artist Diploma in Orchestral Performance This is a graduate program for pre-professionals who exhibit potential for successfully gaining employment in an orchestra. Professional performance on an orchestral instrument, an undergraduate degree and a successful audition are required for admission into this program. The Artist Diploma program offers exceptionally gifted instrumentalists the opportunity to deepen their artistry, broaden their musical perspective and refine their performance skills under the guidance of College of Music faculty. Additionally, all Artist Diploma students have access to courses and career advising offered by the college’s Entrepreneurship Center for Music. Students are provided both coaching and individualized instruction, with extensive opportunities for performance, in preparation for an orchestral performance career.

• Artist Diploma in Vocal Coaching This is a graduate program for pre-professionals who exhibit potential for a specialized career in vocal accompanying. A master’s in collaborative piano with commensurate language and diction training (or equivalent professional experience) and a successful audition are required for admission. The Artist Diploma program offers exceptionally gifted collaborative pianists the opportunity to deepen their artistry, broaden their musical perspective and refine their performance skills under the guidance of College of Music faculty. Additionally, all Artist Diploma students have access to courses and career advising offered by the college’s Entrepreneurship Center for Music. Students are provided both coaching and individualized instruction, with extensive opportunities for performance, in preparation for a career as a professional vocal coach.

Note: Students enrolled in the Artist Diploma program are ineligible for federal loan funding. Artist Diploma candidates are considered for a limited number of GA positions.