Southern Miss offers a variety of degrees in music.

Undergraduates can major in trombone performance, music education, jazz studies, music industry, composition, or music history and literature.

Graduate students can enroll in a DMA in Trombone Performance and Pedagogy, PhD in Music Education, or Master of Music. Master's students can choose an emphasis from trombone performance, conducting, theory and composition, or history and literature.

Go here for more details on Music Degree Programs.

Scholarships are available for undergraduates that can greatly reduce the financial expense of your education. While most trombone scholarships are offered through the department of bands, scholarships are also offered by the orchestra and jazz studies programs. Scholarships may include a waiver of out-of-state charges and can be combined with academic awards.

For more info contact Southern Miss Admissions or email Dr. Bruce Tychinski

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Undergraduate Application

Scholarships are available for undergraduates that transfer to Southern Miss from another university or junior college.  These financial awards can greatly reduce the financial expense of your education. While most trombone scholarships are offered through the department of bands, scholarships are also offered by the orchestra and jazz studies programs. Scholarships may include a waiver of out-of-state charges and can be combined with band service awards.

For more info contact Southern Miss Admissions or email Dr. Bruce Tychinski

Apply to Southern Miss!

Undergraduate Application

Assistantships for graduate students are offered through the trombone studio, bands, jazz studies, orchestra, theory and history departments, and in administrative positions. Assistantships carry a waiver of tuition charges plus a nine-month stipend.

For more info contact Southern Miss Graduate Studies and visit the Audition Info section below.

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Graduate Application

General Information

Auditions for admission and scholarship consideration are scheduled between the student and Dr. Tychinski. For scholarship consideration, these should be completed between mid-November and late February.  Southern Miss does not hold specific audition days. Complete the form above and then contact Dr. Tychinski to schedule a visit to campus. Some students prefer to make an unofficial visit if travel permits to get a feel for the campus during their junior year or early in their senior year and then return for a formal audition.

What will I be asked to play at my audition?

Your audition will consist of four parts:

• An assessment of general abilities (major scales, lips slurs, tonguing, range)
• A lyrical etude or solo movement of your choice
• An articulate etude or solo movement of your choice (this can be from the same concerto or sonata as the lyrical choice)
• Sight-reading

You should discuss with Dr. Tychinski the literature you plan to play when you schedule your visit.

What can I expect when I visit campus?

In addition to your audition, we can arrange for you to have a "shadow visit" to campus. You can follow an undergraduate student through their day at Southern Miss attending music classes, listening to our ensembles, and getting a true student perspective. You can also take time to visit the admissions office (you'll need to schedule an appointment) to complete application forms, get additional information on scholarships, and find out about student housing. If you visit campus on a Monday when trombone choir is meeting, you are welcome to play along.

When will I find out if I have been awarded a band scholarship?

Scholarship decisions are normally made in the first two weeks of March and you will be notified thereafter.

If I live far away, can I audition by CD or videotape?

It is preferable that students come to campus to audition. This lets you meet professors and students face to face and get a feel for the campus environment. If you live more than 300 miles away and it is impossible for you to travel to Hattiesburg, a live, unedited videotape may be submitted. General exercises and sight-reading items can be sent to your band director or private teacher who can administer these at the videotaping session.

If you are a high school or junior college student and would like to learn more about studying trombone at Southern Miss or if you intend to apply to the university as a music student, please email Dr. Tychinski.

General Information

For students pursuing the MM or DMA in Trombone Performance, a live candidacy recital for the brass faculty is required. It is preferable that this be completed during part of a visit to campus the semester prior to beginning study. By rule it must be completed before the completion of 9 graduate credit hours. Information for non-performance degree requirements can be found at the School of Music's Graduate Degree Information page.

What will I be asked to play at my audition?

Graduate candidacy requires a 30 minute audition recital for members of the brass faculty. The recital must be at least 30 minutes in length and must include three works of contrasting style, preferably representing different periods in music.

You should discuss with Dr. Tychinski the literature you plan to play when you schedule your visit.

Is there a Graduate Assistantship in Trombone?

Yes. While more than one student can pursue graduate study in trombone, there is one graduate assistantship assigned to the studio. This person may teach applied lessons, conduct trombone choir, coach chamber music, perform in a graduate chamber ensemble, and assist with managing the trombone choir and studio administrative tasks as needed. Provided the student maintains satisfactory degree progress and does acceptable work in the assistantship role, master's students can normally plan to hold an assistantship for a maximum of two years and doctoral students for three. There is no preference given to students who play tenor or bass trombone or for master's or doctoral level applicants. The best candidate will be awarded the position.

Are there other assistantships available?

Yes. Graduate student assistantships may be available through the Southern Miss Orchestra, Bands, Jazz Studies, Theory and History Areas or in clerical roles. For consideration in an area other than trombone, you should express your interest to Dr. Tychinski and contact that area directly to inquire about possible assistantships.

What is the financial incentive of obtaining an assistantship?

Graduate assistantships carry a waiver of tuition fees plus a 9-month stipend.

What do I need to do for consideration for the Trombone Studio Teaching Assistantship?

In addition to the playing recital for graduate candidacy, Dr. Tychinski would like candidates for the Trombone Assistantship to complete the following activities during an arranged visit to campus:

• Teach an applied lesson while being observed
• Conduct the Trombone Choir while being observed
• Have a lesson with Dr. Tychinski
• Have an informal interview with Dr. Tychinski

If I live far away, can I audition by CD or videotape?

No. Graduate students in trombone cannot audition by any recorded means.

When will I find out if I have been accepted or awarded an assistantship?

Decisions on admission and assistantships are normally made in the mid-to-late spring semester. You will be notified thereafter.

Please email Dr. Tychinski to provide general information on your background and interest in pursuing a graduate degree in trombone at USM.