Music (M.M.)
The Master of Music degree provides a program for students pursuing a professional concentration in:
- Composition/Theory
- Conducting
- Instrumental Performance
- Jazz Performance
- Vocal Performance
Admission Requirements
Admission to these programs is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. In addition, all master's degree applicants in music must:
- apply to the Graduate School as a Music Major;
- possess an undergraduate degree in the same field for which he or she wishes to pursue graduate study, or its equivalent in course work, private study, or experience;
- complete pre-admission auditions or interviews. Audition and interview requirements are available from the Department of Music.
All students admitted to master's degrees are required to pass departmental placement examinations in theory and history.
Program Requirements
The Master of Music degree is offered under the following options:
Plan A (concentration in Composition/Theory): Twenty-four credits in course work, plus an eight-credit thesis. Students may choose the composition track or the theory track. For composition-track students, an original composition, separate from the work completed in MUH 7100 and approved by the Program Advisor, serves as the thesis. For theory-track students, a written thesis drawing on current research in theory and analysis, applied toward a project of the student's choice with approval by the Program Advisor, serves as the thesis.
Plan C (concentrations in Conducting, Instrumental Performance, Jazz Performance, and Vocal Performance): Thirty-two credits in course work, plus a graduate recital.
Candidacy must be established by the time twelve credits have been earned toward the master's degree. Applicants become degree candidates only upon recommendation of the Departmental Graduate Officer and submission of an approved Plan of Work.
Oral Examination: An oral examination is required of all students M.M. program.
Academic Scholarship: The University requires that each student achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.0, in order to be eligible for a graduate degree. All courses in the student's major must be completed with a grade of ‘B-minus’ or higher to be counted towards program credit. Grades below 'B-minus' are unsatisfactory and constitute valid cause for dismissing a student from a graduate program. The Department of Music permits a student to accumulate a maximum of six credits of 'B-minus' grades (in courses other than the area of concentration) as long as they are offset by higher grades so that a 3.0 grade point average is maintained at all times. Additionally, credits of B-minus and below in excess of six credits may result in dismissal from the program, regardless of whether the courses are included in the student's Plan of Work. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts
Music: Composition/Theory (M.M.)
Prerequisite: Bachelor of Music with a concentration in composition/ theory or its equivalent in coursework, background, or experience. As part of the pre-admission interview, applicants must present scores and/or theory research materials as evidence of preparation for graduate work in composition or theory.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Music History | ||
MUH 5300 | Music Research | 3 |
MUH 73XX Music History Electives (selected in consultation with Program Advisor) | 6 | |
Seminar in Music History | ||
Studies in Renaissance Music | ||
Studies in Baroque Music | ||
Studies in Classical Music | ||
Studies in Romantic Music | ||
Studies in Twentieth Century Music | ||
Studies in American Music | ||
Studies in Jazz History | ||
Music Composition and Music Theory | ||
Select twelve credits in consultation with the Program Advisor. Composition students must elect nine credits of MUT 7100. | 12 | |
Seminar in Schenkerian Analysis | ||
Seminar in Twentieth Century Music | ||
Seminar in Music Theory Pedagogy | ||
History of Theory | ||
Advanced Jazz Theory and Analysis | ||
Graduate Composition (students on the composition track must elect 9 credits of MUT 7100; max. 12) | ||
Special Topics in Theory | ||
Directed Study in Theory (max. 6) | ||
MUT 8999 | Master's Thesis Direction (see below) 1 | 8 |
Music or Non-music Electives | 3 | |
Oral Examination | 0 | |
Total Credits | 32 |
- 1
For composition-track students, an original composition, separate from the work completed in MUH 7100 and approved by the Program Advisor, serves as the thesis. For theory-track students, a written thesis drawing on current research in theory and analysis, applied toward a project of the student's choice with approval by the Program Advisor, serves as the thesis.
Music: Conducting (M.M.)
Prerequisite: Bachelor of Music with a concentration in music education, organ/church music, or performance, or the equivalent in course work, training, or experience. All applicants must successfully complete a pre-admission audition and interview that includes demonstrating proficiency in score reading and piano.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Music History | ||
MUH 5300 | Music Research | 3 |
MUH 7370 | Studies in Advanced Literature for Conductors | 3 |
MUH 73XX Music History Electives (chosen in consultation with Program Advisor) | 6 | |
Seminar in Music History | ||
Studies in Renaissance Music | ||
Studies in Baroque Music | ||
Studies in Classical Music | ||
Studies in Romantic Music | ||
Studies in Twentieth Century Music | ||
Studies in American Music | ||
Studies in Jazz History | ||
Music Theory | ||
MUT 7020 | Seminar in Schenkerian Analysis | 3 |
MUT 7XXX Music Theory Elective (chosen in consultation with Program Advisor) | 3 | |
Seminar in Twentieth Century Music | ||
Seminar in Music Theory Pedagogy | ||
Advanced Jazz Theory and Analysis | ||
History of Theory | ||
Special Topics in Theory | ||
Directed Study in Theory | ||
Conducting and Ensemble | ||
Major Ensemble (chosen in consultation with Program Advisor) (req. 2) | 2 | |
University Bands | ||
University Symphony Orchestra | ||
Choral Union | ||
Concert Chorale | ||
MUP 739X (Major Private Instr. in Conducting) (req. 9, max. 12) | 9 | |
Conducting: Major Instruction | ||
Conducting: Major Instruction | ||
Conducting: Major Instruction | ||
MUP 8290 | Recital | 1 |
Music or Non-music Electives | 2 | |
Oral Examination | 0 | |
Total Credits | 32 |
Music: Jazz Performance (M.M.)
Prerequisite: Bachelor of Music with a concentration in jazz studies or jazz performance or the equivalent in course work, private study, or experience. All applicants must successfully complete a pre-admission audition.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Music History | ||
MUH 5300 | Music Research | 3 |
MUH 5360 | Jazz History | 3 |
MUH 7390 | Studies in Jazz History | 3 |
Music Theory | ||
MUT 7070 | Advanced Jazz Theory and Analysis | 3 |
MUT 7XXX Music Theory Elective (chosen in consultation with Program Advisor) | 3 | |
Seminar in Schenkerian Analysis | ||
Seminar in Twentieth Century Music | ||
Seminar in Music Theory Pedagogy | ||
History of Theory | ||
Special Topics in Theory | ||
Directed Study in Theory | ||
Performance | ||
MUP 73XX (Major Private Instruction) (req. 9, max. 12) | 9 | |
Jazz Piano: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Piano: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Piano: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Strings: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Strings: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Strings: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Woodwinds: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Woodwinds: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Woodwinds: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Brasswinds: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Brasswinds: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Brasswinds: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Percussion: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Percussion: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Percussion: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Guitar: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Guitar: Major Instruction | ||
Jazz Guitar: Major Instruction | ||
MUA 7820 | Jazz Big Band (req. 3) | 3 |
Small Jazz Ensemble (select from the following in consultation with Program Advisor) (max. 2): | 1 | |
Jazz Guitar Ensemble | ||
Jazztet | ||
Jazz Combos | ||
MUP 8290 | Recital 1 | 1 |
Music or Non-music Electives | 3 | |
Oral Examination | 0 | |
Total Credits | 32 |
- 1
Recital program must include original compositions/arrangements.
Music: Instrumental Performance (M.M.)
Prerequisite: Bachelor of Music with a concentration in instrumental performance or equivalent in course work, study, or experience. All applicants must successfully complete a pre-admission audition.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Music History | ||
MUH 5300 | Music Research | 3 |
MUH 73XX Music History Electives (chosen in consultation with Program Advisor) | 6 | |
Seminar in Music History | ||
Studies in Renaissance Music | ||
Studies in Baroque Music | ||
Studies in Classical Music | ||
Studies in Romantic Music | ||
Studies in Twentieth Century Music | ||
Studies in American Music | ||
Studies in Jazz History | ||
Music Theory | ||
MUT 7XXX Music Theory Electives (chosen in consultation with Program Advisor) | 6 | |
Seminar in Schenkerian Analysis | ||
Seminar in Twentieth Century Music | ||
Seminar in Music Theory Pedagogy | ||
Advanced Jazz Theory and Analysis | ||
History of Theory | ||
Special Topics in Theory | ||
Directed Study in Theory | ||
Performance | ||
MUP 7XXX (Major Private Instruction) (req. 9, max. 12) | 9 | |
Organ: Major Instruction | ||
Organ: Major Instruction | ||
Organ: Major Instruction | ||
Piano: Major Instruction | ||
Piano: Major Instruction | ||
Piano: Major Instruction | ||
Strings: Major Instruction | ||
Strings: Major Instruction | ||
Strings: Major Instruction | ||
Woodwinds: Major Instruction | ||
Woodwinds: Major Instruction | ||
Woodwinds: Major Instruction | ||
Brasswinds: Major Instruction | ||
Brasswinds: Major Instruction | ||
Brasswinds: Major Instruction | ||
Percussion: Major Instruction | ||
Percussion: Major Instruction | ||
Percussion: Major Instruction | ||
Harp: Major Instruction | ||
Harp: Major Instruction | ||
Harp: Major Instruction | ||
Classic Guitar: Major Instruction | ||
Classic Guitar: Major Instruction | ||
Classic Guitar: Major Instruction | ||
Large Ensemble (select from of the following in consultation with Program Advisor) (req. 1, max. 2) 1 | 1-2 | |
University Bands | ||
University Symphony Orchestra | ||
Choral Union | ||
Concert Chorale | ||
MUA 7880 | Chamber Music and Special Ensembles (req. 1, max. 2) 1 | 1 |
MUP 8290 | Recital | 1 |
Music or Non-music Electives | 4 | |
Oral Examination | 0 | |
Total Credits | 32 |
- 1
Major ensemble and chamber music elections must total a minimum of 3 credit hours.
Music: Vocal Performance (M.M.)
Prerequisite: Bachelor of Music with a concentration in vocal performance or its equivalent in course work, study, or experience. All applicants must successfully complete a pre-admission audition.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Music History and Theory | ||
MUH 5300 | Music Research | 3 |
MUH 73XX Music History Electives (chosen in consultation with Program Advisor) | 6 | |
Seminar in Music History | ||
Studies in Renaissance Music | ||
Studies in Baroque Music | ||
Studies in Classical Music | ||
Studies in Romantic Music | ||
Studies in Twentieth Century Music | ||
Studies in American Music | ||
Studies in Jazz History | ||
MUT 7XXX Music Theory Elective (chosen in consultation with Program Advisor) | 3 | |
Seminar in Schenkerian Analysis | ||
Seminar in Twentieth Century Music | ||
Seminar in Music Theory Pedagogy | ||
Advanced Jazz Theory and Analysis | ||
History of Theory | ||
Special Topics in Theory | ||
Directed Study in Theory | ||
Performance | ||
MUP 7221 | Voice: Major Instruction | 3 |
MUP 7222 | Voice: Major Instruction | 3 |
MUP 7223 | Voice: Major Instruction | 3 |
MUA 7730 | Advanced Diction | 3 |
Major Ensembles (select from the following in consultation with Program Advisor) (req. 3, max. 3) | 3 | |
Choral Union | ||
Concert Chorale | ||
Opera Workshop | ||
MUA 7880 | Chamber Music and Special Ensembles | 1 |
MUP 8290 | Recital | 1 |
Music or Non-music Electives | 3 | |
Oral Examination | 0 | |
Total Credits | 32 |