Music (M.Mus.)
The Master of Arts degree is designed for students who wish to pursue an academic career in music through a broad liberal arts curriculum. The Master of Music degree provides a program for talented students pursuing a professional concentration in:
- Composition/Theory
- Conducting
- Performance
- Jazz Performance
- Music Education
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 diagnostic examinations in theory and history.
The master’s degree is offered under the following options:
Plan A: Twenty-four credits in course work, plus an eight-credit thesis, available to students enrolled in the M.A. or the M.Mus. with a concentration in Composition/Theory or Music Education. An original composition approved by the Composition/Theory Area Coordinator substitutes for the thesis in the M.Mus. degree with a concentration in Composition/Theory.
Plan B: Twenty-nine credits in course work, plus a three-credit essay, available to students enrolled in the M.Mus. with a concentration in Music Education only.
Plan C (Conducting, Performance, and Jazz Performance): Thirty-two credits in course work, plus a graduate recital with program notes.
Plan C (Music Education only): Thirty-two credits in course work, plus an oral presentation and written examination. (Music Education students may elect Plan A, B, or C – consult the Degree Requirements section, below).
Oral Examination: An oral examination is required of all students in the M.A. or the M.Mus. program concentrating in Composition/Theory, Conducting, Jazz Performance, or Performance. Music Education students who choose Plan C must complete an oral presentation and undertake a written examination in the area of concentration.
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. Before a student can be admitted to candidacy in the Master of Arts curriculum, satisfactory completion of a reading examination in a foreign language (preferably German or French) is required.
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 on 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.Mus.)
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 7XXX (selected in consultation with program advisor) | 6 | |
| Music Theory and Composition | ||
| Select twelve credits iin consultation with the program advisor from MUT 7020 - MUT 7992 | 12 | |
| Seminar in Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Seminar in Twentieth Century Music | ||
| Seminar in Music Theory Pedagogy | ||
| History of Theory | ||
| Graduate Composition (Composition Focus students 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) | 8 |
| Music or Non-music Electives | 3 | |
| Oral Examination | 0 | |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
THESIS: an original composition in one of the larger forms with a minimum duration of twelve minutes, separate from the work completed in MUT 7100, and with approval of advisor required; or a substantial written thesis drawing on current research in theory and analysis, applied toward a project of the student's choice
Music: Conducting (M.Mus.)
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 will include demonstrating proficiency in the areas of score reading and piano.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Music History | ||
| MUH 5300 | Music Research | 3 |
| MUH 7370 | Studies in Advanced Literature for Conductors 1 | 3 |
| MUH 73XX (chosen in consiltation with program advisor) | 6 | |
| Music Theory | ||
| MUT 7020 | Seminar in Schenkerian Analysis | 3 |
| MUT 7XXX (chosen in consulltation with program advisor) | 3 | |
| Conducting and Ensemble | ||
| Select one of the following (Major Ensemble) (Req. 2): | 2 | |
| University Bands | ||
| University Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Choral Union | ||
| Concert Chorale | ||
| MUP 739X (Major Private Instr. in Conducting) (Max. 12) | 9 | |
| MUP 8290 | Recital | 1 |
| Music or Non-music Electives | 2 | |
| Oral Examination | 0 | |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
| 1 | Note: one additional MUH 73XX may substitute for MUH 7370 with the approval of the program advisor |
Music: Jazz Performance (M.Mus.)
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 & MUH 7390 | Jazz History and Studies in Jazz History | 6 |
| Music Theory | ||
| MUT 7070 | Advanced Jazz Theory and Analysis | 3 |
| MUT 7XXX (chosen in consultation with the program advisor) | 3 | |
| Performance | ||
| MUA 7820 | Jazz Big Band (Req. 3) | 3 |
| Select one of the following (Max. 2): | 1 | |
| Jazz Guitar Ensemble | ||
| Jazztet | ||
| Jazz Combos | ||
| MUP 73XX (Major Private Instruction) (Max. 12) | 9 | |
| MUP 8290 | Recital (Graduate Recital with Program Notes) 1 | 1 |
| Music or Non-music Electives | 3 | |
| Oral Examination | 0 | |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
| 1 | Program must include original compositions/arrangements |
Music: Instrumental Performance (M.Mus.)
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 and Theory | ||
| MUH 5300 | Music Research | 3 |
| MUH 73XX (chosen in consultation with program advisor) | 6 | |
| MUT 70XX (chosen in consultation with program advisor) | 6 | |
| Performance and Ensembles | ||
| Large Ensembles and Chamber Music must total a minimum of 3 credits | ||
| Select one of the following (Large Ensemble) (Max. 2): | 1-2 | |
| University Bands | ||
| University Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Choral Union | ||
| Concert Chorale | ||
| MUA 7880 | Chamber Music and Special Ensembles | 1 |
| MUP 7XXX (Major Private Instruction)(Max. 12) | 9 | |
| MUP 8290 | Recital (Graduate Recital with Program Notes) | 1 |
| Music or Non-music Electives | 4 | |
| Oral Examination | 0 | |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
Music: Vocal Performance (M.Mus. Program)
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.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Music History and Theory | ||
| MUH 5300 | Music Research | 3 |
| MUH 73XX (chosen in consultation with program advisor) | 6 | |
| MUT 7XXX (chosen in consultation with program advisor) | 3 | |
| Performance and Ensembles | ||
| MUA 7730 | Advanced Diction | 3 |
| Select one of the following (chosen in consultation with program advisor) (Max. 3) | 1-3 | |
| Choral Union | ||
| Concert Chorale | ||
| Opera Workshop | ||
| MUA 7880 | Chamber Music and Special Ensembles | 1 |
| MUP 722X (Major Private Instruction) (Max. 12) | 9 | |
| MUP 8290 | Recital (Graduate Recital with Program Notes) | 1 |
| Music or Non-music Electives | 3 | |
| Oral Examination | 0 | |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
Music Education (M.Mus.)
Note: The M. Mus. degree in music education is currently under revision with plans for updating the curriculum to accommodate recent reforms in education while addressing the needs of practicing teachers. Consequently there is new student admissions moratorium in effect for this program. For current information, please contact the Department of Music, 313-577-1795.