Mar 29, 2024  
2009-2011 Graduate Catalog 
    
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Music M.M.


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Admission Requirements

 

Students applying for admission to the Master of Music degree program must make application through the Graduate College website. There are different deadlines for international students, and for students who wish to apply for assistantships, which are also found on the Graduate College website. In addition to submitting an application and transcripts of all college-level work to the Graduate College, prospective students must present the following credentials:

  1. An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 (or 3.00 in the last two years of undergraduate study).
  2. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 in music.

Prospective students must also present credentials to the Department of Music. Under the Program Information section of the online application, please be sure to list your specific concentration. (i.e.: flute performance, jazz composition, etc.). The following credentials must be presented to the Department of Music:

Master of Music-Performance

1) Two confidential letters of recommendation from former instructors attesting to the student’s ability to complete graduate work at an acceptable level.

2) A 500-word essay defining career goals and explaining how graduate studies in music will advance the applicant toward these goals. 

3) An on-campus performance audition.

Master of Music-Composition/Theory

1) Two confidential letters of recommendation from former instructors attesting to the student’s ability to complete graduate work at an acceptable level. 

2) A 500-word essay defining career goals and explaining how graduate studies in music will advance the applicant toward these goals. 

3) A portfolio of compositions including at least one work from three of the following categories: a) orchestra, band or chorus; b) solo instrument and piano or for solo piano; c) string quartet, brass quintet, woodwind quintet, or other small ensemble; d) set of songs for solo voice and piano; e) original composition scored for jazz ensemble. Additional works may be included.

Master of Music-Music Education

1) Two confidential letters of recommendation from former instructors attesting to the student’s ability to complete graduate work at an acceptable level. 

2) A 500-word essay on the applicant’s philosophy of music education. 

3) An undergraduate degree in Music Education or the equivalent is required for admission to the program.

Master of Music-Conducting

1) Two confidential letters of recommendation from former instructors attesting to the student’s ability to complete graduate work at an acceptable level.

2) A 500-word essay defining career goals and explaining how graduate studies in music will advance the applicant toward these goals. 

3) A videotape or DVD of a rehearsal and performance under the applicant’s direction.
 
4) An on-campus conducting audition.

Audition Requirements

All auditions must be presented by April 15 for fall semester admission and by October 15 for spring semester admission. Audition length, requirements, and contact information vary by area. Please consult the area coordinator for further information.

Degree Requirements


Throughout work for the degree, the student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00, with no more than two grades of C (2.00), and no grade lower than B (3.00) in the major area of concentration. Performance majors must earn at least a B (3.00) in pedagogy and literature and in ensembles as well as lessons. A thesis is optional and may, with approval, be used in lieu of six credits in the student’s program. Participation in large ensembles is required throughout the student’s residency.

M. M. Comprehensive Exams

All candidates for the Master of Music degree in Applied Music, Composition/Theory, and Conducting are required to take written and oral comprehensive examinations. Candidates for the Master of Music degree in Music Education are required to take a written comprehensive examination and may also be required to take an oral examination.

The Master of Music comprehensive examinations consist of a bibliography research project, a written examination, and an oral examination. The student’s graduate recital, if required, should take place before the comprehensive exams. The comprehensive exams are taken during the term in which the student intends to graduate. For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the Department of Music Graduate Handbook.

The minimum number of credits required for the Master of Music degree varies with each major option. No more than eight hours of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program. The individual requirements for each of the option areas are as follows:

 
 

Applied Music - Performance

 

A. Applied Major Option - Total Credits: 30

    Bibliography 3
    Music History 6
    Music Theory 3
    Applied Music 8
    Recital 2
    Pedagogy and Literature 3
    *Ensemble 2
    Electives (with approval) 3
       
 

B. Collaborative Piano Option - Total Credits: 30

    Bibliography 3
    Music History 6
    Music Theory 3
    Applied Music includes two recitals, one with vocalists, one with instrumentalists 8
    Pedagogy and Literature (vocal or instrumental) 3
    Ensembles 2
    Accompanying ( ) 2
    Electives (with approval) 3
       
 

C. Multiple Woodwind Option - Total Credits: 38

    Major Instrument 8
    **Secondary Instruments (4 credits each) 8
    Bibliography 3
    Music History 3
    Music Theory 3
    Recital Credit: 2
    Pedagogy and Literature 6
    *Ensemble 2
    Electives (with approval) 3
       
 

D. Jazz Performance Option - Total Credits: 30

    Applied Lessons 8
    Recital 2
    Ensembles (1 large, 1 small) 2
    Bibliography 3
    Jazz History 3
    Jazz Keyboard 3
    Jazz Pedagogy 3
    Jazz Theory 3
    Music History Elective 3
       
  Notes:
  * Participation inone major ensemble and one chamber ensemble.
  ** To be selected based on the entrance audition in consultation with the advisor. Requirements for each secondary instrument may be satisfied by examination at the discretion of the department. Equivalent credits shall be taken on another woodwind instrument or as an elective.
       
 

Composition/Theory

 

A. Composition/Theory Option - Total Credits: 32

    Bibliography 3
    Music History 6
    Music Theory 6
    Applied Music 4
    Composition (private instruction) 8
    Recital 2
    Elective (with approval) 3
       
 

B. Jazz Composition/Theory Option - Total Credits: 32

    Applied Lessons 4
    Composition 8
    Recital 2
    Bibliography 3
    Jazz History 3
    Jazz Keyboard 3
    Jazz Pedagogy 3
    Jazz Theory 3
    Music History Elective 3
       
 

Music Education

 

A. Music Education Option - Total Credits: 33

    Bibliography 3
    Music History 6
    Music Theory 3
    Music Education:  ,  ,  
9
    Music Education elective 3
    Electives (with approval to include Applied Music or Conducting) 9
       
 

Note:  The maximum number of workshop credits is three.

 
       
 

B. Orff Schulwerk Option - Total Credits: 33

 
    Bibliography 3
    Music History 6
    Music Theory 3
    Music Education:  ,  
6
    Orff Levels I-III:   ,  ,   9
    Electives (with approval to include Applied Music or Conducting) 9
       
 

Conducting

 
 

A. Choral Option - Total Credits: 35

 
    Bibliography 3
    Music History 6
    Music Theory 3
    MUS 721C 3
    Electives (with approval) 3
    Applied: 8
   

 

 
   

 

 
   

 

3
    Recital 2
    Ensembles 2
       
 

B. Orchestral Option - Total Credit Hours: 35

 
    Bibliography 3
    Music History 6
    Music Theory 3
    MUS 721A 3
    Electives (with approval) 3
    Applied: 8
   

  (B or C)

 
      3
    Recital 2
    Ensembles:  ,    2
       
 

C. Wind Band Option - Total Credits: 35

 
    Bibliography 3
    Music History 6
    Music Theory 3
    MUS 721B 3
    Electives (with approval) 3
    Applied:   B,   8
      2
    Recital 2
    Ensembles:   2

 

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