Music, Composition, MM

The degree Master of Music is offered by the School of Music with options in music education, music technology, performance, composition, theory, and accompanying.

Admission Requirements

  • Students must have earned an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in music or the equivalent as determined by the department.
  • The Graduate School’s requirements for admission.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • The music education options require an interview with music education faculty.
  • The performance and accompanying options require an audition on the student’s major instrument/voice. Please contact the coordinator of Graduate Studies for an audition time.
  • The option in orchestral, choral, and wind conducting require the applicant to successfully pass an interview and audition with the orchestra conducting faculty member and an audition on his/her particular applied instrument.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The student should consult with the coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music for additional information regarding the individualized nature of each option.

For the Voice Performance and Piano Accompanying options a proficiency equal to two semesters each of Italian, German, and French is required for completion of the Master of Music degree. There is no substitution for this requirement for the MM Voice Performance. Piano Accompanying degree program (only) may substitute Diction I and II for this requirement. For details on how to show language proficiency please contact the Graduate Coordinator for the School of Music.

After completion of all course work, the student must pass an examination covering the graduate program. This examination is individualized for each candidate’s unique program.

Composition Option

Music Core Courses8
Select eight credits of the following:
Advanced Conducting: Instrumental
Advanced Conducting: Choral
Musical Styles & Analysis I: Music Before 1750
Musical Styles & Analysis II: Music Between 1750 and 1900
Major Required Courses21-23
Musical Styles & Analysis III: Music Since 1900
Music History Survey III: Music Since 1900
Masters Chamber Recital
Seminar in Music (must be Schenkerian Analysis)
Masters Thesis/Project
MUSEN:6xx
Ensemble (participation in two ensembles required)
Applied Composition 1
Additional Music Courses0-2
Graduate-level (music) courses, workshops, applied lessons (other than in composition) and/or advanced problems to be selected by the student and advisor.
Electives3
To be selected by student and advisor, Areas include graduate-level courses in other disciplines, such as theatre arts, in which the student obtains permission of instructor, or MUSAP:642 Applied Composition.
Total Hours32-36