Master of Music Degree Program
Students seeking the master’s degree should consult their applied lesson teacher, thesis advisor or division chair in preparing a tentative program to meet the degree requirements and in selecting an advisory committee.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for each degree program are outlined below. The Office of Graduate Studies in Music provides complete information concerning procedures, administrative details and GRE requirements for individual programs. Students applying for the MM in performance or jazz studies may satisfy the GRE requirement by completing an on-campus writing examination. Details are available in the Office of Graduate Studies.
The Graduation Preparation Course (GPC) provided for international students by the Intensive English Language Institute will not be accepted as a substitute for the GRE requirement.
Before the degree is granted, the candidate must pass a final comprehensive examination — either oral, written or both — covering the field of concentration and, if applicable, the thesis or research problem. Performance majors must take the examination after the completion of the MM degree recital requirement. The examination may be taken no more than three times.
Participation in Performance Laboratories
Participation in two terms/semesters of laboratory or ensemble is recommended for all master’s degree students. Students who major in band or orchestral instruments are required to participate, with or without credit, in two terms/semesters of laboratory; one term/semester is required for voice majors. Laboratories are a cappella choir, chamber choir, concert choir, men’s chorus, women’s chorus, grand chorus, symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, symphonic band, concert band, marching band, jazz labs and accompanying. To meet this requirement, students must choose laboratories approved by the major advisors. Credit may be earned by enrolling in the courses listed below (1 semester hour each).
Ensembles available for graduate student participation are: opera theater, collegium musicum, chamber orchestra, wind ensemble, brass choir, trumpet choir, horn choir, trombone choir, tuba-euphonium ensemble, flute choir, percussion ensemble, steel drum band, marimba ensemble, African ensemble, Gamelan ensemble, electric and acoustic guitar ensembles, NOVA ensemble, and smaller string, woodwind, brass, harp and jazz chamber ensembles.
Major in Jazz Studies
To be admitted to the program, each applicant must (1) play an audition that demonstrates technical and improvisational skill to the level of MUJS 2370 and (2) submit manuscripts that demonstrate arranging skill equivalent to the level of MUJS 3620.
At the end of each long semester, the student’s work will be reviewed for continuance in the program. This review will consist of either an improvisation skill jury or an evaluation of written projects.
All MUJS course work counted toward the degree and transcript deficiency course work must be passed with a grade of B or better. All Graduate Placement Examination (GPE) deficiency courses must be passed with a grade of C or better.
