Program Description
The School of Music offers a Master of Music degree with concentration options in conducting, music education, performance and composition. The program seeks to provide an opportunity for the highest level of musical development and professional training for each student, appropriate for careers in teaching, performance and composition of music. Conducting students will undertake a comprehensive study of the literature of their medium, develop advanced insights into the musical ideas and structure of the major works, and refine their conducting and rehearsal skills.
This program is designed to be completed in 2 years. Summer courses are not required.
Objectives
Students graduating from the M.M. program with a concentration in conducting will be able to:
- demonstrate application of physical conducting skills and rehearsal techniques through the performance of advanced repertoire in the student's area of specialization.
- formulate advanced insights into the artistic and formal structure of music through score study in the student's area of specialization.
- describe the musical and formal elements of the major literature in the student's area of specialization (vocal/choral or instrumental).
- apply the core principles of effective research as scholars and conductors.
Assistantships
Teaching and non-teaching graduate assistantships in music are awarded each year on a competitive basis. Specific assignments in applied music, ensembles, music education, theory and literature, accompanying and administration are based on students' qualifications and the School of Music's needs. In addition to an attractive stipend, all assistantships include tuition scholarship for nine graduate credit hours during each fall and spring semester. For more detailed information, procedures for application and deadlines, contact the director of graduate studies for the School of Music.
Class Fees
There is a once per semester fee for enrollment in MUAP 600 and MUAP 700, applied lessons. See MyMadison for details.
Admission Criteria
A student entering a graduate degree program in music is expected to have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in music or its equivalent and have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in music studies.
In addition to The Graduate School requirements, the School of Music administers its own diagnostic examinations in written theory, ear training and music literature prior to the student's first semester. The school also requires successful completion of any deficiencies by the time 18 credit hours of study have been completed.
In addition to these general requirements, conducting students must pass examinations in conducting, and those in choral conducting must pass tests in sight singing, keyboard skills and language diction. The faculty/student ratio also allows for a close relationship and provides the opportunity for individualized instruction in many areas.
Degree Requirements
All concentrations in the Master of Music degree program must complete a minimum requirement of 32 hours of graduate credit. In addition to opportunities to broaden and improve skills through music electives, students have the option to pursue courses across the university that align with their individual interests.
As per JMU graduate school requirements, successful completion of the Master of Music degree includes an oral comprehensive examination to be arranged at a date convenient for the master's candidate, adviser and comprehensive committee.
The courses in each Master of Music degree concentration are to be distributed among courses in the major area, cognate courses in music, approved electives and a significant major project.
Concentration projects are:
- Conducting – a lecture recital
All entering students who apply for admission to the Master of Music degree program will complete a required graduate core curriculum to provide context for designing their programs of study. The curriculum is composed of at least 3 credits of each of the following: research, music theory, music history, music making and learning, and a culminating project or recital.
Prior to the end of the first semester, or after completion of nine hours of credit in the Master of Music program, students will submit a program of study form to the graduate program director upon approval by their adviser.
At least one-third of the required credits in a program must be earned in the area of concentration. At least one-half (16 credits) of the required total credits must include courses from the 600 level and above. No more than six credits in workshops (501) may be used to meet minimum requirements for the degree.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| MUS 600 | Research Methods | 3 |
| MUS 601 | Advanced Tonal Analysis and Introduction to Post-tonal Analysis | 3 |
| or MUS 702 | Advanced Seminar in Music Theory |
| MUS 750 | Graduate Musicology or Ethnomusicology Seminar | 3 |
| MUAP 696 | Graduate Lecture Recital | 2 |
| 7 |
| 18 |
| 14 |
| |
| |
| M.M. Applied Music Lesson (must be taken for a minimum of eight credit hours) | |
| Choral Literature I | |
| Choral Literature II | |
| |
| |
| M.M. Applied Music Lesson (must be taken for a minimum of eight credit hours) | |
| History and Literature of Wind Performance | |
| |
| Score and Literature Survey for Wind Conductors II | |
| |
| |
| |
| M.M. Applied Music Lesson (must be taken for a minimum of eight credit hours) | |
| Score and Literature Survey for Orchestral Conductors I | |
| Score and Literature Survey for Orchestral Conductors II | |
| 14 |
| Total Credits | 32 |
