Music, MM

Location(s): Main Campus

The Department of Music offers graduate studies leading to the Master of Music (MM) degree. Our program strives to train professionally-oriented students for careers in music performance, composition, music history and music theory. Masters students will have many opportunities to grow as musicians via specially designed courses, opportunities to participate in various ensembles and student concerts, workshops, master classes, and other hands-on methods of musical performance and instruction. In the MM degree, the field of specialization may be collaborative piano, composition, conducting, instrumental performance, music history, opera or vocal performance.

Admission Requirements

All students entering the MM program must satisfy the general conditions for admission as stated in the University Bulletin.

Students applying for the MM program in composition or music history should submit examples of their recent work and arrange for a personal interview. Students applying for the MM program in all other performance areas are expected to arrange for an audition and should submit a pre-audition tape exemplifying recent performance capabilities.

Program Requirements

Placement Examination

Upon admission to the graduate program, students are expected to demonstrate levels of achievement in music history and theory equivalent to those for the baccalaureate degree with a major in music. Proficiency is determined by written placement examinations normally given each semester during the week preceding the beginning of classes. The results are used for diagnostic and advisory purposes; students may be required to do remedial work before taking specified graduate courses.

Evaluation

All MM degree candidates are reviewed at the end of each semester of study. Continuation in the program of specialization is contingent on satisfactory academic progress, as well as satisfactory artistic progress as judged by a committee of faculty experts in, or appropriate to, the candidate’s discipline.

Course Requirements (except Opera Specialization)

Students pursuing the MM in Music must complete 32 credits of graduate coursework with a grade of at least a B average, which includes:

MUS 599 - Thesis

Course Requirements (Specialization in Opera)

Offered by the University in collaboration with the Tri-Cities Opera, the program with the specialization in opera is generally a two-year program of professional training in preparation for an operatic career. A minimum of 36 graduate credits in music, with at least a B average must be completed, which includes:

Notes:

* A student who demonstrates theory and musicianship competencies through the theory diagnostic examination will be able to apply those two credits to electives.

** These courses are offered in a rotating, four-semester sequence.

Music History Specialization Additional Requirements

All music history candidates must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one foreign language (German or one romance language). Proficiency is demonstrated by translating a passage from a reading in the field of music, chosen by the music history faculty.

Students must also demonstrate piano proficiency by the ability to play a Bach chorale or an equivalent musical passage.

Comphrehensive Examinations

All MM students are required to take comprehensive examinations during their program of study, prior to graduation. The examinations consist of two components: an oral examination by a faculty committee and a listening examination.

Thesis

All thesis recitals and roles must be approved in advance by the graduate committee and the performance be judged satisfactory by a thesis committee, consisting of the principal advisor(s) and two other faculty members.

Candidates in collaborative piano music present a graduating recital, for which at least half of the music must be newly prepared, i.e., not having been played previously for any other student’s recital. There must also be a mixture of instrumental and vocal repertoire.

Candidates in composition must submit a portfolio containing at least two substantial compositions; acceptability is judged by the thesis committee, consisting of the principal advisor and two other faculty members.

Candidates in conducting must conduct, in public performances, one substantial work (or concert segment) with a major ensemble and at least two additional appropriate performances.

Candidates in instrumental performance must present two recitals (minimum 45 minutes of music per recital), one of which must include chamber music.

Candidates in vocal performance must present at least 60 minutes of public performance in which the performer is a soloist. This must include a full-length (i.e., 45 minutes of music) recital, and other performances, which may include the following or their equivalent: A half- or full-length recital, a role in a fully staged opera production, a solo in an oratorio, or a performance of chamber music where the performer has a role as a soloist.

Candidates in music history must submit an acceptable written thesis that demonstrates knowledge of appropriate research techniques. Acceptability of the thesis is judged by a thesis committee consisting of the principal advisor and two other faculty members, and an oral defense of the thesis must be made before the same committee.

Candidates whose field of specialization is opera must perform either one leading/featured role or two supporting roles (according to AGMA’s Schedule C) in fully staged opera productions. In addition, opera majors must present a full-length (i.e., 45 minutes of music) recital.

Additional Information About the Program

For more information on the Music MM program, please refer to the Music website. To apply to the Music MM program, please visit the University Admissions website.