Mar 19, 2024  
2009-2010 Graduate Catalog 
    
2009-2010 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, M.M.


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The Master of Music curriculum is designed to provide opportunity for depth of study in an area of specialization, to increase professional competence in teaching and performance, and to prepare for continued self-directed study or advanced graduate study.
Program. All candidates shall complete at least 45 credits as delineated in an approved course of study filed with the Office of Graduate Studies, Research and Continuing Education. The major fields are

  1. composition;
  2. conducting; 
  3. performance; 
  4. performance-pedagogy; and
  5. music education.

At least one-third of the total credit requirements must be in the major field, including six credits of thesis; one-third in other music courses, including three credits of ensemble and three credits of MUS 521 (Methods of Musical Research); and one-third may be elective courses in supportive areas from any discipline. At least 25 credits applied toward the degree must be at the 500 level or above. Students are expected to plan their program with a graduate advisor and committee.

After meeting minimum criteria for admission into a specific master’s degree for each major, candidates must take diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory at the beginning of their first quarter of graduate study. In addition, non-performance majors must also demonstrate a level of musicianship equal to what would be considered appropriate for 300 level study. Students may demonstrate this level of musicianship in several ways, appropriate to the desired degree program or deemed appropriate by the evaluating committee after consultation with the student. Examples include a performance audition in an applied area or conducting (live or taped), a videotape or audiotape of a performance directed by the applicant, or a videotape of a music lesson or class taught by the applicant. Deficiencies in any of the above will be delineated to the student by the faculty along with recommendations for remediation. These recommendations may take the form of, but are not limited to, coursework, selected readings, and applied study. It is the candidate’s responsibility to demonstrate the successful satisfaction of any deficiency. No Master of Music degree will be awarded until these appraisals have been passed. The music department recommends that the candidate attempt to satisfy these entrance appraisals at the earliest opportunity.

Admission Requirements. In addition to general regulations for admission to
the master’s program, the following requirements apply to the Master of Music degree:

  1. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a major in music or its equivalent.
  2. Acceptance into a specific major field will require an evaluation of a candidate’s ability  conducted by a committee of three faculty members, two of whom will be from the particular major field. Normally one of these two will serve as the candidate’s graduate advisor, and the committee as a whole may serve as the candidate’s graduate committee. Admission into the institution does not assure admission into a music program. Therefore, candidates should complete the specific requirements for major fields before arrival on campus, but no later than the end of the first quarter.
  3. For admission requirements to each field, see section one in each field entry under specific requirements for major fields.

 

General Requirements


  • Courses in major field, including MUS 700, Thesis Credits: (15 to 21)
  • Other studies in music, including 3 credits in ensemble courses Credits: (12 to 15)
  • Elective courses in supportive areas Credits: (6 to 15)

Total Credits: 45


Specific Requirements for Major Fields:


A. Composition


1. Admission


Admission to this program will be based upon an evaluation of appropriate compositions submitted by the student.

2. Courses in the major field: select from


  • MUS 444

3. Other studies


Other studies in music should include a minimum of three credits in history or literature and three credits in theory.

4. The thesis


The thesis (MUS 700, 6 credits) will be an original composition of a level appropriate as a final project and a covering paper. Normally this paper will be based on the thesis composition.

B. Conducting


1. Admission


Admission to this program will require faculty evaluation of evidence of an appropriate level of musicianship, satisfied in one of the following ways:

  1. a performance or conducting audition
  2. a videotape of a performance directed by the applicant
  3. other evidence deemed appropriate in consultation with the evaluating committee.

2. This program will require a one-year residency prior to graduation.


Candidates will work under the direct supervision of one of the three conductors of the major performance ensembles (Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Choir) during each quarter in residence. The students will be encouraged to work in all three areas whenever possible.

3. Courses in the major field: select from


  • MUS 440
  • MUS 441

4. Other studies


Other studies in music should include a minimum of three credits in history or literature and three credits in theory.

5. As a thesis


As a thesis (MUS 700, six credits) the student will conduct a public performance and submit a covering paper. Normally this paper will be based on the works conducted.

C. Performance


1. Admission


Admission to this program will be based upon an evaluation of an audition equivalent in scope to at least one-half of a full baccalaureate recital.

2. Courses in the major field:


A minimum of 12 credits of major applied instruction, MUS 664, in addition to the six credits of thesis study. Vocal performance majors must also have MUS 536 plus one year each of college level French and German. Other selections:

3. Other studies


Other studies in music should include a minimum of three credits in history or literature and three credits in theory.

4. As a thesis


As a thesis (MUS 700, 6 credits) the student will present a full public recital and submit a covering paper. Normally this paper will be based on the works presented on the recital.

D. Performance-Pedagogy


1. Admission


Admission to this program will be based upon an evaluation of an audition equivalent in scope to at least one-half of a full baccalaureate recital, and evaluation of a paper written for an undergraduate class in the field of music instruction.

2. Courses in the major field:


A minimum of 12 credits of individual instruction, MUS 664, in addition to the six credits of thesis study; three credits in MUS 425. Other courses as advised. Additional requirements for vocal majors as in the performance major.

  • MUS 425 Credits: (3)

3. Other studies


Other studies in music should include a minimum of three credits in history or literature and three credits in theory.

4. As a thesis


As a thesis (MUS 700, 6 credits) the student will present either:

  1. a demonstration project, a research paper or a covering paper based on the project and one-half of a public recital.
    OR
  2. a demonstration project, one-half of a public recital and a covering paper based on the works presented on the recital.
    OR
  3. a research paper and one-half of a public recital.

E. Music Education


1. Admission


Admission to this program will be based upon:

  1. evaluation of an undergraduate paper in the field of music education.
  2. the completion of a least one year of successful public school music instruction (under a special request made by the entering student, this requirement may be waived by the music education committee).
  3. evidence of an appropriate level of musicianship, satisfied in one of the following ways:
    1) a performance audition
    2) a videotape or audiotape of a performance directed by the applicant
    3) a videotape of a music lesson or class taught by the applicant
    4) other evidence deemed appropriate in consultation with the evaluating committee.

2. Courses


Courses in the major field should include those that enable students to understand and evaluate research in music education: select from

  • MUS 425

3. Other studies


Other studies in music should include a minimum of three credits in history or literature and three credits in theory.

4. As a thesis


As a thesis (MUS 700, six credits), the student will present either

  1. a research thesis.
    OR
  2. a demonstration, analytical or creative project and a covering paper based on the project.

Final Examination


All students must pass a comprehensive final examination, oral, or written and oral, based on their coursework and the thesis. Before the Final Examination can be scheduled, students must have:

  1. satisfied any recommendations made to correct deficiencies revealed by the diagnostic exams.
  2. completed and submitted the written portion of the thesis.

According to University policy, an application for the final examination, approved by the student’s graduate committee, must be filed in the Graduate Office at least three weeks in advance of the examination. This application has several specific parts to it, so early acquisition and completion of this form is strongly recommended. Consult the Graduate Office for any and all appropriate deadline dates.

For more details about Graduate Studies in Music, see the Department of Music’s Handbook for Graduate Studies available 0n-line at the department Website: www.cwu.edu/~music.

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