Mar 29, 2024  
2012-2013 Graduate Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, MM


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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 and Research. The major fields are:

  1. Composition
  2. Conducting
  3. Performance
  4. Performance-pedagogy
  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: (15-21)
  • Other studies in music, including 3 credits in ensemble courses (course substitution for ensemble requirements for summer MM Education degree program) - Credits: (12-15)
  • Elective courses in supportive areas - Credits: (6-15)

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 - Canon and Fugue (3)

3. Other studies


Other studies in music should include a minimum of 3 credits in history or literature and 3 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 - Analytical Techniques II (3)

4. Other studies


Other studies in music should include a minimum of 3 credits in history or literature and 3 credits in theory.

5. As a thesis


As a thesis (MUS 700, 6 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 6 credits of thesis study. Vocal performance majors must also have MUS 536, MUS 537, and MUS 538,  plus one year each of college level French and German. Other selections:

3. Other studies


Other studies in music should include a minimum of 3 credits in history or literature and 3 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 6 credits of thesis study; 3 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 3 credits in history or literature and 3 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 - Studio Pedagogy (3)

3. Other studies


Other studies in music should include a minimum of 3 credits in history or literature and 3 credits in theory.

4. As a thesis


As a thesis (MUS 700, 6 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.

Graduate Cognate in Music


A graduate cognate in music lends more coherence to the cluster of courses students take beyond those required for the degree and offers more meaningful recognition for extra courses taken beyond the degree requirements.

Admission


Students who have been accepted into a graduate major in music may apply for admission to a graduate cognate in music after they arrive on campus. Admission to a cognate requires the following, in order:

  1. Acceptance for admission to CWU graduate program
  2. Acceptance for admission to a major graduate program in music (by audition/interview)
  3. Acceptance for admission to the graduate cognate by separate audition/interview This interview/admission will normally be conducted during the first quarter of enrollment or later. It is not part of the primary admission process so as to avoid confusion of initial advising and enrollment. Acceptance for admission is also dependent on space available in the area, to be determined by faculty in that area.

Guidelines


  1. Students are allowed one graduate cognate in music.
  2. Students accepted into a cognate will have an assigned advisor, but will not need to form a graduate committee for the cognate final project or recital. This advisor will be responsible for evaluating the culminating recital or project and will also be a member of the student’s graduate committee.
  3. Courses counted for the cognate must also be indicated on the course of study form, separate from general, specific and elective curricular requirements.
  4. Material and coursework covered in the cognate would be eligible for inclusion in the final examination, as approved by student’s major graduate committee chair.

Content


Students must take a minimum of 12 credits of courses approved by the cognate advisor in consultation with the major advisor, normally taken from those that apply to the corresponding major area, plus 1 credit of MUS 600, Graduate Cognate Project in the quarter the required culminating work is presented, above the 45 credits required for the master’s degree (totaling a minimum of 58 for the degree with major and cognate).

Subject Areas


Composition
Conducting
Performance
Performance-Pedagogy
Music Education
Music Theory
Music History

Individual Subject Area Requirements:


Composition


Students receive guided study in their own musical composition, culminating in the presentation of a musical composition or project in the field of composition.

MUS 523 - Advanced Composition (3)
MUS 600 - Graduate Cognate Project (1)
Approved Composition/Theory (6)

Normally, courses would be chosen from:
MUS 444 - Canon and Fugue (3)
MUS 522 - Advanced Orchestration (3)
MUS 523 - Advanced Composition (3)
MUS 547 - Electronic Music Composition (3)
MUS 584 - Choral Composition and Arranging I (3)
MUS 610 - Graduate Seminar in Music: Composer (1-3)
MUS 613 - Graduate Seminar in Music: Music Theory/Composition (1-3)
 

Conducting


Students are provided opportunities to hone their conducting skills, culminating in a project or public performance demonstrating progress in the student’s conducting experience.

Orchestration or arranging courses (3)
MUS 600 - Graduate Cognate Project (1)
Approved Conducting classes (9)
Student must take 3 credits of MUS 541.

Normally, courses would be chosen from:
MUS 440 - Analytical Techniques II (3)
MUS 522 - Advanced Orchestration (3)
MUS 540 - Choral Interpretation and Techniques (3)
MUS 541 - Advanced Conducting (3)
MUS 584 - Choral Composition and Arranging I (3)
MUS 615 - Graduate Seminar in Music: Conducting (1-3)

Performance


Students receive opportunities through applied study and performance experience to improve their performance skills on a primary instrument or voice, culminating in a public performance.

MUS 426 - Studio Literature (3)
Ensemble    (1)
    (Note: this credit is in addition to 3 credits required in all master’s degrees)
MUS 600 - Graduate Cognate Project     (1)
MUS 664 - Major Applied Area (Individual Instruction) Credits: (1, 2, 4)
     (Must be taken for 8 credits)

Performance-Pedagogy


Students receive opportunities to improve performance skills with additional emphasis on the pedagogy of the primary instrument or voice, culminating in an appropriate performance, project, or combination in lecture/demonstration.

MUS 425 - Studio Pedagogy    (3)
Ensemble    (1)
    (Note: this credit is in addition to 3 credits required in all master’s degrees)
MUS 600 - Graduate Cognate Project     (1)
MUS 664 - Major Applied Area (Individual Instruction) Credits: (1, 2, 4)
     (Must be taken for 8 credits.)

Music Education


Students are provided opportunities to study and conduct research in the field of music education in greater depth, culminating in an appropriate written document or project.

MUS 600 - Graduate Cognate Project     (1)
Approved Music Education classes    (12)
    Normally, courses would be chosen from:
MUS 560 - Instructional Development in Music Education (3)
MUS 582 - Instrumental Administration Techniques (3)
MUS 611 - Graduate Seminar in Music: Music Education Credits: (1-3)

Music Theory


Students are provided opportunities to study and conduct research in the field of music theory in greater depth, culminating in an appropriate written document or project.

MUS 600 - Graduate Cognate Project     (1)
Approved Music Theory classes    (12)
    Note: These credits are in addition to 3 credits required in all master’s degrees.
    Normally, courses would be chosen from:
MUS 444 - Canon and Fugue (3)
MUS 520 - Methods of Teaching
Theory (3)
MUS 522 - Advanced Orchestration (3)
MUS 547 - Electronic Music
Composition (3)
MUS 584 - Choral Composition and Arranging I (3)
MUS 610 - Graduate Seminar in Music: Composer Credits: (1-3)
MUS 613 - Graduate Seminar in Music: Music Theory/Composition (1-3)

Music History


Students are provided opportunities to study and conduct research in the field of music history in greater depth, culminating in an appropriate written document or project.

MUS 600 - Graduate Cognate Project     (1)
Approved Music History classes    (12)
    Normally courses would be chosen from:
MUS 570 - History of Vocal Art (3)
MUS 571 - History of Orchestra
Music (3)
MUS 572 - Music in the 20th Century (3)
MUS 573 - History of Opera (3)
MUS 575 - History of Chamber Music (3)
MUS 576 - History of Choral Music (3)
MUS 579 - Aesthetics of Music (3)
MUS 610 - Graduate Seminar in Music: Composer (1-3)
MUS 612 - Graduate Seminar in Music: Music History/Literature (1-3)
 

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