Mar 29, 2024  
2019-20 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-20 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, Performance Specialization, M.M.


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Paul West Osterfield, Program Director
(615) 898-5293
paul.osterfield@mtsu.edu

The School of Music offers a Master of Music degree with specializations in collaborative piano, conducting, jazz studies, music composition, music composition for contemporary media, music education, musicology, and performance.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements


Admission to the Master of Music degree program requires

  1. an earned bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited university or college;
  2. an acceptable grade point average in all college work taken (at least 3.00).

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must

  1. submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
  2. submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
  3. submit three letters of recommendation.

Additionally, those seeking a specialization in performance must complete an audition. Applicants who do not pass the audition may be allowed, at the discretion of the faculty, to be admitted with probationary status for one semester and must register for MUAP 5020 - Private Instruction . They must re-audition at the end of their first semester of study. Students who do not pass the audition on their second attempt will be excused from the program.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Music degree in Music with a specialization in performance requires completion of a minimum of 32 semester hours.

Candidates must

  1. complete the curriculum with 70 percent of the total degree hours at the 6000 level (see Curriculum section below for specifics);
  2. successfully complete both written and oral comprehensive examinations no earlier than the student’s last semester of study. Comprehensive examinations may be repeated once.

Additionally, those with a specialization in performance must establish proficiencies in music history and music theory.* Vocalists must also establish proficiency in diction and in two languages from among French, German, and Italian.

*NOTE: Diagnostic examinations in music theory, music history, and diction will be scheduled during the first week of the first semester of study. Students who do not pass the diagnostic examinations should consult with the graduate coordinator to plan how to meet the requirements. Additional courses may be required to satisfy these proficiency requirements.

Curriculum: Music, Performance


The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.

Core Courses (9 hours)


Specialization Courses (20 hours)


  • MUAP 668_  - Private Instruction, 3 credit hours
  • MUAP 669_ - Private Instruction, 3 credit hours
  • MUAP 670_  - Private Instruction, 3 credit hours
  • 3 credit hours
  • Two ensembles, 1 credit hour each, 2 credit hours
  • Music literature courses 6 credit hours

Elective Courses (3 hours)


Proficiency Courses Determined by Placement Examination (0-14 hours)


Either or both of these courses may be required based on the results of the student’s diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory:

Additional Study


For vocalists only: In addition, the equivalent of one year of foreign language study in two of Italian, German, and French must be demonstrated. To satisfy this proficiency, up to four of the following courses may be required:

  • ITAL 1010 - Elementary Italian I 3 credit hours
  • ITAL 1020 - Elementary Italian II 3 credit hours
  • GERM 1010 - Elementary German I 3 credit hours
  • GERM 1020 -  Elementary German II 3 credit hours
  • FREN 1010 - Elementary French I 3 credit hours
  • FREN 1020 - Elementary French II 3 credit hours

For vocalists only: Furthermore, based on the student’s diagnostic examination in diction, up to four of the following courses may be required:

  • MUPD 2180 - Diction for Singers I 2 credit hours
  • MUPD 2190 - Diction for Singers II 2 credit hours
  • MUPD 2200 - Diction for Singers III 2 credit hours
  • MUPD 2210 - Diction for Singers IV 2 credit hours

Program Notes


Candidate must

  1. file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior to entry into the program;
  2. file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.

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