Graduate Degree

Music Performance - Master of Music

Program:
Music Performance - Master of Music
Plan Code:
MUSPF_MMUS
Program Level:
Graduate
Award Type:
Master of Music
College:
College of Music
Department:
Music


Excerpt from the official Academic Programs Catalog:

Listed below are the approved requirements for the program from the official Academic Programs Catalog.
Students must consult their advisors to learn which specific requirements apply to their degree programs.


College of Music

Graduate Study

Music Performance - Master of Music

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Music students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

When applying for admission to the Master of Music degree program in music performance, an applicant must specify one of the following three broad performance areas that they wish to pursue:  instrumental music, instrumental specialist, or vocal music.

An applicant who selects the instrumental music area must also specify the major instrument or group of instruments (e.g., piano, harp, flute, or percussion instruments) from the categories listed below:

Brass and Percussion: trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion
Keyboard: piano
Stringed instruments: harp, violin, viola, cello, double bass
Woodwinds: flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon

An applicant who selects the instrumental specialist area must also specify one of the following three major specialties:  brass instruments specialist, stringed instruments specialist, or woodwind instruments specialist.  An applicant who selects brass instruments specialist must specify the major brass instrument and two secondary brass instruments.  An applicant who selects stringed instruments specialist must specify the major stringed instrument and one secondary stringed instrument.  An applicant who selects woodwind instruments specialist must specify the major woodwind instrument and three secondary woodwind instruments. (Refer to the categories listed above.)

To be considered for admission to the Master of Music degree program in music performance, an applicant must present a live performance audition before a committee of faculty in the applicant's broad performance area. For an applicant who has a Bachelor of Music degree in music performance from Michigan State University, the live performance audition may be waived at the discretion of the faculty in the applicant's major area. With the approval of the faculty in an applicant's major area, an applicant may be considered for admission to the program on the basis of a high–quality recording of a recent performance, rather than on the basis of a live performance audition.  An applicant who selects the instrumental music, instrumental specialist, or vocal music area must submit either an audio or a video recording. An applicant who submits a recording may be admitted only on provisional status pending the presentation of a live performance audition before a faculty committee in the applicant's broad performance area.  The audition must be presented before the end of the first semester of enrollment in the program and must meet the requirements that are specified below.

The requirements for the audition are specified below:
  1. instrumental music:  The audition must be on the major instrument or group of instruments that the applicant specifies.
  2. instrumental specialist: 
    1. brass instruments specialist:  The audition must be on the major brass instrument and on the two secondary brass instruments that the applicant specifies.  If trombone is not the major instrument, it must be one of the secondary instruments.
    2. stringed instruments specialist:  The audition must be on the major stringed instrument and on the secondary stringed instrument that the applicant specifies.  If the major instrument is violin or viola, the secondary instrument must be cello or double bass.  If the major instrument is cello or double bass, the secondary instrument must be violin or viola.
    3. woodwind instruments specialist:  The audition must be on the major woodwind instrument and on one of the three secondary woodwind instruments that the applicant specifies.
  3. vocal music:  The audition must be in voice.
To schedule an audition, an applicant should contact the College of Music Admissions Office.
To be admitted to the Master of Music degree program in music performance on regular status, an applicant must have:
  1. A bachelor's degree in music performance from a recognized educational institution, or have completed the courses in music performance that are required for the Bachelor of Music degree in music performance from Michigan State University or their equivalents.
  2. Presented a live performance audition that was acceptable to the committee of faculty in the broad performance area.
Requirements for the Master of Music Degree in Music Performance

The student must meet the requirements for one of the following three broad areas of music performance:  instrumental music, instrumental specialist, or vocal music.

Instrumental Music

The student must meet the requirements for one of the following five major areas of instrumental music:  piano, brass instruments, stringed instruments, woodwind instruments, or percussion instruments:

1. Piano
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis).  A total of 30 credits is required for the degree.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:
a. Complete the following course (14 credits):
MUS 896 Master's Recital Performance 14
These credits must include at least 6 credits of instruction in piano (1 to 2 credits for each of four semesters), 4 credits of piano performance (1 credit for each of four semesters), and 4 credits of instruction in chamber music (1 credit for each of four semesters).
b. Complete 6 credits in musicology at the 400-level or above and two courses in music theory (4 to 6 credits) at the 400-level or above. (10 to 12 credits)
c. Complete 4 to 6 credits of elective courses in music at the 400-level or above, exclusive of additional credits in MUS 896.
d. Perform a piano recital under the guidance of the student’s applied music instructor and approved by a committee from the piano area in a pre-recital hearing. A recording of the recital must be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and will be retained by the College as part of the permanent degree record.
e. Complete the final oral certifying examination administered by a committee consisting of the student’s applied music instructor, another member from the piano area, and a faculty member from either the music theory or musicology area.
2. Brass Instruments
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis).  A total of 30 credits is required for the degree.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:
a. Complete the following course (14 credits):
MUS 896 Master's Recital Performance 14
These credits must include at least 6 credits of instruction in the major instrument (1 to 2 credits for each of four semesters), 4 credits of major ensemble (1 credit for each of four semesters), and 4 credits of instruction in chamber music (1 credit for each of four semesters).
b. Complete 6 credits in musicology at the 400-level or above and two courses in musicology (4 to 6 credits) at the 400-level or above. (10 to 12 credits)
c. Complete 4 to 6 credits of elective courses in music at the 400-level or above, exclusive of additional credits in MUS 896.
d. Perform a recital on the student’s major instrument under the guidance of the student’s applied music instructor and approved by a committee from the brass area in a pre-recital hearing. A recording of the recital must be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and will be retained by the College as part of the permanent degree record.
e. Complete the final oral certifying examination administered by a committee consisting of the student’s applied music instructor, another member from the brass area, and a faculty member from either the music theory or musicology area.
3. Stringed Instruments
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis).  A total of 30 credits is required for the degree.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:
a. Complete the following courses (14 credits):
MUS 896 Master's Recital Performance 14
These credits must include at least 6 credits of instruction in the major instrument (1 to 2 credits for each of four semesters), 4 credits of major ensemble (1 credit for each of four semesters), and 4 credits of instruction in chamber music (1 credit for each of four semesters).
b. Complete 6 credits in musicology at the 400-level or above and two courses in music theory (4 to 6 credits) at the 400-level or above. (10 to 12 credits)
c. Complete 4 to 6 credits of elective courses in music at the 400-level or above, exclusive of additional credits in MUS 896.
d. Perform a recital on the student’s major instrument under the guidance of the student’s applied music instructor and approved by a committee from the string area in a pre-recital hearing. A recording of the recital must be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and will be retained by the College as part of the permanent degree record.
e. Complete the final oral certifying examination administered by a committee consisting of the student’s applied music instructor, another member from the string area, and a faculty member from either the music theory or musicology area.
4. Woodwind Instruments
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis).  A total of 30 credits is required for the degree.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:
a. Complete the following course (14 credits):
MUS 896 Master's Recital Performance 14
These credits must include at least 6 credits of instruction in the major instrument (1 to 2 credits for each of four semesters), 4 credits of major ensemble (1 credit for each of four semesters), and 4 credits of instruction in chamber music (1 credit for each of four semesters).
b. Complete 6 credits in musicology at the 400-level or above and two courses in music theory (4 to 6 credits) at the 400-level or above. (10 to 12 credits)
c. Complete 4 to 6 credits of elective courses in music at the 400-level or above, exclusive of additional credits in MUS 896.
d. Perform a recital on the student’s major instrument under the guidance of the student’s applied music instructor and approved by a committee from the woodwind area in a pre-recital hearing. A recording of the recital must be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and will be retained by the College as part of the permanent degree record.
e. Complete the final oral certifying examination administered by a committee consisting of the student’s applied music instructor, another member from the woodwind area, and a faculty member from either the music theory or musicology area.
5. Percussion Instruments
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis).  A total of 30 credits is required for the degree.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:
a. Complete the following course (14 credits):
MUS 896 Master's Recital Performance 14
These credits must include at least 6 credits of instruction in the major instrument (1 to 2 credits for each of four semesters), 4 credits of major ensemble (1 credit for each of four semesters), and 4 credits of instruction in chamber music (1 credit for each of four semesters).
b. Complete 6 credits in musicology at the 400-level or above and two courses in music theory (4 to 6 credits) at the 400-level or above. (10 to 12 credits)
c. Complete 4 to 6 credits of elective courses in music at the 400-level or above, exclusive of additional credits in MUS 896.
d. Perform a percussion recital under the guidance of the student’s applied music instructor and approved by a committee from the percussion area in a pre-recital hearing. A recording of the recital must be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and will be retained by the College as part of the permanent degree record.
e. Complete the final oral certifying examination administered by a committee consisting of the student’s applied music instructor, another member from the percussion area, and a faculty member from either the music theory or musicology area.
Instrumental Specialist
The student must meet the requirements for one of the following three major specialties:  brass instruments specialist, stringed instruments specialist, or woodwind instruments specialist
1. Brass Instruments Specialist
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis).  A total of 30 credits is required for the degree.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:
a. Complete both of the following courses (16 credits):
MUS 847 Secondary or Specialist Emphasis:  Brass 2
MUS 896 Master's Recital Performance 14
Each of the 2 credits of MUS 847 is associated with instruction in one of the student's two required secondary instruments. The 14 credits of MUS 896 must include at least 6 credits of instruction in the major instrument (1 to 2 credits for each of four semesters), 4 credits of major ensemble (1 credit for each of four semesters), and 4 credits of instruction in chamber music (1 credit for each of four semesters).
b. Complete 6 credits in musicology at the 400-level or above and two courses in music theory (4 to 6 credits) at the 400-level or above. (10 to 12 credits)
c. Complete 2 to 4 credits of elective courses in music at the 400-level or above, exclusive of additional credits in MUS 896.
d. Present a performance on each of the student's two required secondary instruments.  The performance must be acceptable to a committee of faculty in the area of brass instruments.
e. Perform a recital on the student’s primary instrument under the guidance of the student’s applied music instructor and approved by a committee from the brass area in a pre-recital hearing. A recording of the recital must be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and will be retained by the College as part of the permanent degree record.
f. Complete the final oral certifying examination administered by a committee consisting of the student’s applied music instructor, another member from the brass area, and a faculty member from either the music theory or musicology area.
2. Stringed Instruments Specialist
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis).  A total of 30 credits is required for the degree.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:
a. Complete both of the following courses (15 credits):
MUS 846 Secondary or Specialist Emphasis:  String 1
MUS 896 Master's Recital Performance 14
The credit of MUS 846 is associated with instruction in the student's required secondary instrument. The 14 credits of MUS 896 must include at least 6 credits of instruction in the major instrument (1 to 2 credits for each of four semesters), 4 credits of major ensemble (1 credit for each of four semesters), and 4 credits of instruction in chamber music (1 credit for each of four semesters).
b. Complete 6 credits in musicology at the 400-level or above and two courses in music theory (4 to 6 credits) at the 400-level or above. (10 to 12 credits)
c. Complete 3 to 5 credits of elective courses in music at the 400-level or above, exclusive of additional credits in MUS 896.
d. Present a performance on the student's required secondary instrument. The performance must be acceptable to a committee of faculty in the area of stringed instruments.
e. Perform a recital on the student’s primary instrument under the guidance of the student’s applied music instructor and approved by a committee from the string area in a pre-recital hearing. A recording of the recital must be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and will be retained by the College as part of the permanent degree recording.
f. Complete the final oral certifying examination administered by a committee consisting of the student’s applied music instructor, another member from the string area, and a faculty member from either the music theory or musicology area.
3. Woodwind Instruments Specialist
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis).  A total of 30 credits is required for the degree.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:
a. Complete both of the following courses (17 credits):
MUS 848 Secondary or Specialist Emphasis:  Woodwind 3
MUS 896 Master's Recital Performance 14
Each of the 3 credits of MUS 848 is associated with instruction in one of the student's three required secondary instruments. The 14 credits of MUS 896 must include at least 6 credits of instruction in the major instrument (1 to 2 credits for each of four semesters), 4 credits of major ensemble (1 credit for each of four semesters), and 4 credits of instruction in chamber music (1 credit for each of four semesters).
b. Complete 6 credits in musicology at the 400-level or above and two courses in music theory (4 to 6 credits) at the 400-level or above. (10 to 12 credits)
c. Complete 1 to 3 credits of elective courses in music at the 400-level or above, exclusive of additional credits in MUS 896.
d. Present a performance on each of the student's three required secondary instruments.  Each of the three performances must be acceptable to a committee of faculty in the area of woodwind instruments.
e. Perform a recital on the student’s primary instrument under the guidance of the student’s applied music instructor and approved by a committee from the woodwind area in a pre-recital hearing. A recording of the recital must be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and will be retained by the College as part of the permanent degree recording.
f. Complete the final oral certifying examination administered by a committee consisting of the student’s applied music instructor, another member from the woodwind area, and a faculty member from either the music theory or musicology area.
Vocal Music
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis).  A total of 30 credits is required for the degree.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:
1. Complete both of the following courses (11 credits):
MUS 435 Opera Theatre 1
MUS 896 Master's Recital Performance 10
The credits of MUS 896 must include at least 8 credits of instruction in voice (2 credits for each of four semesters) and 2 credits of major ensemble (1 credit each of two semesters)
2. Complete 6 credits in musicology at the 400-level or above and two courses in music theory (4 to 6 credits) at the 400-level or above. (10 to 12 credits)
3. Complete 7 to 9 credits of elective courses in music at the 400-level or above, exclusive of additional credits in MUS 896.
4. Complete one semester of study each in French, German, and Italian. Credits in courses in a foreign language may not be counted toward the requirements for the Master of Music degree. Courses completed as part of an undergraduate degree program may be used to satisfy this requirement.
5. Perform a vocal recital under the guidance of the student’s applied music instructor and approved by a committee from the vocal arts area in a pre-recital hearing. A recording of the recital must be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and will be retained by the College as part of the permanent degree recording.
6. Complete the final oral certifying examination administered by a committee consisting of the student’s applied music instructor, another member from the vocal arts area, and a faculty member from either the music theory or musicology area.