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Conducting - M.M.

Take your music conducting skills to the next level with our Master of Music degree. Designed for teachers of music ensemble programs, professional church musicians and pre-professionals, our program prepares you for a career in high school or college teaching, conducting positions or doctoral studies.

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www.kent.edu/music

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Master of Music in Conducting – M.M.

Kent State University’s Master of Music in Conducting provides targeted education in conducting studies. Concentrate in Choral, Orchestral and Wind Band conducting. This program offers career benefits for students looking to specialize in conducting.

Graduate Audition Information Graduate Assistantship Information

Experiential Learning and Mentorship

Work closely with faculty mentors who are active conductors and scholars.

TIME ON THE PODIUM

  • Each area accepts a limited number of graduate conducting students, allowing for significant time on the podium in both rehearsal and performance.
  • Guided by their faculty mentors, past graduate students have conducted the Kent State University Orchestra, Kent Chorale, Kent Wind Ensemble, Kent Symphony Band, Community Band, Men's and Women's Choruses, Kent State Opera and more.

PRIVATE LESSONS, COURSES AND SEMINARS

  • Graduate conducting students also work with their faculty mentors one-on-one to hone in on gesture, score study and preparation, and rehearsal techniques.
  • Performance pedagogy and historical practice are also covered.
  • A survey of literature appropriate to the student’s concentration is required.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

  • Culturally rich Northeast Ohio offers young conductors the opportunity to work with the many bands, choirs and orchestras that call the region home.
  • Many conducting students choose to participate in additional choral or instrumental ensembles.
  • Conducting students may also audition to take applied voice or instrumental lessons. 

Program Information for Conducting - M.M.

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Music degree in Conducting is designed for current teachers of middle, junior and senior high school music ensemble programs; for professional church musicians; and for pre-professionals, including students continuing after completing undergraduate degrees. The program prepares post-undergraduate students for such paths as high school or college teaching, conducting positions and doctorates in conducting.

The M.M. degree in Conducting emphasizes development of skills, knowledge and background in the following areas: literature and repertoire; conducting technique; rehearsal technique; score study; choral and/or instrumental performance pedagogy; historical performance practices; interpretation and expression.

Admissions for Conducting - M.M.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Audition
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 50 PTE score
    • Minimum 100 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Summer Term
    • Rolling admissions
Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  1. Recognize, identify, interpret and conduct representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
  2. Demonstrate and apply advanced conducting techniques, including baton technique, use of hands/arms, facial expressions and body language.
  3. Plan and execute an efficient and productive rehearsal, including managing time, setting achievable goals, detecting and correcting errors and providing motivation and inspiration for expressive performance and focused work ethic.
  4. Utilize and discuss score study techniques such as keyboard score reading, transposition of instruments, instrumental/vocal score order, compositional structure, analysis of chord and melodic structures and audiation skills.
  5. Identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy appropriate to the specific vocal or instrumental area of study.
  6. Identify, associate, differentiate and utilize performance practices appropriate to the literature of the various stylistic periods.
  7. Display interpretation and expression in music through discussion in conducting lessons, explanation in rehearsals and demonstration in rehearsal and performance settings through conducting gestures and the resulting musical product.
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
MUS 62411MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH METHODS 2
Music (MUS) 55000-Level Ensemble Electives 14
Conducting Projects Electives, choose from the following: 28
MUS 64111
CONDUCTING PROJECTS:CHORAL
MUS 64121
CONDUCTING PROJECTS:BAND
MUS 64131
CONDUCTING PROJECTS:ORCHESTRA
Music Theory Requirement, choose from the following: 33
MUS 51141
16TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 51151
18TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 61131
SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS
MUS 61174
ANALYSIS OF WESTERN ART MUSIC
MUS 61181
POST-TONAL THEORY
MUS 61191
SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900
Music History Elective, choose from the following:3
MUS 52131
MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
MUS 52161
HISTORY OF JAZZ
MUS 52181
POPULAR WORLD MUSIC
MUS 62171
MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES
MUS 62281
SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Music Theory or Music History Elective, choose from the following: 43
Music Theory Electives
MUS 51141
16TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 51151
18TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 61131
SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS
MUS 61181
POST-TONAL THEORY
MUS 61191
SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900
Music History Electives
MUS 52131
MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
MUS 52161
HISTORY OF JAZZ
MUS 52181
POPULAR WORLD MUSIC
MUS 62171
MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES
MUS 62281
SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Culminating Requirement
MUS 68687RECITAL 1
Concentration Requirements
Choose from the following6
Choral Conducting Concentration
Orchestra Conducting Concentration
Wind Band Conducting Concentration
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
1

Students who elect the Choral Concentration must enroll for a minimum of 4 credit hours of major choral ensemble, to include a minimum of two semesters of MUS 55141.

2

Specific course numbers vary depending on concentration.

3

Selection of music theory course is based on students' result from the theory placement exam. In the case of the exam results placing a student into MUS 51011 and/or MUS 51012, these courses will not count towards the M.M. degree and must be taken in addition to the music theory requirements.

4

Students must select at least two 60000-level music theory or music history courses, overall, for the program. Substitutions can be considered with advisor approval.

Choral Conducting Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
MUS 52271CHORAL LITERATURE I 3
MUS 52272CHORAL LITERATURE II 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:6

Orchestra Conducting Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
MUS 51321ORCHESTRATION 3
MUS 52221SYMPHONIC LITERATURE 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:6

Wind Band Conducting Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
MUS 62227HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF THE WIND BAND 3
Concentration Elective, choose from the following:2-3
MUS 51321
ORCHESTRATION
MUS 61331
BAND ARRANGING
MUS 63262
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TEACHING INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
MUS 63272
LEARNING THEORIES IN MUSIC
MUS 63273
PSYCHOLOGY OF MUSIC
Music (MUS) Graduate Elective 10-1
Minimum Total Credit Hours:6
1

Students selecting elective MUS 61331 will need to select a 1 credit hour music (MUS) elective with advisor approval to meet minimum 6 credit hours for the concentration.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation for Conducting - M.M.

National Association of Schools of Music

Conducting

Graduate Requirements

Band: 

  • To be considered as a candidate, applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a 15-20 minute conducting video prior to February 1.
  • The Director of Bands will notify applicants if they are invited to audition.  
  • Applicants who attend the “Kent Wind Band Conductor’s Symposium” are not required to submit video.
  • Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in music. 
  • Preference will be given to those with public school teaching experience. 
  • An on-campus audition is required.
  • Please contact Dr. Benjamin Lorenzo, at blorenz1@kent.edu for more information. 

Choral: 

  • To be considered as a candidate, applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and 20-minute choral conducting video prior to February 1. The video should include both rehearsal and performance footage. If possible, the conductor should be facing the camera.
  • The Director of Choral Activities will notify candidates if they are invited to audition.
  • Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in music.
  • An on-campus audition and interview is required.
  • Please contact Dr. Matthew Swope, Director of Choral Activities, at mswope6@kent.edu for additional information.

Orchestra: 

  • To be considered as a candidate, applicants must submit a 30-45 minute video recording (or links to online videos) of conducting, including (if possible) rehearsal footage from the perspective of the orchestra. 
  • The Director of Orchestras will then notify candidates if they are invited to audition. 
  • An on-campus audition and interview will then be arranged.
  • Please contact Dr. Jungho Kim, Director of Orchestra, at jkim73@kent.edu for more information. 
Graduate Assistantships

We offer graduate assistantships in applied music performance, conducting, music education, string quartet and theory. Appointments begin August of the academic year.  

STIPEND, TUITION WAIVER AND APPOINTMENT DETAILS

Stipend

  • All graduate assistantships (Master’s and Ph.D.) carry a stipend.
  • Ranges: $5,500-$16,000, depending on workload and degree level.

Tuition Waiver

  • Master’s Students: 9 credits per semester
  • Ph.D. Students: 9 credits per semester

Appointment

  • Graduate assistantship duties are assigned as appropriate for the student’s area of study or expertise.  
  • Workload: 10-20 hours a week depending on workload and degree level.

TO BE CONSIDERED

Indicate your Graduate Assistantship interest on the Graduate Studies Application.

Performance or Conducting Applicants

GRADUATE AUDITION INFORMATION

Audition Options

  • Virtual Audition
    • Select "I wish to submit a recorded audition."
    • Follow the instructions for completing your recorded audition, making sure to follow the repertoire requirements for your performance medium (voice/instrument).
  • In-person (preferred):
    • Select from the dates listed.
    • -OR-
    • Select "I am unable to attend a date listed above but wish to do an in-person audition. I will contact the School to set-up a separate date."

Click here to review your audition requirements.

Music Education and Composition

Please arrange for an interview with faculty in your area of study.

Priority Assistantship Consideration | February 19

For full consideration, application materials must be received and the audition/interview completed by February 19. However, we encourage students to complete their application and audition as early as possible.

If you are interested in a Graduate Assistantship, please indicate as such on the Graduate Studies Application.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT

Dr. Matthew Holm
Graduate Studies Coordinator
mholm2@kent.edu | 330-672-2522

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Conducting - M.M.

Those who complete the Master of Music in Conducting at Kent State University can benefit from specialized career opportunities in conducting.

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

5.6%

faster than the average

116,300

number of jobs

$69,690

potential earnings

Music directors and composers

1.7%

slower than the average

58,000

number of jobs

$52,250

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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