Performance - M.M.

Full Description

The Master of Music degree in Performance is designed to prepare the student for professional music activities, including solo performance, orchestral playing, ensemble playing, collaborative performance, studio teaching; as well as doctoral study. The program emphasizes development of skills, knowledge and background in the following areas: literature and repertoire, performance skills, practice skills, interpretation and expression, performance pedagogy, historical performance practices, music history and music theory.

The Performance major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Chamber Music concentration is for intensive coaching and performance of string quartet literature.
• The Collaborative Piano concentration provides focused study on performance, chamber music, accompanying and literature.

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
• 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

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Recognize, identify, interpret and perform representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
2. Apply advanced performing skills in solo and ensemble settings, including tone production, accuracy, intonation, instrumental/vocal technique, musicality/expression, vocal language and diction and stage presence/presentation.
3. Discuss, utilize and achieve high-quality results from efficient and effective practice techniques, including time management, achievable goals and use of appropriate technical skills, musical expression skills and focused work ethic.
4. Have an enhanced understanding of interpretation and expression in music.
5. Identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy appropriate to the specific area of study.
6. Identify, associate, differentiate and utilize performances practices appropriate to the literature of the various stylistic periods.
7. Utilize and discuss score study of literature performed and also representative literature from various historical periods and composers.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students register for 4 credit hours of applied music courses in two of the semesters, and register for 2 credit hours of applied music in the two semesters in which they register for MUS 68687.

²

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.

³

Students must select a third music theory or music history course. Substitutions can be considered with advisor approval.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

¹

Students in the following specializations must take the following every semester:

• Strings: MUS 55212
• Voice: MUS 55131
• Piano: MUS 55311 or MUS 55321

Chamber Music Concentration Requirements

Collaborative Piano Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• 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.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

National Association of Schools of Music