Master of Music Degree - School of Music

Master of Music (MM)

The principal function of the MM program is to provide students with opportunities for continued development of their musical talents--in a specific area--and overall musicianship. This degree is designed to prepare the graduate for a career in performance or composition, teaching, or continued graduate studies toward a doctoral degree.

Prerequisites

Resources
Courses of Study (Word)
Graduate Teaching Assistantship Application (pdf)
MU Graduate School (apply online)

Dan Willett
Associate Director, School of Music
215 Fine Arts Building
Columbia, MO 65211-6120
email: WillettD@missouri.edu
phone: 573-882-0933

Entrance into the MM degree program requires completion of a Bachelor of Music degree (or demonstrated equivalent) normally with the same major as that to be pursued at the graduate level, and a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 credit-hours. In the event that a candidate does not meet the required prerequisites for a specific curriculum (listed below), then appropriate course(s) may be added to the degree program as additional requirements.

WOODWIND, BRASS, PERCUSSION, OR STRING PERFORMANCE

• Senior recital

VOCAL PERFORMANCE

• Senior recital
• Proficiency in French, Italian, and German diction.

PIANO PERFORMANCE

• Senior Recital
• 1 upper-level music history course
• 3 credits of 18th-century counterpoint

COLLABORATIVE PIANO

• Senior Recital
• 2 courses in either French or German
• 2 courses in French, German, or Italian diction
• 1 upper-level music history course
• 3 credits in 18th-century counterpoint

PIANO PEDAGOGY

• 1 upper-level music history course
• 3 credits in 18th-century counterpoint
• A senior recital and undergraduate courses in piano pedagogy or teaching experience are desirable, but not required for admission.

THEORY

• 3 credits of 18th- or 16th-century counterpoint
• 2 credits of orchestration
• 2 credits of a theory elective
• 4 credits of music history (equivalent study to Music 2307-2308)
• 16 credits of applied instruction (or equivalent)

COMPOSITION

• 3 credits of 18th- or 16th-century counterpoint
• 2 credits of orchestration
• 8 credits of composition
• 4 credits of music history (equivalent study to Music 2307-2308)
• 16 credits of applied instruction (or equivalent)

CONDUCTING (Choral, Orchestral, or Wind Ensemble)

• 2 undergraduate conducting courses
• Previous conducting experience

International Students

For international students whose first language is not English, the School of Music recommends a minimum score of 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 79 (internet) TOEFL or 6.5 IELTS for admission to the MM or MA (Music History) programs. If you fall below these scores but still meet the University minimum scores (500, 173, 61, or 5.5), you may still be considered for admission, but can expect to have courses from the English Language Support Program added to your degree program. These courses may add one or two semesters to the length of your graduate program; the normal master’s program is completed in four semesters or two years.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the major field, required studies for all MM degress include performance, music history, theory, research skills, and electives. See Courses of Study, under Resources (above). Specific requirements include the following:

Advisory Exams in theory and music history are administered during registration for the fall semester. Deficiencies are met through review courses.

Applied auditions for non-performance majors will be held to determine studio placement and level of study.

Each candidate for the MM degree must successfully complete all portions of the Comprehensive Examination appropriate to his/her degree program. These written examinations are administered near the completion of required coursework. Performance, Collaborative Piano, Piano Pedagogy, and Conducting majors, in addition to Comprehensive Exams in theory and history, will be examined by their major area faculty on aspects of their field (e.g., pedagogy, repertory, technique, etc.).

All Performance majors present a Graduate Recital. In addition, piano majors present a memorized performance of a concerto with orchestra or second piano. Collaborative piano majors are required to present three recitals: one is a combined solo and chamber music recital; the other two are to be given as accompanist to a vocalist and an instrumentalist, respectively. Conducting majors must present two conducting recitals, each 45 minutes in length. A recital hearing is required before any recital presented for credit, including all degree recitals. The hearing must be scheduled at least two weeks before the date of the recital.

Music Theory majors must satisfactorily complete a thesis on an approved topic, and Composition majors must complete a substantial compositional project. Both Music Theory and Composition majors must pass a final oral examination, administered by a faculty committee, about their projects.

Graduation Approval: A signed report by the faculty committee (the final oral exam committee for Music Theory or Composition Majors; the Comprehensive Exam committee for all others) must be forwarded to the Graduate School indicating the satisfactory completion of these requirements before graduation can be approved for any student in the MM degree program.