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MUSMM - Music

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Music, Sch ofGraduate Degree SeekingMM - Master of Music
Completion requirement

Minimum Emphasis Units

35

Emphasis Core Coursework Requirements

MM Composition

  • course: Advanced Composition (9)

  • course: Composition (6)

  • Select one of the following:

    • course: Analysis of Contemporary Music (3)

    • course: Music of the Twentieth Century (3)

    • course: Music Since 1950 (3)

    • course: Post-Tonal Analysis (3)

  • course: Thesis (3)

  • course / course: Music Individual Studies; Applied Instrument or Voice (4)

  • Select one of the following (1 or 2 units):

    • Large Conducted Ensemble - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

    • course: Coached Ensemble (1)

    • course: Small Conducted Ensemble (1)

  • Music Theory (6)

  • Music History (3)

  • Total: 35 or 36 units

Students are expected to enroll in at least one core class per semester until all core courses are completed. A 3.0 semester and cumulative GPA must be maintained. If the GPA falls below 3.0 in any semester, the consequence may be loss of financial aid and/or dismissal. Appeals may be made directly to the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

Emphasis Elective Coursework

See list of elective coursework for the overall plan above.

 

Additional Emphasis Requirements

See additional requirements for the overall plan above.

Completion requirement

Minimum Emphasis Units

30

Emphasis Core Coursework Requirements

Choral Conducting

  • course: Choral Literature (12)

  • course: Music Individual Studies; Conducting (4)

  • Large Conducted Ensemble (4) - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

  • Music Theory (3)

  • Music History (3)

  • course: Master's Recitals (2)

  • Music Electives (5)

  • Total: 30 Units

Instrumental Conducting with Wind Band or Orchestral Emphasis

  • course: Music Individual Studies; Conducting (8)

  • course / course: Music Individual Studies; Instrument (4)

  • Large Conducted Ensemble (4) - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

  • course: History and Literature of the Wind Band (3)

  • Music History (3)

  • Music Theory (3)

  • course: Master's Recitals: 2 Units

  • Music Electives (3)

  • Total: 30 units

Students are expected to enroll in at least one core class per semester until all core courses are completed. A 3.0 semester and cumulative GPA must be maintained. If the GPA falls below 3.0 in any semester, the consequence may be loss of financial aid and/or dismissal. Appeals may be made directly to the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

Emphasis Elective Coursework

Choral Conducting: Select 5 units from the list of electives on the overall plan above.

Instrumental Conducting: Select 3 units from the list of electives on the overall plan above.

 

Additional Emphasis Requirements

See additional requirements for the overall plan above.

Completion requirement

Minimum Emphasis Units

30

Emphasis Core Coursework Requirements

MM in Ethnomusicology

  • course: Musicology (3) or course: Independent Study (3)

  • course: Ethnomusicology (3)

  • Music History (6)

  • Music Theory (3)

  • course / course: Music Individual Studies; Applied Instrument or Voice (4)

  • Select two units of the following (2):

    • course: Collegium Musicum (1)

    • course: Coached Ensemble (1)

    • course: Small Conducted Ensemble (1)

    • course: Mariachi Arizona (1)

  • course: Thesis (3)

  • Select six units of the following (6):

    • course: Intellectual Foundations of Applied Anthropology (3)

    • course: History of Anthropological Theory (3)

    • course: Cultural Anthropology (1-3)

  • Total: 30 Units

Students are expected to enroll in at least one core class per semester until all core courses are completed. A 3.0 semester and cumulative GPA must be maintained. If the GPA falls below 3.0 in any semester, the consequence may be loss of financial aid and/or dismissal. Appeals may be made directly to the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

Emphasis Elective Coursework

See list of elective coursework for the overall plan above.

 

Additional Emphasis Requirements

See additional requirements for the overall plan above.

Students must have a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language appropriate to their area of interest and approved by the department. Knowledge of French or German is strongly encouraged. Students whose first language is not English may petition to use their native language. Competency will be measured by an examination to be completed before the Master's Oral Examination is scheduled.

Completion requirement

Minimum Emphasis Units

30

Emphasis Core Coursework Requirements

MM in Music Education

  • course: Advanced Studies in Music Teaching (3) OR course: Music Individual Studies; Applied Conducting Lessons* (4)

  • course: Behavioral Research in the Arts (3)

  • course / course: Music Individual Studies; Applied Instrument, Voice, or Conducting (4)

  • Select two units of the following (2):

    • Large Conducted Ensemble - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

    • course: Coached Ensemble (1) - piano only

    • course: Small Conducted Ensemble (1) - piano only

  • course: Master's Report(3) OR course: Thesis** (3)

  • Music Theory (3)

  • Musicology (3)

  • Music Education Electives (9)

  • Total: 30 or 31 units

Courses that count as Music Education Electives: course, course, course, course, course, course (maximum of 6 credits allowed toward graduation), and course.

*Placement audition required.

**Recommended for students who plan on entering a doctoral program. Prerequisite: Students are expected to hold a current teaching certificate and to have completed an undergraduate degree in music education. Requests for exceptions to these prerequisites may be submitted to the Coordinator of Music Education for consideration.

Students are expected to enroll in at least one core class per semester until all core courses are completed. A 3.0 semester and cumulative GPA must be maintained. If the GPA falls below 3.0 in any semester, the consequence may be loss of financial aid and/or dismissal. Appeals may be made directly to the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

Emphasis Elective Coursework

Select 9 units on Music Education from the list of electives on the overall plan above.

Additional Emphasis Requirements

See additional requirements for the overall plan above.

Completion requirement

Minimum Emphasis Units

30

Emphasis Core Coursework Requirements

MM in Musicology

  • course: Musicology (3) OR course: Independent Study (3)

  • Music History (9)

  • Music Theory (6)

  • course / course: Music Individual Studies; Applied Instrument or Voice (4)

  • course: Collegium Musicum (2) OR course: Coached Ensemble (2)

  • course: Thesis (3)

  • Music Electives (3)

  • Total: 30 units

Students are expected to enroll in at least one core class per semester until all core courses are completed. A 3.0 semester and cumulative GPA must be maintained. If the GPA falls below 3.0 in any semester, the consequence may be loss of financial aid and/or dismissal. Appeals may be made directly to the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

Emphasis Elective Coursework

Select at least 3 units from the list of electives on overall plan above.

 

Additional Emphasis Requirements

See additional requirements for the overall plan above.

A reading knowledge of French or German is required. Competency will be measured by an examination to be completed before the Master's Oral Examination is scheduled.

Completion requirement

Minimum Emphasis Units

30

Emphasis Core Coursework Requirements

Performance (Instrumental)

  • course: Music Individual Studies (8)

  • Select four units of the following (4):

    • Large Conducted Ensemble - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

    • course: Coached Ensemble (1) - guitar & harp only

    • course: Small Conducted Ensemble (1) - guitar & harp only

  • course: Pedagogy (2)

  • Music Theory* (3/6)

  • Music History* (3/6)

  • Music Electives (6)

  • course: Master's Recitals (1)

  • Total: 30 units

*Either two history courses and one theory course, or two theory courses and one history course are needed to fulfill these requirements.

Performance (Harpsichord) 

  • course: Music Individual Studies (8)

  • Select two units of the following (2):

    • Large Conducted Ensemble - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

    • course: Coached Ensemble (1)

    • course: Small Conducted Ensemble (1)

  • course AND course: Counterpoint (6 total)

  • course AND course: Pedagogy (4 total)

  • Music Theory (3)

  • Music History (6)

  • course: Master's Recitals (1)

  • Total: 30 units

Performance (Organ)

  • course: Music Individual Studies (8)

  • Select two units of the following (2):

    • Large Conducted Ensemble - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

    • course: Coached Ensemble (1)

    • course: Small Conducted Ensemble (1)

  • course AND course: Counterpoint (6 total)

  • course AND course: Pedagogy (4 total)

  • Music Theory (3)

  • Music History (6)

  • course: Master's Recitals (1)

  • Total: 30 units

Performance (Piano)

  • course: Music Individual Studies (8)

  • Select four units of the following (4):

    • Large Conducted Ensemble - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

    • course: Coached Ensemble (1)

    • course: Small Conducted Ensemble (1)

  • course AND course: Piano Literature (6 total)

  • course AND course: Pedagogy (4 total)

  • Music Theory* (3/6)

  • Music History* (3/6)

  • course: Master's Recitals (1)

  • Total: 32 units

*Either two history courses and one theory course or two theory courses and one history course are needed to fulfill these requirements.

Performance (Piano Accompanying) 

  • course: Music Individual Studies; Accompanying Lessons (8)

  • course: Music Individual Studies; Applied Piano Lessons (4)

  • Select two to three units of the following (2-3):

    • Large Conducted Ensemble - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

    • course: Coached Ensemble (1)

    • course: Small Conducted Ensemble (1)

  • course: Internship (2)

  • course AND course: Pedagogy (4 total)

  • course AND course: Art Song Repertory (4 total)

  • Music Theory (3)

  • Music History (3)

  • course: Master's Recitals (1)

  • Total: 31 or 32 units

Performance (Piano and Dance Accompanying) 

  • course: Music Individual Studies; Dance Accompaniment (8)

  • course: Music Individual Studies; Applied Piano Lessons (4)

  • Select two to three units of the following (2-3):

    • Large Conducted Ensemble - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

    • course: Coached Ensemble (1)

    • course: Small Conducted Ensemble (1)

  • course: Internship (2)

  • Music Theory (3)

  • Music History (3)

  • course: Master's Recitals (2)

  • course: Seminar in Music and Dance Collaboration (2)

  • course: Teaching Methods for Dance (3)

  • course: Independent Study (4)

  • Total: 33 or 34 units

Performance (Vocal)

  • course: Music Individual Studies; Applied Voice Lessons (8)

  • Large Conducted Ensemble (2) - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

  • course: Pedagogy (2)

  • course: Opera Theatre (4)

  • course AND course: Art Song Repertory (4 total)

  • course AND course: History of the Opera (6 total)

  • course: Master's Recitals (1)

  • Music Theory (3)

  • Music Electives (2)

  • Total: 32 units

Students are expected to enroll in at least one core class per semester until all core courses are completed. A 3.0 semester and cumulative GPA must be maintained. If the GPA falls below 3.0 in any semester, the consequence may be loss of financial aid and/or dismissal. Appeals may be made directly to the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

Emphasis Elective Coursework

Performance (Vocal): Select at least 2 units from the list of electives on overall plan above.

 

Additional Emphasis Requirements

See additional requirements for the overall plan above.

Graduate vocal students must show practical proficiency in Italian, French, and German as determined by examination. Prior to the first semester of graduate study students will take a diction diagnostic exam. This exam determines deficiencies and may require remedial coursework. In addition, singers must pass a more comprehensive language proficiency exam for each of the above-mentioned languages. The language proficiency examinations must be taken during the first semester of study. If a student does not pass a language proficiency exam the first time, they may retake it in full or in part when offered by the area. Master’s and doctoral oral examinations may not be scheduled until all sections of the language proficiency exam have been passed and any deficiencies identified by the diction diagnostic exam have been remedied.

Completion requirement

Minimum Emphasis Units

30

Emphasis Core Coursework Requirements

MM in Music Theory

  • Music Theory (12)

  • course: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Music (3)

  • Large Conducted Ensemble (2) - see Ensemble Policy in overall plan's Additional Requirements

  • Musicology/Ethnomusicology (6)

  • course: Thesis (4)

  • Music Electives (3)

  • Total: 30 units

Students are expected to enroll in at least one core class per semester until all core courses are completed. A 3.0 semester and cumulative GPA must be maintained. If the GPA falls below 3.0 in any semester, the consequence may be loss of financial aid and/or dismissal. Appeals may be made directly to the Director of Graduate Studies.

 

Emphasis Elective Coursework

Select at least 3 units from the list of electives on overall plan above.

Additional Emphasis Requirements

See additional requirements for the overall plan above.

A reading knowledge of French or German is required. Competency will be measured by an examination to be completed before the Master's Oral Examination is scheduled.

Completion requirement

Minimum Emphasis Units: (see emphases below for requirements)

  • Composition: 35

  • Conducting: 30-33

  • Ethnomusicology: 30

  • Music Education: 30-31

  • Musicology: 30

  • Performance: 30-34

  • Theory: 30

Total Minimum Degree Units: 30

Completion requirement

See core coursework for each emphasis below.

Students are expected to enroll in at least one core class per semester until all core courses are completed. A 3.0 semester and cumulative GPA must be maintained. If the GPA falls below 3.0 in any semester, the consequence may be loss of financial aid and/or dismissal. Appeals may be made directly to the Director of Graduate Studies.

Completion requirement

GRADUATE MUSIC COURSES (not including Ensembles)

  • course / course: Pedagogy (2 each)

  • course / course: Diction for Singers (2 each)

  • course / course: Counterpoint (3 each)

  • course: Analysis of Tonal Music I: Form (3)

  • course: Analysis of Tonal Music II: Chromaticism (3)

  • course: Analysis of Contemporary Music (3)

  • course / course: Art Song Repertory (2 each)

  • course / course: History of the Opera (3 each)

  • course: History and Literature of the Wind Band (3)

  • course / course: Piano Literature (3-3)

  • course / course: Careers in Music (2 each)

  • course: Entrepreneurship in the Arts (3)

  • course: Music in the Renaissance (3)

  • course: Music in the Baroque (3)

  • course: Music in the Classical Period (3)

  • course: Music of the 20th Century (3)

  • course: Music Since 1950 (3)

  • course: Music in the Middle Ages (3)

  • course: Music in the Romantic Period

  • course: Electro-Acoustic Music (3)

  • course: Electro-Acoustic Studio Resources (3)

  • course: Advanced Studies in Music Teaching (3)

  • course: Behavioral Research in the Arts (3)

  • course: Studies in Latin American Music (3)

  • course: Art Music in the United States (3)

  • course*: Music History Research (3)

  • course: Seminar in Music and Dance Collaboration (2)

  • course: Independent Study (1-3)

  • course: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Music (3)

  • course: Qualitative Research in Music (3)

  • course: Historical Research in Music (3)

  • course / course: History of Speculative Theory (3 each)

  • course: Theory Pedagogy (3)

  • course: Post-Tonal Analysis (3)

  • course: Introduction to Schenkerian Theory (3)

  • course: Seminar in Schenkerian Theory (3)

  • course / course: Current Trends in Music Theory (3 each)

  • course*: Choral Literature (3)

  • course*: Advanced Composition (3)

  • course: Foundations and Principles of Music Education (3)

  • course: Psychology of Music (3)

  • course: Quantitative Analysis in Music Education

  • course: Teaching Music in Higher Education (3)

  • course: Internship (1-6)

  • course: Practicum (1-6)

  • course: Special Topics in Music (3)

  • course*: Music Education (3)

  • course*: Musicology (3)

  • course*: Music Theory (3)

  • course*: Composition (3)

  • course: Keyboard Studies (3)

  • course: Ethnomusicology (3)

  • course: Independent Study (1-5)

*Course is repeatable for credit

Completion requirement

Ensemble Policy for MM Degrees

Master of Music degrees require large conducted ensemble participation as delineated in each degree grid. The appropriate large conducted ensemble varies by degree plan. The required large conducted ensemble, designed to support applied and academic study in each degree plan, must be chosen from the following list:

  • MM Bowed Strings: course: Symphony Orchestra; course: Philharmonic Orchestra. Based on placement audition, with bowed string faculty and large conducted ensemble faculty approval.

  • MM Musicology: course: Collegium Musicum or course: Coached Ensemble.

  • MM Music Education: course: Symphonic Choir or course: Arizona Choir; course: Conducted Instrumental Ensemble; course: Wind Symphony; course: Symphony Orchestra; or course: Concert Jazz Band.

  • MM Piano (Accompanying): course: Wind Symphony; course: Conducted Instrumental Ensemble; course: Arizona Choir; course: Symphonic Choir; course: University Singers; course: Treble Glee Club; or course: Symphony Orchestra.

  • MM Piano (Dance Accompanying): course: Wind Symphony; course: Conducted Instrumental Ensemble; course: Arizona Choir; course: Symphonic Choir; course: University Singers; course: Treble Glee Club; or course: Symphony Orchestra.

  • MM Piano (Performance): course: Conducted Instrumental Ensemble; course: Arizona Choir; course: Symphonic Choir; course: University Singers; course: Treble Glee Club; or course: Symphony Orchestra (only one semester of large conducted ensemble required--the other three semesters to be elective chamber music experiences)

  • MM Theory: course: Marching Band - "Pride of Arizona" / course: Symphonic Band / course: Wind Symphony / course: Conducted Instrumental Ensemble / course: Summer Chorus / course: Symphonic Choir / course: University Singers / course: University-Community Chorus / course: Arizona Choir / course: Symphony Orchestra / course: Philharmonic Orchestra / course: Collegium Musicum / course: Concert Jazz Band / course: Treble Glee Club / course: Mariachi Arizona / course: Studio Jazz Ensemble

  • MM Voice: course: Symphonic Choir

  • MM Wind/Percussion: course: Wind Symphony; course: Conducted Instrumental Ensemble; course: Symphony Orchestra, or course: Concert Jazz Band

An audition process designed and administered by the ensemble directors in consultation with the applied faculty and approved by the Director of the SoM will determine participation in the appropriate large conducted ensemble. Students whose degree grids specify a large conducted ensemble requirement of two or more credits must participate in a large conducted ensemble in a two-semester sequence.

Diagnostic Examinations

All entering graduate students are required to take diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory, and voice students also take a diagnostic exam in diction. These 2-3 hour examinations are administered prior to the beginning of classes in the fall and spring semesters. The music history diagnostic exam also is offered online prior to summer session classes. Students who show deficiencies on the history and theory exams may be recommended to take designated course work, which should be completed prior to enrollment in graduate musicology and theory courses. All graduate-level courses in music history and music theory taken to fulfill diagnostic exam recommendations and completed with a grade of “C” or higher may be used to fulfill master's degree requirements.

Graduate diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory may be taken only once. Students who proceed directly from master’s degrees into doctoral degrees at The University of Arizona are exempt from additional diagnostic examinations. 

 

Master’s Theses, Master’s Projects, and Master’s Compositions
Master’s composition students submit a portfolio of works for their final project (MUS 910). After they have defended the compositions in the Final Oral Examination, the portfolio is archived with the university (https://grad.arizona.edu/gsas/dissertations-theses). The university requires these documents to include the following sections: (1) title page; (2) Committee member signed approval page; (3) Abstract explaining the student’s inspiration(s) and/or approach to composition; (4) the portfolio. Master’s students in musicology, music theory, and music education write a thesis in partial fulfillment of degree requirements, or complete a project in lieu of a thesis (music education only). This research must be in compliance with UA policies on Human Subjects research. Please contact the Director of Graduate Studies to determine if your research involves work with human  subjects, and if so, complete all relevant training and required forms for IRB approval.

The Graduate College rules and regulations governing the writing and submission of theses may be found in online manuals at https://grad.arizona.edu/gsas/dissertations-theses. Note that the Graduate College requires all MUS 910 master’s theses and master’s composition portfolios to be archived in the UA Campus Repository (see https://grad.arizona.edu/gsas/dissertations-theses).

 

Master’s Recitals
All performance and conducting master’s students present degree recitals. Master of Music candidates in performance present one solo recital, which should include at least 50 minutes of music and whose overall length should not exceed 90 minutes. Master of Music candidates in conducting present a series of recitals as assigned by their major professor. Recitals that do not meet these requirements must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Completion requirement