Master of Music
The Master of Music is specifically designed to develop the musician, scholar, therapist, or educator for a professional career in music. This degree is offered with tracks in the following areas:
- Performance
- Collaborative Piano/Chamber Music
- Conducting
- Composition
- Musicology
- Music Therapy
Students seeking admission to the graduate program in music must submit all documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions. In addition, the following are required:
- Graduate Application
- Application fee
- Students must complete the School of Music admission requirements:
- Submit School of Music application form
- Submit three letters of recommendation
- Complete an audition and/or interview (see individual tracks for specific requirements)
- Prospective students must submit two writing samples, including a Personal Statement and a scholarly writing sample. In the Personal Statement, explain your interest in pursuing graduate studies in your area of specialty and your career plans/goals following graduate school. The second writing sample should represent your best scholarly writing about music, such as a research paper from a previous music theory or music history course or, for music therapy candidates, a professional document from a work setting. This scholarly writing sample should demonstrate your ability to utilize and appropriately cite reputable references and should showcase your capacity to synthesize information from various sources and create new interpretations of that information. Both samples will be assessed for content, as well as the mechanics of your writing, including sentence structure, word choice, sentence and paragraph length, punctuation, and spelling. For a final admissions decision, writing samples do not constitute the sole criterion for consideration of the applicant, nor do writing samples constitute the primary criterion to end consideration of an applicant. The applicant’s writing samples will be compared with those of other applicants from similar socioeconomic backgrounds to the extent that those backgrounds can be properly determined and identified by the School of Music’s admissions process.
- Transcripts from all previous college level academic work are required and should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies. An undergraduate/Baccalaureate degree from a NASM-accredited institution or equivalent international degree in music is required.
- International students must submit an official TOEFL score of at least 213 on the computer-based exam, or at least 550 on the paper-based exam.
All students pursuing Master of Music graduate degree programs must take and satisfy the Graduate Music Diagnostic Exam, administered by the SHSU music faculty, prior to the first semester of residence. The exam includes questions concerning music history, music theory, and if required, foreign language and diction (Vocal Performance, Choral Conducting, and Collaborative Piano/Chamber Music only). The purpose of the Graduate Music Diagnostic Exam is to evaluate each student’s general musical knowledge and identify deficiencies. Students deficient in any area will be required to retake and pass the Diagnostic Exam before they can schedule their M.M. comprehensive oral examination. Students should visit School of Music for specific information and dates.
- Successful completion of a comprehensive oral examination is required for graduation. This exam, which is administered by a committee of three music faculty, is given during the final semester. Oral examination committees are appointed by the Graduate Advisor in consultation with the Graduate Committee and student. Students must be enrolled the semester in which they take comprehensive examinations.
- All graduate music students must complete the core hours and the specific track hours to meet the required minimum of 30 hours beyond the undergraduate degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Music Core (9 hours) | ||
| MUSI 5330 | Analytical Techniques | 3 |
| MUSI 6398 | Research Techniques | 3 |
| MUSI 5XXX | Music History | 3 |
| Select one of the following Music History courses (MUSI 5XXX): | 3 | |
| Seminar In Baroque Music | ||
| Seminar In Classical Music | ||
| Sem In Nineteenth-Century Mus | ||
| Sem In Twentieth-Century Mus | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Note: All degrees require a final graduate recital, project, or thesis.
Successful completion of a comprehensive oral or written examination is required for graduation. This exam, which is administered by a committee of three music faculty, is administered during the final semester. Oral/written examination committees are appointed by the Graduate Advisor in consultation with the Graduate Committee and the student. Additional comprehensive examination information is located in Graduate Degree Requirements section of the SHSU Graduate Catalog.
Specific Track Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Instrumental Performance Track | ||
| Courses | ||
| XXXX 5201 | Ind Performances-XXXX (Applied Lessons in Instrument) | 8 |
| MUEN 5112 | Graduate Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSI 6181 | Recital I | 1 |
| MUSI 5388 | Seminar In Literature | 3 |
| MUSI 5398 | Adv Study in Appl Discipline | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Pedagogy Of Theory | ||
| Score Reading | ||
MUSI 5XXX | Music History | |
Other course with advisor approval | ||
| Performance Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Recital II | ||
XXXX 5201 | Ind Performances-XXXX (Applied Lessons in Instrument) | |
Other course with advisor approval | ||
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Students seeking admission to the Instrumental Performance track must pass an entrance audition administered by the appropriate faculty member, or group of faculty members, in the area of study. Students should contact the major professor in their area of interest for the appropriate level of repertoire required.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Vocal Performance Track | ||
| Courses | ||
| MUEN 5112 | Graduate Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSI 6181 | Recital I | 1 |
| MUSI 5388 | Seminar In Literature | 3 |
| MUSI 5398 | Adv Study in Appl Discipline | 3 |
| VOIC 5201 | Ind Performances-Voice | 8 |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Pedagogy Of Theory | ||
| Score Reading | ||
MUSI 5XXX | Music History | |
Other course with advisor approval | ||
| Performance Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Chamber Music | ||
| Recital II | ||
Other course with advisor approval | ||
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Students seeking admission to the Vocal Performance track must pass an entrance audition administered by the appropriate faculty in the area of study. Audition requirements include the following memorized repertoire:
- an operatic aria
- an oratorio aria
- a French, German, Italian and English art song
Students interested in the Vocal Performance track are required to pass the foreign language and diction portion of the Graduate Diagnostic Exam. Students must show competence in languages including English, French, German and Italian. Students deficient in either area will be required to take the appropriate undergraduate courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Piano Performance Track | ||
| Courses | ||
| MUEN 5110 | Accompanying Seminar | 2 |
| MUSI 5388 | Seminar In Literature | 3 |
| MUSI 5398 | Adv Study in Appl Discipline | 3 |
| MUSI 6181 | Recital I | 1 |
| MUSI 6182 | Recital II | 1 |
| PIAN 5201 | Ind Performances-Piano | 8 |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Pedagogy Of Theory | ||
| Score Reading | ||
MUSI 5XXX | Music History | |
Other course with advisor approval | ||
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Students seeking admission to the Piano Performance track must pass an entrance audition administered by the appropriate faculty member, or group of faculty members, in the area of study. Audition requirements include:
- a complete sonata by Haydn, or Mozart (excluding K. 545), or Beethoven (excluding Op. 49)
- two additional piano works from contrasting musical styles
- major/harmonic minor scales
- sight-reading
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Collaborative Piano/Chamber Music Track | ||
| MUEN 5110 | Accompanying Seminar | 4 |
| MUEN 5118 | Chamber Music | 2 |
| MUSI 6181 | Recital I 1 | 1 |
| MUSI 6182 | Recital II 1 | 1 |
| MUSI 6183 | Recital III 1 | 1 |
| MUSI 5388 | Seminar In Literature | 3 |
| PIAN 5201 | Ind Performances-Piano | 8 |
| Elective with advisor approval | 1 | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
| 1 | At least one of the recitals must be vocal emphasis and at least one must be instrumental emphasis. |
Students seeking admission to the Collaborative Piano/Chamber Music track must pass an entrance audition administered by the appropriate faculty member, or group of faculty members, in the area of study. Audition requirements include:
- a complete instrumental sonata from the standard repertoire
- a set of three songs of standard art song literature
- a solo piano work of candidate’s choice
- major/harmonic minor scales
- sight-reading
Students interested in the Collaborative Piano/Chamber Music track are required to pass the foreign language and diction portion of the Graduate Diagnostic Exam. Students deficient in either area will be required to take the appropriate undergraduate courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Track | ||
| Courses | ||
| COND 5001 | Applied Conducting | 8 |
| MUEN 5112 | Graduate Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSI 5388 | Seminar In Literature | 3 |
| MUSI 5398 | Adv Study in Appl Discipline | 3 |
| MUSI 6181 | Recital I | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Pedagogy Of Theory | ||
| Score Reading | ||
MUSI 5XXX | Music History | |
Other course with advisor approval | ||
| Performance Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Recital II | ||
XXXX 5201 | Applied lessons | |
Other course with advisor approval | ||
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Students seeking admission to the Conducting Track (both Choral and Instrumental) must complete an interview and submit a conducting video of a recent concert and/or rehearsal, and audition on their primary instrument/voice. Those students with piano skills will be given preference for admission to the Choral Conducting track.
Students interested in the Choral Conducting track are required to pass the foreign language and diction portion of the Graduate Diagnostic Exam. Students deficient in either area will be required to take the appropriate undergraduate courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition Track | ||
| Courses | ||
| COMP 5201 | Applied Composition | 4 |
| COMP 5202 | Applied Composition Large Ens | 4 |
| MUEN 5112 | Graduate Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSI 5363 | Pedagogy Of Theory | 3 |
| MUSI 5367 | Score Reading | 3 |
| MUSI 6181 | Recital I | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
XXXX 5201 | Applied lessons | |
MUSI 5XXX | Music History | |
Other course with advisor approval | ||
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Students seeking admission to the Composition track must complete an interview with the appropriate composition faculty and submit a portfolio of recent compositions. Students must also demonstrate piano proficiency by performing a short prepared piece or two (totaling no more than five minutes), and by sight-reading during the interview. Students deficient in this area must take the appropriate undergraduate courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Musicology Track | ||
| Courses | ||
| MUSI 5363 | Pedagogy Of Theory | 3 |
| MUSI 5398 | Adv Study in Appl Discipline | 3 |
| MUSI 6099 | Thesis | 6 |
| Select two of the following with approval of advisor: | 6 | |
| Seminar In Baroque Music | ||
| Seminar In Classical Music | ||
| Sem In Nineteenth-Century Mus | ||
| Sem In Twentieth-Century Mus | ||
| Elective(s) with advisor approval | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Students seeking admission to the Musicology track must complete an admission interview with the musicology coordinator and submit a sample of academic writing.
Students who graduate with an emphasis in Musicology are required to pass a language proficiency examination in either German or French. The language requirement should ideally be fulfilled by the end of the second semester of residence.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Therapy Track | ||
| Courses | ||
| MUSI 5322 | Philos & Theory of Mus Therapy | 3 |
| MUSI 5323 | Grad Music Ther Practicum | 3 |
| MUSI 6099 | Thesis | 6 |
| MUSI 6332 | Adv Music Therapy Practice | 3 |
| Elective (with advisor approval) | 3 | |
| SOCI 5314 | Social Statistics 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
| 1 | PSYC 5387 Advanced Statistics may be substituted with advisor approval. |
Students seeking admission to the Music Therapy track must complete an admission interview with the music therapy faculty and submit a sample of academic writing and a video of a music therapy session.
Music Therapy Equivalency
Students seeking admission to the Music Therapy Equivalency track must complete an admission interview with the music therapy faculty, pass a Music Therapy audition and submit a sample of academic writing.
In order to complete required undergraduate prerequisite (stem), students may be initially admitted with preparatory status to the Music Therapy Master's Equivalency program. Preparatory admission does not guarantee regular admission.
Note:Music Therapy Equivalency curriculum includes both graduate and undergraduate coursework (see advisor.)
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MUSI 2338 | 3 | MUSI 2339 | 3 |
| MUSI 3365 | 3 | MUSI 1304 | 3 |
| MUSI 1303 | 3 | MUSI 3337 | 3 |
| MUSI 3117 | 1 | MUSI 3118 | 1 |
| MUSI 4395 | 3 | MUSI 3366 | 3 |
| BIOL 2401 | 4 | MUSI 4396 | 3 |
| MUSI 3110 | 1 | ||
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MUSI 3366 | 3 | MUSI 4397 | 3 |
| MUSI 4110 | 1 | MUSI 4398 | 3 |
| MUSI 5322 | 3 | ||
| MUSI 6398 | 3 | ||
| PSYC 3331 | 3 | ||
| PSYC 3374 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 6 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MUSI 53XX Music History | 3 | MUSI 5330 | 3 |
| MUSI 5323 | 3 | MUSI 6332 | 3 |
| Elective with advisor approval | 3 | SOCI 53141 | 3 |
| 9 | 9 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MUSI 6099 | 3 | MUSI 6099 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 | ||
| Total Hours: 80 | |||
| 1 | PSYC 5387 Advanced Statistics may be substituted with advisor approval. |
