Caine College of the Arts

Department of Music

The Music Department offers a Master of Music (MM) degree, with specializations in Piano performance and Pedagogy, Performance, and Conducting. Master of Music students have the opportunity to acquire comprehensive knowledge in their emphasis through research and both classroom and individualized instruction, to develop and practice professional skills and to gain leadership experience.

The Piano Performance and Pedagogy emphasis integrates instruction in piano pedagogy with advanced levels of piano performance, preparing graduates who will offer piano instruction from private studios, as well as those who will teach in a college environment. Graduates of this program will also be equipped to pursue Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at other institutions. Students in the program must complete a minimum of 36 approved semester credits, divided into three main areas: (1) 12 credits in performance, (2) 12 credits in pedagogy, and (3) 12 credits in history and theory. Selected students will be offered graduate instructorship positions.

The Performance emphasis focuses on individual instruction, ensemble performance and advisor-approved independent study which focuses on the student’s career and educational objectives.  Students in the program must complete a minimum of 30 approved semester credits, divided into two main areas: (1) 16 credits in performance and (2) 14 credits in other studies in music.

The Conducting emphasis focuses on ensemble performance, advanced conducting and rehearsal techniques, repertory and literature, and advisor-approved independent study which focuses on the student’s career and educational objectives.  Students in the program must complete a minimum of 33 approved semester credits, divided into two main areas: (1) 20 credits in performance and (2) 13 credits in other studies in music.

To qualify for admission to the MM program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any field of study, with a GPA of at least 3.0. Students must have scores on the verbal and either the quantitative or analytical portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) at or above the 40th percentile. International applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and earn a minimum score of 213. Three satisfactory letters of recommendation are also required. An audition and interview is required for admission to the degree. If a live audition is impractical, applicants may send an audiovisual recording demonstrating their level of proficiency with regard to both piano performance and teaching. Candidates will also be required to pass diagnostic examinations in music theory and music history, ensuring their preparation for graduate-level study in these fields.