Master of Professional Studies in Music Performance
This master's degree is intended for students who wish to further their music training in performance.
Admissions Requirements
- An official bachelor's degree in music from a regionally accredited institution.
- A GPA of 2.75 or higher on the last 60 undergraduate hours.
- For voice applicants, undergraduate coursework should have been completed in diction that includes English, Italian, German, and French.
- Modern language coursework may be required based on competencies. This will be in addition to the curriculum below and not count towards degree requirements.
- Two letters of recommendation from those who can speak to your musical and academic promise.
- A personal statement discussing, but not limited to, the following:
- Your reasons for seeking a master's degree in music performance.
- Your previous exposure to, and interest in, the field of music performance.
- How this degree will contribute to your personal and professional goals.
- Your ability to complete graduate-level coursework.
- A video audition.
- The recording should be a live performance of at least three different styles/genres of standard literature in the performance area (i.e. sonata, concerto, suite, aria, character piece, etc.).
- Recording should be made within the last 12 months and performer should be fully visible.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
All courses are available on campus and online. Please contact Les Mackey and Prof. Ben Cline for inquiries.
Curriculum
CORE (9 Credit Hours)- MUS 876 - Principles of Research
- MUS 663 - Form and Analysis
- MUS 684 - Literature*
MAJOR (18 Credit Hours)
CHOOSE ONE AREA OF FOCUS:
- MUS 8XX - Applied Lessons (12 Credit Hours/3 Semesters)
- MUS 6XX - Major Ensemble in Primary Medium (3 Credit Hours/3 Semesters)**
- Elective (3 Credit Hours)
- MUS 8XX - Applied Lessons (12 Credit Hours/3 Semesters)
- MUS 616 - Piano Techniques and Materials (3 Credit Hours)
- MUS 618 - Collaborative Piano (3 Credit Hours)
- MUS 8XX - Applied Lessons (9 Credit Hours/3 Semesters)
- MUS 6XX - Ensemble (3 Credit Hours/3 Semesters)
- MUS 891 - Graduate Jazz History (3 Credit Hours)
- Elective (3 Credit Hours)
- MUS 862 - Graduate Recital*
TOTAL: 30 CREDIT HOURS
*MUS 684 must focus in on your primary performance medium.
**Ensemble coursework (MUS 6XX) is not available online. To fulfill this requirement, students could be a member of an ensemble or transfer graduate-level ensemble credits from another institution. Substitute coursework in performance studies may also be requested to meet this requirement.
***For online students, MUS 862 (Graduate Recital) is required to be a public recital that is video recorded with audience and performer visible. If an accompanist, band, collaborative pianist, or other musicians are required for the recital, it is the responsibility of the student to secure and pay for services and ensure the performance is of an acceptable level.
Please note that not all music schools accept this degree for entrance into a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) program in performance, but there are schools that do.