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Full Description

The Master of Music degree in Conducting is designed for current teachers of middle, junior and senior high school music ensemble programs; for professional church musicians; and for pre-professionals, including students continuing after completing undergraduate degrees. The program prepares post-undergraduate students for such paths as high school or college teaching, conducting positions and doctorates in conducting.

The M.M. degree in Conducting emphasizes development of skills, knowledge and background in the following areas: literature and repertoire; conducting technique; rehearsal technique; score study; choral and/or instrumental performance pedagogy; historical performance practices; interpretation and expression.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Audition
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 50 PTE score
  • Minimum 100 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Recognize, identify, interpret and conduct representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
2. Demonstrate and apply advanced conducting techniques, including baton technique, use of hands/arms, facial expressions and body language.
3. Plan and execute an efficient and productive rehearsal, including managing time, setting achievable goals, detecting and correcting errors and providing motivation and inspiration for expressive performance and focused work ethic.
4. Utilize and discuss score study techniques such as keyboard score reading, transposition of instruments, instrumental/vocal score order, compositional structure, analysis of chord and melodic structures and audiation skills.
5. Identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy appropriate to the specific vocal or instrumental area of study.
6. Identify, associate, differentiate and utilize performance practices appropriate to the literature of the various stylistic periods.
7. Display interpretation and expression in music through discussion in conducting lessons, explanation in rehearsals and demonstration in rehearsal and performance settings through conducting gestures and the resulting musical product.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students who elect the Choral Concentration must enroll for a minimum of 4 credit hours of major choral ensemble, to include a minimum of two semesters of MUS 55141.

²

Specific course numbers vary depending on concentration.

³

Selection of music theory course is based on students' result from the theory placement exam. In the case of the exam results placing a student into MUS 51011 and/or MUS 51012, these courses will not count towards the M.M. degree and must be taken in addition to the music theory requirements.

⁴

Students must select at least two 60000-level music theory or music history courses, overall, for the program. Substitutions can be considered with advisor approval.

Choral Conducting Concentration Requirements

Orchestra Conducting Concentration Requirements

¹

Students selecting elective MUS 61331 will need to select a 1 credit hour music (MUS) elective with advisor approval to meet minimum 6 credit hours for the concentration.

Graduation Requirements

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

National Association of Schools of Music