Music
Graduate Programs
Description
Music graduate studies at Minnesota State University lead to the Master of Music degree. The Master of Music degree is a professional degree, most appropriate for students who desire to increase their knowledge as public school teachers, to teach at the college level, or to work toward their doctorate. It is also a degree useful for those who perform professionally, compose, or conduct.
Master of Music
The Master of Music is offered in three areas of concentration: Performance ( piano or voice), Choral Conducting, and Wind Band Conducting. A student may pursue a secondary emphasis in any of the above areas or in music history/theory.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Major / Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music MM | MM - Master of Music |
|
34 / 34 |
| Music MM Performance | MM - Master of Music |
|
30 / 34 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, all prospective graduate students in music are expected to have the equivalent of an undergraduate degree with a music major from an accredited institution. Competency-based music tests must be passed before a Plan of Study can be approved. Written and oral comprehensive examinations are required for graduation. The student may present as their independent study project a Master's recital or a thesis, depending on area of specialization.
Contact the Department of Music for application specifics.Graduate assistantships are available which provide a stipend and a tuition waiver. To apply for a music assistantship, students should contact Dr. David Dickau, graduate music coordinator.
Contact Information
202 Earley Center for Performing Arts
https://hss.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/music/Faculty
Co-Chair
- Stephanie Thorpe, DMA
Co-Chair
- George Grubb, MFA
Faculty
500 Level
Credits: 3
In this course music majors will learn how to market themselves, create their own brand and lay the groundwork for their post-college careers. The course will cover the basics of self-assessment, bio writing, resume building, networking, self-promotion, professional communications and presentations, e-portfolios, social media and other strategies used by professional musicians.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
A survey of important music literature of the 14th through the 16th century with emphasis upon the cultural, economical and philosophical forces which shaped the musical trends and influenced the composer and his compositions.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
A study of the composers and their literature which represented the changing styles as dictated by the musical tastes of the period. Speical attention is given the evolution and/or development of the major musical forms and genres.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
A study in detail of the development of musical forms and style of the 19th century, the important composers of this period, the society in which they lived and how it affected their lives and works.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
A study of the dominant and varied musical energies of the 19th century as seen through the study of scores and the music of its composers.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course presents the major composers of the 20th century and representative musical compositions. Beginning with Mahler and Debussy, other composers include Stavinsky, Bartok, Schoenberg, Berg, Copland, Crumb, and Messiaen. Included are reading and writing assignments; students should plan to spend part of each week listening to assigned materials in the music library.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Explore the musics of the world and the cultures that they came from. Includes projects to develop classes in K-12 education. Participation in an off-campus musical event (concert/celebration/festival) required.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
The role of women in music, from Hildegard of Bingen to Lady Gaga and beyond.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Prepare for, and participate in, a musical tour. Destinations will vary with each offering, and may include international experiences. Prior to travel, class sessions will deal with the music and culture of the destination. There will be additional travel expenses associated with the class.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Significant musical forms, past and present. Prerequisite: MUS 232Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Arranging music for the school band and orchestra.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Arranging music for choral ensembles.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Writing and analysis stressing the linear approach to composition, motivic development, and the imitation process. The invention, Fugue, and Chorale Prelude are examined.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Advance jazz pedagogy and improvisationPrerequisites: none
Credits: 3
The purpose of this course is for students to gain a basic understanding of the jazz idiom, methods of teaching/directing jazz and contemporary styles in a variety of educational settings, and to develop a thorough resource of materials that can be used to teach/learn jazz and commercial music. In addition to the pedagogical component, this course is also designed as a performance lab to introduce students to jazz improvisation/jazz theory, learning the various methods of teaching improvisation, and developing improvisational performance skills. Students will submit improvisation video assignments online.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
To introduce the music education major to the percussion family and basic techniques used in their performance. The overall goal of this class is to become skilled and educated in this field, and its resources, to be a great educator. The course will include fundamentals of snare drum, keyboard percussion, timpani, accessory percussion, drumset, marching percussion, and world percussion.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
A survey of solo and small ensemble vocal literature through classical art song, musical theater and contemporary styles.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Application of the International Phonetic Alphabet to song texts in English, French, Italian, and German.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
A study of pedagogy and methods for various wind, percussion, string and keyboard instruments.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
A study of advanced literature for various wind, percussion, string, and keyboard instruments.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
Various topics may be covered in this class. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Special short course, usually available during summer sessions I and II.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Choral conducting skills for the advanced conductor.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Conducting skills for the advanced instrumental conductor.Prerequisites: none
600 Level
Credits: 3
Research procedures involved in locating music literature and materials for use in performance, teaching and/or advanced graduated studies.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
An intensive survey of choral repertory.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
Participation in any regularly scheduled ensemble of the Department of Music. May be repeated for credit.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
An intensive study of repertory designed for wind band conductors.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Private lessons in music composition.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Independent work by graduate students comes under this course number. The student must first secure permission from the instructor desired for the individual study.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1, 3
Audition required. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
An intensive study of choral conducting technique and performance practices.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
A course designed for choral conductors that continues the development of analytical and physical conducting skills. May be repeated for credit.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-2
.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
An intensive study of wind band conducting technique and performance practice.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
Course designed for wind band conductors that continues the development of analytical and physical conducting skills. Course may be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-16
VariablePrerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Music students who write a thesis for their terminal project can register for this course. A faculty advisor must be selected before approval will be given.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3-6
Prerequisites: none
