Dec 23, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, Performance, M.M.


The Master of Music in Performance has the following concentrations:

  • Performance - Brass or Percussion
  • Performance - Organ
  • Performance - Piano
  • Performance - Strings
  • Performance - Voice
  • Performance - Woodwinds

Program Requirements


Performance- Brass/Percussion


Requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Note:


Performance majors in the areas of brass and percussion must present two full-length recitals for completion of their degree program. The recitals will include at least sixty minutes of solo repertoire. Chamber music may be included and must be approved by the graduate advisor (and/or the private instructor). The candidate must be a featured soloist in the repertoire.

Students are required to take jury examinations in each semester of applied enrollment until the recital is successfully completed.

Performance-Organ


Requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Note:


*Organ Literature I and II must be taken unless equivalent courses have already been taken at the undergraduate level.

Twelve credits of applied music in organ (four semesters of three credits each) will be scheduled as private lessons. Students are required to take jury examinations in each semester of enrollment in organ until the recital is successfully completed. A one-year residency is required.

Students must present two complete recitals. One must be a lecture-recital, with a thirty-minute lecture and thirty minutes of solo repertoire. The other must include sixty minutes of solo repertoire. Recital programs must be approved by the private instructor and/or the program advisor.

Students are required to take jury examinations in each semester of applied enrollment until the recital is successfully completed.

In addition to the general exit requirements, students must pass a proficiency exam in sight reading.

Performance-Piano


Requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Note:


*Piano Literature I and II must be taken unless equivalent courses have already been taken at the undergraduate level.

Twelve credits of applied music in piano (four semesters of three credits each) will be scheduled as private lessons and will be supplemented with studio class participation. Students are required to take jury examinations in each semester of enrollment in piano until the recital is successfully completed. A one-year residency is required.

Students must present one full-length solo recital from memory. The program, which must be approved by the program advisor, must include a minimum of sixty minutes of solo repertoire.

Students are required to take jury examinations in each semester of applied enrollment until the recital is successfully completed.

In addition to the general exit requirements, students must pass a proficiency exam in sight reading.

Performance-Strings


Requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Note:


Performance majors in the area of strings must present two full-length recitals for completion of their degree program. Each recital must include at least sixty minutes of music, one portion of which may include a collaborative ensemble and must show a range and variety of historical styles (at least one piece must be from the twentieth century). At least one major work on the program must be memorized. This is a graded recital in which a grade of B or better must be earned for credit.

Students are required to take jury examinations in each semester of applied enrollment until the recital is successfully completed.

Guitarists and harpists may, in consultation with their program advisor and studio teacher, fulfill the one-credit ensemble requirement by enrolling in other appropriate ensembles.

Note:


Students are required to take jury examinations in each semester of enrollment in voice until the recital is successfully completed. A one-year residency is required.

During the final semester of graduate study, the student will be required to present one complete recital from memory (minimum requirements: sixty minutes of music with no more than twelve minutes of ensemble performance) demonstrating evidence of interpretive skill and vocal technique in English, French, German and Italian repertory.

Performance-Woodwinds


Requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Note:


Performance majors in the area of woodwinds must present two full-length recitals for completion of their degree program. The recitals will include at least 60 minutes of solo repertoire. Chamber music may be included and must be approved by the graduate advisor (and/or the private instructor). The candidate must be a featured soloist in the repertoire.

Students are required to take jury examinations in each semester of applied enrollment until the recital is successfully completed.

Information for Matriculated Students


Graduate Competency Exams

All incoming School of Music graduate students must pass a competency exam in music theory/ear training prior to enrollment in MUS 530, Seminar in Music Theory. This exam will be graded pass/fail and may be taken no more than three times. Students unable to pass after three attempts must withdraw from the program.

Special Requirements and Standards

All music graduate programs must be completed within six years from the date of matriculation.

Students must maintain a B average in all coursework and must have no grade lower than B-. Students who receive grades lower than B- will be reviewed for retention in the graduate program. Jury reviews are scheduled each semester for majors in performance and jazz studies. Consult the School of Music for policies on jury review.

Each program requires that students demonstrate mastery in their primary area of study. Students meet this requirement through the presentation of one or more recitals. Consult the individual requirements below for more details.

The following conditions will apply to all recitals:

  • Required recitals will be performed on approval of the applied instructors.
  • Grading of the recital will be by a committee of at least two jurors. The jurors will be drawn from the graduate faculty and the degree candidate’s private instructor.
  • The candidate must receive a grade of B or higher on each recital. If the grade of B is not achieved, the candidate must perform another recital that contains at least 50 percent new material. If the grade of B or higher is not achieved at this recital retake, the candidate must petition the faculty to remain in the degree program.

Transfer credit

Six graduate credits may be transferred to USM from another NASM-accredited college or university.

Admissions credit

Additionally no more than six graduate credits for work earned at USM in the five years prior to matriculation may be credited to the master’s degree.

Residency

A one-year residency is required for most performance programs.

Exit Requirements

In addition to the required degree recital(s) and associated written documents, candidates will be required to complete a written or oral examination in which they will be prepared to discuss topics and answer questions in their field. The exit examination will be scheduled through the appropriate full-time faculty member.