M.M. Performance
The Master of Music - Performance degree is for concentrated study in an applied area and is designed to prepare the student for professional music activities including solo performance, orchestral playing, ensemble playing, collaborative performance, studio teaching, and doctoral study. The program emphasizes development of skills, knowledge and background in the following areas: literature and repertoire, performance skills, practice skills, interpretation and expression, performance pedagogy, historical performance practices, music history and music theory.
Applied areas of study are: bass, bassoon, cello, clarinet, flute, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin & voice.
This degree program also allows for specialization in chamber music (string quartet) or collaborative piano.
Admission Requirements
- Official transcript(s)
- 3.0 GPA
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of career goals
- Resumé
- Audition
Official transcript(s); 3.0 GPA; three letters of recommendation; statement of career goals; resumé; and audition.
Outcomes/Objectives
Literature and repertoire
Students recognize, identify, interpret and perform representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
Performance skills
Students will develop and apply advanced performing skills including tone production, accuracy, intonation, instrumental/vocal technique, musicality/expression, vocal language and diction, and stage presence/presentation in solo and ensemble settings.
Practice techniques
Students will discuss, utilize and achieve high quality results from efficient and effective practice techniques including time management, setting achievable goals, development and use of appropriate technical skills, development and use of musical expression skills, and the development and use of a focused work ethic.
Interpretation and expression
Students will develop an enhanced understanding of interpretation and expression in music by listening to artistic live and recorded performances. Understanding will be displayed through identification and discussion, utilized in practice, and demonstrated in performance settings through the resulting musical product.
Instrumental/Vocal performance pedagogy
Students will identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy appropriate to the specific area of study.
Historical performance practices
Students will identify, associate, differentiate and utilize performance practices appropriate to the literature of the various stylistic periods.
Score study
Students will utilize and discuss score study of literature performed and also representative literature from various historical periods and composers. This score study will include such factors as transposition of instruments, instrumental/vocal score order, compositional form, analysis of chord and melodic structures, and historical placement by stylistic and compositional traits.
Final Oral Examination
Students take a two-hour comprehensive oral examination administered by a faculty committee covering the specific degree area, music history and music theory demonstrating the student’s ability to synthesize and verbalize knowledge.