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Students performing in Quartet

Performance - M.M.

Turn your passion for music performance into a fulfilling career as a solo performer, orchestral musician or studio teacher with the Master of Music degree. With a focus on literature, repertoire, performance skills and historical performance practices, our program prepares you for a wide range of professional music activities, as well as further study at the doctoral level.

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College of the Arts
School of Music
www.kent.edu/music

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Program Information

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Music degree in Performance is designed to prepare the student for professional music activities, including solo performance, orchestral playing, ensemble playing, collaborative performance, studio teaching; as well as 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.

The Performance major includes the following optional concentrations:

  • The Chamber Music concentration is for intensive coaching and performance of string quartet literature.
  • The Collaborative Piano concentration provides focused study on performance, chamber music, accompanying and literature.
Admissions

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
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Audition
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
    • Minimum 525 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
    • Minimum 71 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
    • Minimum 74 MELAB score
    • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 50 PTE score
    • Minimum 100 Duolingo test score

For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.

Application Deadlines

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

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Recognize, identify, interpret and perform representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
  2. Apply advanced performing skills in solo and ensemble settings, including tone production, accuracy, intonation, instrumental/vocal technique, musicality/expression, vocal language and diction and stage presence/presentation.
  3. Discuss, utilize and achieve high-quality results from efficient and effective practice techniques, including time management, achievable goals and use of appropriate technical skills, musical expression skills and focused work ethic.
  4. Have an enhanced understanding of interpretation and expression in music.
  5. Identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy appropriate to the specific area of study.
  6. Identify, associate, differentiate and utilize performances practices appropriate to the literature of the various stylistic periods.
  7. Utilize and discuss score study of literature performed and also representative literature from various historical periods and composers.
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
MUS 62411MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH METHODS 2
Applied Music Electives, choose from the following: 112
MUS 66111
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PIANO
MUS 66311
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VOICE
MUS 66411
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLIN
MUS 66412
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLA
MUS 66413
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CELLO
MUS 66414
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE DOUBLE BASS
MUS 66511
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE FLUTE
MUS 66512
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE OBOE
MUS 66513
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CLARINET
MUS 66514
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE BASSOON
MUS 66515
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE SAXOPHONE
MUS 66611
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TRUMPET
MUS 66612
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE HORN
MUS 66613
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TROMBONE
MUS 66615
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TUBA
MUS 66711
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PERCUSSION
Music Theory Requirement, choose from the following: 23
MUS 51141
16TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 51151
18TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 61131
SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS
MUS 61173
WORLD MUSIC ANALYSIS
MUS 61174
ANALYSIS OF WESTERN ART MUSIC
MUS 61181
POST-TONAL THEORY
MUS 61191
SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900
Music History Requirement, choose from the following:3
MUS 52131
MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
MUS 52161
HISTORY OF JAZZ
MUS 52181
POPULAR WORLD MUSIC
MUS 62171
MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES
MUS 62281
SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Music Theory or Music History Elective, choose from the following: 33
Music Theory Electives
MUS 51141
16TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 51151
18TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 61131
SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS
MUS 61173
WORLD MUSIC ANALYSIS
MUS 61181
POST-TONAL THEORY
MUS 61191
SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900
Music History Electives
MUS 52131
MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
MUS 52161
HISTORY OF JAZZ
MUS 52181
POPULAR WORLD MUSIC
MUS 62171
MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES
MUS 62281
SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Culminating Requirement
MUS 68687RECITAL (taken twice for 1 credit hour each)2
Additional Requirements or Concentration
Choose from the following:7
Minimum Total Credit Hours:32
1

Students register for 4 credit hours of applied music courses in two of the semesters, and register for 2 credit hours of applied music in the two semesters in which they register for MUS 68687.

2

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.

3

Students must select a third music theory or music history course. Substitutions can be considered with advisor approval.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Major Requirements
Ensemble Electives, choose from the following: 14
MUS 55121
KENT CHORUS
MUS 55131
KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP
MUS 55141
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE
MUS 55142
CORO CANTARE
MUS 55143
CANTIQUE
MUS 55151
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR
MUS 55212
ORCHESTRA
MUS 55221
SYMPHONY BAND
MUS 55223
WIND ENSEMBLE
MUS 55231
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
MUS 55241
TROMBONE ENSEMBLE
MUS 55251
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
MUS 55261
BASSOON ENSEMBLE
MUS 55271
NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE
MUS 55281
FLUTE ENSEMBLE
MUS 55311
CHAMBER MUSIC
MUS 55314
WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE
MUS 55321
ACCOMPANYING
Major Elective, choose from the following:3
MUS 52221
SYMPHONIC LITERATURE
MUS 52241
PIANO LITERATURE I
MUS 52242
PIANO LITERATURE II
MUS 52251
SONG LITERATURE
MUS 52261
OPERA LITERATURE
MUS 55121
KENT CHORUS
MUS 55131
KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP
MUS 55141
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE
MUS 55142
CORO CANTARE
MUS 55143
CANTIQUE
MUS 55151
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR
MUS 55212
ORCHESTRA
MUS 55223
WIND ENSEMBLE
MUS 55231
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
MUS 55241
TROMBONE ENSEMBLE
MUS 55251
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
MUS 55261
BASSOON ENSEMBLE
MUS 55271
NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE
MUS 55281
FLUTE ENSEMBLE
MUS 55311
CHAMBER MUSIC
MUS 55314
WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE
MUS 55321
ACCOMPANYING
MUS 58241
VOICE PEDAGOGY
MUS 58257
PEDAGOGY-INSTRUMENTAL
MUS 58611
ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION I
MUS 58612
ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION II
MUS 68214
PIANO PEDAGOGY I
MUS 68215
PIANO PEDAGOGY II
Advisor-approved graduate Music (MUS) courses
Minimum Total Credit Hours:7
1

Students in the following specializations must take the following every semester:

  • Strings: MUS 55212
  • Voice: MUS 55131
  • Piano: MUS 55311 or MUS 55321

Chamber Music Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
MUS 55311CHAMBER MUSIC (taken each semester for 1 credit hour each)4
Ensemble Electives, choose from the following:3
MUS 55121
KENT CHORUS
MUS 55131
KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP
MUS 55141
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE
MUS 55142
CORO CANTARE
MUS 55143
CANTIQUE
MUS 55151
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR
MUS 55212
ORCHESTRA
MUS 55221
SYMPHONY BAND
MUS 55223
WIND ENSEMBLE
MUS 55231
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
MUS 55241
TROMBONE ENSEMBLE
MUS 55251
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
MUS 55261
BASSOON ENSEMBLE
MUS 55271
NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE
MUS 55281
FLUTE ENSEMBLE
MUS 55311
CHAMBER MUSIC
MUS 55314
WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE
MUS 55321
ACCOMPANYING
Minimum Total Credit Hours:7

Collaborative Piano Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
MUS 55321ACCOMPANYING (taken each semester for 1 credit hour each)4
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:3
MUS 52241
PIANO LITERATURE I
MUS 52242
PIANO LITERATURE II
MUS 52251
SONG LITERATURE
MUS 52261
OPERA LITERATURE
MUS 55311
CHAMBER MUSIC
MUS 58241
VOICE PEDAGOGY
MUS 58611
ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION I
MUS 58612
ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION II
MUS 64111
CONDUCTING PROJECTS:CHORAL
MUS 64131
CONDUCTING PROJECTS:ORCHESTRA
MUS 68214
PIANO PEDAGOGY I
MUS 68215
PIANO PEDAGOGY II
Advisor-approved graduate Music (MUS) courses
Minimum Total Credit Hours:7
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Music

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

5.6%

faster than the average

116,300

number of jobs

$69,690

potential earnings

Music directors and composers

1.7%

slower than the average

58,000

number of jobs

$52,250

potential earnings

Musicians and singers

0.9%

little or no change

175,600

number of jobs

$N/A

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.