MUSIC

Telephone: (302) 831-2577

For more information, please visit the department web site at http://www.music.udel.edu

The Department of Music offers master’s degree programs for students seeking advanced study in music. The degree Master of Music has two main purposes: (1) To provide instruction for gifted performers as they enter the professional world of orchestral, recital, and solo performance; or, (2) To enhance and upgrade the credentials and abilities of K-12 music educators, individuals preparing to enter doctoral-level programs in performance, and students intending to teach in postsecondary level institutions where the master’s degree is required.

Students may choose between two concentrations: Performance (emphasizing studio instruction or conducting, and culminating in a public recital) and Teaching (directed towards music educators in grades K-12 who desire a master’s degree in this discipline).

RESEARCH FACILITIES

Music study is enriched by the well-equipped and modern facilities in the Amy E. du Pont Music Building, with its large rehearsal rooms, ample practice rooms and Loudis Recital Hall. An excellent collection of scores, books, and music journals is housed in the University’s Morris Library. In addition, the department’s Music Resources Center contains study scores and chamber music, as well as a fine collection of audio and video recordings. The building also houses extensive electronic equipment to support the work in computer and video-disc technology which has earned the department international acclaim.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

The entering student is expected to have an undergraduate degree in music. The applicant must also submit a transcript of all previous academic work to the Office of Graduate Studies, revealing an acceptable grade-point average (normally 3.0). The student must also submit a statement of professional goals and three letters of recommendation to the Office of Graduate Studies. Students applying for admission to the Performance Concentration must pass an audition.

Applicants must perform satisfactorily on the department’s music theory placement test prior to enrolling in MUSC 695 (Advanced Analytical Techniques). Any and all deficiencies indicated must be corrected before the student may enroll in MUSC 695. This may be accomplished through enrollment in one or more existing undergraduate music theory courses or through a program of self-study, tutoring, or laboratory work. The department’s Coordinator of Graduate Studies will prescribe remedial action, if any, appropriate for each person. The student will be required to retake and pass the portions of the exam in which deficiencies were found before enrolling in MUSC 695. Applicants must also perform satisfactorily on the music history qualifying exam within the first year of matriculation in the Master of Music program. Students may take the music theory placement exam or the music history qualifying exam only three times. Any student failing to pass either exam on the third try will no longer be able to continue in the Master of Music program.

Admission is selective and competitive based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

FINANCIAL AID

Graduate assistantships are available to a select number of full-time students. The applicant should contact the department for information. Please refer to the chapter “Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships” in this catalog for additional information.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

I. Performance Concentration (Instrumental)

Courses

Students are required to complete 35 credit hours (maintaining a grade average of B or better) to be granted the degree Master of Music: Performance. All students take the following:

MUSC 601 Master’s Recital (2 cr.)

MUSC 603 Chamber Music Literature (3 cr.)

MUSC 605 Symphonic Literature (3 cr.)

(for those students whose major is an orchestral instrument)

Or

MUSC 602 Advanced Keyboard Literature

(for those students whose major is piano or organ)

MUSC 611 Studies in Music History (3 cr.)

MUSC 620 Large Ensemble (2 cr.)

MUSC 621 Chamber Ensemble (1 cr.)

MUSC 622 Materials and Methods of Research (3 cr.)

MUSC 661 Advanced Private Study (3 cr.)

MUSC 662 Advanced Private Study (3 cr.)

MUSC 663 Advanced Private Study (3 cr.)

MUSC 681 Pedagogy and Literature (3 cr.)

MUSC 695 Advanced Analytical Techniques (3 cr.)

ELECTIVE Music or Non-Music elective (3 cr.)

Other Requirements

The culmination of the degree is a public recital (MUSC 601), which is preceded by an acceptable recital-approval hearing. In addition, toward the end of the course of study, the student must pass an oral examination.

II. Performance Concentration (Voice)

Courses

Students are required to complete 34 credit hours (maintaining a grade average of B or better) to be granted the degree Master of Music: Performance. All students take the following:

MUSC 601 Master’s Recital (2 cr.)

MUSC 608 Vocal Literature (3 cr.)

MUSC 609 Choral Music Literature I (3 cr.)

Or

MUSC 610 Choral Music Literature II (3 cr.)

MUSC 611 Studies in Music History (3 cr.)

MUSC 620 Large Ensemble (1 cr.)

MUSC 621 Chamber Ensemble (1 cr.)

MUSC 622 Materials and Methods of Research (3 cr.)

MUSC 661 Advanced Private Study (3 cr.)

MUSC 662 Advanced Private Study (3 cr.)

MUSC 663 Advanced Private Study (3 cr.)

MUSC 681 Pedagogy and Literature (3 cr.)

MUSC 695 Advanced Analytical Techniques (3 cr.)

ELECTIVE Music or Non-Music elective (3 cr.)

Other Requirements

The culmination of the degree is a public recital (MUSC 601), which is preceded by an acceptable recital-approval hearing. In addition, toward the end of the course of study, the student must pass an oral examination.

III. Performance Concentration (Conducting)

Courses

Students are required to complete 33 credit hours (maintaining a grade average of B or better) to be granted the degree Master of Music: Performance. All students take the following:

MUSC 600 Master’s Performance in Conducting (2 cr.)

MUSC 603 Chamber Music Literature (3 cr.)

MUSC 611 Studies in Music History (3 cr.)

MUSC 620 Large Ensemble (1 cr.)

MUSC 621 Chamber Ensemble (1 cr.)

MUSC 622 Materials and Methods of Research (3 cr.)

MUSC 661 Advanced Private Study (4 cr.)

MUSC 662 Advanced Private Study (4 cr.)

MUSC 695 Advanced Analytical Techniques (3 cr.)

ELECTIVE Music or Non-Music elective (3 cr.)

Students specializing in Instrumental Conducting:

MUSC 605 Symphonic Literature (3 cr.)

MUSC 606 Wind Literature (3 cr.)

Students specializing in Choral Conducting:

MUSC 609 Choral Music Literature I (3 cr.)

MUSC 610 Choral Music Literature II (3 cr.)

Other Requirements

The culmination of the degree is a public recital (MUSC 600), which is preceded by an acceptable recital-approval hearing. In addition, toward the end of the course of study, the student must pass an oral examination.

IV. Teaching Concentration

Courses

Students are required to complete 30-31 credit hours (maintaining a grade average of B or better) to be granted the degree Master of Music: Teaching. All students take the following:

Core Courses (9 cr.)

MUSC 611 Studies in Music History (3 cr.)

MUSC 622 Materials and Methods of Research (3 cr.)

MUSC 695 Advanced Analytical Techniques (3 cr.)

Music Education Courses (6 cr.)

MUSC 640 Philosophical Issues in Music Education (3)

MUSC 676 Seminar in Music Education (3)

Specialization Component (3-4 credits)

Students can elect one of three areas of specialization: Choral, Instrumental, or General Music K-12. The courses for each are as follows:

Choral

MUSC 636 Advanced Choral Conducting (3)

MUSC 638 Large Ensemble Practicum (1)

(Large Ensemble to be chosen with the approval

of the faculty advisor)

OR

Instrumental

MUSC 637 Advanced Instrumental Conducting (3)

MUSC 638 Large Ensemble Practicum (1)

(Large Ensemble to be chosen with the approval

of the faculty advisor)

OR

General Music K-12

MUSC 675 General Music K-12 (3)

Thesis or Project (6 credits)

Students can elect to write a thesis or pursue a project in which they develop and implement a teaching portfolio. The courses for each are as follows:

Thesis

MUSC 869 Master’s Thesis (6)

OR

Project

MUSC 679 Professional Improvement Project I (3)

MUSC 680 Professional Improvement Project II (3)

Elective Courses (6 cr.)

All elective courses must be approved by the Music Education Advisor. The courses must be graduate-level courses, and they may be taken in music or in other departments.