Prerequisites and Entrance Requirements
Acceptance as a graduate student by the Departments of Music is required. The applicant must have performance and teaching experience after receiving a master's degree from an accredited institution in vocal performance.
The applicant must submit the following to the advisory committee:
- two letters of recommendation (one from a professional colleague, not teacher of the applicant) attesting to the applicant’s past and potential ability as a performer and teacher;
- programs and critical reviews, if available;
- completed repertoire and professional experience record, obtainable at: academics/incoming-current-music-students/index
Foreign language prerequisites include two semesters of undergraduate or master's level study in each of the following languages: Italian, French, and German, with a grade of B or better, taken at an accredited college or university as approved by the adviser and dean. In lieu of taking undergraduate courses, students who place into Italian 103, French 103, or German 103 on the university's Modern Language Test will be considered to have satisfied the prerequisite requirement in the given language(s).
Successful completion of the following entrance examinations is required:
- a public recital of a program of 60 minutes duration selected by the adviser from works on the applicant's repertoire and professional experience record, to include works of contrasting styles and demonstrating proficiency in at least two languages in addition to English;
- written examinations (two hours each):
a. music history placement examination;
b. music theory placement examination.
The applicant is responsible for the overall quality of the performance on all recitals required for the degree. Entrance recitals and placement examinations are given during the first and second semester registration periods. An interview with the adviser takes place after the examinations are completed.
Program of Study
Based on the results of the entrance examinations, the adviser, in conference with the student, will arrange a program of study of 58 to 72 hours beyond the master's degree. The courses to be completed as part of the degree requirements will be communicated to the student by the adviser. The repertoire is to be selected in conjunction with the applied music instructor and with the approval of the adviser. All degree recitals are to include appropriate program notes and translations to be approved by the applied music instructor and the adviser.
Minor: An approved minor (a minimum of 12 semester hours in any one field) is required for this degree and may be taken in music theory, musicology (see below), Latin American music (see below), or in a field outside of music, such as a foreign language or English. The foreign language minor may be fulfilled not only by study of the specific language itself, but also by study of representative music history courses/seminars, poetry of song literature, and a lecture-recital, all determined by course offerings and permission from the division chair. Other specialized minors within music may be created upon the approval of the adviser and dean. The student must demonstrate the necessary undergraduate prerequisites for graduate study when the field chosen is outside of music.
The final comprehensive examinations may be scheduled, with the approval of the adviser, following the completion of coursework, recitals and research paper. They will include written examinations in the major and minor areas (one four-hour examination in the major area, to include vocal pedagogy and vocal literature, and one four-hour examination in the minor area-the examinations to be given on two successive days.
Minor in Latin American Music
The advisory committee, in conference with the student, will arrange a program of study of 58 to 72 semester hours beyond the master's degree, which will include at least 12 semester hours of Latin American music electives. The research paper must be based on a Latin American music topic.
Minor in Musicology
The advisory committee, in conference with the student, will arrange a program of study of 58 to 72 semester hours beyond the master's degree, which will include at least 12 semester hours of musicology courses beyond the minimum number of hours already required for the degree. Three of those semester hours must be Research Methodology (MUS 731), unless the student has taken a similar course for the master's degree. At the conclusion of coursework, the student will take a written, four-hour minor comprehensive examination (based on four musicology courses selected by the student).