We are accepting applications for Fall 2025. The application portal will be available in September
Concentrations in Choral Conducting and Organ
The Repertory Chorus
The Repertory Chorus is a fully professional choir which serves as the resident training ensemble for graduate students in choral conducting. Drawn from among the Capital's best choral singers, this ensemble performs a series of choral concerts and liturgical services that showcase a carefully curated selection of sacred choral masterworks conducted by CUA's graduate choral conducting studio.
Entrance Requirements
The undergraduate music degree (typically the Bachelor of Music degree) is a prerequisite except in extraordinary circumstances. Graduate entrance examinations will be administered according to previously stated policy.
Prior to submitting a formal application, persons interested in the Master of Music in Sacred Music degree must communicate with the director of the program. A formal application to the M.M. in Sacred Music will include the following:
- Letter of Application
- Current Curriculum Vitae
- Personal Statement relating candidate's professional goals to the practice of Sacred Music (500-1000 words)
- Pre-screening Performance Video (does not need to be from an actual performance)
- For organists: video recording of A Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach; a major 19th/early 20th-century piece; a piece written after 1930. For the live audition: the same categories, but at least one of the pieces should be different. Other live audition requirements will be stipulated upon invitation to campus.
- For choral conductors: 20-30 minutes of conducting video (where the candidate is visible from the front) demonstrating works of contrasting styles; it is preferred to show examples of both rehearsal and performance, if possible. Live on-campus audition requirements will be stipulated upon invitation to campus.
Invitation to campus for auditions, interviews, and testing is based on evaluation of the Applicants will perform for the faculty at the time of their visit.
Demonstration of conducting skills is required for both concentrations. Testing consists of demonstration of keyboard proficiency, open score-reading and sight-singing. Repertoire for conducting auditions will be stipulated upon invitation to the live on-campus audition. Auditions are held once a year, early in the spring semester; detailed information is posted on the music website.
All students entering the Master of Music degree program in Sacred Music must take the Music Theory Placement Examination and the Music History Placement Examination. These placement exams are administered by the Department of Music Theory, History, and Composition faculty, and are always offered in-person on the Saturday before a given term begins.
Liturgical Prerequisite
TRS 540, Introduction to Liturgy. Equivalency in this field may be demonstrated by written examination. Incoming students must consult with the School of Theology and Religious Studies in May before their first fall semester. Credit for TRS 540 is prerequisite and cannot be applied to the degree program total credits.
| Program of Study: M.M. in Sacred Music (choral conducting) | Semester Hours |
| Liturgical Studies | 6 |
| TRS 741A Liturgy: Theological and Historical Perspectives (typically to be taken in the first fall semester) | 3 |
| TRS 744 Eucharist: A Liturgical Theology (typically to be taken in the second fall semester) | 3 |
| Sacred and Choral Music | 6 |
| MUS 584 Liturgical Music | 3 |
| MUS 746 Seminar in Sacred Music | 3 |
| Applied Skills | 4 |
| MUS 635 Repertory Chorus and Lessons | 4 |
| Music History | 6 |
| MUS 556 History of Sacred Music | 3 |
| MUS 731 Research Methodology | 3 |
| Music Theory | 6 |
| MUS 711 Analytical Techniques I | 3 |
| MUS 712 Analytical Techniques II | 3 |
| Music Literature | 12 |
| MUS 634 Choral Seminar (taken all four semesters) | 3 |
| Music Performance:MUS 507 Chamber Choir | 2 |
| Upon completion of unit requirement, non-credit participation in CUA Chamber Choir is required each semester in residence. For this non-credit participation, the student should register for MUS 507A. | |
| Electives | 6 |
| General Electives | 3 |
| Music Electives | 3 |
| Comprehensive Examinations:MUS 698A w/classes; MUS 698B w/o classes (see below) | 0 |
| Recital:MUS 697A w/classes; MUS 697B w/o classes (see below) | 0 |
| Total | 48 |
| Program of Study: M.M. in Sacred Music (organ performance) | Semester Hours |
| Liturgical Studies | 6 |
| TRS 741A Liturgy: Theological and Historical Perspectives (typically to be taken in the first fall semester) | 3 |
| TRS 744 Eucharist: A Liturgical Theology (typically to be taken in the second fall semester) | 3 |
| Sacred and Choral Music | 6 |
| MUS 584 Liturgical Music | 3 |
| MUS 746 Seminar in Sacred Music | 3 |
| Applied Skills | 8 |
| Organ Private Instruction | 8 |
| Choral Studies | 4 |
| MUS 635 Repertory Chorus | 1 |
| MUS 634 Choral Seminar | 3 |
| Music History | 3 |
| MUS 556 History of Sacred Music | 3 |
| Music Theory | 3 |
| MUS 712 Analytical Techniques II | 3 |
| Music Literature | 6 |
| MUS 516 Organ Literature I | 3 |
| MUS 516A Organ Literature II | 3 |
| Music Performance:MUS 507 Chamber Choir | 2 |
| Upon completion of unit requirement, non-credit participation in CUA Chamber Choir is required each semester in residence. For this non-credit participation, the student should register for MUS 507A. | |
| Electives | 6 |
| General Electives | 3 |
| Music Electives | 3 |
| Comprehensive Examinations:MUS 698A w/classes; MUS 698B w/o classes (see below) | 0 |
| Recital:MUS 697A w/classes; MUS 697B w/o classes (see below) | 0 |
| Total | 44 |
Graduation Requirements
The student may schedule comprehensive examinations (MUS 698A w/ classes; MUS 698B w/o classes) following the adviser's written approval. Four two-hour examinations are administered over a two-day period; the student must pass all four examinations.
The examinations will be given as per the following schedule:
Day 1: Liturgical Studies (two hours)
TRS 741A Liturgy, Theological and Historical Perspectives
TRS 744 Eucharist: A Liturgical Theology
Day 1: Sacred and Choral Music (two hours)
MUS 584 Liturgical Music
MUS 746 Seminar in Sacred Music
Day 2: Music History and Music Theory (two hours)
MUS 556 History of Sacred Music
MUS 712 Analytical Techniques II
Music Literature* (two hours)
MUS 634 Choral Seminar (4 semesters) or:
*MUS 516 and 516A Organ Literature I & II
*Candidate takes the Music Literature portion of the examination based on his/her MMSM specialization and coursework: choral music or organ performance.
A one-hour public recital (MUS 697A w/classes; MUS 697B w/o classes) in the area of concentration is required.
For more information, please contact Peter Kadeli at kadeli@cua.edu