Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Bulletin 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Music (M.M.)


Bulletin/Catalog Year 2019-2020
College of Arts and Letters
Department of Music

Dr. Eric Branscome
Chair, Department of Music
Professor
Location: Music/Mass Communication Building, Room 138
Phone: 931-221-7818
Email: branscomee@apsu.edu

Dr. Korre Foster
Graduate Coordinator
Associate Professor
Location: Music/Mass Communication Building, Room 137
Phone: 931-221-7002
Email: fosterk@apsu.edu

 

The Department of Music offers five concentrations under the Master of Music degree. Individualized programs, personalized mentoring by faculty, and small classes allow for exceptional learning opportunities.  All master’s students in music are required to pass an oral examination. Those students who do not elect the thesis option will be required to submit a satisfactory analysis or research paper as well.  The major teacher, in consultation with the student’s graduate committee, will oversee the completion of the writing requirement.

Listed below are the required application materials and the associated scores (if necessary) for each.

Admission Requirements

  • Application for admission
  • Application Fee:  $45 domestic or $55 international
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Verification of lawful presence in the United States (i.e. submit a license or other approved document)
  • Bachelor’s degree, conferred in any field, from a regionally accredited institution showing a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5
  • Submit three letters of recommendation
  • Schedule an audition with the Department of Music (if you have missed the final offical audition day, contact the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Korre Foster).
  • Military documents (if applicable)
  • Admission decision by department

For more information about the application process, please visit apsu.edu/grad-studies.

All incoming graduate students are required to take music theory and history entrance exams. Students must complete the exams prior to matriculation and may take the entrance exams only once. Students who demonstrate a deficiency in music theory will be required to enroll in MUS 5040 (Graduate Music Theory Review) in the first fall semester of residence, and must earn a B or better upon the first attempt to remain in the program. MUS 5040 will not count towards the program of study.

Music history deficiencies are fulfilled by enrolling in the related graduate music history course. Students who are deficient in early music (before 1750) must pass MUS 5330 (fall even). Students who are deficient in Classical or Romantic music must pass MUS 5340 (spring even). Students who are deficient in 20th century music must pass MUS 5350 (fall even). Only one graduate music history course will be required to fulfill a deficiency. Graduate music history courses will count towards the program of study.

Music Education Concentration


This program is designed to meet the needs of teachers in the field of professional music education who possess a valid teaching license. APSU offers a traditional on-campus program and a low-residency program consisting mostly of on-line courses for working professionals. The low-residency program contains a six-hour on-campus residency that is usually fulfilled in a summer term. The low-residency program is not available to students in the Initial Licensure Program. To audition, candidates must submit a video of a current teaching scenario and a recent writing sample. The writing sample is commonly a Philosophy of Music Education statement, but other scholarly documents are acceptable. Contact the department with questions regarding audition requirements.  

Upon entry into the program, students will consult with a graduate faculty member to design a graduate Program of Study based on the student’s undergraduate courses and professional goals. The Program of Study must be designed and approved in consultation with an appointed graduate faculty member or the graduate committee, and submitted to the College of Graduate studies by the end of the first full semester of study (If an Admission to Candidacy/Program of Study/Committee Assignment form is not filed by the end of the first semester (excluding summer terms), a hold will be placed on the student’s registration by the Registrar’s Office). 

All incoming graduate students are required to take music theory and history entrance exams. Students must complete the exams prior to matriculation and may take the entrance exams only once. Students who demonstrate a deficiency in music theory will be required to enroll in MUS 5040 (Graduate Music Theory Review) in the first fall semester of residence, and must earn a B or better upon the first attempt to remain in the program. MUS 5040 will not count towards the program of study.

Music history deficiencies are fulfilled by enrolling in the related graduate music history course. Students who are deficient in early music (before 1750) must pass MUS 5330 (fall even). Students who are deficient in Classical or Romantic music must pass MUS 5340 (spring even). Students who are deficient in 20th century music must pass MUS 5350 (fall even). Only one graduate music history course will be required to fulfill a deficiency. Graduate music history courses will count towards the program of study.

Students in the low-residency program may complete oral examinations and Thesis defense on campus or through video conference all. Students in the traditional, on-campus program must complete oral examinations and thesis defense on campus.

Non-Cognate Option


Select nine (9) courses from the four cognate options, totaling 9 hours, six (6) hours of which must be music courses.

Music Education Concentration (Initial Licensure)


This program is designed to meet the needs of musicians seeking to enter the field of professional music education. APSU offers a traditional on-campus program and a low-residency program consisting mostly of on-line courses for working professionals. The low-residency program contains a six-hour on-campus residency that is usually fulfilled in a summer term. The low-residency program is not available to students in the Initial Licensure Program. To audition, candidates must submit a video of a current teaching scenario and a recent writing sample. The writing sample is commonly a Philosophy of Music Education statement, but other scholarly documents are acceptable. Candidates for the initial licensure program should contact the department with questions regarding audition requirements. 

Upon entry into the program, students will consult with a graduate faculty member to design a graduate Program of Study based on the student’s undergraduate courses and professional goals. The Program of Study must be designed and approved in consultation with an appointed graduate faculty member or the graduate committee, and submitted to the College of Graduate studies by the end of the first full semester of study (If an Admission to Candidacy/Program of Study/Committee Assignment form is not filed by the end of the first semester (excluding summer terms), a hold will be placed on the student’s registration by the Registrar’s Office). 

All incoming graduate students are required to take music theory and history entrance exams. Students must complete the exams prior to matriculation and may take the entrance exams only once. Students who demonstrate a deficiency in music theory will be required to enroll in MUS 5040 (Graduate Music Theory Review) in the first fall semester of residence, and must earn a B or better upon the first attempt to remain in the program. MUS 5040 will not count towards the program of study.

Music history deficiencies are fulfilled by enrolling in the related graduate music history course. Students who are deficient in early music (before 1750) must pass MUS 5330 (fall even). Students who are deficient in Classical or Romantic music must pass MUS 5340 (spring even). Students who are deficient in 20th century music must pass MUS 5350 (fall even). Only one graduate music history course will be required to fulfill a deficiency. Graduate music history courses will count towards the program of study.

Students who wish to pursue both a Master of Music Degree with a concentration in Music Education AND INITIAL LICENSURE must complete six additional courses in education. Further, students must complete any undergraduate music education deficiencies. There are two options: (1) pass the Praxis II music exam (Test 0114 [paper-delivered exam] or Test 5114 [computer-delivered exam] Music Content and Instruction with a minimum score of 162; OR (2) successfully complete the following courses and proficiencies: MUS 2240 Foundations of Music Education, MUS 3255 Elementary Music Methods, MUS 4380 or MUS 4260 (Choral Methods or Secondary Instrumental Music Methods), MUS 3810 or MUS 3820 (Choral or Instrumental Conducting). Instrumentalists must pass the instrumental proficiency examinations for strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion or successfully complete classes in these instructional methods.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program is required for those seeking initial licensure concurrent with enrollment in the graduate program. Documentation of progress through a series of assessments in an electronic portfolio (LiveText) is required as well as a one-semester student teaching experience. Consult the College of Education link to Graduate Milestone Assessment (http://www.apsu.edu/education/2010/gradmilestones).*

Choral Conducting Concentration


Required Core


Supportive Studies


  • MUS 5XXX - Music History 3 (Musicology or Ethnomusciology course as recommended by advisor)
  • MUS 5XXX - Advanced Topics in Choral Literature 3 (Directed Studies)
  • MUS 5XXX - Large ensembles(s) suitable for primary area  2

Studies in Other Fields/Electives


Additional courses as prescribed by primary advisor and based on results of audition, entrance exams or Graduate Assistantship requirements may include:

 

Total Hours: 31-32


Instrumental Conducting Concentration


Required Core


Supportive Studies


Studies in Other Fields/Electives


Additional courses as prescribed by primary advisory and based on results of audition, entrance exam or Graduate Assistantship requirements may include:

  • Graduate level theory courses
  • Graduate level music history courses
  • Additional large or chamber ensembles suitable for primary area
  • Additional elective courses

Total Hours: 31-32


Vocal or Instrumental Performance Concentration


This program is designed to increase skills in instrumental or vocal performance or conducting, for careers in private music teaching as well as performance and for those who wish to pursue doctoral studies in applied music.

Students will be required to audition in their primary performing area and to demonstrate their eartraining, sightsinging and keyboard proficiency. Voice majors are expected to demonstrate proficiency in German, French, and Italian diction. Normally, these examinations will be taken before enrolling in graduate courses. Diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory are given to all entering graduate students the day immediately prior to the first day of class of the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The results will assist the faculty in helping the student plan appropriate courses in the program of study. Deficiencies may be made up after matriculation however,  no graduate credit will be allowed for such work.  Note: Students must successfully pass both music theory and music history exams by the end of the first semester of graduate study (excluding summer semester) so that the deadline for filing the Program of Study can be met. (If an Admission to Candidacy/Program of Study/Committee Assignment form is not filed by the end of the first semester (excluding summer terms), a hold will be placed on the student’s registration by the Registrar’s Office). 

The Graduate Recital will be supplemented by a written descriptive or analytical narrative paper that will be filed in the College of Graduate Studies office.

Required Core:


Note


*Additional elective credit in Individual Instruction and Ensemble may not exceed three hours.

Total: 32 Hours


A maximum of three hours from disciplines other than music and humanities may be taken with graduate committee approval.