Performance Concentration – Master of Music

Program Mission Statement

The Master of Music - Performance program focuses on developing students' (stakeholders) individual talents, interest, and philosophies which can be used creatively to preserve and extend cultural heritage; professional competence in performance interpretation and evaluation of knowledge; scholarly competence in the organization, interpretation, and evaluation of knowledge; professional competence in the communication and dissemination of knowledge; and the ability to solve contemporary problems in various aspects of music. This clearly supports all five elements of MSU's mission: https://www.moreheadstate.edu/about-msu/mission.

Program Competencies

The student pursuing the Master of Music program in Performance will demonstrate:

  1. A comprehensive understanding of music through active engagement in listening to, performing, analyzing and creating music.
  2. Knowledge of the essential bibliographic resources and advanced competence in music research.
  3. An enlightened understanding of music learning theories and pedagogy.
  4. The ability to apply appropriate technologies to work in and about music.
  5. Advanced written and oral communicative skills.
  6. Advanced creative and evaluative skills.
  7. The ability to produce scholarly and/or creative works in music and/or music education.
  8. Professional competence in performance skills and interpretation.
  9. Advanced knowledge of performance practice relevant to the literature for the major instrument/voice.
  10. Advanced pedagogical skills appropriate to the major instrument/voice.
  11. An understanding of the career opportunities in the music industry.

Assessment

  1. Graduate jury and public recital (concentration in performance only).
  2. Comprehensive Capstone Exam that includes: (1) A final comprehensive written exam in music history and literature and music theory, and (2) A final research project and oral examination in the area of emphasis and specialization. Should the Comprehensive Capstone Exam assessment prove to be unsatisfactory, the student will be counseled by the principal graduate advisor and members of the examination committee and will be allowed to repeat those areas that were deemed to be deficient.

Program Requirements

Core Requirements

MUST 665Form and Analysis

3

MUSH 600Graduate Music History Survey

3

MUSW 680Research Methods and Materials

3

MUST 690Studies in Musical Style

3

MUSH 695Seminar in Music History

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Note: MUST 665 and MUSH 600 may be waived upon satisfactory completion of a diagnostic entrance exam. If waived, the student has the option of taking the course or substituting an approved appropriate course in its place.

Performance Requirements

MUSP 600Private Applied

6

MUSP 660Graduate Recital

2

MUSP 670Private Applied Pedagogy and Performance Practice

1

MUSW 610Music Business

2

MUSW 685Comprehensive Capstone Examination: Performance

0

Music Electives (Take four hours)

4

Total Credit Hours:15

Note: MUSW 685 must be taken in the final semester of a student's program of study. A grade of "Pass" is required for this course to satisfy degree requirements. This course consists of the Master of Music program exit examination and comprehensive written and oral examinations for the concentration in performance (reviewed by graduate faculty committee).

Total Credit Hours: 30