Music

School of Music, Theatre and Dance
207 Varner Hall  (map)
(248) 370-2030 • Fax (248) 370-2041
www.oakland.edu/mtd

Coordinator:
Tian Tian
310 Varner Hall
(248) 370-2048
ttian@oakland.edu

Program Description

The Master of Music degree offers a blend of core academic courses in music theory and history, as well as specialized concentrations in performance (piano, vocal, world percussion, and instrumental), pedagogy (piano and vocal), conducting (instrumental or choral), and music education. 

Admission Terms and Application Deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Oakland University

Graduate School by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

• July 15 for fall semester

• November 15 for winter semester

• March 15 for summer semester

• International applicants 

Application Requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

1. Graduate Application Requirements

     
    

2. Additional department application requirements

• Curriculum Vitae

• Personal statement (500-750 words) indicating the applicant’s purpose in pursuing graduate studies including career objectives

• An example of a scholarly writing such as a research paper used for undergraduate work

• Requirements for Recommendations
  Two recommendations must be from faculty members or professionals in the field who can evaluate the scholarly achievement and potential of the applicant.

• Music Education Requirements

  • One teaching video of excellent sound and visual quality (no longer than 15 minutes) that demonstrates most or all of the following:

    • Application of the teaching cycles: clear directives, instruction, and assessment

    • Varied pedagogical approaches / differentiation

    • Preferably, Innovative and student-centered practices

    • High quality teacher musicianship (e.g. conducting, piano skills, vocal modeling, etc.)

  • Post application review, the OU SMTD Music Education faculty will contact you regarding an interview for admission into the program

Admission Review and Assessment

Admission to the Graduate School at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to the Master of Music degree, the department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records

Degree Requirements

The Master of Music degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 32 credits in an approved program of study and successful completion of a culminating project.

a. Core requirements (8 credits)

Students may not use courses required for their concentration to fulfill core requirements.

Required course:

• course Introduction to Graduate Study in Music (2 credits)

Choose one Music History course from the following:

• course American Music (2 credits)

• course Seminar in Medieval and Renaissance Music (2 credits) *

• course Seminar in Baroque and Classical Music (2 credits) *

• course Seminar in Music from 1800 to Present (2 credits) *

•  * MUS 5321, 5322 and 5323 may be repeated for credit when the repeated seminar is on a different topic from the first taken.

Choose one Music Theory course from the following:

• course Analytical Techniques in Tonal Music (2 credits)

• course Analysis of post-1900 Music (2 credits)

Choose one additional Music Theory or History course from the list above.  (Note: MUS 5027, MUS 5236, and MUS 5235 may not be repeated. MUS 5321, 5322 and 5323 may be repeated for credit when the repeated course is on a different topic from the first taken.)

•  course American Music (2 credits)

•  course Analytical Techniques in Tonal Music (2 credits)

•  course Analysis of post-1900 Music (2 credits)

•  courseSeminar in Medieval and Renaissance Music (2 credits)

•  courseSeminar in Baroque and Classical Music (2 credits)

• course Seminar in Music from 1800 to Present (2 credits)

        Note: World Percussion students must take course - Global Music Seminar.

b. Concentration requirements (22 credits)

Concentration in Instrumental Performance

• MUA5000 level Applied Instrument lessons (2 credits per 4 semesters) (8 credits)

• course Instrumental Repertoire (2 credits)

• course Instrumental Pedagogy (2 credits)

• MUE 5000-level Ensembles (4 credits)

   * Instrumental performance majors must participate in (1) major ensemble every semester of major.

Choose 6 credits from the following:

•  course Instrumental Performance Topics (2 credits)

• course  Advanced Instrumental Interpretation and Conducting Techniques (2 credits)

• course  Independent Study (1 to 4 credits)

• MUE 5000-level Chamber Music or Small Ensemble (1 credit)

Concentration in Music Education (Admission Suspended)

• course Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Music Education (2 credits)

• course Psychological Foundations of Music Education (2 credits)

• course K-12 Music for Learners with Exceptionalities (2 credits)

• course Issues in Music Education in the 21st Century (2 credits)

• course Teaching and Learning Music in the 21st Century (2 credits)

• course Research Methods in Music Education (2 credits)

• course Music Curriculum Design and Assessment (2 credits)

 Choose one course from the following:

• course Teaching for Musical Understanding in Elementary / General Music (2 credits)

• course Teaching for Musical Understanding in Choral Music (2 credits)

• course Teaching for Musical Understanding in Instrumental Ensembles (2 credits)

Choose 6 credits from:

•  Any 5000-level MUS, MUA*, or MUE* course.

• *Auditions for MUA or MUE courses may be required.

Concentration in Vocal Performance

• MUA 5000-level Applied Voice lessons - 8 credits (2 credits per semester; 4 semesters required)

• course Vocal Pedagogy I (2 credits)

• course Vocal Pedagogy II (2 credits)

• course Vocal Repertoire I (2 credits)

• course Vocal Repertoire II (2 credits)

• course Diction for Singers I (2 credits)

• course Diction for Singers II (2 credits)

• MUE 5000-level Ensembles - 2 credits (1 credit per semester; 2 semesters required)

Concentration in Piano Performance

• MUA 5000-level Applied Piano lessons - 8 credits (2 credits per semester; 4 semesters required)

• course Piano Pedagogy I: Beginner Method Books (2 credits)

• course Piano Pedagogy II: Intermediate Repertoire (2 credits)

• course Piano Repertoire I (2 credits)

• course Piano Repertoire II (2 credits)       

• MUE 5000-level Ensembles - 2 credits (1 credit per semester; 2 semesters required)

• MUS/MUA Electives or course - Independent Study (additional performance study recommended) (4 credits)

Concentration in Vocal Pedagogy

•  MUA 5000 level applied voice lessons - 8 credits (2 credits per semester; 4 semesters required)

•  course Vocal Pedagogy I (2 credits)

•  course Vocal Pedagogy II (2 credits)

•  course Vocal Repertoire I (2 credits)

•  course Vocal Repertoire II (2 credits)

•  MUE 5000-level Ensembles - 2 credits (1 credit per semester; 2 semesters required)

• MUS/MUA/MUE Electives (4 credits) or course - Independent Study

Concentration in Piano Pedagogy

•   MUA 5000-level applied piano lessons - 8 credits (2 credits per semester; 4 semesters required)

•   course Piano Pedagogy I: Beginner Method Books (2 credits)

•   course Piano Pedagogy II: Intermediate Repertoire (2 credits)

•   course Piano Pedagogy III: Baroque-Classical Advanced Repertoire (2 credits)

•   course Piano Pedagogy IV: Romantic and Contemporary Advanced Repertoire (2 credits)

•   course Piano Repertoire I (2 credits)

•   course Piano Repertoire II (2 credits)

•   MUS/MUA - Elective (2 credits)

Concentration in Instrumental Conducting

•  course Advanced Choral Interpretation and Conducting Techniques (2 credits)

•  course Advanced Instrumental Interpretation and Conducting Techniques (2 credits)

•  MUS 6020 Conducting Apprenticeship (4 semesters) (8 credits)

• Literature Course: (course, course, or other as appropriate and advised) (2 credits)

•  MUS / MUA / MUE Electives in related studies (orchestration, analysis, voice, diction, score study, applied music, ensembles, education methods, pedagogy) or course - Independent Study (8 credits)

Concentration in Choral Conducting

• course Advanced Choral Interpretation and Conducting Techniques (2 credits)

• course Advanced Instrumental Interpretation and Conducting Techniques (2 credits)

• MUS 6020 - Conducting Apprenticeship (4 semesters) (8 credits)

•  MUS / MUA / MUE Electives in related studies (orchestration, analysis, voice, score study, applied music, ensembles, education methods, pedagogy) or course - Independent Study (8 credits)

Concentration in World Percussion Performance

• course Applied Study (3 semesters) (6 credits) (World Percussion in Banner).

• course Global Arts Study Abroad (2 credits)

• course World Percussion Pedagogy ( 2 credits)

• course (Creative Jazz Ensemble), course (African Ensemble), course (Steel Band) or course (World Percussion Ensemble) (6 credits*)

        * Students pursuing the concentration in World Percussion must participate in an ensemble every semester of major

        Electives (additional performance study recommended) (6 credits)

c. Exit (2 credits)

• course - Master’s Recital (2 credits)

Oral Examination

After completion of the recital, the student will make a 10- to 15-minute presentation to the recital committee. This might include discussion of interpretation, editions chosen, historical aspects of the works chosen, and so on.

A satisfactory presentation of material reflective of a satisfactory recital constitutes passing the Oral Examination for the degree of Master of Music with a concentration in Instrumental Performance and Instrumental Conducting.   Any student who does not pass this examination may retake the examination one semester later, upon approval of the student’s adviser. Documentation of the passed Oral Examination will be placed in the student’s file.

OR

• course - Master’s Project (includes teaching practicum) (2 credits)

Required for the degree of Master of Music with a concentration in Vocal Pedagogy and Piano Pedagogy.

OR

• course – Master’s Thesis (2 credits)

For candidates for a Master of Music with a concentration in Music Education (Thesis Option), the culminating project is a master’s thesis. Students are urged to plan ahead for the culminating project. Obtain information about the expectations from your adviser early in the degree program. While working on the thesis, students are expected to enroll every fall and winter for a minimum of 1 credit until the thesis is completed.

 OR

• course– Practicum Analysis and Reflection (2 credits)

For candidates for a Master of Music with a concentration in Music Education (Practicum Option), the culminating project is a practicum analysis and reflection portfolio. Students will learn more about this project when they enroll in MUS 6960.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good Academic Standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good Academic Standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

• Holding a Graduate Assistantship

• Receiving a fellowship or scholarship

• Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree

• Going on a leave of absence

• Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Department requirements:  Because of the nature of graduate education, a high standard of work is expected. Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related program information

Plan of study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to Oakland University Graduate School.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility section of this catalog.)

Note:  Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.