School of Music

The Master of Arts degree (MA) is offered with music education and musicology specializations. The prerequisite for a specialization in music education is a bachelor's degree in music education with competency equivalent to requirements of that degree at Brigham Young University. The prerequisite for a specialization in musicology is either a BM or BA in music. A student who has academic deficiencies may be required to complete additional prerequisite courses during work for the MA.

The Master of Music degree (MM) is offered with composition, conducting, music education, and performance specializations. A performance specialization is available in voice, piano, organ, or an orchestral instrument. The basic prerequisite for a specialization in composition, music education, conducting, or performance is a bachelor's degree with an emphasis in the respective specialization equivalent to the same degree at Brigham Young University. A student who has academic deficiencies may be required to complete additional prerequisite courses during work for the MM.

The Graduate Program in Music Education at BYU is designed for licensed music teachers with at least one year of successful public school teaching experience who wish to pursue further academic study as a means to develop professionally. We do not offer a masters degree that leads to teaching licensure.

Our masters programs consist of 32 hours, including coursework and a final document (Personal Improvement Project for the MM; Thesis for the MA). The coursework is usually done over the course of three to four summers, with occasional classes taken after hours during the school year if possible. Very limited spots for full-time study are available. However, all programs begin with a summer term. The timeframe for completion of the degree depends on the diligence of the student in completing the final exams and final document.

Although we offer the MA program, we have all students enter the program through the MM program. After the first term of study, through a joint decision of the student and the faculty, as student may transfer into the MA program if he or she wishes to follow the path leading to completing a thesis.

A student interested in pursuing any of the graduate programs in the School of Music should apply online at http://gradstudies.byu.edu. This process serves as both the University and School of Music application, including applicable fees and letter of recommendation requests. Deadlines are listed here as well.

All students should apply for the MM Program. After the first term of study, through a joint decision of the student and the faculty, as student may transfer into the MA program if he or she wishes to follow the path leading to completing a thesis.

Information for International Students is found here.

Supplemental Application Materials

In addition to the regular graduate studies application, you are required to send supplemental application materials to the attention of the School of Music Academic Administrative Assistant (BYU School of Music, C550 HFAC, Provo, UT 84602). These materials should arrive by the application deadline.

For the Music Education Program, the following supplemental materials are required:

1. A current résumé.
2. Verification by a school administrator of successful public school teaching experience as a certified teacher (1 year minimum or equivalent required before beginning the program).
3. A DVD video or audio recording of:
   1. A representative rehearsal or music class taught by the applicant;
   2. A representative performance of a group trained and conducted by the applicant;
   3. A representative solo performance of the applicant on his/her major instrument (2 pieces in contrasting style).
4. Two 800- to 1200-word essays on the following topics:
   1. Discuss what you perceive to be one of the most important problems in public school music education today and propose a possible solution(s).
   2. Reflect on an area of personal interest in music teaching/learning–one that has direct connection with your own teaching–and propose how you might explore it further given the time and opportunity to do so.

Masters students in the Music Education Program are eligible for annual scholarship awards.

Applications may be obtained from the Music Education Faculty. The application deadline each year will be toward the end of February, and the awards will be determined by mid-April for the following Summer, Fall and Winter terms.

A new student is not eligible for scholarship awards until the successful completion of a first term of study. However, a new student may apply upon acceptance to the program for Fall or Winter terms during the same school year if he or she may be taking classes.

Scholarships are awarded based on scholastic merit, consistent and timely progress through the degree, need, and availability of funds. Scholarship awards vary, ranging from partial to full tuition. Generally, the maximum cumulative award during a degree program is limited to support for 26 credit hours (out of 32 the credit hours required hours for the degree). Scholarship funds are to be used only for courses on a Program of Study (revised Programs of Study are acceptable, but only after approval).

Receiving a grade below B results in scholarship probation. Students who receive grades below B for two semesters are ineligible to apply for further scholarships until notified by the advisor.

All students coming into the program are to apply to the MM Degree. After the first term of study, through a joint decision of the student and the faculty, as student may transfer into the MA program if he or she wishes to follow the path leading to completing a thesis.

MA Degree Requirements (32 hours)

This program prepares students to be scholars who will promote musical understanding and appreciation for the arts. Students are expected to add to the body of historical and analytical publication that has increased understanding of the history, practice, sociology, and aesthetics of the cultural heritage of Western, and to a lesser degree, non-Western music. This effort should also increase general awareness of the cultural and historical diversity represented in concert programs and recordings.

The goal of the M.A. degree program in musicology is to produce a graduate who:

• Is conversant with the entire history of Western music, with an in-depth understanding of most of the period styles and traits of that tradition.
• Has mastered the research and study techniques that will produce original research suitable for publication in scholarly media. This is evidenced by the production of a thesis on a topic in historical musicology.
• Is equipped for success in a doctoral program.

Program Requirements: 32 hours of course work, thesis prospectus, language examination, comprehensive written examination, final oral exam and thesis defense, thesis.

The purpose of this specialization is to produce graduates who are prepared to make a significant contribution to the art form, both as composers and as teacher/scholars in composition and theory, providing aesthetic enrichment to those they will serve.

Students who receive an MM in Composition should be able to:

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of music library resource materials.
• Understand how aesthetics applies to their discipline.
• Articulate the historical aspects of music, particularly that of the modern era.
• Compose with advanced skill and techniques.
• Create a large-scale composition for their final project.
• Prepare a recital of their original works.

Program Requirements: 32 hours of course work, final oral examination, composition.

Students in this program develop advanced, personal conducting skills and techniques that are precise and suited to a variety of musical needs; attain confidence, poise and clarity with the baton; learn effective rehearsal techniques; and become familiar with a variety of instrumental and choral scores representing the repertoire of various stylistic periods, including sacred and secular genres. Students learn to convey through gesture music=s power, gentleness, directness, and subtlety to both the performer and audience. Students also select for and bring to the community the great masterpieces of the instrumental and choral literature.

Students who complete the MM in Conducting will be able to:

• Analyze a score in terms of phrasing structure, key centers, dynamics, articulation, and text.
• Demonstrate the techniques required to lead an effective, efficient rehearsal.
• Demonstrate the conducting techniques required for precision in rehearsal and performance of a score.
• Conduct with convincing sense of dynamic, expressive line.
• Explain the various genres of choral music and trace developments as genres pass through various stylistic periods in music history.
• Give a substantial list of choral pieces or works by the major composers from each stylistic period.
• Demonstrate skills for imaginative, convincing programming.

Program Requirements: 32 hours of course work, recital, final oral examination.

The Graduate Program in Music Education at BYU is designed for licensed music teachers with at least one year of successful public school teaching experience who wish to pursue further academic study as a means to develop professionally. We do not offer a masters degree that leads to teaching licensure.

Our masters programs consist of 32 hours, including coursework and a final document (Personal Improvement Project for the MM; Thesis for the MA). The coursework is usually done over the course of three to four summers, with occasional classes taken after hours during the school year if possible. Very limited spots for full-time study are available. However, all programs begin with a summer term. The timeframe for completion of the degree depends on the diligence of the student in completing the final exams and final document.

Although we offer the MA program, we have all students enter the program through the MM program. After the first term of study, through a joint decision of the student and the faculty, as student may transfer into the MA program if he or she wishes to follow the path leading to completing a thesis.

A student interested in pursuing any of the graduate programs in the School of Music should apply online at http://gradstudies.byu.edu. This process serves as both the University and School of Music application, including applicable fees and letter of recommendation requests. Deadlines are listed here as well.

All students should apply for the MM Program. After the first term of study, through a joint decision of the student and the faculty, as student may transfer into the MA program if he or she wishes to follow the path leading to completing a thesis.

Information for International Students is found here.

Supplemental Application Materials

In addition to the regular graduate studies application, you are required to send supplemental application materials to the attention of the School of Music Academic Administrative Assistant (BYU School of Music, C550 HFAC, Provo, UT 84602). These materials should arrive by the application deadline.

For the Music Education Program, the following supplemental materials are required:

1. A current résumé.
2. Verification by a school administrator of successful public school teaching experience as a certified teacher (1 year minimum or equivalent required before beginning the program).
3. A DVD video or audio recording of:
   1. A representative rehearsal or music class taught by the applicant;
   2. A representative performance of a group trained and conducted by the applicant;
   3. A representative solo performance of the applicant on his/her major instrument (2 pieces in contrasting style).
4. Two 800- to 1200-word essays on the following topics:
   1. Discuss what you perceive to be one of the most important problems in public school music education today and propose a possible solution(s).
   2. Reflect on an area of personal interest in music teaching/learning–one that has direct connection with your own teaching–and propose how you might explore it further given the time and opportunity to do so.

Masters students in the Music Education Program are eligible for annual scholarship awards.

Applications may be obtained from the Music Education Faculty. The application deadline each year will be toward the end of February, and the awards will be determined by mid-April for the following Summer, Fall and Winter terms.

A new student is not eligible for scholarship awards until the successful completion of a first term of study. However, a new student may apply upon acceptance to the program for Fall or Winter terms during the same school year if he or she may be taking classes.

Scholarships are awarded based on scholastic merit, consistent and timely progress through the degree, need, and availability of funds. Scholarship awards vary, ranging from partial to full tuition. Generally, the maximum cumulative award during a degree program is limited to support for 26 credit hours (out of 32 the credit hours required hours for the degree). Scholarship funds are to be used only for courses on a Program of Study (revised Programs of Study are acceptable, but only after approval).

Receiving a grade below B results in scholarship probation. Students who receive grades below B for two semesters are ineligible to apply for further scholarships until notified by the advisor.

All students coming into the program are to apply to the MM Degree. After the first term of study, through a joint decision of the student and the faculty, as student may transfer into the MA program if he or she wishes to follow the path leading to completing a thesis.

MM Degree Requirements (32 hours)

The intent of this specialization is to prepare students with outstanding performance potential to be competitive in performance and teaching careers and advocates for the arts in their communities. They will help meet the need for skilled performers of solo and small and large ensemble music, and the demand for excellent studio teachers in schools and communities.

Students who receive an MM in Performance will be able to:

• Increase their skill level on their instrument as a soloist.
• Grow as a musician in chamber groups and large ensembles.
• Extend depth of teaching skills from further exposure to pedagogical study.
• Connect their performance experience to academic research that is directly related to their recital and other performance literature.
• Demonstrate knowledge of music history, performance practice, literature and theory from the academic component required for the degree.

Program Requirements: 32 hours of course work, juries, recital jury, recital, repertoire examination, final oral examination.

Learn more about:

• String Perfomrance