Master of Arts in Music

ADMISSIONS

In addition to the general admission requirements stated in this bulletin (see Admission to Graduate Study), all students must present an undergraduate major in music (or the equivalent) with at least 40 semester hours of work in theory, music history and private study in a performance medium. Courses in music education may be included as part of this background.

All applicants must demonstrate familiarity with musical vocabulary and literature as well as proficiency in the following: performing primary, sight singing, aural and written theory, score analysis, listening analysis, and basic piano skills (keyboard harmony, sight-reading of chorale literature and simple improvisation). Audition literature in the primary medium must represent significant solo material from a variety of eras, one of which must be contemporary. Applicants majoring in orchestral instruments must also present significant passages from orchestral literature.

Applicants to the Theory/Composition concentration must submit a portfolio of compositions and/or analytical studies for consideration by the theory faculty. Applicants to the Performance concentration must present an undergraduate major in the primary medium (including at least six semesters of study plus a graduation recital) or professional experience satisfactory to the Music Department. Applicants to the Music Education curriculum must present a certificate in the teaching of music. Applicants in Music Therapy must possess a bachelor's degree or the equivalent (to be determined via audition) of a bachelor's in music plus a minimum of three psychology courses (Psychology of the Handicapped, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology). The music audition will place special emphasis on those skills particularly relevant to music therapy (improvisation, sight-reading, dictation, transposition). An interview with the music therapy faculty will be required in order to evaluate student initiative, the development of a philosophy concerning music as a therapeutic art, and emotional and intellectual stability.

Students who have a degree in an area other than music and wish to pursue graduate work in music therapy are advised to first pursue the non-degree certification program in music therapy (through the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services application although no GRE is required) and then to apply for the MA.

Applied Music

Special regulations and procedures for the study of applied music are available from the Graduate Program Coordinator. Tuition charges for the study of applied music are based on a special fee structure; information is available from the Registrar or the Department of Music.

Applied music may be taken for academic credit only after the student has passed the Department Audition and Placement Examination and is fully matriculated, and may be taken only with MSU faculty. Every course number for private lessons requires authorization from the Graduate Program Coordinator, the instructor and the department chairperson. This authorization should be obtained by July 1 (for those desiring study in the fall) or by December 1 (for those studying in the spring); the availability of applied music study to students who have not received approval by these dates cannot be assured. Lessons are normally not given in the summer.

No more than 2 semester hours of credit may be awarded for work in a secondary medium. "Music electives" or "electives" in the student's work program will not normally be used for private study, although they may be so assigned in certain instances.

All students studying Applied Music are expected to take jury examinations in each semester of applied music study in which a full recital is not given. The grade for the last semester of the sequence will not be given until all recital requirements are completed.

Graduate students who are taking applied music may be required to perform in ensembles and are encouraged to do so even when not required. Details about such performance may be obtained from the department chairperson, Graduate Program Coordinator, and/or ensemble conductor. In most cases, credits earned can count toward the degree.

DEADLINES

Credentials are processed as soon as they are received. This program does not have a specific deadline; however, the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services recommends that students submit their credentials as far in advance as possible from the semester they plan to begin their studies to ensure a timely review of their application.

TO APPLY TO THIS PROGRAM, PLEASE VISIT http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/prospective/app.shtml