Bulletin--Music Program-2

Academic Programs: Music (Continued)

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN MUSIC

The Music Department offers a Master of Arts in Music with an emphasis in composition, music education, music history, or music theory; and a Master of Music in Performance with an emphasis in vocal or instrumental performance, chamber music, or conducting (choral or orchestral).

Admission to Program

Students should apply by April 1 for the following Fall or October 1 for the following Spring. Applicants are required to file two applications, one with the university and one with the Music Department. Admission to conditionally classified status requires acceptance by both the university and the Music Department. A departmental application form may be obtained by writing to the Music Department, or by calling (415) 338-1431. University applications must be requested from the Admissions Office.

Departmental requirements for admission to conditionally classified status are as follows.

A baccalaureate degree, with a major in music or equivalent musical experience.
A minimum 2.5 grade point average in the last 60 units of undergraduate study.
A completed application form for graduate study in the Music Department.
A letter of intent, including the proposed semester for entry into the program.
A 200-500 word narrative statement of purpose. This statement should include a description of the applicant's previous accomplishments.
An official copy of the applicant's undergraduate transcripts, and graduate transcripts if the student has been previously enrolled in a program of graduate study.
Two letters of recommendation from current or former teachers or professionals who are familiar with the applicant's qualifications.
The Music Department Graduate Classification Examination in Music History, Theory, Aural and Keyboard Skills and, for music education candidates, the Music Education Master's Advisory Exam. These examinations must be taken prior to entry into the program. Students who demonstrate deficiencies in one or more areas may be accepted into the program contingent upon remediation of all deficiencies within one academic year of entry into the program. Undergraduate course work taken to remove deficiencies may not be used as part of the 30 units required for the master's degree in music.
Specific requirements for each individual program are:
For applicants to the Master of Music program: a live audition before members of the Music Department faculty or, for applicants unable to travel to San Francisco, a high quality audio cassette 30-45 minutes in duration demonstrating the student's current level of accomplishment. A repertoire list is also required, including an indication of those works on the list which have been performed in recital.
For applicants in the Master of Arts program in Music Education: a written description of the nature and extent of teaching experience.
For applicants in the Master of Arts program in Music History: representative examples of student analytical papers.
For applicants in the Master of Arts program in Composition: representative examples of recent musical compositions.
For applicants in the Master of Arts program in Music Theory: representative examples of recent analytical papers or projects.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Newly admitted students are required to take the Graduate Essay Test (GET), administered by the Testing Center, prior to registering for MUS 700. If writing deficiencies exist, remedial work in appropriate writing classes will be required. Level Two: satisfactory completion of the Music History seminar from the "750" series.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to candidacy occurs when a Graduate Approved Program form (GAP) has been completed by the student and approved by the major adviser, college graduate coordinator, and the dean of the Graduate Division. Prior to completion of the GAP form, the student must have been granted fully classified status (see above re: Graduate Classification Examination); have satisfactorily completed both Written English Proficiency Requirements; have completed at least twelve semester units applicable to the degree with a B average or above; and have successfully completed review of the student's program with the faculty adviser.

MASTER OF ARTS IN MUSIC

For general information on graduate programs, see Graduate Programs in Music.

This program is designed to provide advanced training for students with highly developed interest and talent in specific areas of music study; to prepare teachers for both two- and four-year college music positions; to provide prospective doctoral aspirants with a sound foundation for advanced graduate study; to make available to public school teachers graduate programs involving intensive study of specific areas of music; and to prepare students for professional careers in composition and arranging. The composition emphasis culminates in a major creative project. All other emphases require a master's thesis.

All students must complete a 9-unit core requirement and complete an emphasis as designated below. Enrollment is required during the semester of graduation.

Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Music discipline in the Announcement of Courses section).

Core Requirements

						Units
MUS 700	Introduction to Graduate Study		 3
MUS 710	Advanced Analysis			 3
One graduate seminar in Music History 
	(MUS 750-755)				 3
		Total for core			 9
Emphasis (listed below)				21
		Minimum total			30

Music Education Emphasis

Music Education Courses: units selected from 
the following					 9
	MUS 821	Research in Music Education
	MUS 822	Designing Curricula in Music
	MUS 852	Directed Experiences in 
		Music (1-3)
One of the following:				 3
	MUS 894	Creative Work Project
	MUS 898	Master's Thesis
Non-Music cognate on advisement			 6
Electives in music on advisement		 3
		Total for emphasis		21

Music History Emphasis

Music History Seminars—selected from 
	MUS 750-755				 6
MUS 899	Special Study (2)*			 4
Non-Music cognate on advisement			 6
Electives in music on advisement		 2
MUS 898	Master's Thesis				 3
Foreign Language Competency Examination (French, 
	German, Italian, or other approved 
	language)
	[To be successfully completed prior to 
	advancement to fully classified status 
	in the program.]
		Total for emphasis		21

*Unit totals indicate the minimum requirement. Additional instruction may be required before the thesis/composition is undertaken.

Composition or Theory Emphasis

MUS 715	Canon and Fugue or
	Adviser approved elective		 3
MUS 720	Directed Projects in Theory or 
	Composition* (2 each)			 4
MUS 725	Practicum in Composition* (2 each)	 4
MUS 894	Creative Work Project (Composition) or
	MUS 898	Master's Thesis (Theory)	 3
Non-Music cognate on advisement			 6
Approved elective in Music			 1
Foreign Language Competency Examination (French, 
	German, Italian, or other approved 
	language)
	[To be successfully completed prior to 
	advancement to fully classified status 
	in the program.]
		Total for emphasis		21

*Unit totals indicate the minimum requirement. Additional instruction may be required before the thesis/composition is undertaken.

MASTER OF MUSIC

For general information on graduate programs, see "Graduate Programs in Music."

This program is designed to provide graduate study for the superior performer and to allow for maximum development of specialized skills in the particular areas of talent. Students may emphasize solo performance, chamber music, or conducting. This degree is particularly appropriate for students intending to perform or conduct music professionally, to teach applied performance in college/university settings or private studio, or to pursue doctoral studies in performance. The program culminates in a formal graduate recital. All students must complete a 9-unit core requirement and complete an emphasis as designated below. Enrollment is required during the semester of graduation.

Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Music discipline in the Announcement of Courses section).

Core Requirements

						Units
MUS 700	Introduction to Graduate Study		 3
MUS 710	Advanced Analysis			 3
One graduate seminar in Music History (selected 
	from MUS 750-755)			 3
		Total for core			 9
Emphasis (listed below)				21
		Total for major			30

Solo Performance Emphasis

MUS 776	Graduate Piano, Voice, Organ, or 
	Instrumental Major (2 each)* **		 4
	[Maximum of six units allowed]
MUS 780	Graduate Major Repertoire (2 each)	 4
	[Maximum of six units allowed]
Music electives on advisement 			10
MUS 894	Creative Work Project			 3
		Total for emphasis		21

*Unit total indicated for MUS 776 is the minimum requirement. Additional instruction may be required before permission to present the recital is granted.

**Graduate piano majors who enroll in MUS 776 and 780 are also required to enroll concurrently in MUS 392.

Chamber Music Emphasis

MUS 701	Chamber Music Literature		 3
MUS 776	Graduate Piano, Voice, Organ, or 
	Instrumental Major (2 each)* **		 4
	[Maximum of six units allowed]
MUS 780	Graduate Major Repertoire (2 each)	 4
	[Maximum of six units allowed]
Music electives on advisement 			 7
	[Must include MUS 778, Chamber Music 
	Performance; advanced score reading and 
	transposition under MUS 852; and at 
	least one semester of keyboard instruc-
	tion; performance ability in another 
	instrument or voice is strongly 
	encouraged.]
MUS 894	Creative Work Project			 3
		Total for emphasis		21

*Unit total indicated for MUS 776 is the minimum requirement. Additional instruction may be required before permission to present the recital is granted.

**Graduate piano majors who enroll in MUS 776 and 780 are also required to enroll concurrently in MUS 392.

Conducting Emphasis

MUS 701	Choral Literature or
	MUS 701	Symphonic Literature		  3
MUS 781	Instrumental Conducting (2) or
	MUS 782	Choral Conducting (2)		  8
	[Students may elect a maximum of 6 units 
	each of MUS 781 and 782. Concurrent 
	enrollment in major ensembles is 
	required each semester. Students will 
	normally elect three semesters of their 
	particular emphasis (instrumental or 
	choral).]
Music electives on advisement 			 7
	[Must include graduate or undergraduate 
	major instruction as appropriate.]
MUS 894	Creative Work Project			 3
		Total for emphasis		21

Bulletin 1994-96 Table of Contents, SFSU Home Page

last modified June 23, 1995