Master of Music

http://music.uoregon.edu

In addition to the University of Oregon Graduate School's requirements for master’s degrees, the School of Music and Dance has the following requirements. For additional information, contact the music graduate office or consult the Info for Grad Students webpage.

A minimum of 9 credits must be taken in 600- or 700-level courses and at least one-half of the required credits must be in courses intended for graduate students only. Degree candidates must complete a terminal project (e.g., recital, thesis, project), all of which must be archived in one of the following locations: Music Services in Knight Library, Scholars’ Bank, ProQuest, or Cykler Music Education Library.

Master of Music in Intermedia Music Technology

Two 500-level seminars or courses in music outside the music technology area, approved by an advisor6-8
MUS 550SensorMusik3
MUS 570History of Electroacoustic Music3
MUS 571Musical Performance Networks3
MUS 609Terminal Project9
MUS 611Research Methods in Music3
Completion of 15 credits of the following:15
MUS 645
Advanced Electronic Composition
Completion of 4 credits of the following:4
MUS 693
Oregon Electronic Device Orchestra
Two nonmusic courses, approved in advance by the advisor6-8
MUS 579Data Sonification4
Total Credits56-60

Additional Requirements

  • electroacoustic listening exam—a listening examination covering contemporary and classic works of electroacoustic music literature
  • technical exam—a four-hour written examination on theoretical aspects of music technology
  • final oral examination—reviewing the terminal project and degree course work

Master of Music in Music Composition

Appropriate ensemble, at least three terms3-6
MUS 516Post-Tonal Theory I3
Select one of the following:3
MUS 517
Post-Tonal Theory II
MUS 531
Schenkerian Analysis
MUS 634
Advanced Post-Tonal Theory
MUS 530Schenkerian Analysis3
MUS 533–535Counterpoint12
MUS 538Composers Forum (at least four terms)4
Select one of the following:3-4
MUS 548
Interactive Media Performance
MUS 645
Advanced Electronic Composition
Select one of the following:4
MUS 551
Introduction to Ethnomusicology
MUS 552
Musical Instruments of the World
MUS 590
Balinese Gamelan (two terms)
MUS 605Reading and Conference: [Topic] (Thesis Proposal)1
MUS 611Research Methods in Music3
Two sequences of the following:18
MUS 640–642
Advanced Composition Studies
Select one of the following:3
MUS 660
Music in the Middle Ages
MUS 661
Music in the Renaissance
MUS 662
Music in the Baroque Era
MUS 663
Music in the Classical Period
MUS 664
Music in the Romantic Era
MUS 665Music in the 20th Century3
MUS 503Thesis 19
Total Credits72-76

Additional Requirements

  • proficiency in notation
  • proficiency in orchestration
  • proficiency in piano

Students have two ways of meeting the piano proficiency:

1. Six consecutive terms of MUP 165 in piano;

2. Pass the proficiency exam administered by the composition faculty, which may be taken at the end of any of the first five terms of piano lessons (MUP 165).

  • public performance—usually a graduate recital lasting 50 minutes—of works composed under the guidance of and approved by the composition faculty
  • final oral examination reviewing the thesis and degree course work

Master of Music in Music: Conducting––Choral Emphasis

MUS 611Research Methods in Music3
Performance Studies: Voice, at least three terms6
MUS 607Seminar: [Topic] (Choral Conducting)2
MUS 607Seminar: [Topic] (Choral Conducting)2
MUS 607Seminar: [Topic] (Choral Conducting)2
MUS 607Seminar: [Topic] (Choral Literature I)3
MUS 607Seminar: [Topic] (Choral Literature II)3
MUE 609Practicum: [Topic] (three terms)6
MUS 697Chorus: [Topic] (three terms of Chamber Choir or University Singers)6
Select two of the following:6
MUS 661
Music in the Renaissance
MUS 662
Music in the Baroque Era
MUS 663
Music in the Classical Period
MUS 664
Music in the Romantic Era
MUS 665
Music in the 20th Century
Select two of the following:6
MUS 607
Seminar: [Topic] (Master Class in Conducting associated with the Oregon Bach Festival)
MUS 605
Reading and Conference: [Topic] (OBF Chamber Choir)
MUS 680–682
Historical Performance Practices I-III
MUE 542
Teaching Singing in the Classroom
MUE 639
Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] (Choral Conducting or Voice)
MUS 643–644
Notation of Medieval and Renaissance Music
MUS 555
Lyric Diction
MUS 556
Lyric Diction
Electives in the area of emphasis, chosen in consultation with advisor to bring final total to 54 graduate credits15
Total Credits60

Additional Requirements

  • final program portfolio
  • as a culminating demonstration of professional capability in the major field, the student must conduct a juried, concert-length public performance or the equivalent
  • piano proficiency examination
  • a final oral examination that covers degree course work

Residence Requirement

Three consecutive terms must be in residence, excluding summer sessions.

Master of Music in Music: Conducting––Orchestral Emphasis

MUS 611Research Methods in Music3
MUS 624Instrumental Conducting Laboratory (six terms)12
MUS 625Orchestral Music: Bach to Beethoven2
MUS 626Orchestral Music: 1825 to Modern2
MUS 629Repertoire and Analysis3
MUP Performance Studies (three terms)6
Select two of the following:6
MUS 662
Music in the Baroque Era
MUS 663
Music in the Classical Period
MUS 664
Music in the Romantic Era
MUS 665
Music in the 20th Century
Select one of the following:
MUS 682
Historical Performance Practices III
Ensemble (three terms) 16
Electives at the 500 level or above in the area of emphasis 211
Total Credits51
Additional Requirements
  • as a culminating demonstration of professional capability in the major field, the student must conduct a juried, concert-length public performance or the equivalent
  • academic year in residence
  • a final oral examination that covers degree course work
  • a research paper dealing with some aspect of orchestral conducting

Master of Music in Music Education

Candidates are required to establish an area of emphasis among the following:

  • Choral music education (voice and piano must be used)

  • Elementary general music education (voice and piano must be used)

  • Instrumental music education: band (traditional wind or percussion instruments must be used)

  • Instrumental music education: orchestra (violin, viola, cello, or double bass must be used)

MUE 532Music in School and Society3
MUE 612Quantitative Research in Music Education3
MUE 538Curricular Strategies in Music Education3
MUE 649 History of American Music Education
Select one of the following:3
MUS 660
Music in the Middle Ages
MUS 661
Music in the Renaissance
MUS 662
Music in the Baroque Era
MUS 663
Music in the Classical Period
MUS 664
Music in the Romantic Era
MUS 665
Music in the 20th Century
Music Performance Studies6-12
MUP 635
Music Performance Studies: [Topic]
500-level or above music theory, musicology, or ethnomusicology course3-4
500-level or above music education courses in area of emphasis 112
500 or 600-level or above courses 16
Ensemble, three terms 13-6
Electives 16
Select one of the following:
MUE 503
Thesis (and oral examination) 2
Major project and oral examination 3,4
Total Credits48-58

Additional Requirements

As needed, courses in expository writing.

Master of Music in Music: Jazz Studies––Composition-Arranging Emphasis

MUJ 583–584Advanced Jazz Arranging I-II6
MUJ 605Reading and Conference: [Topic] (Research Presentation Preparation)4
MUS 611Research Methods in Music3
MUJ 660Survey of Jazz Composition3
MUJ 540Jazz Pedagogy Practicum ((MUJ 440/540 currently in review))3
MUJ 661Jazz Program Planning and Development3
Select one of the following:6-12
MUJ 690
Jazz Laboratory Band III (six terms)
MUJ 691
Jazz Laboratory Band II (six terms)
MUJ 692
Oregon Jazz Ensemble (six terms)
MUJ 695Small Jazz Ensemble: [Topic] (three terms)3
At least four 500-level or above seminars or courses in music outside the jazz area 1,212-16
Electives at the 500-level or above to bring final total to 54 graduate credits 311
Total Credits54-64

Additional Requirements

  • successful completion of the graduate jazz arranging barrier exam
  • a recorded public recital or CD project of works composed under the guidance of a member of the jazz faculty and approved by the jazz studies committee
  • a public lecture-presentation of independent research conducted under the guidance of a member of the jazz faculty
  • a final oral examination with emphasis on jazz history, literature, and pedagogy

Both the recital-CD project and lecture-demonstration must have prior approval from the jazz studies committee.

Master of Music in Music: Jazz Studies––Instrumental Performance Emphasis

MUJ 577–579Advanced Jazz Repertoire I-III9
MUS 611Research Methods in Music3
MUJ 661Jazz Program Planning and Development3
MUJ 540Jazz Pedagogy Practicum3
Jazz performance studies12
To be taken at either MUP 650 or 665
MUP 665
Music Performance Studies
MUP 650
Music Performance Studies
Select one of the following:3-6
MUJ 690
Jazz Laboratory Band III (three terms)
MUJ 691
Jazz Laboratory Band II (three terms)
MUJ 692
Oregon Jazz Ensemble (three terms)
MUJ 695Small Jazz Ensemble: [Topic] (six terms)6
At least four 500-level or above seminars or courses in music outside the jazz area 1,212-16
Electives at the 500-level or above to bring final total to 54 graduate credits 33
Total Credits54-61

Additional Requirements

  • successful completion of the graduate jazz performance barrier exam
  • a full-length, recorded public recital or CD project demonstrating mastery of jazz performance and showcasing creativity
  • a public lecture-presentation of independent research conducted under the guidance of a member of the jazz faculty
  • a final oral examination with emphasis on jazz history, literature, and pedagogy

Both the recital-CD project and lecture-demonstration must have prior approval from the jazz studies committee.

Master of Music in Music: Conducting––Wind Ensemble Emphasis

Performance Studies at the 641 level or above, three terms
MUS 611Research Methods in Music3
MUS 620Bibliography in Instrumental Conducting3
MUS 621–623Wind Repertoire9
MUS 624Instrumental Conducting Laboratory (three terms)6
Select one of the following:3
MUS 660
Music in the Middle Ages
MUS 661
Music in the Renaissance
MUS 662
Music in the Baroque Era
MUS 663
Music in the Classical Period
MUS 664
Music in the Romantic Era
MUS 665Music in the 20th Century3
MUS 695Band: [Topic] (three terms of Wind Ensemble)6
Electives in the area of emphasis, chosen in consultation with an advisor12
Total Credits45

Additional Requirements

  • as a culminating demonstration of professional capability in the major field, the student must conduct a juried rehearsal and concert-length public performance or the equivalent
  • academic year in residence
  • a final oral examination that covers degree course work
  • a research paper dealing with some aspect of wind ensemble conducting

Master of Music in Music: Piano Pedagogy

MUE 571Piano Pedagogy I: Teaching Beginners3
MUE 572Piano Pedagogy II: Teaching Groups2
MUE 573Piano Pedagogy III: Teaching Intermediate Levels2
MUE 609Practicum: [Topic] (three terms)3
MUE 639Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic]3
MUS 611Research Methods in Music3
MUS 650–652Piano Literature9
Appropriate ensemble, at least three terms3-6
Applied Piano Study12-24
6 terms of MUP 650 or MUP 665 for a total of 12-24 credits
500-level or above seminars or courses in music history, theory, or literature6
Music electives at the 500-level or above 13
MUE 601Research: [Topic] (Final Project) 23
Total Credits52-67

Additional Requirement

A final oral examination reviewing the project and degree course work.

Master of Music in Music Performance

Options are available in bass, bassoon, cello, clarinet, collaborative piano, euphonium, flute, harp, harpsichord, horn, multiple woodwind or brass, oboe, organ, percussion, saxophone, solo piano, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, and voice.

MUS 611Research Methods in Music3
MUP 665Music Performance Studies 1,224
Appropriate ensemble, at least six terms 39-12
MUS 691Collegium Musicum 41
Select one of the following:3
MUS 660
Music in the Middle Ages
MUS 661
Music in the Renaissance
MUS 662
Music in the Baroque Era
MUS 663
Music in the Classical Period
MUS 664
Music in the Romantic Era
MUS 665
Music in the 20th Century
500-level or above music theory course3-4
500-level or above course in musicology-ethnomusicology, theory, or literature 53-4
600-level or above course in musicology-ethnomusicology or theory 53-4
Total Credits49-55

Additional Requirements

Final oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium.

Additional Violin and Viola Required Courses:

MUE 563Pedagogy Methods: Violin and Viola2
MUE 564Advanced Violin/Viola Pedagogy2
MUE 565Somatics for String Players1

Ensemble Requirements

Before each fall term, students must audition for ensemble placement. Students entering winter and spring terms audition at the time of entrance. Factors for placement include the student’s preference, level of ability, major performance medium, educational and musical needs, and the needs of the school’s ensembles.

  • Instrumental ensemble options: University Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Wind Ensemble, Oregon Wind Symphony
  • Voice ensemble options: University Singers, Chamber Choir, Repertoire Singers, Opera Ensemble
  • Students studying harpsichord, organ, or harp may enroll in one of the following courses instead of large conducted ensembles:
MUS 605Reading and Conference: [Topic]1-4
MUS 691Collegium Musicum1-3
MUS 694Chamber Ensemble: [Topic]1

Students studying piano must enroll in the following courses: 

MUS 521–523The Collaborative Pianist6
MUS 694Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] (Accompanying)3

Students studying collaborative piano must enroll in the following course:

MUS 694Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] (Chamber Ensemble)6

Additional Requirements

Final oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary performance medium.

Additional Violin and Viola Required Courses:

MUE 563Pedagogy Methods: Violin and Viola2
MUE 564Advanced Violin/Viola Pedagogy2
MUE 565Somatics for String Players1

Additional Requirements for Selected Options 

Harpsichord
MUS 605Reading and Conference: [Topic] (Harpsichord Literature)3
MUS 650Piano Literature3
 Multiple Woodwind or Brass Instruments
MUS 605Reading and Conference: [Topic] (Wind Instrument Music)3
Performance Studies, at least 3 credits in each secondary instrument6
MUE 639Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] (Woodwinds or Brass)3

Additional Requirements

  • Public recital of both solo and ensemble music on the primary instrument, and performance of a substantial composition on each of the two secondary instruments during a public student recital
  • final oral examination with emphasis on history, literature, and pedagogy of the primary and secondary instruments
Organ
MUS 605Reading and Conference: [Topic] (Organ Literature)1-4
MUE 639Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] (Organ)3
Percussion
Oregon Percussion Ensemble:6-12
MUS 694
Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] (Oregon Percussion Ensemble)
Piano 
MUS 650–652Piano Literature9
 Collaborative Piano
MUS 155–156Introduction to Lyric Diction4
MUS 567–568Solo Vocal Music6
MUS 605Reading and Conference: [Topic]2
MUP 635Music Performance Studies: [Topic]2

Additional Requirements

Two public recitals: consult an advisor for procedures.

Stringed Instruments
Chamber Ensemble:3
MUS 694
Chamber Ensemble: [Topic]
Violin and Viola
MUE 563Pedagogy Methods: Violin and Viola2
MUE 564Advanced Violin/Viola Pedagogy2
MUE 565Somatics for String Players1
Voice 
MUS 555–556Lyric Diction6
MUS 567–568Solo Vocal Music6
MUS 574–575History of Opera8
MUE 639Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] (Voice)3
One year of college study in each of the following languages: Italian, French, German.