Music

[1] Objectives

Graduate work in music is designed to provide advanced professional training. The Music Education concentration in the Master of Music degree program provides advanced study of music teaching in elementary and secondary schools and professional preparation for those who already possess initial certification. Other Master of Music concentrations provide specialized study in performance, conducting, and music theory.

[2] Program Admission Requirements

[These admission requirements have been updated to remove the required GRE, effective beginning January 2018.]

To gain admission to the graduate program in music, prospective students must meet all requirements set forth by the UCA Graduate School, with the exception of the GRE, which is not required. In addition to Graduate School requirements, prospective students must complete the following Department of Music requirements:

For performance and conducting areas: An audition with area faculty. Performance in the area of specialization is to reflect the basic proficiency of a college undergraduate.

For vocal performance: Diction and comprehension examinations in French, German, and Italian will be given before or during the first semester, with deficiencies to be cleared before graduation. A score of 70% or higher will be considered satisfactory and no formal review will be necessary; a student who earns a score below 70% will need to take and pass a one-hour review course in the tested language. Possible review courses include MUS 5101 (French Diction Review), MUS 5102 (German Diction Review), and MUS 5103 (Italian Diction Review). MUS 5101, 5102, and 5103 do NOT count toward a graduate degree and may add to a student’s overall course load. These classes DO count toward the requirement to carry 9 hours of graduate credit per semester.

For choral conducting: A video-recorded performance of the applicant’s ensemble. Diction and comprehension exams in French, German, Italian, and Latin, will be given before or during the first semester, with deficiencies to be cleared before graduation. A score of 70% or higher will be considered satisfactory and no formal review will be necessary; a student who earns a score below 70% will need to take and pass a one-hour review course in the tested language. Possible review courses include MUS 5101 (French Diction Review), MUS 5102 (German Diction Review), MUS 5103 (Italian Diction Review), and MUS 5104 (Latin Diction Review). MUS 5101, 5102, 5103, and 5104 do NOT count toward a graduate degree and may add to a student’s overall course load. These classes DO count toward the requirement to carry 9 hours of graduate credit per semester.

For music theory: A score of at least 75% on the University of Central Arkansas Department of Music Theory Diagnostic Exam, to be given before acceptance into the program; and a writing sample (undergraduate paper and/or directed essay) submitted to the Music Theory faculty.

[3] Master of Music (MM)

[3.1] Core Degree Requirements – All Concentrations

1. Diagnostic examinations are given the week before the semester begins in music theory, music history and literature, and aural skills. The primary purpose of diagnostic exams is to determine whether remediation is needed and to provide recommendations to students regarding course work.

A score of less than 70% on the theory exam requires that the student take MUS 5316 MUSIC THEORY REVIEW AND ANALYSIS before taking advanced seminars in music theory at the 6300 level. A score of less than 70% on the music history and literature exam requires that the student take MUS 5317 MUSIC HISTORY REVIEW before taking advanced seminars in music history at the 6300 level. A score of less than 70% on the aural skills test requires that the student retake and pass the aural skills test before graduation (self-study or MUS 5208 EAR TRAINING AND SIGHT SINGING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS).

MUS 5316, 5317, and 5208 do NOT count toward a graduate degree and may add to a student’s overall course load. These classes DO count toward the requirement to carry 9 hours of graduate credit per semester.

2. Completion of piano proficiency exam during the first semester of study for all areas. A score of less than 70% on the piano proficiency exam requires that the student retake and pass the piano proficiency exam before graduation.

3. Satisfactory completion of an oral comprehensive examination in music.

4. 6000-level course requirement: For the concentration in Music Education, at least 50% of all music credit hours must be at the 6000 level; for all other concentrations, at least 67% of all music credit hours must be at the 6000 level.

[3.2] Concentration: Music Education (32 hours minimum)

[3.2.1] Required courses

One of the following Music Theory courses:

One of the following Music History courses:

[3.2.2] Music Electives

At least eight hours of the following:

[3.2.3] Non-Music Electives (6 hours)

Courses in the College of Education, chosen in consultation with and approved by the Music Education faculty.

[3.3] Concentration: Instrumental Performance (32 hours minimum)

[3.3.1] Required Courses

One of the following Music Theory courses:

Two of the following Music History courses:

[3.3.2] Electives

At least two hours of the following:

[3.3.3] Thesis Option

Completion of a thesis (6 hours) is an option in the performance concentrations.

[3.4] Concentration: Piano Performance (32 hours minimum)

[3.4.1] Required Courses

One of the following Music Theory courses:

Two of the following Music History courses:

[3.4.2] Electives

At least two hours of the following:

[3.4.3] Thesis Option

Completion of a thesis (6 hours) is an option in the performance concentrations.

[3.5] Concentration: Vocal Performance (32 hours minimum)

[3.5.1] Required Courses

One of the following Music Theory courses:

Two of the following Music History courses:

[3.5.2] Electives

At least two hours of the following:

[3.5.3] Thesis Option

Completion of a thesis (6 hours) is an option in the performance concentrations.

[3.6] Concentration: Instrumental Conducting (31 hours minimum)

[3.6.1] Required Courses

Three courses from the following, including at least one music theory course and one music history course:

[3.6.2] Electives

At least two hours of the following (other courses may be used with approval of the advisor):

[3.6.3] Thesis Option

Completion of a thesis (6 hours) is an option in the conducting concentrations.

[3.7] Concentration: Choral Conducting (31 hours minimum)

[3.7.1] Required Courses

Three courses from the following, including at least one music theory course and one music history course:

[3.7.2] Electives

At least two hours of the following (other courses may be used with approval of the advisor):

[3.7.3] Thesis Option

Completion of a thesis (6 hours) is an option in the conducting concentrations.

[3.8] Concentration: Music Theory (34 hours minimum)

[3.8.1] Required Courses

Three of the following Music Theory courses:

One of the following Music History courses:

[3.8.2] Electives

At least three hours of the following:

[3.8.3] Thesis Requirement

A thesis (6 hours) is required for the music theory concentration.

[4] Graduate Certificate (GC) in Music (Professional Studies)

The Graduate Certificate in Music is a program designed to allow talented and dedicated instrumentalists and singers further time to advance their abilities as musicians and performers and/or to increase their preparedness to enter a graduate degree program or the world of music as professionals. Through close work with UCA’s faculty in applied lessons and ensembles or accompanying, students receive exposure to a variety of types of performing while being able to bring particular focus to the culmination of the program of study – a full recital during the final semester.

Admission Requirements

[These admission requirements have been updated to exclude the required GRE effective beginning January 2018.]

Applicants for the GC in Music must hold a bachelor’s degree in music or its equivalent. Prospective students must submit an application, the university application fee, and official transcripts to the UCA Graduate School. Please note that the GRE 1s not required. In addition to Graduate School requirements, applicants must submit a letter of recommendation and a list of repertoire studied to the Department of Music. In addition, applicants must audition in person or submit a high quality CD or DVD of an unedited performance exhibiting a variety of musical styles and technical accomplishment. Unedited recordings may also be submitted via the Internet using links to websites, Facebook, YouTube, and other social media outlets. A minimum of 12 credit hours (maximum 18) is required to complete the Graduate Certificate program in music. The student has the options indicated below.

[4.1] Plans of Study

[4.1.1] Instrumental Studies (Excluding Piano)

Required each semester

Required final semester

Students should consult with their advisors for specific information regarding appropriate program electives. Electives may include courses in foreign languages, music history, music literature, pedagogy, and theory but may or may not count toward certificate credit hours.

[4.1.2] Piano Studies

Required each semester

Required final semester

Students should consult with their advisors for specific information regarding appropriate program electives. Electives may include courses in foreign languages, music history, music literature, pedagogy, and theory but may or may not count toward certificate credit hours.

[4.1.3] Voice Studies

Required each semester

Required final semester

Students should consult with their advisors for specific information regarding appropriate program electives. Electives may include courses in foreign languages, music history, music literature, pedagogy, and theory but may or may not count toward certificate credit hours.

[5] Graduate Course Links

[5.1] Courses in Music (MUS)

Follow this link for MUS course descriptions: course link.

[5.2] Graduate Courses in Music – Applied (MUSA)

Follow this link for MUSA (Music – Applied) course descriptions: course link.

[5.3] Graduate Courses in Music – Ensemble (MUSE)

Follow this link for MUSE (Music – Ensemble) course descriptions: course link.