College of Fine and Performing Arts
Graduate Faculty
Roulet, Patrick, DMA, percussion, Chair.
Bianco, Christopher, DMA, wind, ensemble, conducting.
Bourne, Patricia, Ed. D, music education.
Camacho, Gustavo, DMA, horn, brass, chamber music.
Donnellan, Grant, MMus, violin.
Dudenbostel, Ryan, DMA, conducting.
Feingold, David, MMus, guitar.
Fitzpatrick, Timothy, MMus, choral music education.
Friesen, John, DMA, cello, chamber music.
Gilliam, Jeffrey, MMus, piano, piano accompanying.
Hamilton, Bruce, DMus, composition, theory/analysis, electro-acoustic music.
Jelaca-Jovanovic, Milica, DMA, piano, piano literature, piano pedagogy.
Sommer, Lesley, DM, composition, theory/analysis.
Van Boer, Bertil H., PhD, musicology.
Woods, Kevin, MMus, jazz studies.
Graduate Program Advisor: Dr. Bertil Van Boer, Performing Arts Center 147, 360-650-2282.
Introduction
The Department of Music offers graduate degrees in composition, conducting, history and literature, music education, and performance. The masters program at WWU emphasizes creativity and scholarship, preparing the advanced student for a career in music or providing a solid foundation for doctoral studies.
Admissions/Application:
The prerequisite for the Master of Music degree is the completion of a Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Arts in Music prior to first quarter of enrollment. Students must first complete a graduate application through the graduate school. Those applying for the MM in Performance must complete an audition on their primary instrument. Those applying for the MM in Composition must provide a portfolio of recent works. Those applying for the MM in Conducting must provide a video of recent conducting performance, by way of online submission or DVD. Those applying for the MM in Music Education concentration are accepted following an interview, either in person or through an e-conference. See Auditions and Submissions section for more details.
Diagnostic Exams: Students accepted must complete diagnostic exams in music theory and music history. Those entering directly from the WWU undergraduate program are not required to complete the diagnostic exams. Exams will be arranged through the graduate advisor/coordinator. Courses necessary to remove deficiencies are not credited toward the degree.
Program Information
The Master of Music degree consists of a core of courses which serve as a common foundation and a set of more specialized courses in one of five concentrations: composition, music history and literature, performance, conducting and music education. The degree may be used as a preparation for doctoral studies in music, or it may serve as a terminal degree. Minimum credits for each concentration is 45.
The composition concentration includes course work in composition, music history, and music theory as well as a thesis (original composition). Ensembles, studio instruction, and course work in conducting are also available.
The music history and literature concentration include seminars in music history, work in notation, courses in music theory, performance (including the collegium musicum), and a written thesis.
The performance concentration includes vocal or instrumental studio instruction, work with small and large ensembles, and course work in music history and music theory. Pianists may emphasize solo performance, pedagogy, or accompanying. Studies in jazz areas are available.
The conducting concentration includes course work in conducting, music history, and music theory, and a conducting practicum to fulfill the thesis requirement. Ensembles and studio instruction are also available.
The music education concentration includes courses in music education, music history and music theory courses. Courses within the Woodring College of Education are permissible, as well. Ensembles and studio instruction are also available. The thesis can be a written project, a recital or a conducting practicum.
Goals
To prepare students for professional-level work in music, as performers (singers, instrumentalists or conductors), composers, scholars, educators, or in a combination of these areas.
Audition Material and Submissions
MM Composition: Students in the Composition concentration must submit a portfolio of at least three original recent compositions for evaluation by the composition-theory faculty. Please contact the composition faculty listed for more details.
MM Performance: Students in the Performance concentration must pass an audition before members of the performance faculty. If a live audition cannot be done, a live link may suffice at the discretion of the faculty. Vocal performers must demonstrate competence in German, French and Italian diction. Auditions are arranged directly with the appropriate faculty following completion of the application for graduate study. Students in the Piano Performance, pedagogy emphasis, will audition with a half recital (a balanced program, presenting at least two contrasting styles, 30 minutes) plus a short paper (up to 5 pages) outlining the student’s philosophy of pedagogy, what they want to accomplish in a M.M. degree, etc. Audition requirements are located on our website. cfpa.wwu.edu/music
MM History & Literature: Students in the History and Literature concentration must provide substantial scholarly work or term papers. Materials should be submitted to the music history and literature faculty coordinator after completing the graduate application.
MM Conducting: Those applying for the MM in Conducting must provide a video of recent conducting performance, by way of online submission or DVD. Students in the Conducting concentration must pass an audition with the appropriate faculty members. If a live audition cannot be done, a live link may suffice at the discretion of the faculty. Choral conductors should demonstrate competence in vocal pedagogy and in German, French, Italian, and Latin diction.
MM Music Education: Students applying for the Music Education concentration are accepted following an interview, either in person or through an e-conference, as well as an audition indicating at least a 300 level of performance ability. This may be arranged with the appropriate studio faculty. Evidence for admission is based upon evaluation of written research in the field of music education on the undergraduate level and evidence of an appropriate level of musicianship. Contact Music Education Coordinator listed above for more information.
Please note: Admission to the Master of Music program requires acceptance both of the general academic requirements of the Graduate School and by the faculty of the concentration within which the degree is to be undertaken.
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