College of Fine and Performing Arts
Graduate Faculty
Bianco, Christopher, Interim Dean, DMA, Wind Ensemble, Conducting.
Bourne, Patricia, EdD, Music Education, Teacher Preparation.
Camacho, Gustavo, DMA, Horn, Brass, Chamber Music.
Donnellan, Grant, MMus, Violin, Chamber Music.
Dudenbostel, Ryan, DMA, Orchestra, Conducting.
Fitzpatrick, Timothy, MMus, Choral Music, Conducting.
Gilliam, Jeffrey, MMus, Piano, Piano Accompanying.
Halka, Charles, PhD, Composition, Theory/Analysis.
Hamilton, Bruce, DMus, Composition, Theory/Analysis, Electro-acoustic Music.
Hodges, Richard, DMA, voice.
Jelaca-Jovanovic, Milica, DMA, Piano, Piano Literature, Piano Pedagogy.
Kasper, Angela, DMA, Music Education, Choral Music.
Nutt, Haley, PhD, musicology.
Ray, James, PhD, Instrumental Music Education.
Woods, Kevin, MMus, Jazz Studies.
Youngblood, Felicia, PhD, Musicology.
Graduate Program Advisor: Dr. Ryan Dudenbostel, Performing Arts Center 137, 360-650-7712.
Introduction
The Department of Music offers a Master of Music degree with concentrations in composition, conducting, musicology, music education, and performance. The graduate program at WWU emphasizes creativity and scholarship, preparing advanced students 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 the 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 a recent conducting performance by way of an 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, and successful demonstration of skills on their primary instrument. See Auditions and Submissions section for more details.
Diagnostic Exams: Accepted students must complete diagnostic exams in music theory and music history. 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 course curriculum and a set of more specialized courses in one of five concentrations: composition, musicology, performance, conducting and music education. The degree may be used as 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 coursework in composition, music history, and music theory as well as a thesis (original composition). Ensembles, studio instruction, and coursework in conducting are also available.
The musicology concentration includes seminars in music history and culture, courses in music theory, and research resulting in a substantial written thesis.
The performance concentration includes vocal or instrumental studio instruction, work in both small and large ensembles, and coursework in music history and music theory. Pianists may emphasize solo performance, pedagogy, or accompanying. Studies in jazz areas are available.
The conducting concentration (band, choral, and orchestral specializations) includes coursework 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. Students may opt to complete courses toward certification in concurrence with the graduate curriculum. 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 applying for the MM in 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 applying for the MM in Performance concentration must pass an audition before members of the performance faculty. If a live audition cannot be done, a link to a video 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 Musicology: Students applying for the MM in Musicology will submit a writing sample that demonstrates advanced skills in research, critical thinking, and analysis, such as a term paper from an undergraduate music history course, a written presentation from an upper-division ethnomusicology seminar, or lengthier compositions, such as an honors thesis. Musicology candidates will also interview (in person or online) with the area coordinator.
MM Conducting: Students 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 MM in Music Education concentration are accepted following an interview, either in-person or through an e-conference, as well as an audition demonstrating 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 work and evidence of an appropriate level of musicianship. Contact the 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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