Irving S. Gilmore School of Music

Irving S. Gilmore School of Music
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5434 USA
(269) 387-4667

Graduate Degree Requirements

The graduate advisor works closely with each student in planning and implementing a degree program that will accommodate the student's professional needs and interests. Using the results of the entrance examinations and a review of the first 6 to 10 semester hours of course work, the graduate advisor is able to provide information to the student regarding probable success in their program, and any time limitations that may apply.

For more information on the interview/audition procedures for Graduate Degrees, see Audition & Interview Requirements - Graduate.

To begin the application process, see Music Admissions - Graduate.

The program of study in each of the Master of Music as well as Master of Arts in Music degree paths are as follows:

Composition (minimum of 30 hours)

Major Concentration

1. Major Concentration (12 hours)

2. Supporting Studies in Music Research (9 hours total)

3. Cognate music studies (Credits 8-12 hours)

Music elective in applied music, history/literature, musicology, theory, and/or jazz studies. Must include at least one 6000-level course.

4. Additional electives to make a total of at least 30 semester hours.

----------

Conducting (minimum of 30 hours)

Concentration Requirements

1. Core Requirements:

or

2. Area Requirements:

or

or

3. Cognate:

Choose from either:

History/Literature Cognate:

or

or

Music Theory Cognate:
Additional Cognates

Additional cognates are possible and may be added above and beyond the two listed above.

---------

Music therapy (minimum of 30 hours)

Concentration Requirements

1. Required courses:

And Either:

Culminating option (choose a or b - Every student is required to register for one of these culminating projects, each of which includes and oral exam.)

2. Elective music courses (Credits: 6 - 9 hours).

3. Non-music electives (Credits: 6 - 9 hours)

Electives may be selected from one or more of the following departments and including at least one course in statistics: Alcohol and Drug Addiction; Anthropology; Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology; Evaluation; Family and Consumer Sciences; Measurement and Research; Occupational Therapy; Psychology; Sociology; Special Education; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; Education and Professional Development; Blindness and Low Vision Studies; and Holistic Health.

---------

Performance (minimum of 30 hours)

Concentration Requirements

1. Major Concentration (12-16 hours total)

Ensemble requirements (Credits 2-6 hours)

A minimum of two (2) credits of chamber ensembles and two (2) credits of conducted ensembles. (Keyboard majors are required to enroll in a minimum of two (2) credits of chamber ensembles.) A maximum of six (6) credits of ensembles may be applied toward the Performance degree requirements.

2. Supporting Studies in Music Research (9 hours total)

3. Cognate music studies (Credits 8-12 hours)

Music electives in composition, conducting, history/literature, musicology, theory, and/or jazz studies. Must contain at least one 6000-level course.

4. Additional electives to make a total of at least 30 semester hours.

---------

Master of Arts in Music

The Master of Arts in Music degree is a graduate research degree which culminates with a written thesis and a public presentation (lecture or lecture/recital). Possible areas of focus for the thesis include (but are not limited to) music history, music theory, ethnomusicology, historical performance practice, music technology, and interdisciplinary subjects relating music with other fields. The program is intended for students with a strong interest in scholarly research and should not be considered a substitute for a Master of Music in Performance degree. The benefits include a stronger preparation for graduate studies after Western and a more diverse portfolio for future teaching positions. The M.A. in Music degree is primarily intended as part of a 5 year accelerated degree program combined with a Bachelor of Music degree, but it may be completed as a stand-alone 2 year graduate degree.

General degree requirements for M.A. in Music:

MUS 6100 - Research Methods   Credits: 3 hours
Music History - 2 courses, at least 1 at 6000-level   Credits: 4 - 6 hours
Music Theory - 2 courses, at least 1 at 6000-level   Credits: 4 - 6 hours
Music Ensemble - 5000-level   Credits: 2 hours
Professional Electives - must be approved for admission to candidacy   Credits: 7 - 9 hours
MUS 7000 - Master’s Thesis, see options below   Credits: 6 hours

Total = 30 hours

Professional Electives:

The Professional Electives are expected to support the thesis topic and should generally include at least two additional 6000-level courses in music history and/or theory beyond the general requirement above. Other types of graduate-level music courses and even courses from other departments are possible if they can be justified as relevant to the thesis topic. Reading ability in at least one foreign language may also be required depending on the nature of the subject. All electives must be approved by the School of Music faculty before they can be applied toward the degree.

Thesis Options:

All thesis options involve a written document and some kind of public presentation. The thesis committee will consist of an advisor, who serves as chair of the committee, and two other committee members. The thesis defense will include an oral comprehensive exam.

A) Written Thesis + Lecture

This thesis option has two parts. Part I is a substantial written thesis dealing with some historical, theoretical, or other scholarly aspect of music, written under the guidance of a faculty member. Part II is a public lecture presenting some portion of the written thesis.

B) Composition + Thesis Essay

This thesis option has two parts. Part I is an extended composition for instrumental, vocal, and/or computer-implemented media, approved by the department, and written under the guidance of a faculty member. Part II is a significant essay dealing with some historical, theoretical, or analytical aspect of music related to the composition. Part I or II (or both) must be presented in a public recital or lecture.

Candidates selecting this thesis option must be accepted by the composition faculty into the MUS 6620 - Seminar in Music Composition and are subject to additional composition area requirements. This option is not regarded as equivalent to a Master of Music in Composition degree; it is a research degree with a composition component as part of the scholarship.

C) Lecture/Recital + Thesis Essay

This thesis option has two parts. Part I is a full-length lecture/recital with accompanying program notes. Part II is a significant essay dealing with some historical, theoretical, or analytical aspect of music, related to the recital.

Candidates selecting this option must be accepted by the studio area faculty into MUS 6000 - Applied Music and are subject to additional studio area requirements. This option is not regarded as equivalent to a Master of Music in Performance degree; it is a research degree with a performance component as part of the scholarship.

D) Creative Project + Thesis Essay

This thesis option has two parts. Part I is a substantial creative project (e.g., multi-media project, computer program, CD recording, or website) approved by the department, and written under the guidance of a faculty member. Part II is a significant essay dealing with some historical, theoretical, or analytical aspect of music related to the project. Part I or Part II (or both) must be presented in a public lecture.

 ---

For questions about graduate studies, contact Dr. Cristina Fava, Graduate Coordinator, at music-grad@wmich.edu or (269) 387-4675.