Graduate Faculty

701-231-7932

Andrew Froelich, Professor, D.M.A.
Michigan State University, 1988

Robert Groves, Professor, Ph.D.
University of Iowa, 1981

Robert Jones, Associate Professor, D.M.A.
University of Oklahoma, 1991

Kyle Mack, Associate Professor, D.A.
Ball State University, 1992

Jo Ann Miller, Associate Professor, D.M.A.
University of Cincinnati, 1989,

John Miller, Professor, Ph.D.
Northwestern University, 1991

Neil Mueller, Associate Professor, D.M.A.
Boston University, 1999

Warren Olfert, Associate Professor, Ph.D.
Florida State University, 1992

Matthew Patnode, Associate Professor, D.M.A.
Arizona State University, 1999

Michael Thrasher, Assistant Professor, D.M.A.
University of North Texas, 1997

Michael Weber, Associate Professor, D.M.A.
University of Arizona, 1990

Virginia Sublett, Associate Professor, D.M.A.
University of California,1997

Program Description

The Department of Music offers two graduate degrees: the Master of Music and the Doctor of Musical Arts. Each degree offers tracks in Performance and Conducting.

Graduate study in music requires evidence of significant accomplishment at an undergraduate level, and equally significant musical and scholarly potential for advanced study. Accordingly, candidates for admission must

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution or an equivalent international performance certificate, and demonstrate evidence of academic and communication skills that will ensure success at the graduate level.
2. Demonstrate evidence of outstanding graduate-level musical ability or potential through an audition and interview process. This will include a performance audition and diagnostic examinations in music history and theory.

As a result of the diagnostic examinations, additional course work or independent study may be required.

Applicants should prepare general NDSU Graduate School forms available in the front of this publication and arrange for an interview/audition through the Graduate Music Coordinator, Dr. Jo Ann Miller, at 701-231-7932 or Jo.Miller@NDSU.NoDak.edu.

Financial Assistance

Assistantships are awarded to outstanding candidates after formal application to The Graduate School. Assistantship areas include Vocal Performance, Choral Studies, Instrumental Performance, Instrumental Ensembles, and Keyboard Studies. Graduate tuition is waived for students with assistantships.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Music Degree (M.M.)

The M.M. is the professional master's degree in music designed for three kinds of musicians: 1) performers, conductors, and music industry professionals wishing to augment and refine their skills; 2) music teachers wishing to update and increase their knowledge, especially in content areas of performance and/or conducting; and 3) those wishing to teach music at the college level.

Students in the D.M.A. program may receive the M.M. after completion of the requirements listed below, and all work taken in the M.M. may apply to parallel tracks in the D.M.A.

Recitals and a final written project are planned in conjunction with the candidate's committee, which consists of at least three graduate faculty members: the adviser, a representative from academic studies, and at least one other member at large.

All course work must be passed with a minimum grade of B. Comprehensive examinations in the student's primary focus area and in academic studies must be passed near the end of or after course work, and prior to a final oral examination by members of the candidate's committee.

Two tracks are offered: Performance and Conducting. Each requires a minimum of 30 credits.

Master of Music in Performance (30 credits)

Musc 731 Applied Study 8
Musc 780 Recital 4
Musc 748 Music Bibliography and Research Methods 2
History/Theory: To be taken from
Musc 611, 630, 631, 734, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744 3
Musc 721 or 722 Vocal or Instrumental Pedagogy 2
Musc 709 Ensemble Performance 3
Musc 796 Special Topics (Repertoire) 3
Electives (in consultation with adviser ) 5

Master of Music in Conducting (30 credits)

Musc 731 Applied Study 8
Musc 780 Recital 4
Musc 748 Music Bibliography and Research Methods 2
History/Theory: To be taken from
Musc 611, 630, 631, 734, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744 3
Literature: Two from Musc 760, 761, 762 (Choral Literature)
or Musc 765, 766 (Band Literature) 6
Musc 731 Applied Study (Secondary Instrument/Voice) 2
Musc 709 Ensemble Performance 2
Electives (in consultation with adviser ) 5

The Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)

The D.M.A. is the terminal professional practical degree in music, designed for performers and conductors wishing to acquire the highest performance abilities. Graduates will have attained the academic qualifications generally accepted for teaching at the college level.

Entering students in the vocal performance track are expected to have appropriate language proficiencies in French, German, and Italian. Remedial work may be required upon recommendation of the adviser and committee.

Recitals and a final written project are planned in conjunction with the candidate's committee, which consists of at least three graduate faculty members: the adviser, a representative from academic studies, and at least one other member at large.

All course work must be passed with a minimum grade of B. Qualifying examinations in the student's primary focus area and in academic studies must be passed near the end of or after course work, and prior to a final oral examination by members of the candidate's committee. All D.M.A. graduates must have reading proficiency in at least one foreign language. For some, an alternative such as a computer language or other research skill, if appropriate to the student's focus area, may be substituted. This proficiency will be determined and assessed by the candidate's committee. Further, students in Choral Conducting must demonstrate appropriate proficiency in foreign language diction.

Two tracks are offered: Performance and Conducting. Each track requires a minimum of 90 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree (93 for the D.M.A. in choral conducting). Students entering the program with an approved master's degree or its equivalent may apply credits toward the D.M.A. The graduate music faculty will determine the viability and number of transfer credits.

Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance

Musc 731 Applied Study (4,4,4,4,4,4) 24
Musc 789 D.M.A. Thesis 4
Musc 780 Recital (4,4,4) 12
Musc 748 Music Bibliography and Research Methods 2
History/Theory: To be taken from
Musc 611, 630, 631, 734, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744 14
Musc 721 or 722 Vocal or Instrumental Pedagogy (2,2,2) 6
Musc 709 Ensemble Performance (1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1) 10
Musc 796 Special Topics (Repertoire) (3,3,3) 9
Electives (in consultation with adviser ) 9

Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting

Musc 731 Applied Study (4,4,4,4,4) 20
Musc 789 D.M.A. Thesis 4
Musc 780 Recital (4,4,4) 12
Musc 748 Music Bibliography and Research Methods 2
History/Theory: To be taken from
Musc 611, 630, 631, 734, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744 14
Musc 760, 761, 762 (Choral Literature) (3,3,3)
or
Musc 765, 766 (Band Literature) (3,3) 6-9
Musc 709 Ensemble Performance (1,1,1,1,1,1) 6
Cognate: Courses determined with adviser from
Conducting, Music Education, Performance 14
Electives (in consultation with adviser ) 12

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Courses Offered

611 Form and Analysis 2

Study of tonal relationships that create musical works of art. Examination of small forms, such as motive and phrase, and progressing to large forms, such as fugue, variation, and sonata.

630 Counterpoint 3

Study of the contrapuntal techniques of the Renaissance and Baroque periods through analysis and composition exercises. Prereq: Musc 231 or equivalent.

631 Contemporary Harmonic Techniques 3

Study of harmonic and contrapuntal techniques of contemporary composers, with writing exercises in various styles. Prereq: Musc 231 or equivalent.

701 Psychology of Music 2

Psychological aspects of music, including acoustical, psychological, and experimental research describing the perception of music and sound.

709 Graduate Ensemble 1

Ensemble registration for graduate students. The study and performance of major works of each ensemble.

721 Advanced Vocal Pedagogy and Repertoire 2

Study of the physical and physiological considerations of vocal technique with application to specific voices and suitable repertoire.

722 Advanced Instrumental Music Pedagogy and Literature 2

Advanced pedagogy and literature of wind and percussion instruments. Subject matter varies by instrument.

731 Applied Study 1-4

Private applied music study (instrumental, keyboard, voice, conducting). Course credit determined by program and recommendation of instructor.

734 Analytical Techniques 3

Analysis of music of all periods, using a variety of techniques. Music to be analyzed will vary with each offering; may be repeated with permission of instructor.

740 Medieval and Renaissance Music History 3

Historical study of Medieval and Renaissance musical styles and genres through critical listening, discussions, and student and instructor presentations.

741 Baroque Music History 3

Historical study of Baroque musical styles and genres through critical listening, discussions, and student and instructor presentations.

742 Classical Music History 3

Historical study of Classical musical styles and genres through critical listening, discussions, and student and instructor presentations.

743 Romantic Music History 3

Historical study of Romantic (19th-century) musical styles and genres through critical listening, discussions, and student and instructor presentations.

744 20th-century Music History 3

Historical study of 20th-century musical styles and genres through critical listening, discussions, and student and instructor presentations.

748 Music Bibliography and Research Methods 2

Introduction to music reference works, general music bibliography, and research methods.

760 Choral Literature, 1450-1700    3

Choral literature of the Renaissance and early Baroque periods, including major composers, genres, forms, and compositional styles.

761 Choral Literature, 1700-1820     3

Choral literature of the mid-Baroque through the Classical period, including major composers, genres, forms, and compositional styles.

762 Choral Literature, 1820-Present 3

Choral literature of the Romantic period through the present, including major composers, genres, forms, and compositional styles.

765 Band Literature, History and Development 3

Historical survey of instrumental literature for wind band, covering repertoire from the Renaissance to the present.

766 Band Literature: Chamber Music, Other Genres 3

Survey of instrumental literature for wind band, including music for young bands, wind band and voice, wind band and solo instruments, chamber music, and other genres.

780 Recital    4

Preparation and presentation of a professional full-length recital in instrumental, keyboard, vocal, or conducting performance, with accompanying document.

789 D.M.A. Thesis    4

Preparation of the capstone written document. May be repeated.

790 Seminar in Music History    2

Study of a specific period, genre, or topic in music history. Involves lectures, specialized readings, score study, and listening, culminating in a research paper.

793 Independent Study 1-3

Guided study in particular project areas.

794 Practicum in Music 3

Capstone experience for the M.Ed. degree and directed study for the D.M.A. and M.M. Projects may include a recital, curriculum design, pedagogical study, written study, or other experience germane to the student's focus.

796 Special Topics 1-5

Repertoire or other studies specific to instruments, voice, or academic studies.