MM in Music with Emphasis in Performance
Program Description
Brass
Through continued development of performance skills and overall musicianship, this degree is designed to prepare the graduate for a career in performance or teaching, or for doctoral study.
Performance opportunities include large ensembles, mixed chamber ensembles, and faculty-directed chamber ensembles (brass quintets, brass choirs, the MU Trumpet Ensemble, the Mizzou Horn Choir, the MU Trombone Choir, and the MU Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble).
Percussion
Through continued development of performance skills and overall musicianship, this degree is designed to prepare the graduate for a career in performance or teaching, or for doctoral study.
Performing opportunities include large ensembles, Marching Mizzou Drumline, jazz ensembles and three different percussion ensembles (University Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, and the Graduate Percussion Ensemble). MU has a large inventory of world percussion instruments including a full traditional steel pan band.
Piano
Through continued development of performance skills and overall musicianship, this degree is designed to prepare the graduate for a career in performance or teaching, or for doctoral study.
Performance opportunities include recitals, weekly studio class, and chamber music. Most student elect to take courses in pedagogy and qualify to teach in the Community Music Program. The program is supported by a wealth of carefully maintained grand pianos as well as a digital piano lab, two harpsichords and a fortepiano. Annually, distinguished pianists provide masterclasses to MU piano students, including recent guests Boris Berman, Malcolm Bilson, Anne Epperson, Claude Frank, Peter Frankl, Ian Hobson, and Ralph Votapek.
Strings
Through continued development of performance skills and overall musicianship, this degree is designed to prepare the graduate for a career in performance or teaching, or for doctoral study. Performance opportunities include the University Philharmonic, Chamber Soloists chamber orchestra, studio ensembles such as the MU Cello Choir, and chamber groups coached by members of the Esterhazy Quartet.
Voice
Through continued development of performance skills and overall musicianship, this degree is designed to prepare the graduate for a career in performance or teaching, or for doctoral study.
Performance opportunities include choral ensembles, opera workshop, and chamber ensembles with instrumentalists. The Opera Workshop presents scenes every fall semester and a fully staged production each spring semester. In Spring 2015, the Show-Me Opera presented a production of Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. Other recent opera productions include Robert Ward's The Crucible, Mozart's Così fan tutte and The Magic Flute, Rossini's La Cenerentola, Lehar's The Merry Widow, and Puccini's Gianni Schicchi paired with Act II of La bohème.
Woodwinds
Through continued development of performance skills and overall musicianship, this degree is designed to prepare the graduate for a career in performance or teaching, or for doctoral study.
Performance opportunities include large ensembles, mixed chamber ensembles, and faculty-directed chamber ensembles (flute choir, clarinet choir, bassoon ensemble, saxophones quartets and choir).
Degree Requirements
Brass or Percussion Performance
Program requires successful completion of 32 credit hours. Additional coursework required as determined by student and advisor, to include: Music Theory (3 credits), Music History (3 credits), Music Theory or History elective (3 credits), Music or Non-Music Electives (3 credits).
| Required Courses | ||
| MUS_H_LI 8313 | Introduction to Graduate Study | 3 |
| MUS_APMS 8455 | Studio Instruction (Taken four semesters for a total of 8 credits) | 8 |
| MUS_ENS 8841 | Instrumental Ensemble (Taken four semesters for a total of 4 credits) | 4 |
| MUS_ENS 8846 | Advanced Chamber Ensemble (To include two ensembles for a total of 2 credits) | 2 |
| MUS_GENL 8085 | Problems in Music (Pedagogy section) | 1 |
| MUS_GENL 8085 | Problems in Music (Brass players only - Brass Literature) | 1 |
| MUS_APMS 8970 | Graduate Recital | 1 |
Piano Performance
Program requires successful completion of 32 credit hours. Additional coursework required as determined by student and advisor, to include: Music Theory (3 credits), Music History (3 credits), Music Theory or History elective (3 credits), Music or Non-Music Electives (2 credits).
| Required Courses | ||
| MUS_H_LI 8313 | Introduction to Graduate Study | 3 |
| MUS_APMS 8455 | Studio Instruction (Taken four semesters for a total of 8 credits) | 8 |
| MUS_I_VR 8753 | Piano Repertory I | 2 |
| MUS_I_VR 8754 | Piano Repertory II | 2 |
| MUS_I_VT 8681 | Advanced Piano Pedagogy I | 2 |
| MUS_ENS 8846 | Advanced Chamber Ensemble (To include two ensembles for a total of 2 credits) | 2 |
| MUS_APMS 8970 | Graduate Recital (Taken twice for a total of 2 credits. One recital includes a concerto) | 2 |
String Performance
Program requires successful completion of 32 credit hours. Additional coursework required as determined by student and advisor, to include: Music Theory (3 credits), Music History (3 credits), Music Theory or History elective (3 credits), Music or Non-Music Electives (3 credits).
| Required Courses | ||
| MUS_H_LI 8313 | Introduction to Graduate Study | 3 |
| MUS_APMS 8455 | Studio Instruction (Taken four semesters for a total of 8 credits) | 8 |
| MUS_I_VR 8773 | String Instrument Repertory I | 1 |
| MUS_I_VR 8774 | String Instrument Repertory II | 1 |
| MUS_ENS 8841 | Instrumental Ensemble (University Philharmonic Orchestra taken four semesters for a total of 4 credits) | 4 |
| MUS_ENS 8846 | Advanced Chamber Ensemble (To include two ensembles for a total of 2 credits) | 2 |
| MUS_APMS 8970 | Graduate Recital | 1 |
Voice
Program requires successful completion of 34 credit hours. Additional coursework required as determined by student and advisor, to include: Music Theory (3 credits), Music History (3 credits), Music Theory or History elective (3 credits), Additional 1 credit of Choral Ensemble or Advanced Opera Workshop, Music or Non-Music Elective (1 credit).
| Required Courses | ||
| MUS_H_LI 8313 | Introduction to Graduate Study | 3 |
| MUS_APMS 8455 | Studio Instruction (Taken four semesters for a total of 8 credits) | 8 |
| MUS_I_VR 7767 | Advanced Vocal Literature I | 3 |
| MUS_I_VR 7768 | Advanced Vocal Literature II | 3 |
| MUS_I_VT 8671 | Principles of Singing I | 2 |
| MUS_ENS 8842 | Choral Ensemble | 1 |
| MUS_ENS 8865 | Advanced Opera Workshop (Taken four semesters for a total of 2 credits) | 2 |
| MUS_APMS 8970 | Graduate Recital | 1 |
Woodwind Performance
Program requires successful completion of 32 credit hours. Additional coursework required as determined by student and advisor, to include: Music Theory (3 credits), Music History (3 credits), Music Theory or History elective (3 credits), Music or Non-Music Electives (3 credits).
| Required Courses | ||
| MUS_H_LI 8313 | Introduction to Graduate Study | 3 |
| MUS_APMS 8455 | Studio Instruction (Taken four semesters for a total of 8 credits) | 8 |
| MUS_ENS 8841 | Instrumental Ensemble (Taken four semesters for a total of 4 credits) | 4 |
| MUS_ENS 8846 | Advanced Chamber Ensemble (To include two ensembles for a total of 2 credits) | 2 |
| MUS_APMS 8970 | Graduate Recital | 1 |
| MUS_GENL 8085 | Problems in Music (Woodwind Pedagogy and Literature) | 2 |
Admission Criteria
Prerequisites for Brass
- Bachelor's degree in music (or demonstrated equivalent)
- GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours
- Senior recital
If an applicant does not meet the required prerequisites, then appropriate course(s) may be added to the degree requirements.
Prerequisites for Percussion
- Bachelor's degree in music (or demonstrated equivalent)
- GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours
- Senior recital
If an applicant does not meet the required prerequisites, then appropriate course(s) may be added to the degree requirements.
Prerequisites for Piano
- Bachelor's degree in Piano (or demonstrated equivalent)
- GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours
- Senior recital
- 3 credits of upper-level music history course
- 3 credits of counterpoint
If an applicant does not meet the required prerequisites, then appropriate course(s) may be added to the degree requirements.
Prerequisites for Strings
- Bachelor's degree in music (or demonstrated equivalent)
- GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours
- Senior recital
If an applicant does not meet the required prerequisites, then appropriate course(s) may be added to the degree requirements.
Prerequisites for Voice
- Bachelor's degree in music (or demonstrated equivalent)
- GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours
- Senior recital
- Proficiency in French, Italian, and German languages and diction.
If an applicant does not meet the required prerequisites, then appropriate course(s) may be added to the degree requirements.
Prerequisites for Woodwinds
- Bachelor's degree in music (or demonstrated equivalent)
- GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours
- Senior recital
If an applicant does not meet the required prerequisites, then appropriate course(s) may be added to the degree requirements.
Admissions
For admission requirements, refer to the Graduate School's website for the minimum qualifications for the MM in Music. Because requirements vary, you must refer to a degree program’s graduate admission page to learn about specific admission criteria, application deadlines, eligibility, auditions, and the application process. Before official admissions to the University of Missouri, your application materials will be reviewed by both the Graduate School and the degree program to which you’ve applied.
Additional Requirements
- Comprehensive Examination (see School of Music website for additional information)
- All courses must be at the 7000 or 8000 level, and at least 15 credits must be at the 8000 level
- No more than one course with a grade lower than B- may count toward completion of the degree