MM in Music
The principal function of the MM program is to provide students with opportunities for continued development of their musical talents--in a specific area--and overall musicianship. This degree is designed to prepare the graduate for a career in performance or composition, teaching, or continued graduate studies toward a doctoral degree. Students can choose from the following emphasis areas: Performance, Collaborative Piano, Music Theory, Composition, Conducting, or Music Education. Specific requirements for each area are listed on the emphasis page.
Degree Requirements
Specific requirements are listed on each emphasis area page. In addition, students must complete the following:
- Comprehensive Exam (see School of Music website for additional information)
- Music Theory majors must satisfactorily complete a Thesis on an approved topic, and Composition majors must complete a substantial compositional project. Both Music Theory and Composition majors must pass a final oral examination, administered by a faculty committee, about their projects.
- Conducting majors must present two conducting recitals, each 45 minutes in length, or the equivalent, in large ensemble conducting appearances.
Admission Criteria
Prerequisites
Completion of a Bachelor of Music degree (or demonstrated equivalent) is required. In the event that a candidate does not meet the required prerequisites for a specific curriculum (listed below), then appropriate course(s) may be added to the degree program as additional requirements.
WOODWIND, BRASS, PERCUSSION, OR STRING PERFORMANCE
- Senior recital
VOCAL PERFORMANCE
- Senior recital
- Proficiency in French, Italian, and German languages and diction.
PIANO PERFORMANCE
- Senior Recital
- 1 upper-level music history course
- 3 credits of counterpoint
COLLABORATIVE PIANO
- Senior Recital
- 2 courses in either French or German
- 2 courses in French, German, or Italian diction
- 1 upper-level music history course
- 3 credits in counterpoint
MUSIC THEORY
- 3 credits of counterpoint
- 2 credits of a theory elective
- 3 credits of upper-level music history course
- 8 credits of applied instruction (or equivalent)
COMPOSITION
- 3 credits of counterpoint
- 2 credits of orchestration
- 8 credits of composition
- 16 credits of applied instruction (or equivalent)
CONDUCTING (Choral, Orchestral, or Wind Ensemble)
- 2 undergraduate conducting courses
- Previous conducting experience
- Proficiency in French, Italian, and German diction (Choral Conducting only)
- Proficiency in vocal pedagogy (Choral Conducting only)
Music Education
- Bachelor's degree in music education or music teacher certification (or up to 9 credits of pre-/co-requisite coursework in education and/or music education will be required).
Priority Application Deadline
All graduate applicants are expected to submit required application materials (for both the School of Music and the Graduate School) by December 1 for fall semester matriculation, in order to receive full consideration for admission and assistantship or scholarship support. Applications submitted after December 1 will be considered as space permits on a rolling basis. Applicants interested in spring semester matriculation should contact the Admissions Coordinator of the School of Music (see below).
Application Process
Apply online through Graduate Admission's Slate system, which will prompt you to complete the following:
- Register for an audition or interview during a Graduate Audition/Interview day.
- Submit an essay explaining professional goals.
- Submit an unofficial transcript.
- Request three references to submit letters of recommendation.
- For performance areas, a recording will be required.
Notes: The School of Music does not require GRE scores.
International Student Information
Strong English reading, writing, and speaking abilities are necessary for success in the graduate programs in the School of Music. The following scores are required for admission to a graduate degree program in the School of Music:
- Minimum TOEFL scores:
| Internet-based test (iBT) | Paper-based test (PBT) |
|---|---|
| 80 | 550 |
Note: No TOEFL subscores below 52 (paper) or 17 (internet)
- Minimum Academic IELTS scores:
| Item | Score |
|---|---|
| OVERALL | 6.5 |
Note: No IELTS subscores below 6
Note: the University of Missouri's institutional code for the TOEFL is 6875.
Information about international admissions may be found by clicking here
Audition Information
A visit to the School of Music and in-person audition are strongly encouraged for applicants planning to major in an applied area (brass, percussion, piano, strings, voice, woodwinds), either on one of the graduation audition days or at another arranged time. In-person auditions are required for all conducting applicants. Applicants who audition initially by recording may be required to participate in a video conference interview (Skype, iChat, Zoom, etc.) or to audition on campus at a later time. Please visit the School of Music website, music.missouri.edu, for more information regarding graduate audition days.
Contact Information:
Admissions Coordinator
School of Music
140 Fine Arts Building
Columbia, MO 65211-6120
(573) 882-4471