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Program:
Music
MM

Music

Application Deadline

  • Fall: Dec 1
  • Contact Information

    C-550 HFAC
    801-422-3149
    musicgraduate@byu.edu
    Website
    Admission Requirements
    Required Tests 

    School of Music Entrance Exam (GEE): Deadline: Jan 15th.

    Additional Requirements

    Specific materials related to intended specialization (contact department for details).

    Please indicate in the application your desired area as well as desired advisor.

    Employment History

    Resume
    Program Requirements
    The master of music degree is offered with specializations in Composition, Conducting, Music Education, and Performance.

    MM in Composition. The purpose of this specialization is to produce graduates who are prepared to make a significant contribution to the art form, either as composers or as teachers and scholars in composition and theory, and to provide aesthetic enrichment to both the composer and listener.

    MM in Conducting. Students develop advanced, personal conducting skills and techniques that are precise and suited to a variety of musical needs; attain confidence, poise, and clarity with the baton; learn effective rehearsal techniques; and become familiar with a variety of instrumental and choral scores representing the repertoire of various music periods and sacred and secular styles. They learn to convey through gesture music’s power and gentleness and its directness and subtlety to both the performer and audience and to select and bring to the community the great masterpieces of instrumental and choral literature.

    MM in Music Education. This program is for those with an undergraduate degree in Music Education who wish to pursue further academic study as a means to develop professionally. The culminating project is the completion of a professional improvement project. Coursework combines the study of philosophical, research-based, and theoretical views of teaching and learning music with pragmatic approaches to improving music instruction as well as instruction on a primary/secondary instrument, conducting and/or teaching methodologies. Efforts are made to plan a program of study based on individual students' needs and interests while maintaining standards of musical and scholarly excellence. Available for full-time or summers-only study.

    MM in Performance. The intent of the specialization is to prepare students with outstanding performance potential to be competitive in performance and teaching careers and to be advocates for the arts in their communities. They may help meet the needs for skilled performers of solo and small and large ensemble music, and they will be able to teach privately and help meet the considerable community demand for excellent private studio teachers.

    Requirements for Specialization—Composition.

    • Prerequisite: baccalaureate degree in music composition or equivalent in previous training.
    • Credit hours (32): minimum 27 course work hours plus 5 master’s composition hours (Music 687R).
    • Required courses: Music 500587R (6 hours), 650683687R (5 hours); 3 hours from 601602603604605606; 6 hours from 581583591596.
    • Electives: 6 hours.
    • Recital (Music 650)
    • Examinations: (A) final oral examination; (B) defense of composition.

    Requirements for Specialization—Conducting.

    • Prerequisite: baccalaureate degree in music;
    • Credit hours: minimum 32 course work hours including recital (Music 697A, B).
    • Required courses: Music 500660R (conducting, 4 hours), ensemble (2 hours), 697A, B.
      • Band Emphasis: Music 510532595, and 8 hours of electives guided by the committee chair to best complete the students academic and professional needs (in addition to the 6 hours of electives listed below).
      • Choral Emphasis: Music 506507533R (6 hours), and 4 hours of electives guided by the committee chair to best complete the student's academic and professional needs (in addition to the 6 hours of electives listed below).
      • Orchestra Emphasis: Music 508509532595, and 6 hours of electives guided by the committee chair to best complete the student's academic and professional needs (in addition to the 6 hours of electives listed below).
    • Electives: 6 hours in nonperformance music graduate courses (as approved by graduate committee) from one or more of the following areas: music education, music history, or music theory.
    • Recital.
    • Examinations: (A) jury examination each semester of enrollment in 660R; (B) repertory examination; (C) final oral examination.

    Requirements for Specialization—Music Education.

    • Prerequisite: public school music teacher certification; baccalaureate degree in music.
    • Credit hours: minimum 32 course work hours including a professional improvement project (Music 698A, B).
    • Required courses: Music 501, 560R (4 hours), 673674675698A, B.
    • Choral Emphasis: Music 533R (6 hours), and 10 hours of electives.
    • Instrumental Emphasis; Music 595; 6 hours from 508509510532R534R535R; and 8 hours of electives.
    • Professional Improvement Project.
    • Examinations: (A) comprehensive written examination; (B) final oral examination and defense of project.

    Requirements for Specialization—Performance.

    • Prerequisite: baccalaureate degree in performance or equivalent; proficiency in German, French, and Italian diction for voice candidates.
    • Credit hours: minimum 32 course work hours including recital (Music 697A, B).
    • Required courses:
      • Voice Emphasis: Music 500505A, B, ensemble (2 hours), 660R (4.5 hours), 662R (1.5 hours) 665670R (2 hours), 697A, B, and 4 hours of electives in addition to the 6 hours of electives listed below.
      • Orchestral Instrument Emphasis: Music 500, 505A, B, large ensemble (2 hours), chamber ensemble (2 hours), 660R (6 hours), 665, 670R (2 hours), 697A, B, and 2 hours of electives in addition to the 6 hours of electives listed below. Scholarship students may have additional ensemble requirements; see your graduate adviser for details.
      • Keyboard Instrument Emphasis: Music 500, 505A, B, ensemble (2 hours), 591, 660R (6 hours), 665, 670R (2 hours), 697A, B, and 2 hours of electives in addition to the 6 hours of electives listed below. The ensemble requirement listed above includes 644R.
    • Electives: 6 hours in nonperformance music graduate courses (as approved by graduate committee) from one or more of the following areas: music education, music history, or music theory.
    • Recital.
    • Examinations: (A) jury examination each semester of enrollment in 660R; (B) repertory examination; (C) final oral examination.
    Program Outcomes
    Please contact the individual department for outcome information.
    Program Stats
    Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
    Total Students 12.0
    Male 8.0
    Female 4.0
    LDS 12.0
    BYU Undergraduate 6.0
    Five Year Average of Graduated Students
    Average Years to Degree 1.89
    Graduated Per Year 18.2
    GMAT Quantitative Percentile 67.5
    Five Year Average of Admitted Students
    Applied Per Year 15.2
    Admitted Per Year 11.8
    Percent Admitted 77.63
    Average GPA 3.54