PROGRAMS OF STUDY

 

GRADUATE MUSIC CORE COURSES

All master of music students are required to take the following courses:

All master of music students except those in music education are required to take the following course, and are advised to take it early in their course of study:

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MUSIC EDUCATION

Requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Program Advisor: Michele Kaschub, kaschub@usm.maine.edu

The music education program is designed to be completed in three summers with the exception of the Seminar in Music History and Seminar in Music Theory, which will be offered as evening courses during the academic year. There is no residency requirement.

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COMPOSITION   

Requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Program Advisor: J. Mark Scearce, scearce@usm.maine.edu

A two-year residency is required.

Exit examinations (in addition to the general exit exams in history and theory): Students in composition will be tested in all aspects of orcestration.

One 60-minute lecture-recital in which program notes and compositional process are shared with the audience as verbal introductions to each work. The recital comprises 40 minutes of original music for a variety of mixed media composed while in residency for the degree. The composer will participate as performer on at least one work on the recital.

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JAZZ STUDIES      

Requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Program Advisor: Christopher Oberholtzer, oberholt@usm.maine.edu

Nine credits of applied music in jazz studies (three 30credit courses) will be scheduled as private lessons. These studies will be supplemented with two semesters of performance in a chamber jazz ensemble and two semesters of performance in a large jazz ensemble.   

Students must present one recital for completion of their degree program. The recital will be comprised of no less than sixty (60) minutes of repertoire which features the candidate as a soloist. The ensemble and the repertoire must be approved by the program advisor and/or the private instructor.

In addition to the general exit examinations in music history and music theory, candidates will be tested on topics in jazz studies. Sample questions are available for review and study.

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CONDUCTING: CHORAL         

Requires a minimum of 31 credit hours.

Program Advisor: Robert Russell, rrussell@usm.maine.edu

Nine credits of applied music in choral conducting (three 3-credit courses) will be scheduled as private lessons and will be supplemented by rehearsal time with one of the University choral ensembles or other appropriate ensemble. Three substantial topics will be covered during the course of the applied study: choral-orchestral conducting, a research project to create a detailed program note, and a repertoire list. A one-year residency is required.

The culmination of applied study in choral conducting will be a recital of at least 40 minutes of music. The ensemble for the recital and the recital program must be approved by the major advisor.

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CONDUCTING: ORCHESTRAL

Requires a minimum of 31 credit hours.

Program Advisor: Robert Lehmann, rlehmann@usm.maine.edu

Nine credits of applied music in orchestral conducting (three 3-credit courses) will be scheduled as private lessons and will be supplemented by rehearsal time with the University Orchestra or other appropriate ensemble. A one-year residency is required.

The culmination of applied study in orchestral conducting will be a recital of at least 40 minutes of music. The ensemble for the recital and the recital program must be approved by the major advisor.

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PERFORMANCE: VOICE     

Requires a minimum of 32 credit hours.

Program Advisor: Ellen Chickering, ellenc@usm.maine.edu

Nine credits of applied music in voice (four semesters of 3 credits each) will be scheduled as private lessons and will be supplemented with Studio Class participation. Students are required to take jury examinations in each semester of enrollment in voice until the recital is successfully completed.

During the final semester of graduate study, the student will be required to present one complete recital from memory (minimum requirements: 60' of music with no more than 12' of ensemble performance) demonstrating evidence of interpretive skill and vocal technique in English, French, German and Italian repertory.

In addition to the general exit examinations in history and Theory, students must pass Italian, French and German diction at the graduate level; pass a written comprehensive exam in Vocal Literature; an examination in Sight Singing ability; be able to sight read a simple chordal accompaniment to a song; and accompany a singer with songs from a prepared list.

Minimum proficiencies

• Completion of 2 semesters of undergraduate Italian and 2 semesters of undergraduate French or German
• Diction pronunciation proficiency exam in French, Italian and German
• Ability to play at the piano - I, IV, V, I chord progression in keys up to 3 sharps and flats
• Ability to sight read a hymn or similar chordal song accompaniment

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PERFORMANCE: BRASS/PERCUSSION   

Requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Program Advisor: John C. Boden, jboden@usm.maine.edu

Instrumental performers must present two graduate recitals. The recital will consist of at least 60 minutes of solo repertoire (may include chamber music where the candidate is featured as a soloist).

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PERFORMANCE: STRINGS

Requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Program Advisor: Robert Lehmann, rlehmann@usm.maine.edu

In addition to the twelve credit hours of applied instruction, two graduate recitals must be presented. Each recital must include at least 60 minutes of music, one portion of which may include a collaborative ensemble, and must show a range and variety of historical styles (at least one piece must be from the 20th Century). At least one major work on the program must be memorized. This is a graded recital in which a grade of "B" or better must be earned for credit.

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PERFORMANCE: PIANO

Requires a minimum of 32 credit hours.

Program Advisor: Laura Kargul, kargul@usm.maine.edu

*Piano Leterature I and II must be taken unless equivalent courses have already been taken at the undergraduate level.

Twelve credits of applied music in piano (four semesters of 3 credits each) will be scheduled as private lessons and will be supplemented with studio class participation. Students are required to take jury examinations in each semester of enrollment in piano until the recital is successfully completed. A one-year residency is required.

Students must present one full-length solo recital from memory. The program, which must be approved by the program advisor, must include a minimum of 60 minutes of solo repertoire.

In addition to the general exit examinations in music history and theory, students must pass a proficiency exam in sight reading.

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PERFORMANCE: ORGAN   

Requires a minimum of 32 credit hours.

Program Advisor: Laura Kargul, kargul@usm.maine.edu

Twelve credits of applied music in piano (four semesters of 3 credits each) will be scheduled as private lessons. Students are required to take jury examinations in each semester of enrollment in organ until the recital is successfully completed. A one-year residency is required.

Students must present two complete recitals. One must be a lecture-recital, with a 30-minute lecture and 30 minutes of solo repertoire. The other must include 60 minutes of solo repertoire. Recital programs must be approved by the private instructor and/or the program advisor.

In addition to the general exit examinations in music history and theory, students must pass a proficiency exam in sight reading.

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PERFORMANCE: WOODWINDS   

Requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Program Advisor: Tom Parchman, parchman@usm.maine.edu

Instrumental performers must present two graduate recitals, each consisting of at least 60 minutes of solo repertoire.

In addition to the general final examinations in history and theory, candidates for the MM degree in Instrumental Performance must pass an exam on woodwind literature and performance practice.

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