Master of Arts in Music - Choral or Instrumental Conducting
Program Coordinator: Dr. Jong H. Kim
The M. A. in music program provides advanced and in-depth training opportunities for both choral and instrumental conducting professionals in schools, churches, and community organizations. This degree will afford students the opportunity for further professional development and enable them to seek and advance careers in conducting or in teaching at the secondary and post-secondary levels as well as to prepare for doctoral programs in choral or instrumental conducting.
Program Overview
- Intensive six week summer graduate program in choral/instrumental conducting will provide advanced and in-depth training for current conducting professionals.
- Courses will be designed to address practical issues in choral/instrumental conducting to improve conducting skills and stylistic awareness.
- Students will receive intense and practical training in conducting, instrumental and choral/vocal pedagogy, performance practices, score preparations, rehearsal techniques, and applied music.
- 36 hour program can be completed in four summers* or three summers and one academic year (* Most classroom/lecture courses will be offered during the summer. Classes in private settings - private applied music lessons, conducting lessons, and graduate ensembles - can be taken during fall and spring semesters as evening classes).
- Valuable opportunity for students to receive four semesters of one-on-one mentoring with one of the College’s widely-recognized full-time music faculty conductors.
- Comprehensive exam and graduate recital required.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- demonstrate effective rehearsal techniques and conducting skills
- apply informed critical thinking skills and knowledge of music theory to determine composers' intention from written scores
- utilize research skills for the study of both primary and secondary sources in music
- understand and interpret musical styles and performance practices of various musical periods in music
- integrate various studies in music history, theory, and analysis into score study and preparation
- demonstrate self-confidence as a professional conductor
Contact information:
- Choral Conducting: Dr. Jong Kim, professor of music and coordinator of graduate studies in music, 434/544-8443
- Instrumental Conducting: Dr. Oeida Hatcher, associate professor of music and coordinator of undergraduate studies in music, 434/544-8446