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Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Music candidate must complete thirty-six hours of coursework, including a full graduate conducting recital. In addition, he or she must complete the capstone experience by passing a comprehensive examination in the areas of conducting, music theory, and music literature.

Music Core Courses (14 credit hours)

Course in Research Methods: MUSC 621 Research Methods in Music (3 credits)

Two courses in Music History (6 credits)

  • MUSC 622 Music History and Literature I (Gregorian Chant to J. S. Bach):
  • MUSC 623 Music History and Literature II (Classical to 20th century):

Course in Music Theory (3 credits): MUSC 626 Analysis and Performance

Graduate project: a full conducting recital: MUSC 699 Graduate Project (2 credits)

Emphasis (Music core courses plus one of the following)

Choral Conducting Emphasis (22 credit hours)

  • MUSC 614 Applied Conducting – Choral (1 credit hour x 4 semesters)
  • MUSC 631 Practicum in Choral Conducting (1 credit x 4 semesters)
  • MUSC 603 Applied Music – Voice (1 credit hour x 4 semesters)
  • MUSC 632 Choral Methods and Pedagogy (3 credit hours)
  • MUSC 633 Choral Literature and Style Analysis (3 credit hours)
  • MUSC 612 Graduate Ensemble – Choral Union (1 credit x 4 semesters)

OR

Instrumental Conducting Emphasis (22 credit hours)

  • MUSC 615 Applied Conducting–Instrumental (1 credit hour x 4 semesters)
  • MUSC 641 Practicum in Instrumental Conducting (1 credit x 4 semesters)
  • Applied Music (1 credit hour x 4 semesters)

MUSC 601 Piano

MUSC 602 Organ

MUSC 604 Woodwind

MUSC 605 Brass

MUSC 606 Percussion

MUSC 607 Strings

  • MUSC 642 Instrumental Methods and Pedagogy (3 credit hours)
  • Instrumental Literature (3 credit hours) – choose one from the following.

MUSC 643 Symphonic Literature

MUSC 644 Historic Wind Band Literature

MUSC 645 Contemporary Wind Ensemble Literature

  • MUSC 613 Graduate Ensemble – Wind Symphony (1 credit x 4 semesters)

3. Diagnostic Exams for New Students

All students entering the M.A. in music program must take a diagnostic exam in music theory prior to the start of their first semester. If additional coursework in this area is required after the exam, students must enroll in MUSC 504 Graduate Music Theory Review in their first semester at LC. Credit for review coursework will not be applied toward the degree.

4. Comprehensive Examination Requirement: Students must pass a comprehensive examination in the last semester of study. All M.A. in music candidates must schedule their final examinations through the office of the program coordinator at the beginning of their final semester. The comprehensive examination consists of two portions: written and oral. The purpose of the written and oral examinations is to assess the candidate’s broad base of knowledge in music as well as in the area of conducting. The written exam will be evaluated by the committee (major advisor, music theory faculty, and music history faculty) and will be used to guide discussion in the oral portion of the comprehensive examination.

A. Written Examination

Areas included in the written examination will include:

  • Theory Area: Two works of contrasting style will be provided. The candidate will do a thorough score analysis/conducting preparation as directed in the Analysis and Performance class. Students must be able to demonstrate theoretical analysis and be able to discuss the construction of the works thoroughly — beyond the formal aspects to all aspects of musical analysis relevant to the conducting profession.
  • History Area: Two to three short essays will be written and selected from a variety of topics provided by the music history faculty — include tracing of important musical genres and musical activities and citing major composers and their important works.
  • Conducting Area: Several questions in the major area will be provided to candidates by the candidate’s major professor.

B. Oral Examination

The oral examination is a follow up to the written examination and will be held in the candidate’s major advisor’s office with a theory faculty member and a music history faulty member present. This exam will provide the candidate a chance to elaborate on his or her written answers.