Master of Music
Composition
The Master of Music is designed for students with interest and/or career aspirations as performers and post secondary educators.
Program Goals
- Advance of performers to the highest level of technical mastery and artistic expression
- Study in a related field which could prepare students for reaching in a secondary area
- Refinement in the ability to engage in independent research
This curriculum is designed to allow students flexibility in emphasizing particular interests while at the same time insuring a broad perspective of advanced knowledge and skills development.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the MM in Composition, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
-
1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited institution.
- Exceptions are rare and require the applicant to seek an Exception to Graduate Admission Policy. Please email admissions@music.utah.edu for more information
- 2. Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all previous collegiate work.
-
3. International applicants must meet university English proficiency requirements. The School of Music requires higher scores on the TOEFL and IELTS exams.
- TOEFL: 85 composite score, with a minimum score of 20 in each category
- IELTS: 6.5 band score, with a minimum of 6.0 in each category.
Applying
Complete the following steps to apply to the MM:
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1. Submit the online Graduate Admissions application. As part of this application MM applicants need to upload:
- Transcripts of course work from all schools attended.
- Three letters of recommendation from professors, employers, and/or other professionals qualified to judge the applicants ability to successfully complete doctoral studies.
- Statement of Purpose, including future goals.
- Two or three original scores.
Note: Applicants audition and application will be reviewed by a committee of faculty members within the composition area.
Required Courses
Academic Courses
Bibliography
| Code | Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 6010 | Music Bibliography | 2 |
Musicology
Choose one or two courses from the following.
| Code | Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 6610 | Renaissance Music Grad | 3 |
| MUSC 6620 | Baroque Music Grad | 3 |
| MUSC 6630 | Classical Music Grad | 3 |
| MUSC 6640 | 19th Century Music Grad | 3 |
| MUSC 6650 | 20th and 21th Century Music Grad | 3 |
| MUSC 6660 | Music of the United States Grad | 3 |
| MUSC 6680 | Opera Studies Seminar Masters | |
| MUSC 6670 | Orchestral Studies Seminar Masters | 3 |
| MUSC 6885 |
Musical Theater and Society Grad or Research Seminars with permission of instructor (MUSC 6800, 6801, 6802, 6803, 6804, 6890) |
3 |
Music Theory
| Code | Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 6520 | 20th/21st Century Analysis I | 3 |
| MUSC 6550 | Advanced Formal Procedures of the 18th/19th Centuries I | 3 |
Electives
Choose two from the following:
| Code | Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 6361 | Advanced Electro-Acoustic Music Composition II | 3 |
| MUSC 6521 | 20th/21st Century Analysis II | 3 |
| MUSC 6536 | History of Western Music Theory | 3 |
| MUSC 6540 | Stylistic Studies in Orchestration I | 3 |
| MUSC 6541 | Stylistic Studies in Orchestration II | 3 |
| MUSC 6551 | Advanced Formal Procedures of the 18th/19th Centuries I | 3 |
| MUSC 6580 | Special Topics in Music Theory | 3 |
| MUSC 6874 | Composing for Film and Games | 3 |
| MUSC 6875 | Special Topics in Composition | 3 |
| *MUSC 7510 | Theory Pedagogy *(must be taken by all Music Theory/Aural Skills TAs) |
3 |
Area of Specialization
| Code | Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 6360 | Advanced Electro-Acoustic Music Composition I | 3 |
| MUSC 6530 | Composition: Master’s (2 semesters) | 6 |
| MUSC 6976 | Composition Final Project: Master’s (students must be concurrently 6 enrolled in private lessons, MUSC 6530) |
6 |
Quick Links
Graduate Placement Exams
Placement examinations in Music History and Music Theory are taken after the student has been accepted by Graduate Admissions. Preparation materials are available on the School of Music website. Placement examinations must be taken prior to registering for Music History and Music Theory courses.
Results of graduate placement exams determine placement in graduate courses and identify areas in which remedial work may be necessary. Students are encouraged to study diligently for these examinations. Poor performance could result in the student being required to take a considerable number of remedial courses. Students recommended for remedial courses must earn a B- or better in recommended courses before advancing to a higher-level course.
Music History
The graduate Music History diagnostic examination covers the breadth of Western art music from the medieval period to the present through a variety of questions evaluating the students knowledge of important composers, works, terms, and concepts.
Music Theory
The graduate Music Theory placement examination assesses the students competence in harmony, voice leading, counterpoint, form, and instrumentation.
Appointment of Supervisory Committee
Members of the Supervisory Committee consult with the student in planning their degree program, research, and thesis; they also administer the thesis defense. It is the responsibility of the student to approach faculty to request that they serve on the Supervisory Committee. Students should submit the Request for Supervisory Committee form to the Academic Coordinator. The Graduate Studies Committee votes on and approves Supervisory Committees.
The thesis supervisor serves as the Chair of the Supervisory Committee. MM Supervisory Committees consist of three faculty members, the majority of whom must be tenure-line faculty in the School of Music. The Supervisor Committee must be chosen during the first year of study.
Required Compositions
The candidate will have composed at least two major works during their studies. These works must be performed on the annual Student Composers' Concert during their residency.
Oral Exam
Upon completion of the composition final project, MM candidates will take a final comprehensive oral examination conducted by their Supervisory Committee in their final semester. The examination will emphasize substantive issues associated with the composition final project and cover additional topics from courses taken during the student's program.
All oral exams must be held before the last day of classes in the Fall and Spring semesters. Oral exams are not to be held during Final Exam or Reading Days or during Summer semester.