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Graduate Catalog 2018/2019

Music (MUS)
with a Concentration in Theory (MMT)

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Master of Music (M.M.)
CIP Code: 50.0903
College of The Arts (FA)
Total Minimum Program Hours Required (Post Bachelor's Degree): 30
Contact Information:
College of The Arts
Music Department (MUS)
4202 E. Fowler Avenue FAH120
Tampa FL  33620

Program Director or Coordinator:
David Williams
Phone: 813-974-9166
Email: davidw@usf.edu

Website: http://music.arts.usf.edu

Faculty Search: The Arts Faculty List

Major Information

Music Faculty, Alumni, and Students
Perhaps the most compelling reason to study music at the University of South Florida is the opportunity to work with our superb music faculty. These gifted, dedicated artists/scholars are among the preeminent leaders in their fields and have been carefully chosen for their professional training, excellence in musical performance and research, and pedagogical expertise. They are featured on many professional recordings and appear in prestigious concert venues around the world. Their compositions are premiered globally. Their scholarship is published in the leading research journals, books, and monographs in their disciplines. The School of Music also invites guest composers, conductors, and performing musicians to enhance its performances and to provide master classes, symposia, and clinics for students and the public. Many USF music alumni are currently performers in a variety of concert settings and successful teachers in public schools, colleges, and universities around the country in a variety of concert settings. The School of Music at USF offers the student the opportunity to study with distinguished faculty and to be in the company of other superior music students for an exciting and exacting period of study.

The Master of Music degree provides students with an opportunity to pursue intense, focused study in their music specialty, coupled with a vigorous, balanced curriculum in music theory, music literature, and electives. Students in this major are mentored expertly by senior faculty and exhibit mastery of their specialty at the end of the course of study by way of appropriate capstone experiences, including recitals or theses and comprehensive examinations. The provisions and balance of these experiences comport precisely with the curriculum guidelines required by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Major Research Areas
Chamber Music, Choral Conducting, Composition, Jazz Studies, Instrumental Conducting, Music Performance, Music Theory, Pedagogy, Electronic Music

Accreditation Information:

Full member, National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

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Admissions Information

Admission Deadlines

Major Priority Deadline

Fall: February 15
Spring: October 15
Summer: February 15

Graduate Admission Application Deadlines

MASTER'S AND
EDUCATION SPECIALIST DEGREES

Admission for
Fall Semester

Admission for
Spring Semester

Admission for
Summer Semester

  • Applications received by the Priority Deadline will receive maximum consideration. 
  • Applications received after the Priority deadline, but by the Final University Deadline, are considered on a space available basis. 
  • Applications must be complete with all required information by the stated deadline.  Any application materials received after the deadline may be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Check with the Graduate Major Director for availability or to discuss options for admission in a subsequent term. 

Priority Deadline
(for funding and consideration)

Refer to Specific Major

Refer to Specific Major

Refer to Specific Major

Final University Deadline
Domestic Applicants

June 1

October 15

February 15

Final University Deadline
International Applicants

June 1

September 15

February 15

DOCTORATE DEGREES

Admission for
Fall Semester

Admission for
Spring Semester

Admission for
Summer Semester

  • Applications received by the Priority Deadline will receive maximum consideration. 
  • Applications received after the Priority deadline, but by the Final University Deadline, are considered on a space available basis. 
  • Applications must be complete with all required information by the stated deadline.  Any application materials received after the deadline may be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Check with the Graduate Major Director for availability or to discuss options for admission in a subsequent term. 

Priority Deadline
(for funding and consideration)

Refer to Specific Major

Refer to Specific Major

Refer to Specific Major

Final University Deadline
Domestic Applicants

February 15

October 15

February 15

Final University Deadline
International Applicants

February 15

September 15

February 15

Admission Requirements

You must comply with general University policies and meet general University Admission requirements in addition to those listed below.

Must meet University requirements (see Graduate Admissions) as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

  • Successful auditions and/or interviews are required for acceptance into chamber music, conducting, electro-acoustic music, performance, pedagogy, and theory concentrations. Approved portfolios are required for acceptance into composition (jazz or traditional).
  • Diagnostic tests in music theory and history must be taken before classes begin in the first semester. Based upon the scores, the music faculty may require remediation in one or both areas of study in order to qualify the student for permission to enroll in certain courses. Graduate review courses are offered each fall semester.
  • The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.
  • Students who do not enroll in the semester for which they applied and were admitted must receive permission from the Director of Graduate Studies in music to enroll in courses in the following semester(s). This procedure is to determine the availability of applied and academic courses in music.
  • An official undergraduate Transcript for a completed undergraduate degree in music (from an accredited program) is required with the application.
  • The overall Grade Point Average (GPA) for upper division credit hours must be at least 3.00 and the GPA for all music courses included in the undergraduate degree must be at least 3.00 International students must include copies of graduation Certificates and/or Diplomas (in addition to official transcripts) with their applications.
  • International students must have at least a score of 550 (or 213 for the computer version) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or they must have completed English Language Institute (ELI) Level 4 or Level 5 and have passed the ELI Exit Assessment.
  • Credit hours earned in Music Graduate Certificates at USF may be applied toward a master's degree.
  • M.M. students must successfully complete a Comprehensive Examination at the end of the program of study. Details regarding this examination may be obtained from the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.

Admissions Status: Apply

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Major Requirements

Courses are subject to change. Summer and online courses may be offered. All inquiries should be directed to the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.

Diagnostic Music Tests taken prior to classes in first term. Students may be required to enroll in a remedial history and/or theory course as a consequence of their scores.

REQUIRED COURSES

 

 Credits

CORE REQUIREMENTS (8 credit hours minimum)

 

MUS6793

Techniques of Research in Music & Music Education

3

In addition, students in all concentrations must choose 2 of the following 7 courses.

MUT6545
MUT6626*
MUL6375*
MUL6505
MUT6575
MUS6057*
MUT6665

Analysis of 18th and 19th Century Music
Analysis of 20th Century Music
Twentieth Century Music Literature
Symphonic Literature
Critical Analysis/History
Intercultural Composers
Jazz Styles and Analysis

3
3
3
3
2
3
2

*NOTE: Students in the Music Theory concentration must take both MUT 6545 & 6626. MUT 6665 is required for Jazz Composition and Jazz Performance concentrations. Students in the Instrumental Conducting Concentration are required to take MUT 6545 and MUT 6575 and then choose one from MUH 6057, MUL 6375 and MUT 6586.
 

SPECIFIC CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (beyond the requirements above)

CHAMBER MUSIC (MCL) - 18 credit hours
MVK or MVS 6### (8) Applied Studio (for piano and string students, only) (4 credits; taken two terms)
MUS 5905 (6) Chamber Music Ensemble
MUL 6565 (2) Chamber Music Literature
MUS 6976 (2) Recital (Chamber Music, only)
Must Include:

  1. Major standard sonata
  2. Major standard work for 3 or more instruments
  3. Major contemporary chamber work for 2 or more instruments

Scholarship Requirement for Piano: STUDIO ACCOMPANYING
Scholarship Requirement for Strings: USF ORCHESTRA

CHORAL CONDUCTING (MCC) - 21 credit hours
MUG 6205 (8) Advanced Choral Conducting (2 credits; taken four terms; variable content)
MUG 6930 (3) Advanced Choral Techniques
MUL 6655 (3) Choral Literature 1500-1800
MUL 6656 (3) Choral Literature 1800-Present
MUN 6XXX (2) Ensemble (1 credit; taken two terms)
MUS 6976 (2) Recital

ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC MUSIC (MEM) - 15 credit hours
MUC 6444 Electronic Music: Analog/Digital Systems Research I 3
MUC 6445 Electronic Music: Analog/Digital Systems Research II 3
MUS 5905 Computer Music Research 6 (3 credits; taken two terms)
MUS 6976 - Recital 2
(or MUS 6971, Thesis w/oral defense

INSTRUMENTAL CONDUCTING (MID)- 17 hours
MM Major is 34 hours with this concentration

Conducting 8 credits:
MUG 6307 (2) Advanced Wind Conducting I
MUG 6308 (2) Advanced Wind Conducting II*
MUG 6309 (2) Advanced Orchestral Conducting I
MUG 6310 (2) Advanced Orchestral Conducting II*
*may be taken twice

Literature 3 credits
Choose one:
MUL 6555 (3) Band/Wind Ensemble Literature
MUL 6505 (3) Symphonic Literature

Ensembles 4 credits
Any MUN Ensemble Course

Graduate Recital 2 credits
MUS 6976 (2) Graduate Recital

JAZZ COMPOSITION (MJC) - 16 credit hours
MUC 6626 (8) Jazz Composition (4 credits; taken two terms)
MUC 6930 (4) Seminar: Jazz Compositional Styles (2 credits; taken two terms)
MUN 6--- (2) Ensemble (1 credit; taken two terms)
MUS 6976 (2) Recital

JAZZ PERFORMANCE (MJP) - 16 credit hours
MVJ 6--- (8) Applied Jazz (4 credits; taken two terms)
MUT 6665 (4) Jazz Styles and Analysis (2 credits; taken two terms)
MUN 6XXX (2) Ensemble (1 credit; taken two terms)
MUS 6976 (2) Recital

MUSIC COMPOSITION (MMC) - 10 credit hours
MUC 6251 (8) Composition (4 credits; taken two terms)
MUS 6976 (2) Recital (or MUS 6971, Thesis w/oral defense)

MUSIC PERFORMANCE (MMP) - 21 credit hours
MV? 6--- (8) Applied Studio (4 credits; taken two terms)
MUN 6--- (2) Ensemble (1 credit; taken two terms)
MUS 6976 (2) Recital
Piano Majors must include:
MUL 6410 Keyboard Repertory I (2 credits; Fall)
MUL 6411 Keyboard Repertory II (2 credits; Spring)

MUSIC THEORY (MMT) - 15 credit hours
MUT 6545 (3*) Analysis of 18th and 19th C. Music
MUT 6586 (2) Critical Analysis: History
MUT 6626 (3*) Analysis of 20th C. Music*
MUT 6627 (3) Schenkerian Analysis
MUT 6751 (3) Teaching of Music Theory
MUT 6760 (3) History of Music Theory
MUS 6971 (4) Thesis (Oral Defense required)
*MUT 6545 and MUT 6626 included in Core Requirements)

PIANO PEDAGOGY (MPP) - 16 credit hours
MVK 5--- (4) Applied Studio (2 credits; taken two terms)
MUL 6410 (2) Keyboard Repertory 1 (Fall)
MUL 6411 (2) Keyboard Repertory 2 (Spring)
MVK 6650 (2) Graduate Piano Pedagogy 1
MVK 6651 (2) Graduate Piano Pedagogy 2
MUN 6--- (2) Ensemble (1 credit; taken two terms)
MUS 6976 (2) Recital

 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

ELECTIVES
Students complete sufficient electives in addition to the core and concentration requirements to complete the minimum of 30 hours required for the degree program. Depending on the Concentration, this ranges from 4 to 11 hours of electives, but may be more depending on the student's course selections.

Courses are subject to change. Summer and online courses may be offered. All inquiries should be directed to the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
Selection of Committee, including major professor (committee chair) and two other professors from varying concentrations in music with whom they have studied. One member must be from the academic area. The student and the committee must sign a contract available from the Director of Graduate Studies in Music at the beginning of the final term.

  • Written Examination
    1. Collection of examination questions by chair from committee members
    2. Presentation of questions to candidate with deadline of one week for completion (theory majors take a two-hour written examination.)
    3. Candidate submits questions and answers to chair one week before oral examination
  • Oral Examination (meeting for candidate and committee members scheduled by chair)
  • Final Recommendation with signatures presented to the Program Director of Graduate Studies in Music

The course outlines below are mandatory for the respective fields of study. Secondary applied music courses may be taken in conjunction with MUS 6976, Graduate Recital, if two semesters of four-credit hour major study have already been completed.

FINAL PROJECT (according to major area)

  • Composition(s) as required by composition faculty, or
  • Recital (includes recital approval hearing one to two weeks in advance of recital), or
  • Thesis (includes Oral Defense)
The responsibility for seeing that all graduation requirements are met rests with the student.
 

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS

30

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College Degree Requirements

Refer to the College Section of theGraduate Catalog for College requirements and information.

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USF Degree Requirements

See USF Degree Requirements —
http://www.grad.usf.edu/policies.php

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Financial Assistance

Financial Aid

Fellowships & Scholarships

Graduate Assistantships

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Registration Process

First, contact your graduate advisor for guidance courses to register for. Obtain any electronic course permit if necessary. Register for the new student orientation online at http://www.grad.usf.edu/orientation.php. Then go to http://oasis.usf.edu/ the link to OASIS, USF's on-line registration system to register for your classes. Follow the directions given on-line.

To access online course materials, students must have a USF NetID (e-mail account). Please visit: https://netid.usf.edu/una/ to obtain your NetID.

New students, including those studying online, may obtain a USFCard. Please visit: http://www.usf.edu/it/class-prep/usf-card.aspx to obtain your USFCard.

Tuition and fees: Fees are determined by the level of the course. Please visit Cash Accounting, Controller's Office, for information on tuition and fees.

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Graduate Course Information

Lookup graduate courses in the USF Course Inventory at http://ugs.usf.edu/course-inventory/