Music, M.M.
Degree: Master of Music
https://www.towson.edu/cofac/departments/music/programs/gradperformance/
Concentrations: Music Performance or Music Composition
Program Director: Dr. Phillip Collister-Murray
Phone: 410-704-2243
Email: pcollister@towson.edu
The Master of Music is an applied professional degree designed to develop a high level of musicianship, creative development and research skills within the discipline. Admission requires expertise in the area of concentration equivalent to having earned a Bachelor of Music degree in the area of specialization. Students are expected to have completed sufficient undergraduate courses to meet the requirements for admission.
Accelerated Bachelor’s-Master’s Program
The Department of Music offers an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program that allows students to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees in a shorter time frame. All undergraduate performance and composition tracks in the Bachelor of Music may be combined with appropriate tracks in the Master of Music program.
Admission Requirements
Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Music requires a minimum of 31 units.
Music Composition Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| MUSA 600 | APPLIED LESSONS: COMPOSITION | 12 |
| MUSC 621 | PERSPECTIVES IN MUSIC HISTORY AND CULTURE | 3 |
| MUSC 631 | ADVANCED THEORY | 3 |
| MUSC 685 | MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH | 3 |
| MUSA 6xx | Ensembles selected with approval of the program director | 2 |
| MUSC 795 | GRADUATE COMPOSITION RECITAL | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Selected with approval from any 500- to 800-level music courses. A maximum of four of the elective units may be taken in lessons and/or ensembles | 7 | |
| Total Units | 31 | |
Music Performance Concentration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| MUSA 6xx | Private Lessons in Music Performance on student’s major instrument | 12 |
| MUSC 621 | PERSPECTIVES IN MUSIC HISTORY AND CULTURE | 3 |
| MUSC 631 | ADVANCED THEORY | 3 |
| MUSC 685 | MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH | 3 |
| MUSA 6xx | Ensembles selected with advising of the program director | 2 |
| MUSC 797 | GRADUATE PERFORMANCE RECITAL | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Selected with approval from any 500- to 800-level music courses. A maximum of four of the elective units may be taken in lessons and/or ensembles 1 | 7 | |
| Total Units | 31 | |
- 1
Students pursuing the M.M. with concentration in Music Performance that do not possess documented experience in pedagogy must take MUSC 542, MUSC 543, MUSC 560, or MUSC 562 as appropriate. Students in voice, guitar, keyboard, or jazz that do not possess documented experience in the literature of their medium must take MUSC 506, MUSC 509, MUSC 519, or MUSC 525 as appropriate.
Exit Requirements
Students must complete the comprehensive review in the form of a recital research paper or written examination. Both options conclude with an oral examination.
- Developing technical mastery in the art of performing a musical instrument or in the art of writing music. Music performed or composed must be commensurate with graduate standing.
- Mastering the art of performance in various styles with interpretive acuity and musical insight or the art of composition with artistic integrity and insight commensurate with graduate standing.
- Acquiring an advanced knowledge and understanding of the theory and history of music performed or composed and developing research skills appropriate for examining and writing effectively about music commensurate with graduate standing.