An Important Distinction between MA and MM Degree Programs
Because the MA is a research degree, a strong emphasis is placed on writing and research skills. Full command of written English is assumed for students admitted to MA programs, and is required before students are permitted to begin a thesis or dissertation project.
Composition and Music Education may be undertaken within the division of graduate research studies (the MA as described in this section) or within the division of graduate professional studies (the Master of Music). These two programs have differences in emphasis and course content. As part of the application process, the master of music requires an audition on an applied instrument or voice; the MA does not, with the exception of the MA in Music Leadership. It is especially important that composition and music education applicants decide whether they should apply to the MA or MM program, based on their backgrounds and goals.
Applied Instruction
Admission to the MA degree program does not involve an audition on an applied instrument or voice, with the exception of the MA in Music Leadership. However, all candidates for the MA degree are encouraged to avail themselves of the School’s applied music instruction. The area and extent of such study (if any) will be determined in consultation with the student’s adviser and the applied music faculty. Candidates in musicology and music theory are expected to cultivate proficiency on a keyboard instrument.
General Prerequisites for the MA Degree Program
Admission to graduate study depends upon successful completion of an undergraduate degree at a college or music school of good standing. Eastman expects that all admitted graduate students will possess basic musical skills, a knowledge and understanding of the history of Western music, and a command of the English language that will allow them to pursue graduate study. Students’ knowledge and skills will be evaluated through placement tests administered as part of their initial graduate enrollment process. If the evaluation indicates remedial courses are necessary, students must successfully complete them during the first semester in which they are offered. Credits for review courses are not counted toward the degree requirements.
Remedial Courses
Remedial courses required as a result of the placement exams or upon admission to a program must be taken above the total credits required for the degree.
Duration of Study and Residency Requirements
Requirements for the MA degree are expected to be completed within five years after the work is begun, but is typically completed within two years of full-time study. The basic residency requirement for the degree is one year of full-time study or its equivalent, two years for musicology majors. The MA in Music Leadership is completed in one full-time academic year, framed by two summers.
Majors
Master of Arts with a Major in Composition
Prerequisites
- Composition: A minimum of 18 semester hours or its equivalent in undergraduate courses
- Theory: 12 semester hours in lower-division courses
- Counterpoint and orchestration: 12 semester hours in upper-division courses
- Completion of at least one work in one of the larger forms
Curriculum
- Composition study: Advanced Composition I and II; Composition Symposium; Advanced Computer Music Techniques; Compositional Practice ca. 1925-1955
- Thesis: The thesis has two parts. Part I is an extended composition for instrumental, vocal, and/or computer-implemented media, approved by the department, and written under the guidance of a faculty member. Part II is an essay dealing with some historical, theoretical, or analytical aspect of music; it should be comparable in scope to an article of 10-15 printed pages in a scholarly journal.
- Electives: Chosen in consultation with the adviser, depending on the background, needs, and special interests of the student. As many as six credits in applied music may be included in this elective block.
- Lecture: A 30-minute public lecture on their own music and progress toward the degree.
→ More information on Composition curriculum
Master of Arts with a Major in Ethnomusicology
Ethnomusicology students will be interviewed and admitted to the musicology department via the same process as incoming musicology students, which includes the evaluation of writing samples of students’ undergraduate work, or of their graduate work in other areas. In addition to the Western music history and theory entrance exams taken by all incoming graduate students at the Eastman School, ethnomusicology students will also meet with the ethnomusicology faculty to determine their knowledge of world music traditions. Thus, a prerequisite for entrance to this program is at least one undergraduate course in world music or its equivalent. The MA in ethnomusicology requires a minimum of two years of study in residence.
Curriculum
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology coursework: Introduction to Ethnomusicology; Approaches to Ethnography; Introduction to Musicology; one theory elective; electives in other subjects according to the student’s interests. Students may also enroll in applied lessons or other world music ensembles for elective credit for a maximum of six credits.
- Thesis
- Ensemble: World Music Ensemble: Gamelan, Mbira, or South Indian Drumming
- Foreign Language Exam: in a language appropriate to the student’s area of study
- Comprehensive Oral Exam
→ More information on Ethnomusicology curriculum
Master of Arts with a Major in Music Education (Professional Studies)
Prerequisites
- A high standard of musical skill, consistent with an Eastman bachelor’s degree
- Breadth of musical and general educational preparation
- Skills in academic writing
- Teaching experience is strongly recommended
- This degree may be pursued through full-time study or through summers-only study
Curriculum
The curriculum for the MA degree in Music Education leading to Initial plus Professional Certification includes courses in research methods, measurement and evaluation, curriculum, and the history and philosophy of music education. Students will also take instrumental and choral methods and techniques courses, select a variety of elective courses (including theory, composition or orchestration) and will complete a culminating field project or thesis. For more details on the Summers Only option please see below.
→ More information on Music Education curriculum
Master of Arts with a Major in Music Education
(leading to New York State Initial plus Professional Certification in Music)
Prerequisites
- Completion of an undergraduate degree in music (Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts or equivalent)
- A high standard of musical skill, consistent with an Eastman bachelor’s degree
- Breadth of musical and academic preparation
- Skills in academic writing
- This degree may be pursued through full-time study only
Curriculum
The curriculum for the MA degree in Music Education leading to Initial plus Professional Certification includes courses in research methods, measurement and evaluation, curriculum, and the history and philosophy of music education. Students will also select additional courses for a pedagogical core emphasis in General Music, Instrumental Music or Vocal Music, take a variety of elective courses (including theory, composition or orchestration) and will complete a culminating field project or thesis.
→ More information on Music Education curriculum
Master of Arts with a Major in Music Education (Summers Only)
Summers-only study is available for students admitted to the Master of Arts in Music Education (with Professional Certification) program. Normally, a Summers-Only student has full-time employment as a music teacher and completes the majority of coursework for the degree during consecutive summer sessions. For those music teachers employed in the Rochester area, a limited number of courses may be completed during the Fall and Spring semesters.
For complete details please see: Summers Only Music Education
Master of Arts in Music Leadership
Eastman’s 100% online Master of Arts in Music Leadership Degree will prepare the next generation of musical leaders to recognize and capitalize on new organizational modes and behaviors in the quickly evolving marketplace of the musical arts, while building a foundation of business leadership and entrepreneurial skills that will serve and enhance the profession. A combination of intense classroom study and unparalleled hands-on experience with leading musical arts organizations forms the backbone of this degree program. Students will advance their creative skills, sharpen their decision-making abilities, and continue individual artistic growth as they begin to assume guiding roles in both traditional and non-traditional musical arts organizations. Students are expected to be fully integrated within Eastman’s performance and scholarly community, and must demonstrate high-level musical skills to qualify for admission to the program.
The Eastman School of Music and Simon Business School of the University of Rochester also offer students the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in Music Leadership in combination with a Master of Business Administration for Professionals degree (MBA). This combined degree opportunity is the first to combine a conservatory-level music administration degree with an MBA. It has been created to recognize and support the selected number of students who seek to further music leadership skills and acquire the skills and knowledge that an MBA offers. For more details on this combined program, please visit the Institute for Music Leadership
Prerequisites
- Completion of an undergraduate degree in music (Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts or equivalent)
- A high standard of musical skill, consistent with an Eastman bachelor’s degree
- Breadth of musical and academic preparation
- Sample of academic writing
- Personal statement demonstrating experience or interest in leadership, administration, and/or entrepreneurial thinking
- Students’ knowledge and skills will be evaluated through placement tests administered as part of their initial graduate enrollment process. If the evaluation indicates remedial courses are necessary, students must successfully complete them during the first semester in which they are offered. Credits for review courses are not counted toward the degree requirements.
Additional Application Requirements
Applicants will complete a two-part interview (either in person or via ZOOM video conferencing).
Part I: Focuses on leadership and vision
Part II: Focuses on musicianship, including performance of a short classical, jazz or world-music work of no more than ten minutes in duration, followed by a brief discussion about the work from a historical or theoretical perspective, also of no more than ten minutes in duration.
For more information on the curriculum for this program, please refer to the Academic Policy Handbook.
Master of Arts with a Major in Musicology
Prerequisites
- Substantial undergraduate coursework in music history and music theory
- Proficiency in a foreign language (highly recommended)
- Placement exams in music history and theory, which are taken by all incoming graduate students at the Eastman School
Curriculum
- Musicology Coursework: Introduction to Musicology; Introduction to Ethnomusicology; four seminars, freely chosen, of musicology seminars on a wide variety of topics.
- Electives/Seminars: may include up to 3 credits of studio lessons, music theory courses, or non-music courses at the University of Rochester’s main campus.
- Foreign Language Requirement: The student must show reading proficiency in one foreign language.
- Oral Exam
→ More information on Musicology curriculum
Combined MA/PhD in Musicology
Applicants are reviewed for their readiness for a doctoral level research degree. More information about the PhD in Musicology
→ More information on Musicology curriculum
Combined MA/PhD in Theory
The MA with a major in music theory is not normally taken as a separate degree program. Rather, the MA is awarded to a student in the MA/PhD program in music theory after satisfying one foreign language requirement and after completing 30 credits (with at least nine credit hours of non-theory electives) in the course of study for the PhD in theory with a grade of B or higher. MA students must pass a final exam if finishing with the MA only, or pass a qualifying exam in order to move on to candidacy for the PhD.
Applicants must apply for the combined MA/PhD; there is no separate application process for the MA. Applicants are reviewed for their readiness for a doctoral level research degree. More information about the PhD in Theory
→ More information on Music Theory curriculum
Master of Arts with a Major in Pedagogy of Music Theory
This major is intended either for those students who wish to focus on a teaching career in music theory (with emphasis in pedagogy, aural and keyboard skills, composition, and cognition), or for other graduate students who may wish to complete a dual degree program in performance (MM or DMA) and music theory.
Prerequisites
Candidates from a variety of musical and academic backgrounds are welcome to apply for the program, although some experience in upper-level theoretical work normally is required.
Curriculum
Theory & Theory Pedagogy courses: Pedagogy of Theory; Pedagogy of Theory: Advanced Topics; Modal or Tonal Counterpoint; Apprenticeship in Pedagogy (includes teaching recital); Intermediate Keyboard Skills; Advanced Harmony and Composition; Theory and Analysis of Tonal Music