Master of Music in Performance

Graduates with the Master of Music degree have advanced knowledge of music history and literature, and music theory; are proficient, reflective and independent practitioners of music through the areas of performance, improvisation, composition, analysis andor scholarship; exercise professional standards of written and oral communication through research projects and presentations; demonstrate leadership through successful collaborative experiences, academically and in performance; and apply global perspectives and current trends to their acquired knowledge and skills in their professional work and career development. Degree Requirements: At least half of the degree’s total units must be 500-level courses. MUS 500 must be taken within the first 13 units of enrollment. Graduate students in string performance are required to participate in orchestra every semester of residency. Graduate students in classical guitar, woodwind, brass, percussion, voice and jazz performance programs are required to participate in an assigned ensemble each semester of residency. Performance Concentration (14 units): The Performance concentration prepares students at the Master’s level to be professional musicians. Students choose one of three emphases: classical (voice or instrument); jazz; or conducting (choral, orchestral, or wind). Choose courses with approval from the department graduate adviser and area coordinator. Other courses may be selected with department graduate adviser approval.

A baccalaureate music degree from a domestic accredited college, university, or conservatory, or equivalent if foreign student (equivalency to be determined by Admissions and Records). A minimum 2.5 G.P.A. in the last 60 units attempted. A high level of musical performance ability as assessed through a live audition (please see audition requirements listed under areas of concentration) held before the Artist Diploma Auditioning Committee which would be comprised of area coordinators and other appropriate music faculty (Students living at least 500 miles away for whom travel to CSUF would be costly, may submit a DVD or an online link to YouTube, Dropbox, personal website, etc., as a preliminary assessment of their performance; students successfully passing this preliminary assessment of their performance must still perform a live audition after they arrive). In addition, students must have an undergraduate major in music or the equivalent of an undergraduate music major (i.e., 29 undergraduate units in music appropriate to the student’s concentration). Graduate Standing – Conditionally Classified: All applicants admitted to the graduate music program enter in conditionally classified graduate standing. Any prerequisites that are noted on the Graduate Recommendation Form must be satisfied to earn Classified Graduate Standing. Graduate Standing – Classified: Graduate students earn Classified Graduate Standing after the following requirements are met: Completed requirements indicated on the Graduate Recommendation Form; Satisfactorily completed MUS 500 with a “B” or better (not B-minus). Successfully completing MUS 500 satisfies the writing proficiency requirement. Courses taken to satisfy deficiencies cannot be included on the student’s study plan and thus will not count toward the master’s degree.