Master of Music in Music Theory

In the two-year Master of Music (M.M.) degree in Theory, students study the principles of music, develop skills in music analysis and scholarly research, and prepare themselves to become college teachers in music theory. The faculty of the Butler School of Music is comprised of 100 of the most outstanding performers, composers and scholars in their fields. They perform internationally with ensembles like the London Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. They collaborate with living legends that range from Andrea Bocelli to Willie Nelson. They have been recognized with awards from the Fulbright, MacArthur, Rockefeller and Guggenheim Foundations. Together, Butler School of Music faculty offer their students a wealth of knowledge from the world's leading conservatories and universities.

official transcripts - You must submit an official transcript from every senior college you have attended. Even if courses taken at one institution are recorded on a transcript from another college, a transcript must be submitted from the institution at which the courses were taken.International transcripts must include both the original language document and an official or certified English translation.INTRODUCTORY VIDEOSubmit a one to three minute video recording on which you verbally introduce yourself and discuss your musical and non-musical interests, goals, creative or volunteer work and reasons for applying to the Butler School of Music.STATEMENT OF PURPOSEA 500-word essay outlining your objectives for graduate study, career plans and reasons for applying to our program.LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONThree recommendation letters, written within the last twelve months, pertaining to your potential for graduate study in music. Provide contact information for your three chosen references in your Butler School application. Notification emails are sent to your references after you submit your application.RÉSUMÉ OR CURRICULUM VITAEA résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) providing complete information concerning musical training, experience, awards, honors, publications and performance.WRITING SAMPLE One to two substantive written documents that will give the evaluating faculty an indication of your writing and rhetorical abilities.The Graduate School requires applicants to have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a comparable degree from a foreign academic institution.A grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or a comparable GPA in upper-division work—junior- and senior-level courses—and in any graduate work already completed is also required