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The Master of Music (M.M. or M.Mus.) is the first graduate degree in Music. The M.Mus. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization (usually music performance, composition, or conducting) with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy. The M.Mus degree, which takes one or two years of full-time study to complete, prepares students to be professional performers, conductors, and composers. The M.Mus. is often required as the minimum teaching credential for university, college, and conservatory instrumental or vocal teaching positions.

1 Types
2 Components of degree
3 Admission requirements
4 Careers
5 References

Types

The M.Mus.is widely available in performance (sometimes with a specialization in pedagogy and/or literature), composition, and conducting. In 2005, Boston University launched an online Master of Music program in music education, the only online program at this level¹. M.Mus. degrees are sometimes awarded in music education (as a Master of Music Education). The Master's degree in music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology is typically the Master of Arts.

Components of degree

M.Mus. students typically complete applied studies, such as lessons or mentoring with a professor, and take courses within their area of specialization. In many M.Mus. programs, all of the different M.Mus. streams (e.g., performance, composition, conducting) take a common core of music theory and music history courses. . Some universities in the UK (e.g. Sheffield University) utilise it as a special research degree.Some M.Mus. programs require students to pass a comprehensive exam on their area of specialization and on subjects such as music history and music theory. The last stage of the M.Mus. degree is usually the performance of recitals.

Some programs additionally require a sub-specialization in a cognate area within music, such as music history or performance practice, which contributes to their area of specialization. For example, a student doing an M.Mus. in Baroque violin might do a sub-specialization in Baroque music history. Some institutions permit M.Mus. students to do a sub-specialization in a field outside music that contributes to their professional and academic goals. For example, a student completing a M.Mus. in piano pedagogy may be able to do a sub-specialization in the psychology of learning in the university's department of psychology.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to a M.Mus. degree program, most institutions require a B.Mus. degree or an B.A. degree in music or a related field, usually with a grade average of "B+" or higher. In rare cases, some schools will conditionally admit a gifted student with no Bachelor's degree if they have a highly-respected conservatory diploma (e.g., a virtuoso performer with conservatory diploma from a top European conservatory).

M.Mus. programs in performance usually require an audition that includes advanced pieces from a wide range of styles. Admission to M.Mus. programs in conducting often requires a video recording of a live rehearsals and performances as a pre-screening element. Composition programs usually require the submission of a portfolio of compositions, including scores and recordings of live performances.

Careers

The M.Mus degree is usually undertaken to prepare students to be professional performers, conductors, and composers; as such many recipients of the M.Mus. degree do not seek further formal education after they complete the M.Mus. The M.Mus. is the credential that allows them to teach instrumental or vocal performance at universities, colleges, and conservatories. Some graduates do additional graduate or professional study in other areas, such as a law degree or medical degree.

Other recipients of the M.Mus. may go on to further graduate studies in music by continuing their M.Mus. specialization in performance or conducting at the doctoral level, by completing a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) degree in those areas. Some students branch out to another area of music at the PhD level, such as musicology or music theory. While PhD programs in musicology and music theory normally require an MA in music, in some cases, students with a M.Mus. in performance or composition who show strong promise may be conditionally admitted to PhD programs in musicology or music theory.

As well, some recipients of the M.Mus. degree may go on to do graduate work in another area in which music is a supporting field, such as an Ed.D. in music education (e.g., specializing in music instruction) or a Master's degree in Library Science, in order to become a music reference librarian.

References

^ As of November 2006