Mar 18, 2024  
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Master of Music in Composition


Admission Requirements:


Admission to the Master of Music in Composition program is granted to students who meet the requirements of both the Graduate School and the Department of Music and Dance. Application for admission to the Graduate School should be made to the Office of Admissions, where undergraduate transcripts are evaluated. Transcripts should be forwarded to the Office of Admissions at the time of application.

Applicants must have:

  1. Undergraduate degree in music, or its equivalent;
  2. At least two original compositions;
  3. Personal statement summarizing plans for graduate study;
  4. Two letters of recommendation;
  5. Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam;
  6. Interview with composition faculty may be required.

Conditional Admission
Students deficient in a requirement for degree admission may be granted conditional admission, subject to removal of the deficiency, while beginning graduate study. Hours earned in making up deficiencies are in addition to those normally required for the degree.

Click here to apply!

Department Information:


Music & Dance - College of Arts & Sciences

Diane L. Winder, D.M.
Department Head

354 Alexander Building
(734) 487-1421
diane.winder@emich.edu

Department Website

Advisor Information:


David Pierce, DMA

N101 Alexander Hall
(734) 487-4380
dpierce@emich.edu\

Upon admission to the Department of Music and Dance, each student will meet with the graduate advisor for assistance in planning a curriculum.

Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam:


Students must achieve an acceptable score (70% or higher) on the Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam prior to enrolling in MUSC 511 MUSC 512 MUSC 513 , or MUSC 516 . (The Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam may be taken only one time.) Students who fail to achieve an acceptable score must take MUSC 509 - Graduate Theory Review  (2 hrs), and receive a B or better in the course, prior to enrolling in MUSC 511 MUSC 512 , MUSC 513 , or MUSC 516 . Students placed into  MUSC 509  are allowed to take the course only one time. Any student who does not earn a B or better in the course will not be allowed to continue in the graduate program. MUSC 509  does not count towards degree requirements.

Exit Requirements:


In addition to Graduate School requirements, Department of Music and Dance requirements are as follows:

  1. Comprehensive Review in Composition
    All graduate students must pass an examination covering their major field of study. The examination may be written and/or oral in format, as determined by the student’s faculty committee. Written examinations will consist of three to five essay questions and must be completed in three hours or less. Oral examinations will last approximately one hour.

    The examination will occur when the student’s prescribed course work is substantially completed, in the anticipated semester of graduation. In addition, the student must complete the thesis, recital, or other culminating experience prior to taking the examination. Exceptions to this policy may occur only with the approval of the student’s faculty committee and the department head. The examination will be graded Pass/Fail and can be taken no more than three times.

    The examination will be evaluated be a committee consisting of the student’s faculty advisor, an additional faculty member from music theory, and a faculty member from outside the major field. The specific makeup of the faculty committee will be determined by the student in consultation with the faculty advisor, and must be approved by the department head. If a student is unable to form a faculty committee, it will be formed by the department head in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.
     

  2. Thesis (original composition for orchestra with the intent of performance). The composition will be rehearsed (20 minutes) and recorded (10 minutes) by the EMU Symphony Orchestra. The student composer will pay for recording and editing costs.

Course Requirements:


The M.M. in Composition requires the completion of 30 hours of course work to be distributed among supportive studies, major field and electives as follows:

Master of Music in Composition


Supportive Studies in Music: 10 hours


Elective Courses: 4 hours


Music or nonmusic courses selected in consultation with the graduate advisor.

Program Total: 30 hours


Note:


* Students must earn a grade of a B or higher in all supportive studies and major field courses. If a student earns a grade lower than a B in any course, he/she must retake the course and receive a B or higher, before the credits for that course can be counted toward the degree.

** Students must achieve an acceptable score on the Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam prior to enrolling in MUSC 511 , MUSC 512 , MUSC 513  or MUSC 516 . Students who fail to achieve an acceptable score must take MUSC 509  and receive a B or better prior to enrolling in any of these courses.

*** Students will be admitted to 600-level Music Composition if the quality and quantity of their work in MUSC 518  indicates that they can do advanced work in composition. MUSC 518  may be taken up to four times, but will only count once towards the degree requirements. Repeating MUSC 518  beyond the four-time limit requires permission from the department.