Music (MUSI)
Degree Offered: M.A.
This program is offered in Durham.
The Department of Music offers programs leading to the degree of master of arts with options in composition, conducting, and musicology. Each program emphasizes a specific core curriculum that is complemented by a range of supportive courses that foster a broad knowledge of music. There is also enough room for electives (nearly a third of the degree) so that each student may tailor coursework to fit his or her personal interests and needs. Graduates have established successful careers in performance, conducting, public school teaching, college teaching, and research. The program also serves as excellent preparation for doctoral study.
Admission Requirements
For each option, a bachelor's degree in music or its equivalent from an accredited institution is required for admission. Graduate Record Exams are not required. Additional requirements for all applicants include:
- An entrance exam in music theory and music history, taken upon completion of your on-line application with the Graduate School. You are required to take the exam on campus or arrange for an instructor at your current institution or similarly qualified person to proctor the exam for you. Please contact the Department of Music graduate coordinator for details.
- A sample of academic writing, preferably on a musical subject, should be submitted to the Department of Music graduate coordinator, either electronically (pdf file via email) or in hard copy. This might be a paper that has been submitted for a course.
Other admission requirements specific to the three degree areas include:
Composition
- Applicants should submit a portfolio of compositions and arrange for an interview with Professor Michael Annicchiarico.
Conducting
- Applicants must perform a live conducting audition with one of the university ensembles. Please contact the director of bands, director of choral activities, or director of orchestral activities for details and to schedule an audition.
Musicology
- A reading knowledge of both German and French is strongly recommended for candidates who intend to continue on for a Ph.D. in musicology.
Music (MUSI)
MUSI 801 - Topics in Music History
Credits: 3
Courses offered under this number feature a variety of topics having to do with music history. Topics in given semesters reflect faculty expertise in teaching and research. For topic examples, see "Courses Taught" on relevant faculty web pages. May be repeated for credit if topics differ.
Repeat Rule: May be repeated up to unlimited times.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUSI 809 - Music of the Romantic Period
Credits: 3
A survey of Romanticism in music from Beethoven's late period to the end of the 19th century. The works of Schubert, Berlioz, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Wagner, Verdi, Brahms, Austrian symphonists, French pre-impressionists, and national styles in European music.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUSI 831 - Advanced Instrumental Conducting
Credits: 2
Physical aspects, equipment of conductor, fundamental gestures and beats, baton techniques. Reading and analysis of full and condensed scores, study of transposition, psychology of rehearsal.
Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
Special Fee: Yes
MUSI 845 - Graduate Voice
Credits: 1-4
Private instruction in voice. Special fee for non-majors.
Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 99 credits.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
Special Fee: Yes
MUSI 848 - Graduate Cello
Credits: 1-4
Private instruction in cello. Special fee for non-majors.
Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 99 credits.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
Special Fee: Yes
MUSI 855 - Graduate Bassoon
Credits: 1-4
Private instruction in bassoon. Special fee for non-majors.
Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 99 credits.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
Special Fee: Yes
MUSI 865 - Introduction to Bibliography
Credits: 3
This course is a comprehensive survey of skills and resources fundamental for undertaking research projects in music. Topics include bibliography (a survey of standard reference works, periodicals, monographs, collected editions, and other important sources); research techniques; critical reading, thinking, and writing; oral presentation; and the planning and drafting of a research paper (including methods of citation). A reading knowledge of German, French, and Italian is helpful, but not required.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUSI 869 - Musicology Seminar
Credits: 3
A seminar course that explores a specialized topic in musicology in depth. Students survey the principal primary and secondary materials for the given topic, present oral presentations related to it, and write an essay showing understanding of the literature and research issues involved. Topics change each time the course is offered.
Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credits.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUSI 875 - Composition
Credits: 1-4
Construction of phrases, periods, and short compositions following classical models. Problems of text-setting.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUSI 876 - Composition
Credits: 1-4
Construction of phrases, periods, and short compositions following classical models. Problems of text-setting.
Prerequisite(s): MUSI 875 with a minimum grade of B-.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUSI 877 - Advanced Composition
Credits: 1-4
Continuation of MUSI 876. Individual compositional projects. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s): MUSI 876 with a minimum grade of B-.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUSI 879 - Reading and Writing Musical Scores
Credits: 3
This course is designed to assist music majors gain competence and confidence in working with full scores for music ensembles. Course activities will focus on the tasks of score reading and analysis, and the creation of new arrangements for ensembles the student is likely to lead in their professional life. Additionally, various aspects of programming repertoire for performances will be addressed. These skills will be of value to both music education and music performance majors.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUSI 891 - Research Seminar
Credits: 1-4
Guidance on individual research projects.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUSI 894 - Theory Seminar
Credits: 3
Study of representative masterworks. Score analysis.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUSI 895 - Special Studies
Credits: 1-4
A) J.S. Bach; B) Franz Schubert; C) Debussy and Ravel; D) the world of jazz; E) piano literature; F) 19th century French music; G) advanced analysis; H) advanced study in electronic music; I) composition through computer-generated sound; J) woodwind literature; K) brass literature; L) string literature; M) medieval performance practice; N) renaissance performance practice; O) baroque performance practice; P) classical performance practice; Q) 19th century performance practice; R) 20th century performance practice; S) woodwind repair; T) string repair; U) advanced jazz improvisation; V) advanced piano pedagogy; W) advanced accompanying; X) advanced conducting; Y) independent study. May be repeated for credit with permission.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
Music Education (MUED)
MUED 841 - Techniques and Methods in Choral Music
Credits: 2
Methods for teaching choral music in 5-12th grade schools, the developing voice, vocal modeling, repertoire selection, choral conducting, rehearsal technique, sequencing and feedback, piano skills for choral rehearsal, in-school fieldwork. This class requires a fieldwork component. Students will conduct rehearsals at Oyster River Middle School 7:00am-7:50am at least once per week for a portion of the semester.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUED 883 - Instrumental Literature and its Performance
Credits: 3
Exploration of representative solo and ensemble music for string, wind, and percussion instruments. Typical literature from each period of music is studied. As much as possible, live performance is included; recordings are used as required. Detailed attention given to interpretation. Project required.
Equivalent(s): MUED 983
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUED 891 - Teaching Secondary School Music
Credits: 3
Assembling, managing, and teaching junior/senior high school music curriculum. Academic issues of philosophy, curriculum building, application of learning theories, administration, evaluation, motivation, and classroom management combined with field experience in lesson planning and teaching/rehearsal techniques.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
MUED 895 - Special Studies
Credits: 1-4
Allows upper-level students to explore individually or in groups areas related to their specific professional interests.
Grade Mode: Letter Grading