Music
Undergraduate Studies
For the B.A. and B.M.: Entrance Auditions: An entrance audition is required for admission into any degree program in the Department of Music. Contact the Department of Music office for information concerning auditions.
Keyboard Musicianship Proficiency Exams: Students whose degree programs require Mus 113, Mus 114, Mus 213, and/or Mus 214 may fulfill the degree requirement by either passing the courses or by taking a proficiency exam. Proficiency exams are offered by appointment only at the beginning of each semester, and must be completed by the last day to add or drop classes that semester. Contact the Department of Music office for information.
Musicianship and Harmony (Music Theory) Proficiency Exams: Students may satisfy the Mus 105 (Musicianship and Harmony I) course requirement by a proficiency exam. The Mus 105 proficiency exam is offered only at the beginning of the fall semester and must be completed by the last day to add classes. Contact the Department of Music office for information.
Transfer students pursuing any degree in music: All transfer students must complete, at the University of Mississippi, a minimum of two semesters of applied study on a single major instrument at or above the 300 level. No more than four semesters of transfer credit for a major ensemble will be accepted for completion of any music degree. Transfer students majoring in performance may not enroll for applied study beyond the 341 level prior to approval of the applied faculty.
See the degree requirements under Programs.
Graduate Studies
Master of Music Guidelines:
Description: The Master of Music is an advanced professional degree designed to develop a particular area in music to a high level of specialization. The university offers the Master of Music in the following emphases: 1) music education; 2) choral conducting; and 3) performance in woodwind, brass, string, or percussion instruments, piano, and voice.
The Master of Music (M.M.) degree with an emphasis in music education is designed to give the student advanced training in music and music education and/or prepares him/her for study at the doctoral level. The Master of Music (M.M.) degree with an emphasis in choral conducting is designed to give the student advanced training in choral conducting and score study and/or prepares him/her for study at the doctoral level. The Master of Music (M.M.) degree with an emphasis in performance is designed to prepare a student to become a professional musician (performing as a pianist, woodwind, brass, string, or percussion instrumentalist, or singer) and/or prepares him/her for further graduate study or professional training. Students pursuing the M.M. with emphasis in performance must satisfy a concentration in either piano, voice, or instrumental.
Prerequisites: A Bachelor of Music, or equivalent degree, from a recognized institution is required. An applicant's undergraduate record, letters of recommendation, and other credentials, including evidence of a senior recital or its equivalent (for music performance) must show the applicant to be qualified for graduate work. For entrance into the MM Vocal Performance degree program the student's transcript(s) must show grades of C or better in two years of foreign language, which must include one semester each of 1) Elementary Italian, 2) Elementary French, 3) Elementary German, and 3) an additional higher-level course in any of these three languages. Also required are at least two diction courses (covering English, Italian, French, and German), two vocal literature courses (art song and opera), and one vocal pedagogy course. The student must have presented the equivalent to a Senior Recital (50- 60 minute program) with at least four languages represented including art song and arias.
Examinations: All entering students in music must take a set of departmentally administered examinations in music theory, music history, and performance. Information about these examinations can be obtained from the Department of Music graduate program coordinator. Additionally, students pursuing the emphases in choral conducting or music education must take the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission. Students pursuing the emphasis in music performance must complete a 30-minute audition recital of appropriate repertoire, submit a portfolio of materials including a repertoire list of all music studied in lessons while an undergraduate, and submit a musical resume documenting their performance experience.
I. Summary of Application Requirements/Requirements for Full Standing:
A. Complete the departmentally administered examinations, and the GRE (if majoring in choral conducting or in music education), or the performance audition recital, portfolio and performance resume (if majoring in music performance).
B. Official transcripts showing a bachelor's degree in music or its equivalent
C. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0); a 2.7 GPA may result in provisional admission
D. Departmentally administered entrance exams (music theory test, music history/literature test, performance skills audition)
E. Completed application to the Graduate School
F. For applied music applicants, evidence of a senior recital or its equivalent
Students who are not admitted in full standing (e.g., admitted as conditional, qualifying, or nondegree status) must adhere to Graduate School policies regarding course work.
The status of students not in full standing after having successfully completed 9 hours is changed to graduate nondegree. While in this status, no additional work may be applied towards a graduate degree.
II. Entrance Examinations
The diagnostic exams include: 1. Aural Skills Test. 2. Music Theory Test. 3. Music History/Literature Test. 4. Performance Skills Audition.
A. All departmental diagnostic exams will be given each term at the beginning of classes. The time for exams will be posted on the bulletin board outside the music office. Students should contact the Department of Music graduate program coordinator for specific times and locations.
B. The performance skills audition is scheduled with the appropriate area head (Piano, Vocal, or Instrumental) as soon as possible because it must be completed before the end of the first full week of classes. Junior level proficiency is required for admission in full standing for all students except those whose emphasis is applied music. Students whose major emphasis is applied music must prepare an audition of appropriate material not to exceed 30 minutes. Students with three or more years as a conductor or teacher may submit recordings of their orchestra, band or chorus or of themselves teaching a class to the Department of Music graduate program coordinator. A student who has previously performed an audition at the University of Mississippi may petition to waive this requirement.
C. Deficiencies revealed by the diagnostic exams may require the addition of courses to a student's curriculum. Such work must be taken during the first term in which the courses are offered, and must be completed with a grade of a B or higher. See the Master of Music guidelines at http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/music/degree_programs/grad_degrees.html for more information.
III. Major Professor A. After achieving full standing, a major professor from the student's emphasis is assigned following consultation with the student and the professor requested. B. Based on the results of the diagnostic exams, the major professor will design the program of studies in consultation with the student.
IV. Program of Studies A. Consult the Graduate School Catalog for the curricula for the various emphases. Curricula for each area of emphasis are also available from the Department of Music graduate program coordinator. B. The program of studies may be altered only by agreement between the student and the major professor. C. MUS 520 (Introduction to Music Research) should be taken as soon as possible. Failure to do so may jeopardize timely graduation.
Examinations: All students must take the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test for admission to the university. Additionally all entering students in music must take a set of departmentally administered examinations in performance, aural skills, music theory, and music history. Information about the latter examinations can be obtained from the Department of Music graduate program coordinator.
Ph.D. Guidelines:
The Ph.D. degree in music is offered with an emphasis in music education only.
Prerequisite: A master's degree in music or music education from a recognized institution is required. In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, those wishing to pursue the Ph.D. in music - music education emphasis must show evidence of three years of full-time employment in teaching or a related position. Additional requirements include submission of a writing sample and a video of teaching.
Examinations: All students must take the general test of the Graduate Record Examination and a set of departmentally administered examinations in performance, aural skills, music theory, and music history. Information about the latter examinations can be obtained from the departmental graduate program coordinator.
Residence: Three academic years of full-time study, or the equivalent, beyond the bachelor's degree constitute the minimum requirement. A minimum of two academic years of full-time graduate work must be completed at The University of Mississippi. At least one academic year of full-time study, or the equivalent, must be in continuous residence.
I. Summary of Application Requirements/Requirements for Full Standing:
A. Present evidence to the Graduate School of having taken the GRE General Test.
B. Hold a bachelor's degree in music or its equivalent. (Official transcripts must be submitted to the University of Mississippi Graduate School).
C. Present evidence of having acquired an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. A GPA of below 3.0 (out of 4.0) is accepted with provisions.
D. Complete the online application for graduate admission at http://www.olemiss.edu/gradschool/applynow.html
E. Take the departmentally administered diagnostic exams.
F. Students emphasizing applied music must present evidence of having given a senior recital or the equivalent.
Students who are not admitted in full standing (e.g., admitted as conditional, qualifying, or nondegree status) must adhere to Graduate School policies regarding course work.
The status of students not in full standing after having successfully completed 9 hours is changed to graduate nondegree. While in this status, no additional work may be applied towards a graduate degree.
II. Entrance Examinations
The diagnostic exams include: 1. Aural Skills Test. 2. Music Theory Test. 3. Music History/Literature Test. 4. Performance Skills Audition.
A. All departmental diagnostic exams will be given each term at the beginning of classes. The time for exams will be posted on the bulletin board outside the music office. Students should contact the Department of Music graduate program coordinator for specific times and locations.
B. The performance skills audition is scheduled with the appropriate area head (Piano, Vocal, or Instrumental) as soon as possible because it must be completed before the end of the first full week of classes. Junior level proficiency is required for admission in full standing for all students except those whose emphasis is applied music. Students whose major emphasis is applied music must prepare an audition of appropriate material not to exceed 30 minutes. Students with three or more years as a conductor or teacher may submit recordings of their orchestra, band or chorus or of themselves teaching a class to the Department of Music graduate program coordinator. A student who has previously performed an audition at the University of Mississippi may petition to waive this requirement.
C. Deficiencies revealed by the diagnostic exams may require the addition of courses to a student's curriculum. Such work must be taken during the first term in which the courses are offered, and must be completed with a grade of a B or higher. See the Master of Music guidelines at http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/music/degree_programs/grad_degrees.html for more information.
III. Major Professor A. After achieving full standing, a major professor from the student's emphasis is assigned following consultation with the student and the professor requested. B. Based on the results of the diagnostic exams, the major professor will design the program of studies in consultation with the student.
IV. Program of Studies A. Consult the Graduate School Catalog for the curricula for the various emphases. Curricula for each area of emphasis are also available from the Department of Music graduate program coordinator. B. The program of studies may be altered only by agreement between the student and the major professor. C. MUS 520 (Introduction to Music Research) should be taken as soon as possible. Failure to do so may jeopardize timely graduation.
See the degree requirements under Programs.