Music

Leadership

Nancy Maria Balach Schuesselin - Chair and Professor of Music and Director of the University of Mississippi Institute for the Arts

Contact

164 Music Bldg
University, MS 38677
NMBALACH@OLEMISS.EDU
http://music.olemiss.edu

Overview

The Department of Music offers a minor, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in music, and Bachelor of Music (B.M.) with emphases in music education and performance. Graduate degrees include the Master of Music (M.M.) with emphases in choral conducting, music education, and performance, and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in music with an emphasis in music education.

Accreditation

The Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Other Information

Other Academic Requirements

The Thesis or Recital. A recital is required in the performance program and in choral conducting. A thesis is optional in the music education program.
1. A student may not enroll in MUSC 6970 Thesis or MUSC 6950 Public Recital if not in full standing.
2. For information concerning format, procedures and specifications of the thesis, consult the Thesis and Dissertations Manual (http://www.olemiss.edu/gradschool/2010%20forms/thesis_diss/Theses%20and %20Dissertations%20Manual_final.pdf). See also other documents found at http://www.olemiss.edu/gradschool/forms_library.html
3. Students must be enrolled for at least 3 hours during the semester in which they intend to graduate. Summer graduates must enroll for 3 hours in either summer semester.
4. If a thesis is written, a thesis committee is formed by the major professor in consultation with the student and appointed by the department chair. The committee shall consist of the major professor, another representative of the student's emphasis, and any other member of the graduate music faculty. Members of the committee will be consulted by the major professor concerning their willingness to serve.
The Oral or Written Examination
1. Early in the semester in which the student intends to graduate, the major professor, in consultation with the student, shall formulate a committee of graduate music faculty members to administer the oral exam, the thesis defense or the written exam in the music education program (nonthesis option).
2. The Department of Music graduate program coordinator should be contacted to set a date for the oral or written exam. Time should be allotted after the exam to allow for thesis corrections or further study required by the committee.
3. If the student's emphasis is applied music, the committee must be formulated prior to the recital so that the members may attend.
4. The thesis must be presented to all members of the committee in its completed form at least two weeks prior to the oral defense. The oral defense will primarily concern the thesis and the courses taken toward the degree.
5. After successful completion of the oral defense, two copies of the thesis must be presented to the Graduate School before the regular examination period for the semester in which the student intends to graduate.
6. If the student's emphasis is music education, a written exam will be administered. The student should consult the major professor early in the semester in which they intend to graduate in order to formulate the exam committee. The student may consult each member of the exam committee to solicit questions or areas of suggested study prior to the exam.

Academics & Admissions

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 MUSC 1130 Fundamental Keyboard Musicianship I, MUSC 1140 Fundamental Keyboard Musicianship II, MUSC 2130 Intermediate Keyboard Musicianship I, and/or MUSC 2140 Intermediate Keyboard Musicianship II 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 MUSC 1050 Music Theory and Analysis I course requirement by a proficiency exam. The MUSC 1050 Music Theory and Analysis I 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:

music education;
choral conducting; and
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.

Prerequisite

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 modern languages (Italian and French or German). Students must complete one semester of Elementary Italian and either Elementary French or Elementary German. 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. Students pursuing an 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

Complete the departmentally administered examinations or the performance audition recital, portfolio and performance resume (if majoring in music performance).
Official transcripts showing a bachelor's degree in music or its equivalent
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0)
Departmentally administered entrance exams (music theory test, music history/literature test, performance skills audition)
Completed application to the Graduate School
For applied music applicants, evidence of a senior recital or its equivalent

II. Entrance Examinations

The diagnostic exams include: 1. Aural Skills Test. 2. Music Theory Test. 3. Music History/Literature Test. 4. Performance Skills Audition.

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.
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.
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

After achieving full standing, a major professor from the student's emphasis is assigned following consultation with the student and the professor requested.
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

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.
The program of studies may be altered only by agreement between the student and the major professor.
MUSC 5200 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

After achieving full standing, a major professor from the student's emphasis is assigned following consultation with the student and the professor requested.
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

AConsult 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.
The program of studies may be altered only by agreement between the student and the major professor.
MUSC 5700 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.

Leadership

Contact

Overview

Accreditation

Other Information

Academics & Admissions

Undergraduate Studies

For the B.A. and B.M.

Entrance Auditions

Musicianship and Harmony (Music Theory) Proficiency Exams:

Graduate Studies

Master of Music Guidelines

Description

Prerequisite

Examinations

I. Summary of Application Requirements/Requirements for Full Standing

II. Entrance Examinations

III. Major Professor

IV. Program of Studies

Ph.D. Guidelines:

Prerequisite:

I. Summary of Application Requirements/Requirements for Full

II. Entrance Examinations

III. Major Professor

IV. Program of Studies

Faculty in Music

Emeritus Faculty