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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Music Graduate Programs (MUS, MUSM, MUSP, MUSE)

Performing Arts CenterOffered through the Department of Music
in the College of Fine Arts and Humanities
238 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 320.308.3223
Fax: 320.308.2902
E-mail: music@stcloudstate.edu
Web: www.stcloudstate.edu/music

Department Chairperson: Dr. Terry Vermillion
Department Secretary: Ms. Dani Andersen, Ms. Janelle Pederson

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Stephen Fuller
All Incoming Music Students: Dr. Stephen Fuller
Music: Conducting, Choral - Dr. Stephen Fuller
Music: Conducting, Instrumental - Dr. Richard Hansen
Music: Music Education - Dr. Marcelyn Smale
Music: Piano Pedagogy - Dr. Carmen Wilhite

Graduate Faculty: Fuller, Gast, Givens, Hansen, Judish, Krause, Layne, Miller, Moore, O’Bryant, Smale, Springer, Twombly, Vermillion, Verrilli, Wilhite

Accreditations Specific to the Program

  • National Association of Schools of Music

Admission Requirements Specific to the Program

  • Admission decisions are made as completed application files are received.
  • An applicant's undergraduate GPA and letters of recommendation are considered most heavily in the admission decision.
  • A bachelor's degree in music is required for the graduate level music emphasis and piano pedagogy emphasis. A bachelor's degree in music education is required for the graduate level music education emphasis.
  • All applicants must meet the admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies
  • All students must take the Graduate Music Placement Exam during the first semester of study. For specific information, refer to the music department graduate handbook available online at www.stcloudstate.edu/music or by calling the department.

Admission Requirements Specific to the Emphasis Area

Conducting

  • A bachelor's degree in music is required for the graduate level music conducting emphasis.
  • Applicants should submit a videotape of conducting ability or prepare a live demonstration of conducting skills for the designated adviser during the first semester.

Music Education

  • A bachelor's degree in music education is required for the music education emphasis at the graduate level.
  • Applicants should submit a videotape of their teaching.

Piano Pedagogy

  • A bachelor's degree in music is required for the graduate level piano pedagogy emphasis.
  • Piano pedagogy students must prepare a piano audition for the piano faculty. The performance should include music of varying styles and be at a level of difficulty equivalent to Bach preludes and fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier, and Beethoven Sonata, Op,.31, No 2. The technique exam will include major and minor arpeggios and scales.
  • In addition, all incoming music students must take the music placement exam prior to admittance into the program. This exam should be taken prior to the beginning of course work or during the first semester.

Length of Program — Measured by Semesters

  • Part-time student: seven semesters including one summer session.
  • Full-time student: five semesters including one summer session.
  • Many students who are working professionally take three to four years to complete the degree.
  • Core courses, conducting and performance courses are offered in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate working professionals.
  • Piano pedagogy courses are offered in the morning.
  • Courses in the summer are offered in condensed two- or three-week blocks.

Graduate Assistantship Overview

  • Three graduate assistantship positions in music are offered each year, and are available both fall and spring semesters.
  • Graduate assistantship duties are based upon the applicant's skills and departmental needs. They may include teaching, performance or management.

Degrees and Plans Offered

  • Master of Music: Conducting, Plan A (Thesis or Creative Work) at 34 credits
  • Master of Music: Music Education, Plan A (Thesis or Creative Work) at 33 credits
  • Master of Music: Music Education, Plan B (Written Comprehensive) at 33 credits
  • Master of Music: Piano Pedagogy, Plan A (Thesis or Creative Work) at 34 credits

Master of Music

Core courses for all programs
11 credits

  • MUSM 504. Pedagogy of Music Theory, 2 credits
  • MUS 602. Introduction to Research in Music and Music Education, 2 credits
  • MUS 604. Analytical Techniques, 2 credits
  • MUS 611. Music History (2 different sections), 4 credits
  • MUS 696. Masters Seminar, 1 credit

Choose from the following emphases:

Conducting

The Master of Music in Conducting program is designed to improve the musical knowledge and conducting/teaching skills of conductors by:

  • Engaging them in the study of score preparation, expressive conducting technique, rehearsal techniques, programming, and video-tape analysis;
  • Strengthening their expertise in literature (choral, orchestral, or wind band), history, analytical techniques, and pedagogy;
  • Providing them the opportunity to pursue an area of interest in research and/or performance.

Student conductors may direct their own performing group or an on-campus ensemble in a supervised performance as the culminating creative project for the degree.

Conducting emphasis
23 credits

  • MUS 609. Score Preparation, 2 credits
  • Choose one
  • MUS 617. History of Wind Band Literature, 3 credits
  • MUS 618. History of Choral Literature, 3 credits
  • MUS 619. History of Orchestra Literature, 3 credits
  • Choose either
  • MUS 620/621. Choral Conducting I/II, 4 credits or
  • MUS 622/623. Instrumental Conducting I/II, 4 credits
  • Choose either
  • MUS 698. Creative Work, 6 credits
  • MUS 699 Thesis, 6 credits
  • Other studies
  • Applied lessons and/or Vocal Pedagogy (Choral), 4 credits
  • Applied lessons and Music/MusEd Electives (Instrumental), 4 credits

Elective courses
4 credits

  • Electives to be chosen with consent of the adviser.

Music Education

The Master of Music in Music Education program is designed to improve the musical and pedagogical skills of teachers by:

  • Broadening their knowledge of current methods of music education, including Orff, Kodaly and Dalcroze.
  • Strengthening their ability to choose and use the most effective pedagogical techniques.
  • Offering flexibility within the program to expand their knowledge of educational, psychological and artistic fields.
  • Teachers may culminate their study with a comprehensive examination or with a thesis in an area of special interest.

Music education emphasis; Plan A or Plan B
22 credits

  • MUS 607. Psychology of Music, 2 credits
  • MUS 608. Curriculum Development in Music Education, 2 credits
  • Applied lessons, 2 credits
  • Music electives, 2 credits

Choose one

  • MUS 605. Elementary Music Education, 2 credits
  • MUS 606. Secondary Music Education, 2 credits

Elective courses
6 credits

  • Electives to be chosen with consent of the adviser.

Plan A

  • MUS 699. Thesis, 6 credits

Plan B

  • Comprehensive Written Exam AND 6 credits of music education

Piano Pedagogy

The Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy program is designed to improve the teaching and performing skills of piano teachers by:

  • Offering extensive training through individually structured piano study, solo and chamber music performance and pedagogy classes;
  • Strengthening the understanding and knowledge of music through courses in analytical techniques, music history, and piano literature;
  • Providing the opportunity to pursue an area or interest in research and/or performance.

Pianists have the opportunity to observe and teach in the music department's piano preparatory program.

Piano Pedagogy Emphasis; Plan A
23 credits

  • MUS 505. Keyboard Accompanying, 1 credit
  • MUS 536. Piano Literature, 2 credits
  • MUS 627. Practicum in Class Piano Teaching, 1 credit
  • MUS 628. Advanced Piano Pedagogy, 2 credits
  • MUS 652. Chamber Music Performance, 1 credit
  • MUS 680. Graduate Seminar: Research in Piano Pedagogy, 2 credits

Choose one

  • MUS 698. Creative Work, 6 credits
  • MUS 699. Thesis, 6 credits

Other music studies
6 credits

  • MUS 607. Psychology of Music, 2 credits
  • MUS 632. Applied Piano, 4 credits

Elective courses
2 credits

  • Electives chosen with consent of the adviser.

Recital requirements: All candidates for the degree must present a public recital of chamber music. The repertoire will be chosen in consultation with the program adviser. Candidates may also elect to present a public recital of solo literature as part of the creative project.