Music Performance (MM)

Admission Requirements

  1. Applications for admission to a graduate program require the following:
    1. A completed graduate application;
    2. An application fee;
    3. Official transcripts for all previous post-secondary course work (all transcripts not in English must be certified as authentic and translated verbatim into English); and
    4. At least two letters of recommendation.
  2. Applications to specific degree programs require evidence of preparation for advanced study as follows:
    1. In performance, an acceptable audition;
    2. In academic specializations (music composition, music history, music theory), a portfolio of work appropriate to the field of study; and
    3. In music education, evidence of classroom teaching experience.
  3. Applicants whose primary language is not English must show English language proficiency in one of the following ways:
    1. A minimum TOEFL examination score of 213 on the computer-based test, or 79-80 on the internet-based test; IELTS scores of at least 6.5 overall band score from the academic module exam or official Duolingo overall score of 105.
    2. Documentation of the award of a degree from a recognized English language institution.
  4. Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in the area to be pursued in advanced studies, or they must present evidence of equivalent preparation.
  5. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on a 4-point scale.

Applicants who meet the requirements listed in items 1-5 will be considered for conditional admission for graduate study at the School of Music. For additional entrance requirements specific to the degree of interest, see below.

Entrance examinations in music history, theory and, if appropriate, jazz, will be administered before the first term of study. The School of Music provides guidelines to assist in preparing for the entrance examinations.

Any exception to the above expectations will be evaluated individually and will require a statement indicating criteria to be met in a specified time frame with provisions for monitoring progress and performance. Justification must be provided in writing and must be accepted by the faculty of the student's proposed program, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Dean of the School of Music.

Students who fail to meet performance standards or who do not meet other requirements as outlined in the letter of admission, program of study, or the catalog of the University of Louisville are subject to dismissal from their programs.

Program Requirements

Coursework

Core Curriculum Courses
MUS 500Music History Review 10
MUS 400Theory Review 10
MUS 600Graduate Oral Exam Preparation0
MUS 607Bibliography and Research Methods3
Music History Seminar (500 or 600 level)3
Music Theory (500 or 600 level) 24
Applied Study (600 level) 38
Concentration Coursework (see Concentration Requirements tab)18
MUS 697Graduate Recital 40
Minimum Total Hours36

Other Requirements

All students must pass an oral examination after all course work is completed.

1

These courses may be satisfied by passing the entrance examinations in these areas.

2

For students in the Concentration in Jazz, Jazz Theory (MUS 539-02) is recommended. For students in the Concentration in Jazz Composition and Arranging, MUS 654 is required and Jazz Theory (MUS 539-02) is recommended.

3

The applied course numbers for the degree concentrations are as follows: Choral Conducting: MUS 601, MUS 602, MUS 659, MUS 660. (Students may substitute additional semesters of MUS 659 and MUS 660 for MUS 601 and MUS 602 at the discretion of the Director of Choral Activities). Orchestral/Wind Conducting/Wind Band Pedagogy/Piano Pedagogy/String Pedagogy: MUS 601, MUS 602, MUS 611, MUS 612. Jazz Performance: MUS 605, MUS 606, MUS 615, MUS 616. Students enrolled for applied jazz composition and arranging may not also get credit for MUS 656 or MUS 657. Instrumental/Organ/Piano/Vocal Performance: MUS 603, MUS 604.

4

Taken concurrently with final semester of applied study. Performance and pedagogy degree recitals are expected to show a performer's musical maturity and versatility. A degree recital program must be approved by the student's applied instructor. Minimum recital lengths will be determined by the appropriate area faculty and indicated on all applied syllabi.

Concentration Requirements 

Concentration in Choral Conducting

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_CCN

MUS 611Applied Music 12
MUS 530Choral Literature I2
MUS 531Choral Literature II2
MUS 559Instrumental Conducting and Score Reading2
Ensemble (one per semester)4
Music Electives 26
Minimum Total Hours18

Concentration in Orchestral Conducting

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_OCN

MUS 659Seminar in Conducting I (Instrumental)2
MUS 660Seminar in Conducting II (Instrumental)2
MUS 659Seminar in Conducting I (Choral) 32
MUS 660Seminar in Conducting II (Choral) 32
MUS 686Orchestral Literature I2
MUS 687Orchestral Literature II2
Ensemble (two semesters of major ensemble)2
Music Electives 44
Minimum Total Hours18

Concentration in String Pedagogy

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_STP

MUS 538Studies in Pedagogy (MUS 538-06 String Pedagogy)1
MUS 538Studies in Pedagogy (Instrument Specific)1
MUS 678Advanced Pedagogy (Instrument Specific)2
MUS 677Business Aspects of String Studio Teaching2
MUS 563Literature (MUS 563-02 String Literature)1
MUS 563Literature (Instrument Specific)1
Major or Minor Ensemble 54
Music Electives 66
Minimum Total Hours18

Concentration in Wind Band Pedagogy

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_WBP

MUS 659Seminar in Conducting I (Instrumental)2
MUS 660Seminar in Conducting II (Instrumental)2
MUS 559Instrumental Conducting and Score Reading2
MUS 561Literature (Band Literature)2
MUS 663Graduate Band Pedagogy and Educational Wind Band Literature2
Select one of the following sequences: 2
Sequence One:
Functional Study
Functional Study
Sequence Two:
Secondary Applied Study
Secondary Applied Study
Major Ensemble (one per semester)4
Music Electives 72
Minimum Total Hours18

Concentration in Wind Conducting

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_WCN

MUS 659Seminar in Conducting I (either Instrumental or Choral as per advising)2
MUS 660Seminar in Conducting II (either Instrumental or Choral as per advising)2
MUS 559Instrumental Conducting and Score Reading2
MUS 561Literature (Band Literature)2
Ensemble (one per semester)4
Music Electives 86
Minimum Total Hours18

Concentration in Instrumental Music

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_INS

MUS 613Applied Music4
MUS 614Applied Music4
Ensemble 54
Music Electives 96
Minimum Total Hours18

Other Requirements
Students are expected to present a public recital that comprises no less than sixty minutes of music and follows the guidelines governing public recitals.


Concentration in Jazz Performance

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_JAZ

MUS 539Studies in Jazz (MUS 539-01 Jazz Style and Analysis)2
MUS 539Studies in Jazz (MUS 539-03 Standard Jazz Repertoire)2
MUS 655Advanced Jazz Improvisation2
Jazz Combo (one per semester)2
Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Repertory Ensemble (one per semester) 104
Music Electives 116
Minimum Total Hours18

Concentration in Jazz Composition and Arranging

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_JAR

MUS 539Studies in Jazz (MUS 539-01 Jazz Style and Analysis)2
MUS 539Studies in Jazz (MUS 539-03 Standard Jazz Repertoire)2
MUS 655Advanced Jazz Improvisation2
Jazz Combo (one per semester)2
Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Repertory Ensemble (one per sem) 104
Music Electives 116
Minimum Total Hours18

Concentration in Organ Performance

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_ORG

MUS 613Applied Music4
MUS 614Applied Music4
Ensemble2
Major Subject and Music Electives 128
Minimum Total Hours18

Concentration in Piano Pedagogy

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_PDG

MUS 671Advanced Piano Pedagogy I2
MUS 672Advanced Piano Pedagogy II2
MUS 673Advanced Piano Pedagogy III2
MUS 674Advanced Piano Pedagogy IV2
MUS 561Literature (Piano Literature I)2
MUS 562Literature (Piano Literature II)2
Ensemble 132
Music Electives 144
Minimum Total Hours18

Other Requirements
Students are required to present a sixty minute lecture-demonstration recital that focuses on pedagogical aspects of selected works, includes a minimum of thirty minutes of memorized solo repertoire, and follows the guidelines governing public recitals.


Concentration in Piano Performance

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_PNO

MUS 613Applied Music4
MUS 614Applied Music4
MUS 561Literature (Piano Literature I)2
MUS 562Literature (Piano Literature II)2
Piano Pedagogy (500 or 600 level) 2
Ensemble 132
Music Electives 142
Minimum Total Hours18

Other Requirements
Students are expected to present a public recital that comprises no less than sixty minutes of music and follows the guidelines governing public recitals.


Concentration in Vocal Performance

Academic Plan Code(s): MUSIMM_VOC

MUS 613Applied Music4
MUS 614Applied Music4
Select two of the following: 4
Literature (Vocal Literature I)
Literature (Vocal Literature II)
Literature (Graduate Vocal Literature I)
Literature (Graduate Vocal Literature II)
MUS 640Advanced Vocal Pedagogy2
Ensemble 152
Music Electives 162
Minimum Total Hours18

Other Requirements
Students are expected to present a public recital that comprises no less than sixty minutes of music and follows the guidelines governing public recitals.


1

Must be taken in the semester of the graduate degree recital.

2

May include such courses as pedagogy, literature, the student's principal applied instrument, instrumental conducting, or a maximum of two (2) additional ensemble credit hours.

3

One two (2) credit hour course required of all orchestral conducting majors, the second two (2) credit hour course optional depending on the individual needs of the student in consultation with their advisor. If the student only needs two (2) credit hours of choral, they will be required to have two additional music electives.

4

To be chosen from courses in music theory, literature, the student's principal applied instrument, or a maximum of two (2) additional ensemble credit hours.

5

In comparing degree programs, please note that among universities, many times ensembles are required, but without credit. Our required ensembles are included in the number of required degree hours. New Music Ensemble is acceptable for the concentration in String Pedagogy.

6

Up to two (2) additional ensemble credit hours are acceptable.

7

To be chosen from pedagogy, literature, research methods, learning themes, the student's principal applied instrument, a maximum of two semesters of functional applied study, or a maximum of two (2) additional ensemble credit hours if performing on a secondary instrument.

8

To be chosen from pedagogy, literature, the student's principal applied instrument, a maximum of two semesters of functional applied study, or a maximum of two (2) additional ensemble credit hours.

9

Students are encouraged to choose courses in literature or pedagogy; up to two (2) additional ensemble credit hours are acceptable.

10

A student may substitute two additional Jazz Combo courses for one of the Jazz Ensemble courses.

11

Applied Jazz or Ensemble will not meet this requirement; applied study in a secondary area is acceptable.

12

Must include Organ Literature and Church Music Literature; additional Applied Organ or Ensemble will not meet this requirement.  Applied study in a secondary area is acceptable. 

13

At least three semesters of ensemble to be chosen from Piano Ensemble or New Music Ensemble.

14

Additional Applied Piano or Ensemble will not meet this requirement; applied study in a secondary area is acceptable.

15

Suggested ensembles include Opera Theatre and New Music Ensemble.

16

Additional Applied Voice or Ensemble will not meet this requirement; applied study in a secondary area is acceptable.