The program of study leading to the master of music (M.M.) degree
in performance, conducting, or collaborative piano specialization is
open to students with a B.Mus. or B.A. degree (or equivalent) in music.
To gain admittance to the program, applicants must demonstrate the
level of performance skill and musicality necessary to the start of a
professional career. Instruction is available in all orchestral and
keyboard instruments, voice, and choral conducting.
Required Course of Study
Completion of the program normally takes two years, but the time limit
for the M.M. degree is four years from the time of matriculation.
Exceptions to extend the time limit may be made with the approval of
both the graduate program director and the dean.
A total of 36 credits is required, distributed as follows:
1. Four terms of performance study, culminating in a degree
recital. This performance is evaluated by a faculty committee
consisting of the student`s major teacher and two additional faculty
members approved by the graduate program director. The student must
receive a passing evaluation from a majority of the committee members.
Those enrolled in the collaborative piano specialization must perform
one instrumental and one vocal recital.
2. Four terms of
ensemble. Those enrolled in collaborative piano must include work in
two or more of the following areas: chamber ensemble, opera, large
instrumental ensemble, choral ensemble, and 20th-century ensemble.
3. Two courses (6 credits) in graduate-level music theory, to be selected with the director`s approval
4. Two courses (6 credits) in graduate-level music history, to be selected with the director`s approval
5. For collaborative piano only. Two terms of 08:702: 541, 542 Advanced
Accompaniment Repertoire (4 credits); one term of 08: 702:543 Special
Topics in Collaboration (1 credit); and 08:703:601 Performance Project
(2 credits; one instrumental recital and one vocal recital).
6. Seven credits (4 credits for the jazz option, 3 credits for
collaborative piano) of elective courses in music acceptable for
graduate credit
In addition, students must meet the following requirements:
1. All students must pass a comprehensive examination in the history
and literature of their major performance specialties, including
aspects of theory and performance practice. Normally, the student will
receive the results of this examination within 10 working days. A
student who fails this examination is provided with a written
explanation as part of the notification. He or she then will have the
chance to take a reexamination, which covers the areas specified as
unsatisfactory on the initial exam. Reexaminations occur at the next
regularly scheduled test period. Unless a procedural flaw occurs in the
reexamination process, a student is permitted to take only one
reexamination.
2. Candidates in voice also must demonstrate
proficiency in diction/I.P.A. and in singing French, German, Italian,
and English.
3. Candidates in collaborative piano must
demonstrate reading proficiency in one foreign language (German,
French, or Italian) and diction/I.P.A. proficiency in German, French,
Italian, and English.
Jazz Option
A special
program of study is available for performers who wish to concentrate in
jazz. This program takes advantage of archival materials in the
Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers-Newark in addition to the
distinguished jazz faculty at Rutgers-New Brunswick/Piscataway. The
requirements listed above are adapted to the particular needs and goals
of the student in jazz, but they must include one term of
graduate-level improvisation (08:702:527 Advanced Improvisation).
