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 bachelor of music (B.Mus.) degree or bachelor of arts (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 start 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 (38 for Collaborative Piano
Specialization) is required, distributed as follows:
1. Four semesters of performance study (12 credits), culminating in a degree recital (1 credit). 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 semesters of ensemble (4 credits). 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 semesters of 08:702:541,542 Advanced Accompaniment Repertoire (4 credits); one semester 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 (1 credit 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 15 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 must also demonstrate proficiency in diction/International Phonetic Alphabet (I.P.A.) and 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. The requirements listed above are adapted to the particular needs and goals of the student in jazz, but they must include two semester of graduate-level improvisation (08:702:527, 528 (3, 3) Advanced Improvisation).
