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 University–Newark in addition to the distinguished jazz faculty at Rutgers University–New
Brunswick. The requirements listed above are adapted to the particular needs
and goals of the student in jazz, but they must include two semesters of
graduate-level improvisation (08:702:527, 528 Advanced Improvisation (3,3)).
