Degree Title: Master of Music
Program Name and Number: Music Performance: Conducting - MM5188
Department/Unit: School of Music
Delivery Mode: Athens Campus
Terms of Entry: [Fall | Spring]
Program Mission: The Master of Music Performance: Conducting Emphasis (Choral, Orchestral, or Wind concentration) is designed to prepare, promote, guide, and encourage students to aspire to the highest artistic and intellectual standards required for the conducting profession.
Program Learning Objectives: Students will develop advanced capacities to work independently and make effective artistic and intellectual judgments and professional decisions in the area of specialization.
Program Overview: The students in the Master of Music Performance: Conducting Emphasis (Choral, Orchestral, or Wind) degree program benefit from a fully immersive apprenticeship that affords them the opportunity to develop experience and skills in all aspects of the art and profession of conducting. The conducting faculty are very active at the state, regional, national, and international levels as guest conductors and lecturers and have extensive experience in conducting and conducting pedagogy. Each of the three degree-tracks features a mentorship between the student and the major faculty member, allowing for close interaction and evolving discussion on various aspects of conducting. Within the apprenticeship model, the students gain experience in nearly every area of their major conducting faculty’s teaching and administrative responsibilities. Graduate conducting students are assigned a conducting load so that they are always in one, if not multiple, rehearsal cycles between the various ensembles in their area, which grants them the chance to work with a variety of skill levels and to develop a broad range of repertoire. Throughout the duration of their residency (usually two years), a graduate conducting student will rehearse and perform with the appropriate select ensemble(s) multiple times. The faculty members encourage additional research and discussion in conducting literature, repertoire, organizational psychology, program philosophy, and physical efficiency and health to offer a holistic perspective and preparation in the field. Another strength of the program is the competitive stipend/benefits/tuition waiver assistantship package compared with other institutions of similar size and scope.
Opportunities for Graduates: Graduates of the Master of Music Performance: Conducting Emphasis (Choral, Orchestral, or Wind) degree program have been successful in gaining admission to doctoral programs across the United States, and in securing prominent conducting engagements and teaching positions at the university, public school, and church levels.
Link to Program Handbook: The most recent version of the School of Music Graduate Handbook (2014-15) can be found here: http://www.ohio.edu/finearts/music/upload/ghb-14-15-6-16-14.pdf
Graduation Requirements: The curriculum for the Master of Music in Performance: Conducting Emphasis (Choral, Orchestral, Wind) is in compliance with general and specific the National Association of Schools of Music standards. The degree program emphasizes live contextual experiences that enhance the student’s manual/baton technique, non-verbal communication, rehearsal skills, aural differentiation, and musical interpretation. Additional related studies include theory, history, literature/repertoire, score study and analysis, as well as continued study in the candidate’s particular applied area (instrumental or voice).
Major Area
- MUS 5592: Applied Conducting – 9 credit hours
- MUS 5590/5591: Advanced Conducting – 2 credit hours
- MUS 55xx: Ensemble (depending on concentration) – 8 credit hours
- MUS 6970: Conducting Recital* – 2 credit hours
Other Studies in Music
- MUS 6200: Seminar (Theory-History) – 2 credit hours
- MUS xxxx: Music History/Theory/Composition Electives** – 6 hours
Electives
- MUS xxxx: Music Literature Elective – 2 credit hours
- MUS xxxx: Music Electives – 9 credit hours
Total Degree Program: 40 credit hours (minimum)
* The Conducting Recital may be fulfilled through a traditional recital performance format or the cumulative total of conducting experiences during residency, represented by a DVD
** Please refer to the Ohio University School of Music Graduate Handbook for more details on Electives: http://www.ohio.edu/finearts/music/upload/ghb-14-15-6-16-14.pdf
- Comprehensive Oral Examination: Near the completion of the degree, usually during the final semester of study, students take an oral comprehensive examination with a panel of four faculty members: two professors in the major field, one in music history, and one in music theory.
- Thesis Required: No
- Expected Completion of the Music Performance: Conducting Emphasis degree program for full-time students: Two academic years
Culminating Experience: Students in this program complete a faculty-approved recital and an oral examination.
Admission Requirements: Prospective students must meet all requirements for admission to the School of Music as described in the Ohio University School of Music Graduate Handbook: http://www.ohio.edu/finearts/music/upload/ghb-14-15-6-16-14.pdf Qualified candidates should submit a face-to-the-camera digital video (DVD, mp4, YouTube video are some of the possible formats) demonstrating 10-20 minutes of their conducting ability in a rehearsal or performance situation. Pending approval by the conducting faculty, prospective students will be invited to campus for an audition/interview. All auditioning students will:
- Rehearse and conduct a major university ensemble
- Perform a representative work on their major instrument that demonstrates technical ability and musical competence
- Demonstrate sight-singing and aural skills
- Demonstrate keyboard facility
- Interview with the conducting faculty
- Meet with the current graduate conducting studio
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