Introduction

The Choral Studies Program at the University of Miami is committed to musical excellence. The graduate curriculum is designed to build a well-rounded conductor / teacher, drawing on the inherent musical and personal strengths of the graduate conducting student.

The conducting program accepts a limited number of students who pursue a variety of different professional directions, including education and church music. To develop the musicianship and skills which will be important for the student's future professional success, graduate courses are organized in the areas of literature and score study, the choral/vocal instrument, and conducting and teaching.

Guidelines for Master's Degree Students

Entrance Requirements and Placement Examination

Applicants for the Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting must submit all appropriate forms for admission to the University of Miami and the School of Music. Forms may be obtained by contacting the School of Music Graduate Studies Office. A preliminary video audition is required. A successful on-campus audition must be completed prior to full acceptance into the degree program. The audition will include conducting, a writing sample, demonstration of knowledge in choral literature and music terminology, and demonstration of either keyboard or vocal proficiency. Placement examinations in music theory and music literature will be administered after admission at an announced time preceding registration for the first semester of classes. The results of these placement exams will assist the student and the choral program advisor in the selection of courses. Please consult the Graduate Bulletin for course descriptions.

Course Work

The MM degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the Baccalaureate. The curriculum consists of the required classes and electives related to the student's needs and interest. It is the responsibility of the student, in consultation with his/her advisor and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, to select and complete classes in a timely, appropriate order. Before registering each semester, the student should select classes with the advice and written approval signature of the choral program advisor; the student will then obtain an approval signature from the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies (Music Graduate Studies Office is in Gusman Concert Hall).

Candidacy

All degree-seeking School of Music graduate students must apply for candidacy in the semester prior to the semester of intended graduation. Students must have passed all courses in the major area with an average of B (3.0) or better, and must maintain an overall average of B (3.0) or better. No students receive the degree in the same semester or summer session in which he/she is admitted to candidacy. When applying for candidacy, the student must have removed all undergraduate and graduate deficiencies. Application forms may be obtained at the Graduate School (Ferre Building) or through the School of Music Graduate Studies Office, and are to be returned to the School of Music Graduate Studies Office.

Supervisory Committee

The three-member committee must consist of two members from the Choral Faculty and one member from the areas of Musicology, Music Education, or Music Theory and Composition. A Committee Chairperson is appointed by the Program Director for Choral Music. Specific duties of this committee are listed elsewhere in this handbook.

Recital

1. Choral Conducting Master's candidates are required to present one recital. Specific requirements for this recital must be discussed in detail with the Supervisory Committee Chairperson and approved at least one semester prior to scheduling of the recital.

2. Recording of the recital is to be arranged by the student at least three weeks in advance of the recital. Arrangements for the recording can be made by contacting Gusman Hall Recording Services. There is a fee for this recording to be paid by the student. A copy of this "official" recital tape and a copy of the recital program are to be given to the School of Music Graduate Studies Office and will be retained as part of the student's permanent file. Fifteen copies of the recital program, a copy of the recital audio tape, and a video tape (students should make arrangements for video taping the recital), are to be given to the Choral Studies. Preparation of the recital program in accordance with School of Music policy and procedures is the student's responsibility.

3. Recitals must occur before November 1 for Fall Semester graduation, or April 1 for Spring Semester graduation. No summer recitals are allowed. Organization of the recital chorus is the student's responsibility. All graduate choral students are required to sing in all graduate choral recitals.

4. Graduate student conductors are responsible for providing multiple copies of their own music if it is not in the Choral Library of the University of Miami. Performance copies of the music must not be xeroxed. The department does not assume responsibility for purchasing music for graduate recitals, though it may on occasion do so if the music is desired as a permanent part of the library's holdings. Conductors should supply the Supervisory Committee with copies of the recital music prior to each concert.

Criteria for Approval of Graduate Conducting Recital

1. Quality and efficiency of rehearsals as observed by committee members.

2. Quality of performance. All appropriate aspects of high caliber performance will be considered by the committee. These include such factors as:

a. Effective conducting technique

b. Ensemble precision, balance, and blend.

c. Musical understanding. Is the performance faithful to the score? Does it show structural awareness? Is it stylistically correct? Does it show musical sensitivity?

d. Stage presence, non-musical preparation of the choir relative to organization, concert format, positioning, etc.

Recital Paper

1. Contact the Music Graduate Studies Office after application to candidacy has been completed for instructions before beginning your recital paper. Check with the Committee Chair for specific instructions regarding style, format, and content of this paper. The recital paper, along with the performance tape, serves as the culmination of work for the MM degree in Choral Conducting. A good working knowledge of research procedures and techniques should be demonstrated by this paper, as well as a satisfactory command of academic writing style. An annotated outline of research and a complete bibliography should be submitted to the Committee Chair by the beginning of the semester prior to the recital semester. Detailed guidelines regarding the completion of the paper can be obtained from the Committee Chairperson or the Program Director for Choral Music.

2. The completed recital paper must be submitted to committee members at least two weeks prior to the oral defense. The oral defense is scheduled through the Music Graduate Studies Office.

3. Defense of the recital paper must take place in the Fall or Spring Semester before the semester in which the recital is scheduled; if the recital is cancelled, then an appeal to reinstate the recital may be made in writing to the Graduate Advisory Committee, and must include a date at least four weeks before the recital, by which time the oral defense must have taken place. The defense must be scheduled during Fall or Spring semesters only.

4. The final typed and approved recital paper must be transmitted to the Graduate School through the Music Graduate Studies Office by the final deadline date (usually two or three weeks prior to the end of that particular term) to allow for last minute revisions. Instructions regarding the preparation of the final manuscript and copying procedures may be obtained from the Committee Chair, Program Director for Choral Music, or the Music Graduate Studies Office.

Application for Graduation

Application for graduation should be completed at registration for the semester of intended graduation. Application may also be made after registration in the Registrar's Office provided this is done before the deadline date (published in the schedule book for that semester). Should graduation be delayed for any reason, the candidate must reapply for the new graduation date.

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of all deadlines. Graduation may be delayed if work is not completed and submitted on time.

Curriculum Guide

Residency - A minimum of one ACADEMIC year of residency is required.

Course Work - A minimum of 30 credit hours required.

The following is a list of credit hour requirements for each area of study. The student, in consultation with the Advisor/Committee Chairperson and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, is responsible for fulfilling all requirements in a timely and appropriate manner. Awareness of when and how often a required course is offered is crucial to the planning of the degree program. Courses marked with (*) are generally offered in alternate years.

Applied Music (13 credits minimum)

• MVP 686 Choral Conducting Workshop (4 semesters required)

  • considered the major performance area

  • offered for 1 credit each semester=

• MVP CDX Arranged Conducting (required)

  • 1 semester of 1-credit study during recital semester

• MVP 650 Language Diction for Singers I - 2 credits (recommended)

• MVP 508 * Choral Score Study - 2 credits (required)

• MVP 638 * Vocal Pedagogy - 3 credits (required)

• MVP VOX Applied Voice (2-3 credits required)
  

Ensemble Participation (2 credits minimum)1

A variety of options are available. Students should plan to be in a minimum of two ensembles each semester, according to advisement and proficiency. Selections will be made in consultation with the Advisor, Committee Chairperson and the Program Director for Choral Studies.

1 Full-time students are required to take 1 ensemble credit each semester

Theory-Composition (6 credits minimum)

• MTC 514 Music Theory Survey - 2 credits

  • required when necessary for remediation, but does not count toward MTC minimum credits

• MTC 617 Analytical Techniques - 3 credits (required)

• MTC 515 Choral Arranging - 3 credits (required)

• MTC 593-693/ Special Topics in Theory (optional)

  • may include Contemporary Notation, Advanced Orchestration, Advanced Choral Arranging, Electronic Music, Analysis of Jazz Styles, Studio Production, etc.

Musicology (7 credits minimum)

• MCY 671-672/ Music Literature Survey I and II - 3 credits each

  • required if necessary for remediation but does not count toward MCY minimum credits

• MCY 535 * Choral Literature I - 2 credits (required)

• MCY 536 * Choral Literature II - 2 credits (required)

Suggested additional credits in Musicology - Check the schedule book for specific offerings each semester.

• MCY 524 Contemporary Music - 3 credits

• MCY 528 Music Bibliography - 3 credits

• MCY 529 Music of the Baroque Period - 3 credits

• MCY 530 Music of the Classical Period - 3 credits

• MCY 533 Music of the Romantic Period - 3 credits

• MCY 622 Music of the Renaissance - 3 credits

• MCY 522 Operatic Literature - 3 credits

• MCY 525 Art Song Literature - 3 credits

• MCY 693 Special Topics in Choral Literature - 1-3 credits

In addition, courses on the music of specific composers are occasionally offered. Check the schedule book each semester for specific offerings.

Music Education (2-3 credits minimum)

MED 632* Vocal Methods and Materials in Music Education - 2 credits

Suggested additional credits in Music Education. Check the schedule book for specific offerings each semester.

• MED 549 Teaching Secondary Choral Music - 2 credits

• MED 555 Elementary Music Workshop - 2 credits

• MED 556 Secondary General Music Workshop - 2 credits

• MED 562 Psychology of Music I - 3 credits

• MED 633 Supervision and Administration of Music Programs - 2 credits

Electives (2-4 credits minimum)

All recommended and suggested classes listed above may be applied toward the fulfillment of the elective requirements. Many other options are also available. Students must consult with the Advisor/Committee Chairperson, Choral Faculty, Program Director for Choral Studies, and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies for suggestions and recommendations.

Recital Paper MVP 710 (3 credits - see Guidelines for Master's Degree Students)

Defense of Recital Paper (see Guidelines for Master's Degree Students)

Recital (1 credit - see under Applied Music, MVP CDX above)

M.M. Course Guide in Choral Conducting

for Full Time Students

Minimum participation of two ensembles is required per semester. Ensemble assignments will be made by the Program Director for Choral Music. If required, remedial courses in Music History and Theory are in addition to the above course load.

* Offered in alternating years