MASTER OF MUSIC
CONCENTRATION IN CONDUCTING
(Plan II—without thesis)

Special prerequisite : At the time of application, a student emphasizing conducting must audition for an appropriate faculty jury or submit a video and/or audio tape of a recent program. If a tape is submitted, it should contain approximately 20 minutes of conducting, which can include rehearsal and/or concert performance; if possible, two pieces of contrasting styles should be representedd. for a specialization in band conducting, please contact the Director of Bands before submitting a tape.

PROGRAM OF STUDY (32 hrs.)

(NOTE: Requirements are subject to change. In case of any discrepancy, degree requirements as they appear in the UNM 2007-2008 Catalog will prevail).

1. Required Courses (19 hrs.)

• APMS 501: Studio Instruction in the Principal Area of Concentration–Conducting (4)
• APMS 502: Studio Instruction in the Principal Area of Concentration–Conducting (4)
• APMS 519: Studio Instruction Outside the Principal Area of Concentration–Voice or Instrument (1)
• APMS 520: Studio Instruction Outside the Principal Area of Concentration–Voice or Instrument (1)
• APMS 591: Studio Instruction and Graduate Recital* (4)
• MUS 531: Bibliography and Research (3)
• MUS 560: Ensemble Performance (1+1)
  

  * See below for specific requirements and consult the Department of Music Graduate Student Handbook for more detailed information.

The master’s recital is a conducting performance of major proportions. A conducting practicum is required for the recital. The student may be responsible for developing such a group. The recital shall be a demonstration of the candidate’s ability to program effectively, interpret the various styles and forms, understand acceptable conducting techniques and work effectively with the ensemble. At least one month before the recital preview, the student must submit a program for the approval of the Music Graduate Committee. Either 1) a short research document relating to the music and a review of the practicum experience prior to and including the performance; or 2) program notes are required. Substitution of the research document for program notes must be made after consultation with, and with approval of, the conducting faculty, who will determine the format and requirements for the document.

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2. Music Electives (9 hrs.)

Must be chosen from among the following courses:

• MUS 513: Medieval and Renaissance Music (3)
• MUS 514: Studies in Baroque Music (3)
• MUS 515: Studies in Classic and Romantic Music (3)
• MUS 516: Studies in Twentieth-Century Music (3)
• MUS 525: Post-Tonal Theory (3)
• MUS 527: Theory Pedagogy (3)
• MUS 528: Music Styles Before 1750 (3)
• MUS 537: Selected Topics in Music Literature (3)
• MUS 539: Selected Topics in Music Theory (3)
  

3. Electives (4 hrs.)

The Graduate Coordinator and the major professor will recommend courses appropriate to the student’s degree emphasis, choral or instrumental.

4. Additional requirements

Conducting majors are expected to assist, as needed, with various ensembles throughout their residency.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS & RESTRICTIONS :

1. A candidate for the Master of Music degree must have an undergraduate degree in music from an accredited college or equivalent proficiency. An applicant without a music degree will be required to take a proctored test before being admitted; he or she may have to do undergraduate work before becoming a graduate student.
2. Placement Exams: All entering graduate students in the Conducting Concentration must take placement tests in music theory and music history. If the placement tests reveal deficiencies, appropriate coursework will be required. Information about the placement exams is available in the Department of Music Graduate Student Handbook and by contacting the Graduate Coordinator.
3. Piano Proficiency Exam: A student wishing to pursue a Concentration in Conducting will also take a piano proficiency test. This exam must be completed by the end of the semester preceding graduation. Consult the Department of Music Graduate Student Handbook for further information on the content of this exam.
4. Final Comprehensive Examination. All students seeking the Master of Music are required to pass a final written and/or oral comprehensive examination.
5. Workshops. Unless otherwise stipulated, the maximum workshop credit allowed under Plan II (without thesis) is 8 hours.
6. Problems Courses. The maximum credit allowed for Graduate Problems is 6 hours. Enrollment in Graduate Problems requires the approval of both the Department Chair and the Department Graduate Committee. Consult the Department of Music Graduate Student Handbook regarding procedures in requesting approval for the Graduate Problems enrollment.
7. Instructors. No more than half of the degree program's minimum required coursework hours may be taken with a single faculty member.

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GRADUATE RECITAL REQUIREMENTS :

1. No graduate student may enroll for APMS 591 Studio Instruction and Graduate Recital prior to submission of the Program of Studies form to the Office of Graduate Studies. Exceptions may be made for students working toward the Master of Music Concentration Collaborative Piano. Prior to submission of the Program of Studies form, the student must have completed MUS 531 Bibliography and Research, must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, and must have satisfied any requirements specific to his or her degree program (e.g., foreign language, diction, piano proficiency). See the Department of Music Graduate Student Handbook for further information.
2. The student must organize a preview performance of the recital program for the approval of his or her appropriate faculty committee not less than two weeks before the proposed recital date.
3. A student pursuing the Master of Music Concentration in Conducting must write program notes on all the pieces to be performed on his or her graduate recital. The program notes must indicate substantial investigation, must be well written, and must include a correctly written bibliography. After approval by the student's major professor and advisory committee, and no later than one month prior to the recital, the notes must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator for approval. The student will then make corrections, if any are required, and resubmit the notes two weeks or more before the recital. The student may not perform his or her graduate recital until the notes have been approved by the Graduate Coordinator and are ready to be duplicated for the audience. Should the student fail to submit the notes in a timely manner, he or she will be required to reschedule the recital for a later date, so that the Graduate Coordinator can see the notes one month before the recital. Refer to the Department of Music Graduate Student Handbook for further information and requirements.
4. The Graduate Recital must be recorded by the Department of Music Recording Engineer and a copy of the recital recording must be deposited with the Department of Music. Arrangements for the recording of the Graduate must be made at least 30 days in advance of the recital date. Refer to the Department of Music Graduate Student Handbook for further information and requirements.