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

The Concentration in Conducting is intended for the student who has some undergraduate experience in conducting, and who wishes either to pursue a career in conducting, or continue studies at the doctoral level, or simply to improve his or her conducting skills.   Emphasis within the degree can be in wind, orchestral or choral conducting.

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 represented. For a specialization in band conducting, please contact the Director of Bands before submitting a tape.

Special Prerequisites—Choral Focus:  If diction for singers and two years of foreign language (any combination of two from the following:  Italian, French or German) do not appear on transcripts submitted, the student may be required to make up these deficiencies as a graduate student.

PROGRAM OF STUDY (32 hrs.)

(NOTE: Requirements are subject to change. In case of any discrepancy, degree requirements as they appear in the UNM 2011-2012 Catalog will prevail).

1. Required Courses (17 hrs.)

• MUS 531: Bibliography and Research (3)
• MUS 560: Ensemble Performance (1+1)
• MUS 571 Conducting Seminar—in area of focus* (2+2)
• MUS 571 Conducting Seminar—in area other than focus* (2)
• MUS 572 Advanced Conducting Seminar—in area of focus (2+2)
  
• APMS 591 Graduate Conducting Recital** (2)

* The Concentration in Conducting is intended to prepare the student in the techniques of choral, instrumental (winds) and instrumental (orchestral) conducting.  It is expected that a student will focus on one of these areas in his or her studies.  However, he or she will be expected to take at least one semester of MUS 571 Conducting Seminar in one of the other areas.

** 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.  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.

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)

It is recommended that students with an instrumental focus in wind conducting take either MUS 516 Studies in Twentieth-Century Music or MUS 529 Techniques of Twentieth-Century Composition.

3. Electives (6 hrs.)

The major professor will recommend courses appropriate to the student’s degree focus (choral, orchestral, or winds).  Students focusing in choral conducting are encouraged to take at least one semester of Applied Music in voice.

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 a placement test in music history. If the placement test reveals deficiencies, appropriate coursework will be required. Information about the placement exam 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.

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 area faculty not less than one week 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. These must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator at least two months in advance of the recital date, not including intersession time.* Refer to the Department of Music Graduate Student Handbook for further information on deadlines and requirements. NOTE: With faculty approval, conducting students may substitute a research paper for program notes.
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 two months in advance of the recital date. Refer to the Department of Music Graduate Student Handbook for further information and requirements.