Music
Fine tune your musical artistry. Study solo and ensemble repertoire for a rewarding career.
Music, Performance Concentration, M.M.
The Master of Music degree program with a performance concentration is an advanced course of study for highly qualified instrumentalists and vocalists with emphases on the study and performance of solo repertoire, chamber music, orchestra, wind ensemble, choral and operatic literature. The program includes studies in pertinent repertoire, musicology and music theory. The program prepares students for professional careers in music (performance and studio instruction) or continuing studies at the doctoral level. Graduate teaching assistantship opportunities are available to qualified students.
News Briefs
Pianist credits MTSU with growth as a performer, scholar and teacher
Michael Min grew up in South Korea and came to MTSU to pursue a M.M. in Piano Performance. He went on to earn a D.M.A. from the University of Minnesota, where he was also a Graduate Teaching Assistant and winner of the School of Music's annual concerto competition. He said, "I have many great memories from my time at MTSU. The campus is beautiful, the faculty are incredibly supportive, and there was always an excitement and energy in the building." Michael continues to work in the secondary piano area at the University of Minnesota and is highly sought after as a pianist and teacher in the region. He added, "I grew so much as a performer, scholar, and teacher while at MTSU. This special time in my life gave me the confidence to dream big and a strong foundation on which to build. I am forever grateful to the faculty for their help and support.
International student says choosing MTSU was 'best choice' ever made
Growing up in Sydney, Australia, music was always a huge part of Amber Den Exter's life. After graduating with a bachelor's degree from the New Zealand School of Music, Amber decided to follow her dreams of studying in the United States. "Choosing to study at MTSU was the best choice I ever made," she said. "MTSU has all the attributes of a bigger school, but with the potential for students to receive the individual attention that they need to succeed." In 2018, Amber received the College of Liberal Arts Graduate Music Student of the Year Award. She now lives in Florida and is working on her doctorate. "My professors at MTSU played an important role in preparing me for my doctoral audition as well as in enabling me to take this next step in my career," she said.
News Briefs
Pianist credits MTSU with growth as a performer, scholar and teacher
Michael Min grew up in South Korea and came to MTSU to pursue a M.M. in Piano Performance. He went on to earn a D.M.A. from the University of Minnesota, where he was also a Graduate Teaching Assistant and winner of the School of Music's annual concerto competition. He said, "I have many great memories from my time at MTSU. The campus is beautiful, the faculty are incredibly supportive, and there was always an excitement and energy in the building." Michael continues to work in the secondary piano area at the University of Minnesota and is highly sought after as a pianist and teacher in the region. He added, "I grew so much as a performer, scholar, and teacher while at MTSU. This special time in my life gave me the confidence to dream big and a strong foundation on which to build. I am forever grateful to the faculty for their help and support.
International student says choosing MTSU was 'best choice' ever made
Growing up in Sydney, Australia, music was always a huge part of Amber Den Exter's life. After graduating with a bachelor's degree from the New Zealand School of Music, Amber decided to follow her dreams of studying in the United States. "Choosing to study at MTSU was the best choice I ever made," she said. "MTSU has all the attributes of a bigger school, but with the potential for students to receive the individual attention that they need to succeed." In 2018, Amber received the College of Liberal Arts Graduate Music Student of the Year Award. She now lives in Florida and is working on her doctorate. "My professors at MTSU played an important role in preparing me for my doctoral audition as well as in enabling me to take this next step in my career," she said.
Alumni from the School of Music teach thousands of students every day in private studios and schools from kindergarten through university levels. MTSU graduates perform in orchestras, military ensembles, and opera companies; appear in clubs and recording studios with the famous and yet-to-be-known; compose music for Hollywood films and commercial jingles; lead professional music organizations; work in the music industry; serve as church musicians; and continually enrich the lives of others. Some continue on to enter prestigious doctoral programs. A sample of potential professional pathways for music master's students:
- Artistic director
- Band director/leader
- Choral/choir director
- Church musician/worship leader
- College professor/instructor
- Conductor
- General music teacher at elementary/middle schools
- Music educator
- Music theater director
- Musical director
- Orchestra librarian
- Studio musician
Employers of MTSU alumni include
- Bellevue Middle School
- Belmont University
- Cane Ridge High School
- Case Western Reserve University
- Chattanooga Symphony
- Cumberland University
- The Downtown Band
- Earl Klugh (Grammy winner)
- EMBRA Artists, LTD.
- Fairview Middle School
- Jeff Coffin (Grammy winner)
- Jonathan Fletcher Music
- Lipscomb University
- MEINL Percussion
- Middle Tennessee State University
- Murfreesboro City Schools
- Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra
- Nashville State Community College
- Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Old Center Elementary School, Nashville
- Onks Woodwind Specialist
- Siegel Middle School
- Trevecca Nazarene University
- University of Louisiana-Lafayette
- University of Northern Colorado
- Vine Street Christian Church, Nashville
Brochures
General Application Procedures
- Submit through the University’s Application tool (button below):
- Submit application with the appropriate fee
- Submit official transcripts of all previous college work
- Submit three letters of recommendation.
- Email directly to the program coordinator of interested area
- Additional Requirements (video links, papers, compositions, etc)
- By the February 1 deadline
- Complete a Student Application (if interested) for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship
Additional Requirements: Audition
Brass
REQUIREMENTS
Piano accompaniment is NOT required.
- Several selections of your choice from standard solo, etude and excerpt repertoire. Total duration approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Chromatic scale that showcases your entire range
In addition, please submit the following to the instructor of your instrument:
- A list of solo repertoire previously studied. Indicate if a piece was performed in public.
- A list of orchestral and/or band excerpts you have studied.
- A statement of intent outlining your goals in the field of music.
- A resume indicating previous performance, teaching and educational background.
For question or more information, contact us!.
| Trumpet | Dr. Michael Arndt | [email protected] |
| Horn | Prof. Angela DeBoer | [email protected] |
| Trombone | Dr. David Loucky | [email protected] |
| Euphonium | Dr. David Loucky | [email protected] |
| Tuba | Dr. Chris Combest | [email protected] |
Percussion
Prospective percussion students will be required to bring 3 letters of recommendation to their audition.
Prospective percussion students will be expected to audition in the following areas:
- Snare Drum – Concert and Rudimental Style
- Marimba – Four Mallets
- Xylophone – Two Mallets
- Timpani
The following literature is representative of the level of difficulty expected for the audition: (Comparable works may be substituted.)
Orchestral Snare Drum
You may choose an etude from one of the following:
- Etude from “Portraits in Rhythm” by Anthony Cirone
- Etude from “The Solo Snare Drummer” by Vic Firth
- Etude from 12 Studies for Snare Drum” by J. Delecluse Rudimental
Snare Drum
You may choose an etude from one of the following:
Solos by...
- Charles Wilcoxin
- John Pratt
- Marty Hurley
- John Wooton
- Eddie Frytag
Keyboard Percussion
- Scales and arpeggios – two octaves
- Solo – Prepared Piece or Etude
Suggested repertoire for two mallets
- Masterpieces for Marimba by McMillan
- Etudes from “Modern School for Marimba, and Xylophone” by M. Goldenberg
- Furioso and Valse by E. Hatch
- Any George H. Green xylophone rag
Suggested repertoire for four mallets
- Yellow After the Rain by M. Peters
- Tune for Mary O by Rich O’Meara
- Etudes by Paul Smadbeck • Etudes by C. O. Musser
- Spanish Dance by Kaisteinngards
Timpani
A prepared solo or etude Suggested Repertoire:
- Sonata for Timpani by John Beck
- Rondo for Timpani by D.L. Kaska
- Alpine Slide by John Beck
- Solo from “Eight Pieces for Timpani” by E. Carte
For more information, please contact Professor Davila at [email protected].
Piano
Sight Reading
- We will provide piano music to be read at sight. You will be given 1 minute to look at the music before you play.
Repertoire
- A minimum of 30 minutes of memorized music consisting of at least three contrasting solo works from different historical periods. Selections should demonstrate both the technical and lyrical abilities of the applicant.
- Popular music, musical theatre, jazz, and the applicant’s own compositions are not permitted for the audition.
Please contact Dr. Arunesh Nadgir at [email protected] if you have any questions regarding the audition process.
Strings
Violin, Viola, and Cello
- A concerto movement
- A movement of solo Bach
- A third contrasting selection. This can be another movement of Bach or of the same concerto, a movement of a sonata, an etude or caprice, or another work of the candidate’s choice.
For specific questions about the audition requirements or the audition process, please contact:
- Violin or Viola: Dr. Andrea Dawson [email protected]
- Cello: Dr. Amber Den Exter [email protected]
Bass
- A concerto movement
- A second contrasting selection
- Scales: All major and melodic minor scales and arpeggios
For specific questions about the audition requirements or the audition process, please contact:
- Bass: Dr. Carol Nies [email protected]
Harp
- Three solo works representing different historical periods and styles, including at least one movement from a concerto (Handel, Mozart, Ravel, Debussy, etc.). Memorization of at least two of these works is required.
- Two orchestral excerpts or cadenzas. Appropriate repertoire includes, but is not limited to:
- Bartok, Concerto for Orchestra, 4th movement (119-127 and 345-356)
- Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique, 2nd movement (opening-22)
- Britten, Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Variation I and Fugue (I to J)
- Ravel, Tzigane cadenza (4 to two before 5)
- Rimsky-Korsakov, Capriccio Espagnol cadenza
- Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, or Sleeping Beauty cadenza
- Verdi, La Forza del Destino (G-H and N-O)
- All applicants must provide a complete list of previously studied repertoire.
If you have any questions about the audition process or the suitability of your repertoire, please email Dr. Sarah Crocker at [email protected].
Guitar
Three contrasting pieces (suggested repertoire):
- Two movements of a Bach Suite, or 2 Renaissance fantasias (i.e.Dowland, da Milano)
- A set of variations, sonata, or advanced etudes by Sor, Giuliani, or other classical composer
- A work of Barrios,Turina,Torroba, Tanzman, Ponce, Rodrigo, Tedesco, or other 20th century composer.
For any specific questions regarding use of a solo or the audition itself, you may contact Dr. Yelverton at 615/898-5623. E-Mail: [email protected]
Voice
Four selections, from memory, taken from the English, Italian, German, and French song repertoire. At least one of these selections should be taken from opera/oratorio.
For more information, please contact Professor Stephen Smith at [email protected].
Woodwinds
Flute
Requirements:
Piano accompaniment is NOT required.
- Two works from the solo repertoire that are contrasting in styles and represent technical and musical abilities. (Approximately 10-15 minutes in length).
- Two orchestral excerpts
For more information, contact Dr. Little at [email protected].
Oboe
Requirements:
Piano accompaniment is NOT required.
- Two contrasting solo movements or etudes (lyrical/technical) that demonstrate your musical and technical abilities.
Suggested Solo Repertoire:
- Albinoni, Tomaso: Concerto in D minor, Op. 9 no. 2
- Britten, Benjamin: Six Metamorphoses after Ovid, Op. 49
- Mozart, W.A.: Oboe Quartet in F major, K. 370(368b)
- Saint-Saëns, Camille: Oboe Sonata, Op. 166
- Schumann, Robert: Three Romances, Op. 94
- Still, William Grant: Incantation and Dance for Oboe and Piano
- Telemann, G.P.: Sonata in A minor
Suggested Solo Etudes:
- Barret, Apollon: 40 Progressive Melodies
- Ferling, W.F.: 48 Studies for Oboe, Op. 31
For more information, contact Dr. Cyzak at [email protected].
Clarinet
Requirements:
Piano accompaniment is NOT required.
- Two works from the solo repertoire that are contrasting in styles and represent technical and musical abilities. (Approximately 10-15 minutes in length).
- Two orchestral excerpts
For more information, contact Dr. Waldecker at [email protected].
Bassoon
Requirements:
Piano accompaniment is NOT required.
- Two works from the solo repertoire that are contrasting in styles and represent technical and musical abilities. (Approximately 10-15 minutes in length).
- Two orchestral excerpts.
For more information, contact Dr. Enegren at [email protected].
Saxophone
Prospective students will submit required audition materials in an Unlisted YouTube Video. Accompaniment is not required.
Requirements:
Piano accompaniment is NOT required.
- Two works from the solo repertoire that are contrasting in styles and represent technical and musical abilities. (Approximately 10-15 minutes in length).
For more information, contact Professor Aliquo at [email protected].
Resources
- Graduate Studies Information Sheet
- To Be Admitted
- Financial Assistance
- Music History Diagnostic Exam (Not applicable for Music Education concentration)
- Music Theory Diagnostic Exam (Not applicable for Music Education concentration)
Links
- Reference Forms
- Graduate Students in Music
- Ensembles
- Facilities
- Student Utilities
- Faculty by Field of Study
- Visiting Faculty
Libraries
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