Performance, M.M.
For information regarding deadlines and requirements for admission, please see https://grs.uncg.edu/programs/.
In addition to the application material required by the Graduate School, applicants must present a performance audition and/or interview.
Performance auditions/interviews are required for acceptance as a music major and for approval of the area of study.
M.M. Auditions should be arranged in advance through the graduate music office and are to be scheduled on regularly scheduled audition dates.
Information about applying to the School of Music is available at https://vpa.uncg.edu/music/apply/.
Additional policies and regulations are found in the Graduate Music Handbook located at: https://vpa.uncg.edu/music/music-current-students/graduate/.
Degree Program Requirements
Required: 32-35 credit hours
For all concentrations in the M.M. in Performance, enrollment in two semesters of MUP 651 Performance Studies is required before the degree recital may be scheduled. Enrollment in MUP 651 is required during the semester of the degree recital. A Final Comprehensive Evaluation (written and/or oral examination, comprehensive written document, or other format appropriate to and determined by concentration) is required for graduation. At least one recital is required for all concentrations. (Capstone Experience)
Additional degree requirements are listed by Concentration.
Ensemble Requirements
Masters students who are registered for 2 or more credits of music performance studies must audition for and perform in an ensemble each semester, as required by concentration. Students will have the opportunity to express their ensemble placement preferences, but they will be assigned according to audition results and ensemble priorities. Ensemble assignments and placement will be determined by the Director of Bands, Director of Orchestras, Director of Choral Programs and the Director of the Miles Davis Jazz Program in the consultation with the performance teachers and appropriate Area Coordinator.
Collaborative Piano Concentration
Required: 33 credit hours
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the Major (17 credits) | ||
| ENS 648 | Chamber Music 1 | 4 |
| MUP 600 | Recital 2 | 0 |
| MUP 651 | Performance Studies | 12 |
| MUP 653 | Performance Studies (Secondary) 3 | 1 |
| Courses in Support of the Major (12 credits) | ||
| MUE 601 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| or MUS 602 | Seminar in Music Research and Writing | |
| Select one course (3 credits) from 600- or 700-level MUS music theory or music history courses | 3 | |
| Select at least two courses (6 credits) from the following: | 6 | |
| Historical Performance Consort | ||
| Seminar in Piano | ||
| Song Literature I | ||
or MUP 634 | Song Literature II | |
| Audio Recording I | ||
| Entrepreneurial Career Development in Music | ||
| Directed Study in Music Performance | ||
| History of Opera | ||
| Electives (4 credits) | ||
| Select 4 credits of electives | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
- 1
Four semesters of ENS 648 are required for a total of 4 credits.
- 2
Two collaborative piano recitals are required. Recital repertoire should include representative selections from vocal and instrumental literature. At least one work may be played on either the harpsichord or fortepiano.
- 3
Harpsichord, fortepiano, or organ.
Language Requirement
An internal pass/fail exam on the International Phonetic Alphabet will be administered in the final semester and should be a focus of self-study.
Conducting (Choral) Concentration
Required: 32 credit hours
One semester of undergraduate conducting, two semesters of undergraduate diction including study of German and/or French diction, at least two semesters of undergraduate vocal study, and a history of participation in collegiate choral ensembles during the undergraduate degree must be satisfactorily credited on a college transcript. Deficiency in conducting study, voice study, and diction credits may be resolved with appropriate enrollment while working on the current degree; however, these credits will not count toward the degree.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the Major (17 credits) | ||
| Performance Studies | ||
| MUP 651 | Performance Studies | 8 |
| Ensemble | ||
| Select 4 credits from the following: * | 4 | |
| Spartan Voices | ||
| Spartan Voices II | ||
| University Chorale | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| Pedagogy | ||
| MUP 627 | Principles of Vocal Pedagogy | 3 |
| Secondary Keyboard or Vocal Performance Study | ||
| MUP 653 | Performance Studies (Secondary) | 2 |
| Recital | ||
| MUP 600 | Recital | 0 |
| Courses in Support of the Major (12 credits) | ||
| MUE 601 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| or MUS 602 | Seminar in Music Research and Writing | |
| MUP 622 | Seminar in Choral Literature ** | 6 |
| Select one course (3 credits) from 600- or 700-level MUS music theory courses | 3 | |
| Electives (3 credits) | ||
| Select 3 credits of electives | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
- *
By audition placement.
- **
Should be taken twice with varying topics.
Conducting (Instrumental) Concentration
Required: 32 credit hours
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the Major (15 credits) | ||
| Performance Studies | ||
| MUP 651 | Performance Studies | 12 |
| Ensemble | ||
| Select 2 credits 1 | 2 | |
| Recital | ||
| MUP 600 | Recital | 1 |
| Courses in Support of the Major (12 credits) | ||
| Select 9 credits from any graduate music courses not in the major 2 | 9 | |
| Select one course (3 credits) from the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Research Methods in Music | ||
| Seminar in Music Research and Writing | ||
| Graduate Seminar in Contemporary Music Performance Practice | ||
| Electives (5 credits) | ||
| Select 5 credits of electives | 5 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
- 1
Placement by audition.
- 2
Non-performance course type, non-ensemble course type.
- 3
Historical Keyboard Instruments Concentration
Required: 32 credit hours
Note: MUP 302 Keyboard Harmony I or MUP 303 Keyboard Harmony II or proficiency required (no graduate credit).
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the Major (16 credits) | ||
| Performance (Harpsichord, Fortepiano, or Organ) | ||
| MUP 651 | Performance Studies | 12 |
| Secondary Performance Studies | ||
| MUP 653 | Performance Studies (Secondary) * | 2 |
| Ensemble | ||
| ENS 651 | Historical Performance Consort | 2 |
| Recital | ||
| MUP 600 | Recital | 0 |
| Courses in Support of the Major (12 credits) | ||
| MUE 601 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| or MUS 602 | Seminar in Music Research and Writing | |
| MUP 613 | Piano Literature I | 3 |
| MUS 706 | Seminar in Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 3 |
| Select one course (3 credits) from 600- or 700-level MUS music theory courses | 3 | |
| Music Electives (4 credits) | ||
| Select 4 credits of electives | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
- *
Second keyboard instrument - organ, fortepiano, harpsichord, clavichord.
Multiple Woodwinds (Three Instrument Track) Concentration
Required: 32 credit hours
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the Major (20 credits) | ||
| Performance (15 credits) 1 | ||
| MUP 651 | Performance Studies 2 | 6-9 |
| MUP 653 | Performance Studies (Secondary) 3 | 4 |
| MUP 653 | Performance Studies (Secondary) 4 | 2-5 |
| Ensemble | ||
| Select 4 credits 5 | 4 | |
| Recital | ||
| MUP 600 | Recital 6 | 1 |
| Courses in Support of the Major (12 credits) | ||
| Select 9 credits from any graduate music courses not in the major 7 | 9 | |
| Select one course (3 credits) from the following: 8 | 3 | |
| Research Methods in Music | ||
| Seminar in Music Research and Writing | ||
| Graduate Seminar in Contemporary Music Performance Practice | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
- 1
15 credits total is required. Proficiency must be shown in secondary instruments at the undergraduate concentration upper-division examination level (MUP 351 Performance Studies proficiency minimum).
- 2
Principal instrument, 6-9 credits.
- 3
Secondary instrument, 4 credits.
- 4
Third instrument, 2-5 credits.
- 5
By audition placement.
- 6
Must include at least two instruments.
- 7
Non-performance course type, non-ensemble course type.
- 8
Organ Concentration
Required: 32 credit hours
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the Major (17 credits) | ||
| Performance | ||
| MUP 651 | Performance Studies | 12 |
| Pedagogy | ||
| MUP 638 | Organ Pedagogy | 3 |
| Ensemble (2 credits) | ||
| ENS 650 | Service Playing Skills for Organists and Pianists 1 | 1 |
| Select one additional ensemble course (1 credit) 2 | 1 | |
| Recital | ||
| MUP 600 | Recital | 0 |
| Courses in Support of the Major (15 credits) | ||
| MUE 601 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| or MUS 602 | Seminar in Music Research and Writing | |
| Music Studies | ||
| Select one course (3 credits) from 600- or 700-level MUS music theory courses | 3 | |
| Select one course (3 credits) from 600- or 700-level MUS musicology or ethnomusicology courses | 3 | |
| Area Literature | ||
| MUP 668 | Organ Literature | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 credits of electives from any graduate-level MUP, MUS, MUE, or ENS course 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
- 1
May substitute other ensembles at the graduate level in consultation with the student's advisor, if the student has equivalent experience and skills.
- 2
Students may also repeat ENS 650, provided course work is at a more advanced level.
- 3
MUP 533 Group Keyboard Improvisation for Beginners recommended for those without improvisation experience.
Piano Concentration
Required: 32 credit hours
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the Major (14 credits) | ||
| Performance | ||
| MUP 651 | Performance Studies | 12 |
| Ensemble | ||
| Select 2 credits * | 2 | |
| Recital | ||
| MUP 600 | Recital | 0 |
| Courses in Support of the Major (12 credits) | ||
| MUE 601 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| or MUS 602 | Seminar in Music Research and Writing | |
| Select one course (3 credits) from the following: | 3 | |
| Piano Literature I | ||
| Piano Literature II | ||
| Seminar in Piano | ||
| Select one course (3 credits) from the following: | 3 | |
| History of Opera | ||
| Music of the Nineteenth Century | ||
| Seminar in Musicology and Ethnomusicology | ||
| Select one course (3 credits) from the following: | 3 | |
| Tonal Counterpoint | ||
| Pedagogy of Music Theory | ||
| Rhythm and Meter | ||
| Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Theory and Analysis of Western European Post-Tonal Music and Related Traditions | ||
| Advanced Analysis of Western European Tonal Music and Related Traditions | ||
| Seminar in Musical Analysis | ||
| Music Electives (6 credits) | ||
| Select 6 credits of electives | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
- *
ENS 648 Chamber Music is recommended.
Piano Pedagogy Concentration
Required: 35 credit hours
Note: MUP 302 Keyboard Harmony I or MUP 303 Keyboard Harmony II or proficiency required (no graduate credit).
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the Major (23 credits) | ||
| Performance | ||
| MUP 651 | Performance Studies | 12 |
| Pedagogy | ||
| MUP 602 | Practicum in Piano Pedagogy * | 2 |
| MUP 612 | Piano Pedagogy I | 3 |
| MUP 617 | Piano Pedagogy II | 3 |
| Lecture/Demonstration and Recital | ||
| MUP 600 | Recital | 1 |
| MUP 610 | Lecture-Demonstration | 2 |
| Courses in Support of the Major (9 credits) | ||
| MUE 601 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| or MUS 602 | Seminar in Music Research and Writing | |
| MUP 613 | Piano Literature I | 3 |
| or MUP 614 | Piano Literature II | |
| Select one course (3 credits) from 600- or 700-level MUS music theory or musicology courses | 3 | |
| Electives (3 credits) | ||
| Select 3 credits of electives ** | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 35 | |
- *
MUP 602 is taken in each of the first two semesters of the program.
- **
Elective courses may include ensembles, music technology, dance, courses outside of the School of Music, or any other graduate courses of interest to the student selected in consultation with their advisor.
String, Wind, Percussion Concentration
Required: 32 credit hours
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the Major (17 credits) | ||
| Performance | ||
| MUP 651 | Performance Studies | 12 |
| Ensemble | ||
| Select 4 credits 1 | 4 | |
| Recital | ||
| MUP 600 | Recital 2 | 1 |
| Courses in Support of the Major (12 credits) | ||
| Select 9 credits from any graduate music courses not in the major 3 | 9 | |
| Select one course (3 credits) from the following: 4 | 3 | |
| Research Methods in Music | ||
| Seminar in Music Research and Writing | ||
| Graduate Seminar in Contemporary Music Performance Practice | ||
| Electives (3 credits) | ||
| Select 3 credits | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
- 1
By audition placement.
- 2
Students may perform one additional recital to fulfill elective credits.
- 3
Non-performance course type, non-ensemble course type.
- 4
Vocal Pedagogy Concentration
Required: 35 credit hours
9 credits of language are required for voice majors—one semester each of French and German, plus a second semester of either language. These credits must be satisfactorily credited on a college transcript. In addition to diagnostic exams in history and theory required of all graduate students, voice students will be assessed on competency in written transcription to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and spoken pronunciation of Italian, German, French, and English. Deficiencies may be resolved with appropriate enrollment in undergraduate courses while working on the current degree; however, these credits will not count toward the degree. For graduate credit, students may resolve the deficiency by enrolling in MUP 630 Pedagogy of Phonetics. Consult the Graduate Handbook in Music Performance for further information.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the Major (19 credits) | ||
| Performance | ||
| MUP 640 | Vocal Coaching | 1 |
| MUP 651 | Performance Studies | 8 |
| Pedagogy | ||
| MUP 627 | Principles of Vocal Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUP 728 | Advanced Vocal Pedagogy | 3 |
| Ensemble | ||
| Select 2 credits from the following: * | 2 | |
| Spartan Voices | ||
| Spartan Voices II | ||
| University Chorale | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| Lecture/Demonstration and Paper | ||
| MUP 610 | Lecture-Demonstration | 2 |
| Recital | ||
| MUP 600 | Recital | 0 |
| Courses in Support of the Major (12 credits) | ||
| MUE 601 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| or MUS 602 | Seminar in Music Research and Writing | |
| MUP 626 | Song Literature I | 3 |
| or MUP 634 | Song Literature II | |
| Select one course (3 credits) from 600- or 700-level MUS music theory courses | 3 | |
| Select one course (3 credits) from the following: | 3 | |
600-level music history course | ||
600-level music literature course | ||
| Music Electives (4 credits) | ||
| Select 4 credits of electives | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 35 | |
- *
By audition placement.
Voice Concentration
Required: 32 credit hours
9 credits of language study are required for voice majors—one semester each of French and German, plus a second semester of either language. These credits must be satisfactorily credited on a college transcript. In addition to diagnostic exams in history and theory required of all graduate students, voice students will be assessed on competency in written transcription into the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and spoken pronunciation of Italian, German, French, and English. Deficiencies may be resolved with appropriate enrollment in undergraduate courses while working on the current degree; however, these credits will not count toward the degree. For graduate credit, students may resolve the deficiency by enrolling in MUP 630 Pedagogy of Phonetics. Consult the Graduate Handbook in Music Performance for further information.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the Major (16 credits) | ||
| Performance | ||
| MUP 640 | Vocal Coaching | 1 |
| MUP 651 | Performance Studies | 8 |
| MUP 675 | Opera Performance Techniques | 2 |
| Pedagogy | ||
| MUP 627 | Principles of Vocal Pedagogy | 3 |
| Ensemble | ||
| Select 2 credits from the following: * | 2 | |
| Spartan Voices | ||
| Spartan Voices II | ||
| University Chorale | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| Recital | ||
| MUP 600 | Recital | 0 |
| Courses in Support of the Major (12 credits) | ||
| MUE 601 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| or MUS 602 | Seminar in Music Research and Writing | |
| MUP 626 | Song Literature I | 3 |
| or MUP 634 | Song Literature II | |
| Select one course (3 credits) from 600- or 700-level MUS music theory courses | 3 | |
| Select one course (3 credits) from the following: | 3 | |
600-level music history course | ||
600-level music literature course | ||
| Music Electives (4 credits) | ||
| Select 4 credits of electives | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
- *
By audition placement.