Music: Conducting (M.A.)

Music: Conducting (M.A.)
conducting

Why get a master’s degree in music conducting?

The M.A. in music with a conducting option offers the opportunity to develop skills in all aspects of ensemble leadership from the conducting gesture to rehearsing, programming repertoire and program administration. Students choose a choral, orchestral or wind band emphasis while also being free to explore other areas. The program culminates in a conducting recital and/or significant performances with one of the major university ensembles. Our faculty’s interests span all styles, periods and approaches, and the program is intended for those immediately entering the workforce as educators and conductors or preparing for doctoral programs in conducting.

Why choose UNH for your music degree?

The conducting faculty at UNH have significant conducting experience at all levels of educational, community, university and professional ensembles. The entire Music Department offers a wealth of faculty expertise, including lectures and performances by acclaimed musicians, conductors, composers and researchers. Conducting students take part in a rich musical life at UNH, including chamber music, choirs, orchestras, bands and jazz bands and will be well-prepared for whatever career they wish to pursue. Within driving distance of Boston and Portland, Maine, UNH is ideally situated to allow you to take advantage of the offerings of the many vibrant musical communities in the area.

Potential career areas

  • Academia
  • Cinema/theatre
  • Composition
  • Conducting
  • Education
  • Music theory
  • Performance
  • Radio/television
  • Research
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    Music Education B.M, Conducting M.A. | Graduate Assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    What you are currently doing for work and how did you get there? Currently I am a D.M.A. candidate focusing in wind band conducting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where I will be serving as the band graduate assistant. I graduated with my B.M. in music education at UNH before teaching at Paul Elementary School for four years in Wakefield, N.H. I would then return…
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Curriculum & Requirements

The master of arts in conducting option offers the opportunity for in-depth study of either instrumental or choral conducting. The program is intended for those who wish to improve their skills and knowledge for use in the school classroom or to prepare for doctoral programs in conducting.

This degree program has final approval from the National Association of Schools of Music.

Completion of the program requires a conducting recital and/or significant performances with one of the major university ensembles. A comprehensive oral examination will include discussion of the recital music, appropriate score identification, and questions focused on music history, theory, or education, to be determined in consultation with the members of the candidate's oral examination committee.

All of the Master of Arts in Music options require 30 credit hours as well as a final project for completion of the degree. 

Concentration
MUSI 831Advanced Instrumental Conducting (3 semesters)6
MUED 883Instrumental Literature and its Performance3
MUSI 891Research Seminar1-4
Supportive Courses in Music
MUSI 865Introduction to Bibliography3
MUSI 894Theory Seminar3
MUSI 869Musicology Seminar3
Electives 19
Select nine credits from the following:
Techniques and Methods Courses
MUED 841
Techniques and Methods in Choral Music
MUED 847
Techniques and Methods in Woodwind Instruments
MUED #849
Techniques and Methods in Brass Instruments
MUED 851
Techniques and Methods in Percussion Instruments
MUED #871
Marching Band Methods
MUED 865
Instrumental Music Methods
MUED 895
Special Studies 2
Applied Lessons Courses
MUSI 845
Graduate Voice
MUSI 848
Graduate Cello
MUSI #852
Graduate Clarinet
MUSI #853
Graduate Saxophone
MUSI 855
Graduate Bassoon
MUSI #856
Graduate French Horn
MUSI 857
Graduate Trumpet
MUSI 860
Graduate Tuba
MUSI #861
Graduate Percussion
Other Courses
MUSI 869
Musicology Seminar
MUSI 895
Special Studies
1

Normally, electives will be chosen only from offerings within the Department of Music. Students wishing to enroll in electives outside the department are permitted to do so in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Music.

2

MUSI 895 Special Studies may be used to enroll in large and studio ensembles for a total of 6 credits.

3

MUSI 869 Musicology Seminar can be repeated for credit.

Concentration and Supportive Courses are required; other electives are possible with the approval of the department.

This graduate program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with certain undergraduate degree programs.

General Accelerated Master's policy, note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher grade expectations) compared to the policy.

Please see the Graduate School website and contact the department directly for more information.

General Competencies for All Music MA Programs

  • Demonstrate advanced capacities to work independently and make effective artistic and intellectual judgments and professional decisions in the area of specialization by producing a final project or equivalent.
  • Demonstrate advanced competence in the area of specialization.

Additional Competencies, M.A. in Conducting

  • Demonstrate advanced competencies in conducting through studies in gestural technique, score analysis, repertoire, and regular conducting experiences with appropriate ensembles.
  • Demonstrate engagement with other fields of music outside of conducting.
  • Demonstrate professional capability by rehearsing and conducting a concert-length performance or the equivalent.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking to music literature and to have in-depth discussions regarding specific works in the repertoire.

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Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

  • Fall: Feb. 15 (for funding); April 1 (recommended US; final international); July 1 (final)
  • Spring: Dec. 1
  • Summer: N/A
  • Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: CT RI VT

Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

  1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
  2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Additional Department Requirements

Accelerated Masters program: Applicants must have a minimum 3.4 GPA. Applicants are required to submit 2 letters of reference from UNH Faculty. 

Additional Requirements

Entrance Exam: An exam in music theory and music history is required. The exam will be sent to you upon completion of your on-line application with the graduate school. You are required to arrange for an instructor at your current institution or similarly qualified person to proctor the exam for you. Please contact the Department of Music graduate coordinator for details. 

Writing Sample: A sample of academic writing, preferably on a musical subject, should be submitted to the Department of Music graduate coordinator, either electronically (pdf file via email) or in hard copy. This might be a paper that has been submitted for a course. 

Conducting: Applicants must perform a live conducting audition with one of the university ensembles. Please contact the Director of Bands or Director of Choral Activities for details and to schedule an audition.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

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