Applicants to the MusAD program should possess a Master of Music degree or a Master of Arts degree with a major in music and should have completed theory, harmony, and solfége (20 credits); history of music (18 credits); and liberal arts courses distributed among the humanities and natural and social sciences (42 credits). Any deficiency must be made up without credit toward the fulfillment of the degree requirements.
Every student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 48 graduate credits. Of these, 18 must be in the field of the applied major instrument, and 18 will be completed in approved electives. Choral conducting majors will take 8 credits of Choral Literature Seminar. Every student must take at least 12 credits in music history and music theory, including MU 749 Music Research Technique and MU 719 Doctoral Proseminar in Theory. MU 749 and MU 719 must be completed within the first three semesters of the doctoral program.
The qualifying examinations, written and oral, include two sections: (1) performance, and (2) history, theory, and literature of music.
Students must complete successfully all written requirements before proceeding to the oral examination.
Each candidate for the MusAD in Conducting must give two public recitals. The programs for the recitals can reflect the specific interest of the individual student, but the programs must include literature from a broad historical span. Orchestral conductors must present recitals that include literature from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Choral conductors must present recitals that include literature from the time periods listed above, as well as from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries; orchestral accompaniment must also be included.
While enrolled in CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study in Musicology, the candidate must write a scholarly document demonstrating the ability to accomplish independent research. This document should stress source materials, comparative editions, score analysis, and performance praxis.