Master of Sacred Music (MSM) Program

Overview

The Master of Sacred Music program at Boston University is at the forefront of professional training in sacred music. Students are prepared for leadership roles in communities of faith, and as performers, scholars, and teachers using the incomparable resources of the Boston University School of Music and School of Theology. For example, Boston University houses the editorial office of Studia Liturgica (the journal of the international and ecumenical Societas Liturgica), the AGO organ library, and one of the finest hymnological collections in North America.

The Master of Sacred Music degree is offered jointly through the School of Theology and the School of Music and administered by the School of Theology.

Since the MSM is essentially professional training for employment as a church musician, the program is offered with two concentrations: organ and choral conducting. The specific requirements for each of these are noted below. When warranted, candidates proposing a major other than organ or choral conducting may be accepted, providing they can demonstrate that the degree is appropriate and they pass any applicable School of Music audition requirements.

This site provides detailed description of the Master of Sacred Music program. Candidates are encouraged to peruse the web sites of the University, the School of Theology, and the School of Music for additional information.

Master of Sacred Music faculty

The distinguished faculty at Boston University includes:

Boston University School of Theology
Mary Elizabeth Moore, Dean

Boston University School of Music
Robert Dodson, Director

Andrew Shenton, MSM Program Director
Ann Howard Jones, Choral Conducting
Peter Sykes, Organ
Karen Westerfield Tucker, Professor of Worship
Carl P. Daw, Jr., Adjunct Professor of Hymnology

Admission

Applicants for the Master of Sacred Music degree must hold a BA or its equivalent, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0. In addition, applicants must have basic skills in music, including courses in theory, music history, and choral conducting or organ. The degree program may exceed two years (four semesters) if remedial work is required in any aspect of the program.  The deadline to be considered for fall admission is January 1st.  Applicants should apply through the School of Theology, and applications will be shared with the School of Music faculty as part of the joint degree application process.  Please see the “Application Process” section of the School of Theology website for the Master’s-level applicant checklist.

Audition requirements

An audition at Boston University College of Fine Arts, School of Music, is expected for MSM applicants. The audition, with the appropriate applied music faculty in the School of Music, will determine the level of musical proficiency. Applicants must demonstrate talent and ability in performance, scholarship, or composition sufficient to promise superior accomplishment at the graduate level. In addition, candidates must demonstrate prior interest in sacred music and a desire to pursue such study at the graduate level.

Choral conducting and Organ applicants must submit a pre-screening video by the December 1st prior to their hoped date of matriculation.  Recordings should be made no earlier than six months prior to the final MSM application completion deadline of January 1^st.  Recordings should be uploaded via the School of Music’s “ArtsApp” online portal.  Information about the ArtsApp portal and requirements can be found on the School of Music’s audition information site:  http://www.bu.edu/cfa/music/prospective/auditions/ Any questions about or technical problems with ArtsApp should be addressed to the School of Music Admissions Office, as it maintains that website.

Organists’ audition requirements are: a major work by J. S. Bach or one his contemporaries, a major work from the Romantic repertoire and a piece of contemporary music. Candidates may also be asked to demonstrate other keyboard skills although it is understood that a candidate may not have had much experience in this area.  Please see the following page for details of the specific audition requirements for choral conducting, which are the same as for the Master of Music degree: http://www.bu.edu/cfa/music/prospective/departments/choral/

For organ students, the uploaded audition may suffice as the audition requirement for students living more than 300 miles from Boston. All choral conducting students who are short-listed on the basis of their submitted DVD are required to be present at BU for an audition in February.

Degree and residency requirements

The MSM is granted upon successful completion of a prescribed program of study and terminal projects appropriate to the candidate’s field of specialization. Students must complete a minimum of 48 (choral conducting) and 45 (organ) semester credits, usually in two years, earning grades no lower than B- in all graduate-level coursework. All degree requirements must be completed within five years from the date of matriculation. In addition, students may be required to take prerequisite courses. This requirement is determined by results of proficiency examinations, which are required of all matriculating students. Students who are required to make up a deficiency in any area of music must complete designated prerequisite courses with grades no lower than B. Credit for a course taken to remedy a deficiency will not count toward the completion of degree requirements.

Course credit load

There is an accounting difference between the School of Music and the School of Theology. In the former, most full courses are 3 credits as opposed to 4 in STH. A full course may therefore be counted as either 3 or 4 credits depending on which School is giving the course. Suggested plans of study are listed below.

Master of Sacred Music curriculum

MSM section of the STH Bulletin (please click here for more information about the MSM curriculum)

Proposed course of study

The Choral Conducting Program. The choral conducting MSM is identical to the choral conducting MM degree with the addition of courses in the School of Theology. Candidates should explore the CFA web site for more information.

The Organ Program. The organ program is only offered as an MSM degree. Candidates are encouraged to explore the CFA web site for more information on the music side of the degree and to use this link for more information on the organ program.

Financial aid / scholarship aid

1. Tuition Scholarships
All students who apply for financial aid and do not receive a Scholarship for Merit will be considered for a tuition scholarship. These awards are based on need, the availability of funds, satisfactory academic progress, and registration criteria. Scholarships are available for up to 55 percent off the Boston University tuition rate to Master of Sacred Music students, with a further 55 percent reduction available to qualified candidates. Tuition scholarships are awarded for the academic year, September to May. They are renewable each year upon the annual evaluation of the recipient’s grade point average (2.7 minimum), character, and commitment to ministry. All awards are for a maximum of two academic years of full-time study.

2.  Scholarships for Merit
Boston University School of Theology continues a tradition of awarding significant scholarships to students who apply with evidence of high academic distinction. Domestic students applying for the Master of Sacred Music program are eligible to be considered for a Scholarship for Merit. All applicants with a minimum 3.3 grade point average are automatically reviewed. Other criteria for selection include letters of recommendation, the personal statement, and the Graduate Record Examination score. Successful candidates are those who demonstrate good scholarship, good character, and commitment to ministry. All Admissions materials must be received by February 1 to be considered for the following fall. The amount of the Scholarship for Merit varies. All recipients will receive at least an amount equal to full tuition at the School of Theology. Selected students may receive stipends in the amounts of $2,000, $4,000, $6,000, or $8,000. Stipends must be applied to educational expenses. Scholarships for Merit are awarded for the academic year, September to May. They are renewable each year upon the annual evaluation of the recipient’s grade point average (3.3 minimum), character, and commitment to ministry. All awards are for a maximum of two academic years of full-time study. Scholarships for Merit are awarded before initial enrollment in the School of Theology.

Detailed information on financial and scholarship aid can be seen here.

Professional placement

The Director will facilitate placement of incoming students into professional positions in area churches. In addition to gaining valuable experience, it will provide practice facilities for the student, and money to help offset tuition and other student expenses. The Director will monitor each student and provide assistance as needed.

Links

Marsh Chapel
The AGO organ library at Boston University
The Boston University Symphonic Organ