The Master of Sacred Music 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 headquarters of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, the editorial office of Studia Liturgica (the journal of the international and ecumenical Societas Liturgica), the American Guild of Organists’ 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 Boston 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
Ray L. Hart, Dean ad interim

Boston University School of Music
André de Quadros, Director

Andrew Shenton, MSM Program Director

Ann Howard Jones, Choral Conducting

Peter Sykes, Organ

Nancy Granert, Organ

Karen Westerfield Tucker, Professor of Worship

Carl P. Daw, Jr., Executive Director, The Hymn Society

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, and have a general academic background represented by at least 20 semester credits in the humanities and social sciences. 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.
Full details of the admission process, including online application forms are available from the School of Theology Office of Admissions.

Audition requirements

An audition at Boston University College of Fine Arts, School of Music, is expected for MSM applicants. The School of Theology Office of Admissions will assist the applicant in arranging for the audition. The audition, with the appropriate applied music faculty in the School of Music, will determine the level of musical proficiency. Please see the following pages for details of the specific audition requirements for organ and choral conducting.

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. Candidates whose primary language is not English, need a TOEFL score of at least 230 (computer based test) or 570 (paper based test) or 89 (internet based test) to be admitted to the program.

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

The Master of Sacred Music degree consists of a series of required courses in three categories: theology, music, and the ministry of music. The successful completion of these courses and a final project is required for the degree.
Proficiency in music theory, history, keyboard proficiency and choral conducting is required. MSM students must pass diagnostic examinations in these areas upon entrance into the program. The examination schedule will be provided by the School of Theology Office of Admissions in the summer.
All MSM students are advised by the Director of the Sacred Music Program, and the head of the applied music field in which they entered. A plan of study is prepared in the first semester, in consultation with both advisors. It is revised, as needed, during the duration of the program.

Theology requirements

Theology requirements are taken in sequence to ensure that the student builds on previous knowledge and must be taken at the School of Theology. Exceptions are rarely approved, and then only in cases of emergency. The proposed sequence is as follows:

No grade lower than B- is acceptable for use in satisfying theology requirements for the Master of Sacred Music degree. Students seeking advanced standing in one or more of these theology requirements must consult the associate dean for academic affairs and/or relevant faculty for approval.

Electives may be taken in any of the Schools in the consortium known as the Boston Theological Institute, however, the four principal courses required for the degree must be taken at STH.

Music requirements

In addition to applied lessons in organ or choral conducting, and their respective seminars, students must take classes in analytical techniques and music history. Substitutions for music requirements are approved only by petition and require the approval of the Director of the MSM program and the head of the respective department at CFA. Students who pass out of requirements in history and theory may substitute other courses subject to the approval of his or her advisor. No grade lower than B- is acceptable for use in satisfying music requirements for the Master of Sacred Music degree.
Participation in a Boston University music organization (including the Seminary Singers, Chapel Choir, and Symphonic Chorus) is recommended.

Ministry of Music requirements

The Sacred Music Practicum is offered in the spring on a two-year rotation and is mandatory for successful completion of this degree. The course covers topics in practical church music. It will include, for example:

• Handbell choirs (technique, training, recruitment, repertoire)
• Children’s choirs (training, recruitment, motivation, repertoire)
• Conflict resolution, problem management, ethics, professional concerns
• Organ pedagogy
• The art of accompaniment (including hymns, services, choirs and large groups)
• Site visits to local churches with significant music programs
• Vocal technique
• Repertoire for the liturgical season (organ and choral)
• Church music resources (including online information)
• Composing and arranging for the church
• Improvisation
• Organ building and maintenance (including possible visits to local builders)
• Ensemble/orchestral conducting and conducting from the console

In addition, students will be required to participate in a wide variety of occasional events on subjects related to the degree program, such as master classes and lectures. It is expected that all students will be involved in some professional church music activity in the area that will be in informal addition to their program of study.

Recital requirements

All Master of Sacred Music candidates are required to perform two recitals during the program. These should demonstrate a wide repertoire of styles and technique.

Comprehensive examination

There is currently no comprehensive examination for the Master of Sacred Music degree.

Keyboard proficiency

Non-keyboard majors are required to pass a keyboard proficiency exam in their final semester. Details of the requirement are given at the start of the program.

Program content

The key to the program is flexibility so that each student can design a program suited to his/her strengths and weaknesses. Rather than being over-prescriptive, the program aims to offer a wide range of choices depending on the candidate’s prior training and experience and his/her interests. Good advising is an important part of the process.

Proposed course of study

The Choral Conducting Program
The Organ Program

Financial aid / scholarship aid

Generous financial aid is available to all students accepted into the MSM program. In addition to 55% reduction of the School of Theology tuition, other scholarship aid is available to qualified candidates. Certain assistantships may also be available through the choral conducting program and Marsh Chapel. Applicants with a GPA of 3.3 or above are considered for Scholarships for Merit, which range from full tuition to full tuition and a stipend. The application deadline is January 15 to be considered for such scholarships, and decisions are made in March. Detailed information on financial and scholarship aid may be obtained from the School of Theology Office of Registration and Financial Aid.

Professional placement

The Director will facilitate placement of incoming students into professional positions in area churches, if available. 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.

Helpful information maybe found at the following websites:

Marsh Chapel

The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada

The AGO organ library at Boston University

The Boston University Symphonic Organ