Candidates for the MusM may concentrate in composition, conducting, historical performance, music education, music theory, musicology, or performance.

Applying

Applicants must apply online at www.bu.edu/cfa. Two recommendations, normally from teachers, official transcripts from all colleges attended, a two-page statement of purpose explaining why the candidate is applying and his/her career goals, and a non-refundable application fee are required of all applicants. Performance programs require a complete repertory list; some departments have additional requirements. Check online for the full list of departmental application requirements. Please note: performance applicants must audition in person if residing within 300 miles of Boston.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must have: (1) a bachelor’s degree from a school or college with a major in the subject in which the degree is sought, or with credits equivalent to the corresponding curriculum at Boston University, and (2) demonstrated talent and ability in performance, scholarship, or composition sufficient to promise superior accomplishment at the graduate level.

Each applicant must submit at least three original compositions in good manuscript form reflecting a variety of instrumental and formal types, including at least one work for a larger group such as a chamber orchestra and/or chorus. Recordings of compositions are helpful but not required. In addition, at least one example of tonal composition such as a fugue, short sonata movement, or other academic composition is required. All works should be sent to the Graduate Admissions office at the time of application submission. Applicants must include a self-addressed stamped envelope to have their scores returned.

A performance audition is not required for admission to graduate programs in composition unless a student wants to qualify as having completed the equivalent of Level 6b in order to study performance for graduate credit.

Program of Study

Performance of a half-hour recital of original compositions approved by the composition faculty is required.

Attendance at the Composers’ Forum—an informal series of lectures presenting composers and authorities in various musical disciplines—is required each semester. All graduate composition majors must be enrolled in graduate composition lessons each semester of study until the recital portfolio is approved.

Thesis

Each student must write a thesis in the form of an original composition.

General Degree Requirements

The MusM is granted upon successful completion of a program of study and terminal projects appropriate to the student’s field of specialization. Students must complete a minimum of 32 semester credits with grades no lower than B– in graduate-level coursework. All degree requirements must be completed within five years from the date of matriculation. Students may also be required to take prerequisite courses based on the result of the required proficiency examination.

Master of Music Comprehensive Reviews

A satisfactory comprehensive review or examination is required for graduation. The faculty in each major area determines standards for this review and its format, and conducts the evaluation. In each case, the comprehensive review concentrates on the major area and other related fields. Unsatisfactory performance on this review may require remedial work and/or a repetition of the review after counseling with the student’s advisor. Descriptions of the departmental comprehensive reviews or examinations are found in the School of Music Graduate Handbook, available to enrolled students on the School of Music website.

The MusAD degree is offered in composition, music education, performance, historical performance, and conducting. A high level of academic achievement and accomplishment is expected of all applicants.

Applying

All applicants must apply online at www.bu.edu/cfa. Three recommendations, normally from teachers, official transcripts from all colleges attended, a two-page statement of purpose explaining why the candidate is applying and his/her career goals, and a nonrefundable application fee are required of all applicants. Performance applicants are required to submit a complete repertory list; some departments have additional requirements. Check online for the full list of departmental application requirements. Please note that performance applicants must audition in person if residing within 300 miles of Boston.

Admission Requirements

The applicant for admission to the MusAD Program in Composition program should possess a Master of Music degree or a Master of Arts degree with a major in composition.

Applicants should submit at least three original compositions (score and recording, if available). In addition, each applicant should submit an example of tonal composition such as a fugue or sonata movement. The tonal writing example should be clearly labeled as such. Materials should be sent directly to the chair of the Composition Department. Applicants who wish to have their materials returned must include a SASE.

Program of Study

Recital

The student must present a program, approximately one hour long, of original compositions.

Language Requirements

The minimum requirement for students in all MusAD programs of study, except Music Education, is reading competency in modern French, German, or Italian.

Students in the areas of historical performance and voice are required to demonstrate proficiency in two of the three languages. Voice majors must satisfactorily complete an examination in the application of International Phonetic Alphabet to English, French, German, and Italian. Music Education majors develop proficiency in appropriate research methodologies in lieu of foreign languages.

All language requirements must be fulfilled before a student takes the doctoral qualifying examinations.

Qualifying Examinations

After completing 30 credits, students may take the doctoral qualifying examinations, consisting of written and oral examinations in music theory, music history, and the major field. One or both of the theory and history examinations may be taken in a given semester. Details on these examinations are available in the School of Music Graduate Handbook. Music Education majors have different requirements for qualifying examinations. Please consult the Music Education Department.

The student has three opportunities to pass examinations in each area. Once a student has passed an individual area exam, he or she need not repeat it even if required to retake another area exam. The student proceeds to oral examinations only when he or she has passed all written examinations.

Requirements for examinations vary by concentration.

Final Projects

Students electing the Dissertation Track (see below) are permitted to begin work on the dissertation only after satisfactory completion of the qualifying examinations. For further details on final projects, see the following sections for each concentration.

All degree requirements must be completed within seven years of matriculation.

Admission Requirements

Students who have completed the BA or BMus degree may apply directly to the MusAD program. Applicants must meet the general admission requirements for the MusM program, and must show evidence of strong academic performance as well as compositional talent and achievement. Students who move from the MusM program prior to completion are subject to the same admissions rules.

Applicants to this program should submit at least three original compositions (score and recording, if available). Applicants who wish to have their materials returned must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. In addition, each applicant should submit an example of tonal composition, such as a fugue or sonata movement. This tonal writing example should be clearly labeled as such. These materials should be sent to the chair of the Composition Department in the School of Music along with a cover letter stating the degree program for which application is being made.

Program of Study

Recitals

Students give two recitals during this degree program. During the second year of study, the student submits a recital portfolio for faculty approval. This portfolio must contain works totaling at least half an hour in length. Once the portfolio is approved, the student presents these works in a recital. If the works have all been previously publicly performed or read, this first recital requirement may be waived at the discretion of the composition faculty. Prior to work on the dissertation, during the third or fourth year, the student must again submit a recital portfolio for faculty approval. These works, which may include pieces previously submitted, must make up a full-length program. Once the faculty has approved the recital, the student must present it publicly. This may be done at any time prior to graduation. Students are expected to register for Graduate Composition lessons until the second recital portfolio is completed and approved.

Dissertation

Doctoral candidates in composition will write a dissertation consisting of a large-scale work in a demanding medium.