Master of Music (Jazz Studies)
About This Program
The objective of the Master of Music (Music Performance Track – [Jazz Studies ]) is to impart the knowledge needed to facilitate successful performing careers and encourage personal development. Through further education, degree students will become more capable and confident musicians, able to pursue further graduate work or enter the field as instrumental or vocal performers and conductors. Specifically, the aims of the degree are to: (a) improve performance skills through applied study and ensemble participation; (b) offer graduate courses to improve general musicianship, including studies in music literature, music theory, and music history; (c) prepare students to enter graduate programs leading to the doctoral degree; and (d) offer highly specialized courses for students interested in researching historical or artistic areas.
This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Competencies
- Upon completion, students will be able to perform and/or teach at the community college level or above in their primary field of specialty.
- Upon completion, students will have achieved advanced competencies in jazz improvisation, composition, and arranging in applied lessons and ensembles.
- Upon completion, students will be prepared for further academic study in their primary field at the doctoral level
Admissions Criteria
Unconditional Admission
- Bachelor’s degree in music or its demonstrated equivalent (such as a music conservatory degree).
- Three letters of recommendation are required, speaking to the student’s potential for success from references familiar with the student’s academic background.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work as calculated by the Graduate Admissions.
- Submitted application to the Department of Music (see the departmental website for more information).
- A portfolio of works, to include at least two (2) but not more than four (4) scores and recordings representing the applicant’s best work. At least two of these should be in the jazz genre. Live recordings are preferred; MIDI recordings are discouraged but will be accepted as a last resort. At least one of the works should be scored for a large jazz ensemble (ten or more performers). Links to both scores and audio files housed online for the included pieces (via SoundCloud, DropBox, etc.) should be sent in an email to the graduate advisor. Please do not attach the files in the email.
- Applicants must audition (in person or by submitting a tape or video link) with repertoire of at least college senior recital level. A repertoire list must be submitted for evaluation at the time of the audition. For further information, contact the Graduate Advisor.
All admission criteria will be considered equally. Students meeting all the criteria, plus any track-specific requirements, will be granted unconditional admission.
Probationary Status
A student showing a deficiency in any of the above criteria and showing promise for successful graduate study may still be admitted on a probationary basis upon the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee. The conditions of the probation will be outlined in the letter of admission. (The Music Department does not have the authority to lower University TOEFL score requirements for any student.)
Provisional Admission
An applicant unable to supply all required documentation prior to the admission deadline but who otherwise appears to meet admission requirements may be granted provisional admission.
Denied Admission
An applicant can be denied admission based on the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee. Applicants may reapply for admission if the deficiencies in credentials that led to denial are remedied.
Deferred Admission
A deferred decision may be granted when a file is incomplete or when a denied decision is not appropriate.
Tracks are offered in Music Performance, Jazz Studies, Jazz Composition, Music Theory, and Conducting. The program is designed for the student who has a Bachelor’s degree in music.
TOEFL Requirement
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English by earning a total score of at least 79 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based examination (TOEFL iBT).
Those who do not meet the English proficiency requirement must satisfactorily complete courses in the ESOL area, as approved by the program and Graduate Admissions.
Advisory examinations in music history and written theory may be administered to all students prior to enrollment or during their first semester as a degree-seeking student.
Curriculum
| Foundations | ||
| MUSI 5301 | FORM AND STYLE ANALYSIS | 3 |
| MUSI 5308 | MUSIC HISTORY SELECTED TOPICS | 3 |
| MUSI 5354 | SELECTED TOPICS IN MUSIC LITERATURE | 3 |
| 4 semesters of Applied Study (MUSI 53XX) with the last semester including a full length public performance/recital, which may serve as a thesis. | 12 | |
| 4 semesters of a Major Ensemble (MUSI 51XX) (For Keyboard Players only-4 semesters of either Major Ensemble 51XX OR Keyboard Accompaniment MUSI 5190) | 4 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 hours from the following: | 9 | |
| DIGITAL MUSIC TECHNOLOGY | ||
| JAZZ COMBO | ||
| CHAMBER MUSIC (maximum of 3 repeats) | ||
| HISTORY OF MUSIC THEORY | ||
| MUSIC HISTORY SELECTED TOPICS (may be counted once as an elective if core requirement is met and the course is taken with a different emphasis) | ||
| FORMAL-FUNCTION THEORY | ||
| SELECTED TOPICS IN MUSIC PEDAGOGY | ||
| PHILOSOPHY, HISTORY, AND CURRICULUAR TRENDS IN MUSIC EDUCATION | ||
| PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF MUSIC EDUCATION | ||
| REHEARSAL TECHNIQUES | ||
| ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR MUSICIANS | ||
| MEANING & REPRESENTATION IN MUSIC | ||
| JAZZ STYLE AND ANALYSIS | ||
| 20TH CENTURY FORM & TECHNIQUE | ||
| POST-TONAL ANALYSIS | ||
| LINEAR ANALYSIS | ||
| ADVANCED SONATA THEORY | ||
| Total Hours | 34 | |
Program Completion
Final Master’s Examination
All students completing the Master of Music (Music Performance Track – [Instrumental, Vocal and Conducting]) take a written examination measuring selected content from the following three courses:
- MUSI 5301 Form and Style Analysis
- MUSI 5308 Selected Topics in Music History
- MUSI 53XX Applied Lessons
A final Master’s examination may result in:
- An unconditional pass with a recommendation to the Graduate Dean that the candidate be certified to receive the degree.
- A conditional pass with the requirement that additional conditions be met, which may include further work on the thesis or thesis substitute, additional coursework with a minimum specified grade point average or both (in all cases the final master’s examination must be repeated within a specified period).
- Failure, with permission to be re-examined within a specified period; or
- Failure, with recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies that the candidate be dismissed from the program. The Music Department limits to 2 the number of times the examination can be taken.
Recital
Instrumental, vocal and jazz students present a full-length a recital of 50-60 minutes as part of their fourth semester of study. Conductors may fulfill this requirement as an accumulation of multiple concert conducting opportunities. Evaluation of this recital will be conducted by a recital hearing committee which consists of the primary applied professor and at least one additional faculty member.
Advising Resources
All UTA Music Degrees require an audition for Music Department acceptance. First time in college students may contact the Music Department advisor for general degree information and will be advised in the department starting their second semester. Transfer students should contact the Music Department Advisor prior to acceptance for general degree information and again following a successful audition for acceptance into the UTA Music Department for academic advising and clearance to enroll. Students interested in the Music Minor should contact the Music Department advisor for the Minor course sheet, and Minor approval form, and may do so at any time in the semester.
Location:
Fine Arts 101C
Email:
Undergraduate: music@uta.edu
Graduate: musicgradadvisor@uta.edu
Phone:
817-272-3471