The School of Music offers the Master of Music (MM) in composition (arranging emphasis option), conducting (wind & choral), musicology, performance, and theory.
Admissions Requirements
All courses of graduate music study must meet the general requirements of the Graduate School as given in the Admission Criteria section of this catalog.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
In addition, the School of Music imposes the following special requirements:
The Bachelor of Music degree in the chosen field of study from The University of Alabama or the equivalent from another accredited institution.
In special cases, a student holding the bachelor's degree but without a formal major in the chosen field may be admitted by examination.
Diagnostic entrance examinations are required in musicianship, music theory and writing skills; vocal performance majors also take diagnostic examinations in IPA transcription and song text translation in German, Italian, French, and, where appropriate, Latin and English. All theory and history deficiencies revealed in these examinations must be removed by the end of the first fall semester after matriculation. All deficiencies in diction revealed in these exams must be removed by the end of the first spring semester after matriculation. A schedule of remediation will be determined by appropriate faculty and the director of graduate studies (DGS) in music and may include enrollment in MUS 595 Graduate Theory Review, MUS 591 Readings in Music History, for vocal performance majors MUS 532 Graduate Diction Review. Students may not earn graduate credit in theory or history until all deficiencies in the respective areas have been removed.
Any deficiencies revealed by analysis of undergraduate transcripts prior to enrollment must be removed within one year of initial enrollment.
Information about the entrance examinations may be obtained from the director of graduate studies in music.
Individual Area Requirements
Performance
An audition on the major instrument. A complete repertoire list must be submitted, noting those works prepared for the audition.
Voice
The demonstration of a satisfactory vocal technique in the classical style, and satisfactory singing diction and comprehension in French, German, Italian and English.
Composition
Submission of a group of original works, including at least one in large form.
Theory
Submission of examples of work that illustrate analytical and writing skills. Students must have a reading knowledge of a foreign language (usually German, French, or Italian). Those who do not have this skill at matriculation will be required to remove the deficiency, through the completion of appropriate language courses or by examination, before they are admitted to candidacy.
Musicology
Submission of work that illustrates research and writing skills. Students must have a reading knowledge of a foreign language (usually German, French, or Italian). Those who do not have this skill at matriculation will be required to remove the deficiency, through the completion of appropriate language courses or by examination, before they are admitted to candidacy.
Conducting
An audition with a University ensemble. Two major works, in contrasting styles, must be conducted. Ear training and sight-singing proficiency must be demonstrated.
Curricular Requirements
These differ with the area of focus; a complete outline of requirements in each field is contained in the Graduate Handbook of the School of Music, which may be secured from the director of graduate studies in music or may be viewed on the School of Music Web page.
Focused areas of study in musicology, theory, and composition follow Plan I, which requires a written thesis. A composition student is required to present a recital of original compositions in addition to the thesis. Focused areas of study in performance, choral conducting, wind conducting, and church music, follow Plan II, which does not require a written thesis but which does require additional course hours and a recital. The focused areas in musicology and theory require a public lecture.
All MM degrees require at least 12 hours in graduate courses in music history and music theory, with at least 6 hours in each. MUS 501 Intro Grad Stdy In Mus must be taken in the first fall semester of enrollment.
A minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate work is required to complete any MM degree.
| MM - Music Composition | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 519 | Adv Composition I | 3 |
| MUS 520 | Adv Composition II | 3 |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Renaissance Proseminar | ||
| Baroque Proseminar | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus | ||
| One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Prosem Music Classic Era | ||
| Prosem Music Romantic Pd | ||
| Prosem Music 20th Centry | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Seminar Romantic Music | ||
| Sem Twentieth Cent Music | ||
| Two 500-level Theory courses selected from: | 6 | |
| 18th-Century Counterpoint II | ||
| Analysis of Tonal Music | ||
| Special Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Analysis of 20th-Century Music | ||
| MUA 501 | Secondary Applied Study (Three Semesters) | 3 |
| 500-level Electives (Music or non-music) | 4 | |
| 500-level Ensembles or additional Electives | 2 | |
| MUS 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
The equivalent of one recital of works written and performed during study towards the MM degree in the School of Music. The requirement may be met in one of the following three ways: | ||
| One Recital | ||
A public recital of performances of the student's works | ||
The equivalent of one recital performed on multiple public recitals | ||
The equivalent of one recital presented as a professional-quality recording produced and edited by the student | ||
| Thesis | ||
An original composition written under the direction of the major professor during study for the MM degree | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
| MM - Arranging | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 510 | Advanced Arranging (Two Semesters) | 6 |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| MUS 519 | Adv Composition I | 3 |
| MUS 505 | Studio Tech Arrang Orchestrn | 3 |
| MUS 502 | Film Scoring | 3 |
| Two 500-level Theory courses selected from: | 6 | |
| 18th-Century Counterpoint II | ||
| Analysis of Tonal Music | ||
| Special Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Analysis of 20th-Century Music | ||
| One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Renaissance Proseminar | ||
| Baroque Proseminar | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus | ||
| One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Prosem Music Classic Era | ||
| Prosem Music Romantic Pd | ||
| Prosem Music 20th Centry | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Seminar Romantic Music | ||
| Sem Twentieth Cent Music | ||
| MUS 554 | Proseminar In Jazz | 3 |
| MUA 559 | Jazz Ensembles (Minimum of Two Semesters) | 2 |
| 500-level Electives (music or non-music) | 1 | |
| 500-level Ensembles or additional Electives | 2 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
One recital | ||
| Total Hours | 38 | |
| MM - Choral Conducting | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 592 | Adv Choral Conducting (Three Semesters) | 9 |
| MUS 571 | Choral Literature 1450-1750 | 2 |
| MUS 572 | Choral Lit 1750-Present | 2 |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| Two 500-level Theory courses selected from: | 6 | |
| 18th-Century Counterpoint II | ||
| Analysis of Tonal Music | ||
| Special Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Analysis of 20th-Century Music | ||
| One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Renaissance Proseminar | ||
| Baroque Proseminar | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus | ||
| One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Prosem Music Classic Era | ||
| Prosem Music Romantic Pd | ||
| Prosem Music 20th Centry | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Seminar Romantic Music | ||
| Sem Twentieth Cent Music | ||
| MUA 563 | University Singers (Two Semesters) | 2 |
| 500-level Electives (music or non-music) | 4 | |
| 500 level Ensembles or additional Electives | 2 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
One recital | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
| MM - Wind Conducting | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 594 | Adv Instrumental Conduct (Three Semesters) | 9 |
| MUA 552 | Wind Ensemble (Four Semesters) | 4 |
| MUS 561 | Hy Wind Band Trad Lit | 3 |
| MUS 563 | Projects In Wind Music | 3 |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Renaissance Proseminar | ||
| Baroque Proseminar | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus | ||
| One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Prosem Music Classic Era | ||
| Prosem Music Romantic Pd | ||
| Prosem Music 20th Centry | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Seminar Romantic Music | ||
| Sem Twentieth Cent Music | ||
| Two 500-level Theory courses selected from: | 6 | |
| 18th-Century Counterpoint II | ||
| Analysis of Tonal Music | ||
| Special Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Analysis of 20th-Century Music | ||
| Additional Requirements: | ||
One recital | ||
| Total Hours | 34 | |
| MM - Musicology | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Five 500- and/or 600-level Musicology courses | 15 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Renaissance Proseminar | ||
| Prosem Opera History Lit | ||
| Prosem Music Classic Era | ||
| Prosem Music Romantic Pd | ||
| Prosem Music 20th Centry | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus | ||
| Seminar Romantic Music | ||
| Sem Twentieth Cent Music | ||
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| Two 500-level Theory courses selected from: | 6 | |
| 18th-Century Counterpoint II | ||
| Analysis of Tonal Music | ||
| Special Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Analysis of 20th-Century Music | ||
| 500-level Music Electives | 3 | |
| 500-level Electvies (music or non-music) | 1 | |
| 500-level Ensembles or additional electives | 2 | |
| MUS 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
| One public lecture | ||
- 50 minutes in length | ||
| Thesis | ||
- Documents original research on a topic in a relevant area | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
| MM - Instrumental Performance | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| 500-level Applied Music in Major Area | 14 | |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Renaissance Proseminar | ||
| Baroque Proseminar | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus | ||
| One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Prosem Music Classic Era | ||
| Prosem Music Romantic Pd | ||
| Prosem Music 20th Centry | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Seminar Romantic Music | ||
| Sem Twentieth Cent Music | ||
| Two 500-level Theory courses selected from | 6 | |
| 18th-Century Counterpoint II | ||
| Analysis of Tonal Music | ||
| Special Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Analysis of 20th-Century Music | ||
| 500-level Ensembles (Two Semesters) | 2 | |
| 500-level Electives (music or non-music) | 3 | |
| 500-level additional ensembles or electives | 2 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
- One recital | ||
| MM - Vocal Performance | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| 500-level Applied Voice | 14 | |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Renaissance Proseminar | ||
| Baroque Proseminar | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus | ||
| One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Prosem Music Classic Era | ||
| Prosem Music Romantic Pd | ||
| Prosem Music 20th Centry | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Seminar Romantic Music | ||
| Sem Twentieth Cent Music | ||
| Two 500-level Theory courses selected from: | 6 | |
| 18th-Century Counterpoint II | ||
| Analysis of Tonal Music | ||
| Special Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Analysis of 20th-Century Music | ||
| 500-level Ensembles (2 Semesters) | 2 | |
| MUS 545 | Graduate Vocal Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUS 574 | Graduate Vocal Literature I | 2 |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
- One recital | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
| MM - Performance Woodwinds | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| 500-level Applied Music (Major Instrument) | 12 | |
| 500-level Applied Music (Secondary Instrument) | 8 | |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Renaissance Proseminar | ||
| Baroque Proseminar | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus | ||
| One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Prosem Music Classic Era | ||
| Prosem Music Romantic Pd | ||
| Prosem Music 20th Centry | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Seminar Romantic Music | ||
| Sem Twentieth Cent Music | ||
| Two 500-level Theory courses selected from: | 6 | |
| 18th-Century Counterpoint II | ||
| Analysis of Tonal Music | ||
| Special Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Analysis of 20th-Century Music | ||
| 500-level Ensembles (Two semesters) | 2 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
- One recital on major instrument | ||
- One half-recital (or equivalent) on secondary instrument | ||
| Total Hours | 37 | |
| MM - Theory | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Four MUS 500- or 600-level Theory courses selected from: | 12 | |
| 18th-Century Counterpoint II | ||
| Analysis of Tonal Music | ||
| Special Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Analysis of 20th-Century Music | ||
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| 500-level Applied Music | 3 | |
| One 500/600-level Music History Pre-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Prosem Music Classic Era | ||
| Prosem Music Romantic Pd | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Sem Medieval Renaiss Mus | ||
| One 500/600-level Music History post-1750 topic selected from: | 3 | |
| Studies In Special Lit | ||
| Prosem Music Classic Era | ||
| Prosem Music Romantic Pd | ||
| Prosem Music 20th Centry | ||
| Spec Topics Musicology | ||
| Seminar Romantic Music | ||
| Sem Twentieth Cent Music | ||
| MUS 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
| - One public lecture | ||
50 minutes in length | ||
| - Thesis | ||
Documents original research on a topic in relevant area | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Transfer Credit
Information on transfer credit can be found in Graduate school Transfer policies.
Comprehensive Exam/Capstone
MM students under Plan I (thesis) must pass written comprehensive examinations in theory, history, and the major area. A description of the written comprehensive examinations is included in the Graduate Handbook of the School of Music. MM students under Plan II (non-thesis) are required to take an oral examination.
All students must pass an oral examination. For students under Plan I, the oral examination will be a defense of the thesis. For students under Plan II, the oral examination will be based on the student's coursework in the MM program and will determine the student's ability to articulate a broader perspective derived from that study. For students following Plan II, the oral examination is the final step in the completion of the degree and is administered only after all other requirements have been completed.
Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements
Graduate School information on Time Limits for Degree Completion.
Academic Misconduct Information
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
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Academic Grievances Information
Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines Information
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Application for Graduation Information
Information on the Application for Graduation.