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.
All students must take examinations in music history and music theory prior to initial registration. Any required courses or other work specified as a result of deficiencies revealed in these examinations must be completed by the end of the first fall semester after matriculation. A schedule of remediation will be determined by appropriate faculty and the director of graduate studies in music and may include enrollment in MUS 595 Graduate Theory Review and/or MUS 591 Readings in Music History. Students may not earn graduate credit in theory and 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 |
| 500-level Music History Pre-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Music History post-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Theory | 6 (3 hours/2 courses) | |
| MUA 501 | Secondary Applied Study | 0.5-1 |
| (for three semesters) | 3 | |
| 500-level Electives (Music or non-music) | 4 | |
| 500-level Ensembles or additional Electives | 2 | |
| MUS 596 | Comprehensive Examination ((written)) | 0 |
| MUS 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| MUS 597 | Oral Examination ((thesis defense)) | 0 |
| Total Hours: | 36 | |
| 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 | ||
| MM - Arranging | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 510 | Advanced Arranging | 3 (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 |
| 500-level Theory | 3 (two semesters = 6) | |
| 500-level Music History pre-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Music History post-1750 topic | 3 | |
| MUS 554 | Proseminar In Jazz | 3 |
| MUA 559 | Jazz Ensembles | 1 (minimum of two semesters = 2) |
| 500-level Electives (music or non-music) | 1 | |
| 500-level Ensembles or additional Electives | 2 | |
| MUS 597 | Oral Examination | 0 |
| Total Hours: | 38 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
One recital | ||
| MM - Choral Conducting | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 592 | Adv Choral Conducting | 3 (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 |
| 500-level Theory | 3 (two semesters = 6) | |
| 500-level Music History pre-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Music History post-1750 topic | 3 | |
| MUA 563 | University Singers | 1 (two semesters = 2) |
| 500-level Electives (music or non-music) | 4 | |
| 500 level Ensembles or additional Electives | 2 | |
| MUS 597 | Oral Examination | 0 |
| Total Hours: | 36 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
One recital | ||
| MM - Wind Conducting | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 594 | Adv Instrumental Conduct | 3 (three semesters = 9) |
| MUS 564-565 Wind Ensemble Practicum | 4 | |
| MUS 561 | Hy Wind Band Trad Lit | 3 |
| MUS 562 Contemp Wind Ens Lit | 3 | |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| 500-level Music History pre-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Music History post-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Theory | 3 (two semesters = 6) | |
| MUS 597 | Oral Examination | 0 |
| Total Hours: | 34 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
One recital | ||
| MM - Musicology | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| 500- and/or 600-level Musicology courses | 3 (total of five courses = 15) | |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| 500-level Theory | 3 (two courses = 6) | |
| 500-level Music Electives | 3 | |
| 500-level Electvies (music or non-music) | 1 | |
| 500-level Ensembles or additional electives | 2 | |
| MUS 596 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
| MUS 599 | Thesis Research | 1 to 6 (total of 6) |
| MUS 597 | Oral Examination | 0 |
| Total Hours: | 36 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
| One public lecture | ||
- 50 minutes in length | ||
| Thesis | ||
- Documents original research on a topic in a relevant area | ||
| MM - Instrumental Performance | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| 500-level Applied Music in Major Area | 3 (to total 14) | |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| 500-level Music History pre-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Music History post-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Theory | 3 (two courses = 6) | |
| 500-level Ensembles | 1 (two semesters = 2) | |
| 500-level Electives (music or non-music) | 3 | |
| 500-level additional ensembles or electives | 2 | |
| MUS 597 | Oral Examination | 0 |
| Total Hours: | 36 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
- One recital | ||
| MM - Vocal Performance | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| 500-level Applied Voice | 3 (to total 14) | |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| 500-level Music History pre-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Music History post-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Theory | 3 (two courses = 6) | |
| 500-level Ensembles | 1 (two semesters = 2) | |
| MUS 545 | Graduate Vocal Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUS 574 | Graduate Vocal Literature I | 2 |
| MUS 597 | Oral Examination | 0 |
| Total Hours: | 36 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
- One recital | ||
| MM - Performance Woodwinds | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| 500-level Applied Music (Major Instrument) | 12 (3 hours/4 semesters) | |
| 500-level Applied Music (Secondary Instrument) | 8 (2 hours/4 semesters) | |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| 500-level Music History pre-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Music History post-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Theory | 6 (3 credit hours/2 courses) | |
| 500-level Ensembles | 2 (1 credit hour/2 semesters) | |
| MUS 597 | Oral Examination | 0 |
| Total Hours: | 36 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
- One recital on major instrument | ||
- One half-recital (or equivalent) on secondary instrument | ||
| MM - Theory | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 500- or 600-level Theory courses | 12 (3 credit hours/4 courses) | |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| 500-level Applied Music | 3 | |
| 500-level Music History pre-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Music History post-1750 topic | 3 | |
| MUS 596 | Comprehensive Examination (written) | 0 |
| MUS 599 | Thesis Research | 1 to 6 (6 hours total) |
| MUS 597 | Oral Examination | 0 |
| Total Hours: | 30 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
| - One public lecture | ||
50 minutes in length | ||
| - Thesis | ||
Documents original research on a topic in relevant area | ||
| MM - Organ Performance, Church Music | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MUA 572 | Organ | 0.5-4 (4 semesters = 8) |
| MUS 592 | Adv Choral Conducting | 3 |
| MUS 571 or | Choral Literature 1450-1750 | 2 |
| MUS 572 | Choral Lit 1750-Present | |
| MUS 577 | Adv Organ Literature I | 3 |
| MUS 501 | Intro Grad Stdy In Mus | 3 |
| 500-level Music History pre-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Music History post-1750 topic | 3 | |
| 500-level Theory | 6 (3 credit hours/2 courses) | |
| MUS 581 Liturgy and the Arts and Worship Practices | 2 | |
| MUS 582 Hymnody | 2 | |
| MUS 583 Church Music Practicum | 1 | |
| 500-level Music Electives - chosen from: | 3 | |
- MUS 577/578 Organ Literature | ||
- MUS 571/572 Choral Literature | ||
- MUS 545 Graduate Vocal Pedagogy | ||
- MUS 592 Choral Conducting | ||
- MUS 525 Choral Tech/Materials | ||
- Applied Harpsichord | ||
- Applied Voice | ||
- Applied Piano | ||
| MUS 597 | Oral Examination | 0 |
| Total Hours: | 39 | |
| Additional Requirements: | ||
- Organ and choral conducting concert or hymnfest field work | ||
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
Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.
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
Information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation Information
Information on the Application for Graduation.