Examples of Possible Careers*
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
- 5.6% faster than the average
- 116,300 number of jobs
- $69,690 potential earnings
Music directors and composers
- 1.7% slower than the average
- 58,000 number of jobs
- $52,250 potential earnings
Musicians and singers
- 0.9% little or no change
- 175,600 number of jobs
- $N/A potential earnings
Contact Information
- Graduate Studies Coordinator: Andrew Shahriari | ashahria@kent.edu | 330-672-2830
- Chat with an Admissions Counselor
Fully Offered
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
Admission Terms
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
*Note
Source of occupation titles and labor data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Description
The Master of Music degree in Performance is designed to prepare the student for professional music activities, including solo performance, orchestral playing, ensemble playing, collaborative performance, studio teaching; as well as doctoral study. The program emphasizes development of skills, knowledge and background in the following areas: literature and repertoire, performance skills, practice skills, interpretation and expression, performance pedagogy, historical performance practices, music history and music theory.
The Performance major includes the following optional concentrations:
- The Chamber Music concentration is for intensive coaching and performance of string quartet literature.
- The Collaborative Piano concentration provides focused study on performance, chamber music, accompanying and literature.
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Music
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Résumé
- Goal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Audition
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 525 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 71 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 74 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 50 PTE score
- Minimum 100 Duolingo test score
For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Recognize, identify, interpret and perform representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
- Apply advanced performing skills in solo and ensemble settings, including tone production, accuracy, intonation, instrumental/vocal technique, musicality/expression, vocal language and diction and stage presence/presentation.
- Discuss, utilize and achieve high-quality results from efficient and effective practice techniques, including time management, achievable goals and use of appropriate technical skills, musical expression skills and focused work ethic.
- Have an enhanced understanding of interpretation and expression in music.
- Identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy appropriate to the specific area of study.
- Identify, associate, differentiate and utilize performances practices appropriate to the literature of the various stylistic periods.
- Utilize and discuss score study of literature performed and also representative literature from various historical periods and composers.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| MUS 62411 | MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH METHODS | 2 |
| Applied Music Electives, choose from the following: 1 | 12 | |
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PIANO | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VOICE | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLIN | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLA | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CELLO | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE DOUBLE BASS | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE FLUTE | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE OBOE | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CLARINET | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE BASSOON | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE SAXOPHONE | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TRUMPET | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE HORN | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TROMBONE | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TUBA | ||
| APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PERCUSSION | ||
| Music Theory Requirement, choose from the following: 2 | 3 | |
| 16TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | ||
| 18TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | ||
| SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS | ||
| WORLD MUSIC ANALYSIS | ||
| ANALYSIS OF WESTERN ART MUSIC | ||
| POST-TONAL THEORY | ||
| SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900 | ||
| Music History Requirement, choose from the following: | 3 | |
| AMERICA'S MUSIC | ||
| HISTORY OF JAZZ | ||
| MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES | ||
| POPULAR WORLD MUSIC | ||
| SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE | ||
| Music Theory or Music History Elective, choose from the following: 3 | 3 | |
Music Theory Electives | ||
| 16TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | ||
| 18TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT | ||
| SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS | ||
| WORLD MUSIC ANALYSIS | ||
| POST-TONAL THEORY | ||
| SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900 | ||
Music History Electives | ||
| AMERICA'S MUSIC | ||
| HISTORY OF JAZZ | ||
| MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES | ||
| POPULAR WORLD MUSIC | ||
| SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE | ||
| Culminating Requirement | ||
| MUS 68687 | RECITAL (taken twice for 1 credit hour each) | 2 |
| Additional Requirements or Concentration | ||
| Choose from the following: | 7 | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 32 | |
- 1
Students register for 4 credit hours of applied music courses in two of the semesters, and register for 2 credit hours of applied music in the two semesters in which they register for MUS 68687.
- 2
Selection of music theory course is based on students' result from the theory placement exam. In the case of the exam results placing a student into MUS 51011 and/or MUS 51012, these courses will not count towards the M.M. degree and must be taken in addition to the music theory requirements.
- 3
Students must select a third music theory or music history course. Substitutions can be considered with advisor approval.
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Ensemble Electives, choose from the following: 1 | 4 | |
| KENT CHORUS | ||
| KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP | ||
| KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE | ||
| CORO CANTARE | ||
| CANTIQUE | ||
| KENT STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR | ||
| ORCHESTRA | ||
| SYMPHONY BAND | ||
| WIND ENSEMBLE | ||
| JAZZ ENSEMBLE | ||
| TROMBONE ENSEMBLE | ||
| PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE | ||
| BASSOON ENSEMBLE | ||
| NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE | ||
| FLUTE ENSEMBLE | ||
| CHAMBER MUSIC | ||
| WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE | ||
| ACCOMPANYING | ||
| Major Elective, choose from the following: | 3 | |
| SYMPHONIC LITERATURE | ||
| PIANO LITERATURE I | ||
| PIANO LITERATURE II | ||
| SONG LITERATURE | ||
| OPERA LITERATURE | ||
| KENT CHORUS | ||
| KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP | ||
| KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE | ||
| CORO CANTARE | ||
| CANTIQUE | ||
| KENT STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR | ||
| ORCHESTRA | ||
| WIND ENSEMBLE | ||
| JAZZ ENSEMBLE | ||
| TROMBONE ENSEMBLE | ||
| PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE | ||
| BASSOON ENSEMBLE | ||
| NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE | ||
| FLUTE ENSEMBLE | ||
| CHAMBER MUSIC | ||
| WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE | ||
| ACCOMPANYING | ||
| VOICE PEDAGOGY | ||
| PEDAGOGY-INSTRUMENTAL | ||
| ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION I | ||
| ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION II | ||
| PIANO PEDAGOGY I | ||
| PIANO PEDAGOGY II | ||
Advisor-approved graduate Music (MUS) courses | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 7 | |
- 1
Students in the following specializations must take the following every semester:
Chamber Music Concentration Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| MUS 55311 | CHAMBER MUSIC (taken each semester for 1 credit hour each) | 4 |
| Ensemble Electives, choose from the following: | 3 | |
| KENT CHORUS | ||
| KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP | ||
| KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE | ||
| CORO CANTARE | ||
| CANTIQUE | ||
| KENT STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR | ||
| ORCHESTRA | ||
| SYMPHONY BAND | ||
| WIND ENSEMBLE | ||
| JAZZ ENSEMBLE | ||
| TROMBONE ENSEMBLE | ||
| PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE | ||
| BASSOON ENSEMBLE | ||
| NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE | ||
| FLUTE ENSEMBLE | ||
| CHAMBER MUSIC | ||
| WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE | ||
| ACCOMPANYING | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 7 | |
Collaborative Piano Concentration Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| MUS 55321 | ACCOMPANYING (taken each semester for 1 credit hour each) | 4 |
| Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 3 | |
| PIANO LITERATURE I | ||
| PIANO LITERATURE II | ||
| SONG LITERATURE | ||
| OPERA LITERATURE | ||
| CHAMBER MUSIC | ||
| VOICE PEDAGOGY | ||
| ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION I | ||
| ADVANCED SINGER'S DICTION II | ||
| CONDUCTING PROJECTS:CHORAL | ||
| CONDUCTING PROJECTS:ORCHESTRA | ||
| PIANO PEDAGOGY I | ||
| PIANO PEDAGOGY II | ||
Advisor-approved graduate Music (MUS) courses | ||
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 7 | |