Master of Music in Music
Perform, teach, and participate in research and outreach as a UM Music graduate student.
“I’ve seen firsthand how the fine arts positively impact the lives of students, and it’s such a privilege to be able to use this recognition to promote the importance of fine arts education in schools.”
Hannah Gadd (BM in Music '13; MM in Music, emphasis in Choral Conducting '15)
Choral Director at Lafayette Middle and High Schools. Mississippi Teacher of the Year, 2019
About this Program
The Department of Music in the College of Liberal Arts offers the M.M. in Music. It is an advanced, professional degree designed to develop a particular area in music to a high level of specialization.
Students choose from the following emphases:
- Choral conducting
- Collaborative piano
- Ethnomusicology
- Musicology
- Music education
- Music performance in woodwind, brass, string, or percussion instruments, piano, and voice
- Music theory
On this Page…
Program Information
Program Type
Master's Program
Area of Study
Arts
School
Degree
M.M. in Music
Program Location
Emphases
Choral Conducting, Collaborative Piano, Ethnomusicology, Music Education, Music Performance, Music Theory, Musicology
Required Credit Hours
30
Program Details
APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 15
The Department of Music welcomes student applications with the following materials. Additional details are found on the department website.
- Complete the Graduate School’s Online Application.
- Pay the application fee ($50).
- Submit official transcripts.
- International applicants whose first language is not English may be required to submit scores from an acceptable English language proficiency test.
- Upload Supplemental Application materials for the Department of Music to the link provided by the online application.
- Statement of purpose.
- Take diagnostic exams in music history/literature and music theory.
- Three letters of recommendation: provide contact information for three recommenders who can address your aptitude for graduate studies.
Applicants should have at least a 3.00 GPA on their undergraduate degree in music. Different emphases have particular application requirements that are discussed in more detail on the department website.
- Applicants to music education, ethnomusicology, musicology, or music theory submit a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score.
- Applicants to music performance or choral conducting must audition, with a few exceptions.
- Applicants to musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, and music education are required to submit a writing sample.
Students in the M.M. in Music with an emphasis in Choral Conducting complete the following 34 credit hours of courses.
- Mus 520: Intro to Music Research
- Mus 562: Advanced Choral Literature
- Music history/literature
- 3 credit hours of Music theory
- 3 credit hours of Music theory or history/literature
- Mus 524: Advanced Choral Methods
- Mus 529 or 605: Vocal Pedagogy
- Mus 521: Advanced Singer's Diction I
- Voic 652: Applied Voice
- 2 credit hours of Choral Ensemble
- Mus 613: Directed Individual Study in Choral Music
- Mus 616: Advanced Conducting
- Mus 695: Public Recital
In addition to course work, students complete a thesis or recital and pass a final oral or written comprehensive examination.
Students in the M.M. in Music with an emphasis in Collaborative Piano complete the following 34 credit hours.
- Mus 520: Intro to Music Research
- Voic 521: Advanced Singer's Diction I
- Voic 523, 524: Advanced Coaching I, II
- Mus 537, 538: Instrumental Chamber Ensemble
- 9 credit hours of music history/literature and theory
- 8 credit hours of applied piano performance
- 4 credit hours of public recital
- 4 hours of music electives from:
- Mus 500 German for Musicians
- Mus 522 Advanced Singer's Diction II
- Mus 565 Instrumental Solo Literature
- Mus 592 Secondary Keyboard Instruments
- Mus 623 Advanced Song Literature
- Mus 624 Advanced Opera
- Mus 563 Chamber Music Literature
Students in the M.M. in Music with an emphasis in Ethnomusicology complete the following 24 credit hours plus a thesis.
- Mus 520: Intro to Music Research
- Mus 680: Intro to Ethnomusicology
- Mus 682: Ethnographic Methods and Transcription
- Mus 575: Perspectives in World Music
- Mus 576: Ethnomusicology Seminar
- 3 credit hours of Music Theory
- 3 credit hours of Musicology
- 3 semesters of African Music Ensemble
- 3 credit hours of elective in music or another department (anthropology, sociology, Southern Studies)
In addition to course work, students complete a thesis and pass a written comprehensive examination and thesis defense.
Students in the M.M. in Music with an emphasis in Music Education complete the following 32 credit hours.
- Mus 520: Intro to Music Research
- 3 credit hours of Music history/literature
- 3 credit hours of Music theory/composition
- 3 credit hours Music theory/composition or music history/literature
- Mus 619: Foundations of Music Education
- Mus 620: Music Education Research
- 3 credit hours for music education
- 5 credit hours for music electives
- 6 credit hours for thesis or additional music education courses (if non-thesis option)
Students in the M.M. in Music with an emphasis in Music Performance complete the following lists of courses.
Concentration in Piano Performance - 32 credit hours
- Mus 520: Intro to Music Research
- 9 credit hours in music history/literature and history
- 8 credit hours in piano performance
- Mus 608: Advanced Keyboard Lit
- Mus 605: Pedagogy of Music Performance
- 6 credit hours of music electives
- Mus 695: Public Recital
Concentration in Vocal Performance - 36 credit hours
- Music 520: Intro to Music Research
- Music 521, 522: Advanced Diction I, II
- 9 credit hours music history/literature, theory
- 8 credit hours of voice performance
- 4 semesters of Opera Workshop
- Mus 623 or 624: Adv. Song Literature or Adv Opera
- Mus 605: Pedagogy of Music Performance
- Mus 523, 524: Advanced Coaching I, II
- Mus 695: Public Recital
Concentration in Instrumental Performance - 33 credit hours
- Mus 520: Intro to Music Research
- 9 credit hours music history/literature, theory
- 8 credit hours of music performance
- Mus 565: Instrumental Solo Literature
- One from
- Mus 561: Symphonic Lit
- Mus 563: Chamber Lit
- Mus 607: Advanced Wind Band Lit
- Mus 605: Pedagogy of Music Performance
- 2 credit hours of Wind Ensemble or Orchestra
- 2 credit hours of Instrumental Chamber Ensemble
- Mus 695: Public Recital
In addition to coursework, students must complete a recital and pass a final written examination.
Students in the M.M. in Music with an emphasis in Music Theory complete the following 36 credit hours.
- Mus 520: Intro to Music Research
- 9 credit hours of music theory courses
- 6 credit hours of musicology courses
- 3 credit hours of ethnomusicology course
- Mus 559: Special Topics in Music Theory
- Mus 630: Schenkerian Analysis
- Mus 680: Intro to Ethnomusicology
- 6 credit hours of Mus 697 Thesis
Students in the M.M. in Music with an emphasis in Musicology complete the following 36 credit hours.
- Mus 520: Intro to Music Research
- 9 credit hours of musicology courses
- 3 credit hours of music theory course
- 3 credit hours of ethnomusicology course
- Mus 559: Special Topics in Music Theory
- Mus 680: Intro to Ethnomusicology
- 3 credit hours of music elective
- 3 credit hours of elective outside of music
- 6 credit hours of Mus 697: Thesis
In addition to course work, students must complete a thesis and pass a final written comprehensive examination and thesis defense.
Scholarships
- Apply to UM Graduate School.
- Complete and submit UM Music’s Scholarship Application Form (deadline February 15 for full consideration).
Graduate Assistantships
Assistantships for full-time masters students start at $5,750, waive out-of-state portion of tuition (a value of $17,568), and waive 75% of the in-state portion tuition (a value of $6,939). Additional scholarships could further boost the value of the total package. Students with a graduate assistantship also receive subsidized health insurance.
Assistantship assignments are based on your interests and strengths and the needs of the department. You must apply for an assistantship to be considered.
To apply for an assistantship:
- Download and complete the application form: UM Music Graduate Assistantship Application form
- Email the completed application to Dr. Rhonda Hackworth, rshackwo@olemiss.edu.
- Letters of recommendation should be sent directly to Dr. Rhonda Hackworth from the recommenders.
Applications submitted by March 1st will receive priority consideration. After March 1st, assistantships will be awarded if positions are still available.
The Graduate School’s financial aid webpage lists a variety of funding possibilities, including summer support and a recruiting fellowship program that promotes academic excellence and access to graduate education to groups who are historically underrepresented.
What is the study of Music?
We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about the M.M. in Music, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Rhonda Hackworth
Associate Professor of Music Education
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