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New Mexico State University
Graduate Catalog
2012-2013

MUSIC

Department website: http://music.nmsu.edu

(575) 646-2421

music@nmsu.edu

L. Chaffin, department head, Ph.D. (Texas Tech) – theory, composition; J. Alt, D.M.A. (Arizona State) – conducting, choirs; L. Borchert, D.M.A. (Florida State) – clarinet, theory, history; F. Bugbee, D.M.A. (Eastman School of Music) – percussion, theory, world music; M. Hill, Assistant Director of Bands (New Mexico State University) – Music education, conducting; A. Kaplan, Ph.D. (NYU Manhattan School of Music) – low brass, instrumental techniques; M. Rowe, D.M.A. (Arizona) – voice, vocal pedagogy; J. Shearer, D.M.A. (Eastman School of Music) – performance, literature, and music history; L. Spitzer, D.M.A. (USC) – piano, theory, history; R. Taylor, D.M.A (Arizona) – saxophone, theory

DEGREE: Master of Music

The Master of Music degree is offered in the following fields: performance, music education, and conducting. Applicants for this degree are expected to have an undergraduate major in music or music education equivalent to that represented by the B.M. or B.M.E. degree from New Mexico State University. All applicants are required to take the Graduate Diagnostic Exam in music history and theory/analysis in order for the department to obtain a profile of competency in these areas (see program of study). The music department does not require the Graduate Record Exam. An audition, either in person or by recording, is required for entrance into performance or conducting as a major field. Auditions will be based upon, but not limited to, prescribed repertory for graduate entrance.

General Requirements

The requirements for a Master of Music degree are a minimum of 32 semester credits exclusive of prerequisite and deficiency courses.

Recital Requirements

A graduate recital plus an analytical paper are required of all majors in performance. Students must be enrolled in performance during the semester the recital is given. A minimum of 60 minutes of music is required for the recitals. A graduate recital and a project are required of all majors in conducting. A minimum of three major works for the appropriate ensemble is required for the recital. The recital is given after at least 6 hours of graduate conducting courses have been successfully completed.

Program of Study

Diagnostic tests in music history and theory are given each semester and must be taken by all students at the first opportunity after admission.

During the first semester of study, a tentative program of study is worked out by the student in consultation with the advisor in his major field. The program of study is subject to the approval of the department head and the Graduate Music Committee. The student will select, in consultation with his or her advisor, an advisory committee consisting of the advisor, and two additional faculty members.

Candidacy

In order to qualify for candidacy the student must (except those students in the online Music Education program) meet the Graduate School requirement of 12 credits of graduate work in residence and must show evidence of a satisfactory quality of work in the required courses, demonstrate the desired progress in performance and, where required, submit a recital program or thesis topic for approval.

Thesis

A thesis (6 credits) is optional in music education. Music education majors not writing a thesis must develop and complete a special project before the oral examination.

Final Examination

All Master of Music candidates must take a final oral examination. The final oral examination may not be scheduled until the graduate recital is completed and/or a final draft of the special project (or thesis) has been approved by the candidate's advisor.

Fees

Consult the Music Department concerning fees. Applied lessons (MUS 582, MUS 583) can be taken for either 2 or 4 credits only.

MUSIC

MUS 450. Research Methods 3 cr.
Introduction to methodology of music research. Emphasis on important scholarly resources and academic writing. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Restricted to majors. Main campus only. No S/U option.
MUS 451. Orchestra II 1 cr.
Las Cruces Symphony at NMSU, a full symphony orchestra concentrating on masterworks of the literature. Students must assume leadership role. Prerequisite: MUS 150 or consent of instructor. May be repeated for unlimited credit.
MUS 455. Music Business Internship 3 cr.
Capstone course for the Music Business degree. Working with the music business coordinator, students must have been accepted as an intern in a music business setting before enrolling. Credit given for the internship based on criteria developed for each placement. Prerequisites: MUS 330 and piano proficiency. Restricted to majors. S/U only.
MUS 465. Composition III 3 cr.
Emphasis on extended compositional techniques, serialization, modern counterpoint. Prerequisites: MUS 365 and MUS 366 or consent of instructor.
MUS 466. Composition IV 3 cr.
New music notation and techniques. Open forms, aleatory concepts. Prerequisite: MUS 365 and MUS 366 or consent of instructor.
MUS 470. Special Topics III 1-3 cr.
Designed for highly motivated students. Independent study and individual guidance. May be taken for unlimited credit.
MUS 471. Graduate Theory Review 3 cr.
Comprehensive and accelerated study of modes, tonality, classical form, and course content of MUS 213 and MUS 214.
MUS 475. Intermediate Conducting 3 cr.
Essential conducting technique in preparation for advanced study. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
MUS 476. Music Cultures of the World: History and Criticism 3 cr.
Listening, criticism, and analysis of musical cultures around the world. Emphasis on non----Western musical traditions and folk music of the world. Open to all majors.
MUS 486. Applied Music Pedagogy and Literature II 2 cr.
Methods, materials, problems, literature, and techniques in teaching individual lessons. Prerequisite: MUS 386 or consent of instructor.
MUS 498. Independent Study 1-3 cr.
For students with a strong musical background wishing to explore content beyond the traditional curriculum. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Restricted to majors. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
MUS 511. Survey of Traditional Harmony 3 cr.
Tonal harmony in common practice and theory of the late 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries. Prerequisites: MUS 214 and MUS 413.
MUS 513. Twentieth Century Style Analysis 3 cr.
Analytical techniques, structural design and compositional materials from Debussy to the Minimalist school.
MUS 514. Advanced Composition 3 cr.
Original composition in 20th century idioms. Prerequisite: MUS 466.
MUS 518. Seminar in Music Theory 3 cr.
Seminar in Music Theory.
MUS 519. Seminar in Music History 3 cr.
Seminar in Music Theory.
MUS 520. Music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance: History and Literature 3 cr.
An overview of the music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance with an emphasis on history and literature.
MUS 521. Music of the Baroque Era: History and Literature 3 cr.
An overview of the music of the Baroque Era with an emphasis on history and literature.
MUS 522. Music of the Classical Era: History and Literature 3 cr.
MUS 523. Music of the Romantic Era: History and Literature 3 cr.
MUS 523. Music of the Romantic Era: History and Literature 3 cr.
Student will do all the required work for MUS 423, and, in addition, will do independent directed research.
MUS 527. History and Analysis of the Symphony 3 cr.
Historical background and development of the symphony from its inception (ca. 1740s) to mid-twentieth century. Analysis of major works by significant composers with emphasis on Sonata form. Prerequisite: MUS 413. Restricted to majors.
MUS 529. Opera and Music Drama 3 cr. (3+1P)
Lyric drama of the Greeks through works of Wagner and Verdi to contemporary opera. Restricted to majors.
MUS 530. Seminar in Music Education 3 cr.
MUS 531. Music in Elementary Schools 3 cr. Methods and materials in teaching music in the classroom.
MUS 535. Problems in Music Education 3 cr.
MUS 540. Graduate Recital/Analytical Paper 4 cr.
MUS 576. Advanced Wind Conducting I 3 cr.
Prerequisite: MUS 475.
MUS 577. Advanced Wind Conducting II 3 cr.
Prerequisite: MUS 576.
MUS 580. Ensemble Performance 1 cr.
Performance in university bands, orchestra, chorus. May be taken for unlimited credit.
MUS 582. Applied Music 2-4 cr.
For music majors, individual instruction, including improvisation skills and techniques. Students may enroll for 2 or 4 credits. Prerequisites: audition and consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 16 credits.
MUS 583. Applied Music 2-4 cr.
For music majors, individual instruction, including improvisation skills and techniques. Students may enroll for 2 or 4 credits. Prerequisites: audition and consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 16 credits.
MUS 586. Applied Music Pedagogy and Literature III 2 cr.
Methods, materials, problems, literature, and techniques in teaching individual lessons. Prerequisite: MUS 486 or consent of instructor.
MUS 590. Supervised Studio Teaching 2 cr.
Teaching of private lessons under supervision.
MUS 598. Special Research Programs 1-4 cr.
May be taken for unlimited credit.
MUS 599. Master's Thesis 0-88 cr.
Thesis.