Master of Church Music

DEGREE: MASTER OF CHURCH MUSIC 33 hours

An integration of curricular studies and applied music in organ or voice oriented to the practical and professional requirements of the church musician.

This program will provide opportunities for the student to

• Broaden experience with and understanding of music in the church.
• Engage in scholarly research in the church's musical heritage.
• Adapt new forms of musical expression to the requirements of the parish.
• Extend one's capacities in musical creativity and performance.
• Enhance one's ability to enrich the worship life of the parish through music.

Entrance Requirements

• Completion of at least 30 hours of music courses at the undergraduate level including 9 hours of music theory, six hours in music history and three hours of conducting.
• Pass entrance exams in theory, history, and aural skills.
• Demonstrate performance ability by audition in organ or voice.
• Demonstrate basic piano skills equivalent to MUSA-2600.
• Experience in church music leadership or demonstrated potential.

Students with undergraduate deficiencies may, depending upon their background, satisfy the entrance requirements by taking undergraduate level work, review courses, or by self-study and examination. A grade of "B" or better in a review course may be used to satisfy in part the undergraduate deficiencies or they may be satisfied during the course of studies. (Deficiencies in theory, history, or aural skills should be removed by re-examination before the close of the second semester/term of graduate study. Courses taken to satisfy deficiencies may not be counted toward the graduate degree).

Program Requirements

Successful completion of 33 semester hours of coursework including the Master's Capstone Experience. (Note: at least 17 hours must be taken at the 6000 level.)

The Master of Church Music program may be completed in four consecutive terms (summer, fall, spring, summer) or five consecutive four-week summer terms. Students must plan to be in residence for at least two consecutive summers.

• Theory (3 hours)
• MUS 4133 Music Theory: Counterpoint
• MUS 4153 Music Theory: Analysis
• MUS 6133 Analysis and Compositional Techniques
• MUS 6143 Composing for the Liturgy
• History (3 hours)
• MUS-4213 The Literature of the Organ
• MUS-4263 Twentieth Century Literature and Techniques
• MUS-4643 The Literature of the Piano
• MUS-6223 Johann Sebastian Bach and the Baroque
• MUS-6253 Choral Literature
• MUS-6343 Music in the Age of the Reformation
• Research (3 hours)
• MUS-6243 Music Research and Bibliography
• Church Music (13-14 hours)
• Required
• MUS-4313 Music for the Contemporary Church
• MUS-4362 Musical Heritage of the Church (2 hours)
• MUS-6333 Traditions of Christian Hymnody
• MUS-6353 Studies in Christian Worship: Theology and Music
• Students must take 2-3 hours in either conducting or service playing.
• MUS 4322 Service Playing and Liturgical Leadership (2 hours)
• MUS 4483 Advanced Choral Conducting
• MUS 6362 Graduate Conducting (2 hours)
• Performance Studies (4-6 hours)
• Major Instrument (4-6 hours)
• MUSA 6620 Applied Organ
  or
  MUSA 6630 Applied Voice
• Other applied (0-2 hours)
• Theology electives (0-3 hours)
• THY-4130 The Age of Reform, 1400-1650
• THY 4260 The Lutheran Confessions
• THY 4330 Martin Luther
• THY-6020 Psalms
• THY-6110 New Testament and Early Christian Worship
• THY-6313 Baptism and Eucharist
• Music Electives (0-5 hours)
  Choose from the remaining music courses listed above plus the following:
• MUS-4133 Music Theory: Counterpoint
• MUS-4163 Orchestration and Arranging
• MUS-4213 Literature of the Organ
• MUS-4432 Approaches to Music Ed: Kodaly (2 hours)
• MUS-4442 Approaches to Music Ed: Orff (2 hours)
• MUS-4452 The Children's Choir: Techniques and Materials (2 hours)
• MUS-4462 Choral Techniques and Pedagogy (2 hours)
• MUS-4512 Handbells in School and Worship (2 hours)
• MUS-4543 Organ Design and Registration
• MUS-6143 Composing for the Liturgy
• MUS-6253 Choral Literature
• MUS-6313 Baptism and Eucharist
• MUS-6383 Current Issues in Church Music
• MUSA 6110 Applied Composition (1-2 hours)
• MUSA 6650 Organ Improvisation (1-2 hours)
• Other courses may be considered upon consent of the department chair
• Ensemble (1 hour; .5 credit per semester or summer)
• Supervised apprenticeship (1 hour)
• MUS 6391 Church Music Practicum
• Written comprehensive examination (0 hours)
• To be taken during the semester of, but prior to, the capstone project.
• Capstone Project (1 hour)
• MUS 6520 Graduate Recital
• The performance may consist of a recital (organ or voice), a lecture-recital, or planning and presenting a hymn festival.