Degree Requirements

Master of Music: Wind and Percussion Performance

For flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, horn, euphonium, trombone, tuba, and percussion

Program of Study — 18 units, 2 years

Courses outside of the Bienen School of Music do not count toward the minimum 18 units required for the degree. 

 

Applied Lessons – 6 units 

Students should select the course appropriate to their instrument. 

  • WIND PER 411 Applied Flute 
  • WIND PER 412 Applied Oboe 
  • WIND PER 413 Applied Clarinet 
  • WIND PER 414 Applied Saxophone 
  • WIND PER 415 Applied Bassoon 
  • WIND PER 421 Applied Trumpet 
  • WIND PER 422 Applied French Horn 
  • WIND PER 423 Applied Euphonium 
  • WIND PER 424 Applied Trombone 
  • WIND PER 425 Applied Tuba 
  • WIND PER 431 Applied Percussion 

 

Studio Class – 0 units, 6 registrations required 

Students should select the section appropriate to their instrument. 

  • WIND PER 490 Studio Class 

 

Major Ensemble – 3 units 

Students are required to participate in a major ensemble or faculty-approved substitute for all six quarters of study. Enrollment in more than one ensemble in the same quarter does not allow students to forgo ensemble enrollment in future quarters. Assignments to ensembles are made by the faculty and determined by audition. 

  • CONDUCT 374 Band Organizations 
  • CONDUCT 378 Contemporary Music Ensemble 
  • CONDUCT 393 Orchestral Organizations 

 

Chamber Ensembles – 1.5 units 

Students should select the course appropriate to their instrument. 

  • CONDUCT 491 Chamber Music – All instruments except saxophone and percussion 

  • WIND PER 492 Studio Ensembles – Saxophone Ensemble or Quartet 

  • WIND PER 492 Studio Ensembles – Percussion Ensemble 

 

Solo, Repertoire, and Pedagogy – 1.5 units 

Students should select courses appropriate to their instrument. Courses may be repeated. Please check with Graduate Services for other courses not listed that may count toward this requirement. 

  • WIND PER 347 Percussion Pedagogy 
  • WIND PER 357 Reed Making 
  • WIND PER 359 Teaching Techniques 
  • WIND PER 361 English Horn 
  • WIND PER 492 Studio Ensembles 
  • WIND PER 493 Repertoire Studies 

 

Music Studies Core – 1 unit 

  • MUSIC 440 Introduction to Music Research 

 

Music Studies Electives, 300 level or above – 3 units* 

Music Studies Electives are Music Studies courses of the student’s choosing. Music Studies courses are 1 unit, academic in nature, and typically begin with the subject MUS_COMP, MUS_TECH, MUS_THRY, MUSIC_ED, and MUSICOL. Courses must be at the 300 level or above. 

Students must pass the incoming music theory diagnostic exam or the MUS_THRY 401 Graduate Review of Music Theory course before enrolling in other MUS_THRY courses. 

 

Music Electives, 300 level or above – 2 units* 

Music Electives are courses within the Bienen School of Music of the student’s choosing. Courses must be at the 300 level or above. 

*1 unit between Music Electives and Music Studies Electives must be at the 400 level. Students may combine 0.5 and 1 unit courses to meet this requirement. 

 

Recitals – 0 units, 2 registrations required 

Students should select the section appropriate to their studio. 

  • WIND PER 480 MM Recital 

Students must present the first recital in the first year of study. Students must register for each recital in the quarter of the recital. The applied lessons professor or a faculty-designated substitute must attend and pass students on all recitals. Students who do not complete both recitals by the end of six quarters must register for MUSIC 480 Recital Continuation in the quarter of the final recital. 

 

Music Theory Requirement 

Students must pass the incoming music theory diagnostic exam or the MUS_THRY 401 Graduate Review of Music Theory course. 

 

Download Degree Checklist (Saxophone and Percussion)
Download Degree Checklist (All other instruments)

Questions?

Contact Graduate Services: 
musicgradservices@northwestern.edu 
847-491-5740