Degree Requirements

Master of Music: Conducting - Choral

Program of Study — 20 units, 2 years

Courses outside of the Bienen School of Music do not count toward the minimum 20 units required for the degree.

 

Applied Studies – 6 units

Students should select the section appropriate to their instrument. 

  • CONDUCT 440 Seminar in Conducting

 

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. Students are assigned to ensembles by faculty. Responsibilities for each ensemble (administrative, conducting, playing, observing) are determined by each ensemble conductor.

  • CONDUCT 364 Choral Organizations

 

Advanced Conducting – 2 units

Select two of three advanced conducting courses. Both courses must be completed in the first year of study.

  • CONDUCT 340 Advanced Wind Conducting
  • CONDUCT 340 Advanced Choral Conducting
  • CONDUCT 340 Advanced Orchestral Conducting

 

Choral Literature – 4 units

  • CONDUCT 441 Graduate Seminar in Choral Literature I
  • CONDUCT 442 Graduate Seminar in Choral Literature II
  • CONDUCT 443 Graduate Seminar in Choral Literature III
  • CONDUCT 444 Graduate Seminar in Choral Literature IV

 

Music Studies Core – 2 units

  • MUSIC 440 Introduction to Music Research OR
    MUSIC ED 523 Paradigms and Processes of Research
  • MUS_THRY 316 16th C Counterpoint OR
    MUS_THRY 318 18th C Counterpoint

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 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 select at least one MUS THRY Elective and one MUSICOL elective.

  • MUS_THRY Elective, 1 unit
  • MUSICOL Elective, 1 unit
  • Music Studies Elective, 1 unit

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.

 

Recitals/Terminal Requirements – 0 units, 2 registrations required

Students should select the section appropriate to their area of study.

  • CONDUCT 480 MM Recital
  • CONDUCT 485 MM Conducting Project

Students may select two recitals, or one recital and one conducting project, in consultation with the applied lessons professor. Students may not select two conducting projects. The applied lessons professor or a faculty designated substitute must attend and pass students on all recitals. Students must register for the recital or conducting project in the quarter of performance or completion. Students who do not complete both requirements by the end of six quarters must register for MUSIC 480 Recital Continuation in the quarter the final requirement is completed.

 

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

Questions?

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