Degree Requirements

Master of Music: String Performance - Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

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. 

  • STRINGS 441 Applied Violin 
  • STRINGS 442 Applied Viola 
  • STRINGS 443 Applied Cello 
  • STRINGS 444 Applied Double Bass 

 

Studio Class – 0 units, 6 registrations required 

Students should select the section appropriate to their instrument. 

  • STRINGS 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 378 Contemporary Music Ensemble 
  • CONDUCT 393 Orchestral Organizations 

 

Chamber Ensemble – 1.5 units 

  • CONDUCT 491 Chamber Music

 

Repertoire – 1.5 units 

Students should select the section appropriate to their instrument. Courses may be repeated. 

  • STRINGS 319 Orchestral Repertoire

 

Pedagogy – 1.5 units 

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

  • STRINGS 311 Suzuki Pedagogy (may not be repeated for credit) 
  • STRINGS 315 Violin and Viola Pedagogy 
  • STRINGS 316 Cello and Double Bass Pedagogy

 

Music Studies Core – 1 unit 

  • MUSIC 440 Introduction to Music Research 

 

Music Studies Electives, 300 level or above – 1 unit* 

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 – 2.5 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. 

*2 units 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, 1-2 registrations required 

Students should select the section appropriate to their studio. 

  • STRINGS 480 MM Recital

Viola must present one recital. Violin, cello, and double bass must present two recitals. 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

Questions?

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