Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies in music at the University of Minnesota Duluth involve participation in a fast-growing program led by vibrant, world-reknown faculty artists, performers and scholars who have themselves achieved academic and artistic successes at the highest levels and on the world's biggest stages. In the last two years alone, UMD's Department of Music has graduated seventeen graduate students in its Master of Music programs, most of whom have already moved on to professional careers in performance, education or other academic institutions for doctoral studies in music.

The Master of Music in Music Education is a 30 credit program that can be earned full or part-time, usually in four semesters of graduate study. Focusing on further development of the skills of music educators as teachers and researchers, the M.M. in Music Education enriches the professional educator's knowledge and culminates in the preparation of the Plan B Project Research Paper.

The Master in Music in Music Performance, Vocal and Instrumental, prepares students for a career as professional performing musicians in orchestral, chamber and operatic fields. With an equal emphasis on applied music and academic study, the M.M. in Music Performance is a 30 credit program that prepares students as scholar-performers in an actively changing professional performance world. Instruction from world-renowned faculty artists in applied music and performance opportunities in a variety of large and chamber ensembles provide students with ample experience and the strengthening of each individual performer's artistic abilities.

The Handbook for Graduate Studies in Music at UMD includes all the necessary information for application and matriculation of the Mater of Music degrees at UMD. You will find application instructions, audition requirements (including repertoire lists), contact information and all degree-related information. Also included are the Departmental Application for Graduate Studies in Music, the Application for Teaching Assistantship and other informational documents relating to our degree programs.

2012-2013 Graduate Studies Handbook (pdf)

Entrance Requirements

The application for graduate study in the UMD music department also requires the Departmental Application for Graduate Study found here as a downloadable PDF file. In order to make sure that you correctly add this to your application, please download this PDF file which explains how to add supplementary documents to your online application. This is a REQUIRED part of the application.

The following materials are also required:
M.M. in Music Education Applicants:
• A writing sample on current issues in music education
• A DVD demonstrating a lesson that has been taught by you in the classroom setting

M.M. in Music Performance Applicants:
• A writing sample on a current issue in music performance
• A live audition (audition requirements can be found by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies in Music)
• A pre- arranged recorded sample
(Conducting and Collaborative Piano applicants should contact the Director of Graduate Studies directly for more information at tpfotenh@d.umn.edu .)

Graduate Documents

If you have any questions regarding the graduate programs in music at UMD, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies in Music, Tom Muehlenbeck Pfotenhauer at tpfotenh@d.umn.edu, or at 218-726-8176

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Master of Music, Music Education Emphasis

Core Courses:
MU5201 Advance Music History 2 credits
MU8101 Graduate Music Theory 2 credits
MU8222 Music Bibliography and Research 3 credits
MU8601 Foundations of Music Education 3 credits

Additional Requirements:
Electives in Music Education or Education (8 credits)
Electives in Music (4 credits)
Plan B Paper (6 credits)
Electives (2 credits)
Oral Examination on Plan B Paper (0 credits)
Comprehensive Written Examination (0 credits)
Total Credits Required: 30 Semester Credits

Admission Requirements:
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in music and have applied at the University of Minnesota Graduate School. In addition, the following must be submitted for review by the Music Graduate Committee: 1) Department of Music Graduate Study Application; 2) sample of professional writing ( a three to five page paper addressing current issues in music education); 3) two letters of reference from professional colleagues and/or supervisors describing the candidate's potential for success in the graduate music program; and 4) an entrance performance audition on the major instrument or a videotape of classroom teaching or conducting.

Click here for course catalogue information.

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Master of Music, Performance Emphasis

Core Courses: (Required for all Master of Music degree programs)
MU5201 Advance Music Theory 2 credits
MU8101 Graduate Music Theory 2 credits
MU8601 Foundations of Music Education 3 credits
MU 8222 Music Bibliography and Research 3 credits

Courses in Music (Major Field):
Graduate Applied Music, major instrument: 8 credits
Music Literature courses: 4 credits

Select from:
MU5203 Advance Choral Literature 2 credits
MU5204 Advance Instrumental Ensemble Literature 2 credits
MU5205 Instrumental Solo Literature 1 credit
MU5206 Vocal Solo Literature 1 (max up to 3) credits
MU5207 Instrumental Chamber Music Literature 1 credit
MU5204 Vocal Chamber Music Literature 1 credit
MU8401 Graduate Pedagogy 1 credit
MU8300 Graduate Recital 1 credit (repeat once)
Music Ensembles (1 per semester): 2 credits
Electives: 4 credits
Comprehensive Written Examination: 0 credit(s)
Oral Examination: 0 credit(s)
Total Credits Required: 30 Semester Credits

Admission Requirements:
In order to be admitted to the Master of Music in Performance degree program, students must successfully complete a performance audition (live or taped). Students must have an undergraduate degree in music and an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0. Students must submit a written essay stating their goals for graduate music study; two letters of reference are also required. Students in voice must pass a proficiency examination in German, French, and Italian diction. Students who do not pass these examinations are required to enroll in appropriate remedial courses; (these will not fulfill graduate degree requirements).

Oral Examination:
A final oral examination on the recital program is required.

Comprehensive Written Examination:
A comprehensive written examination is required of all graduate students. The examination is based on the student's program of study and will be conducted and evaluated by the student's graduate committee prior to the oral examination. Students who fail the written examination may repeat it upon recommendation of the committee.

Click here for course catalogue information.

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For Information about music department programs and upcoming concerts, please call 218-726-8877