Dr. Matthew Russell, Program Co-Coordinator for Music Education
(757) 823-9199
Dr. Anne Neikirk, Program Co-Coordinator for Music Theory/Composition and Performance
(757) 823-9112
Purpose and Objectives
The main purpose of the Master of Music program is to enable its graduates to perform at levels of competence and responsibility equal to the technical and artistic demands of specialist or leadership roles as they are defined within the professional discipline. Specific objectives for each sequence are as follows:
Music Education - to explore, through research and practice, pedagogical and performance techniques applicable to leadership roles in a variety of instructional settings.
Performance - to develop interpretive and technical skills in applied music through selected concert literature of advanced complexity as appropriate to the medium and required by professional standards of performance.
Music Theory/Composition - to develop the facility for applying the science of musical structure and analysis to the creative act, and to advance and refine skills in critical analysis of available or self- created works.
The Student
A student in the Master of Music degree program must consult with the Music Division Graduate Program Coordinator or advisor upon entry, and periodically thereafter, to ensure that he/she is working consistently and accurately toward specific curricular goals within the required time limits. Before enrollment in the analytical techniques and music history courses, the student must take a diagnostic examinations in both areas.
Specifically, the student must do the following:
- Select one of the three sequences.
- Complete all required and elective coursework as specified by the selected sequence.
- Select a terminal option.
The Music Faculty
The music faculty is highly qualified and competent to teach in their respective areas and the program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Further, to ensure that the specific needs of graduate students are met, the Music Faculty and Division Chair select a Graduate Program Coordinator to be responsible for all matters pertaining to the Graduate School in the Music Division. The coordinator works closely with the Division Chair, the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts as well as with the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research to discuss, examine, and develop new strategies and initiatives to ensure that the program remains current.
Admissions
Requirements
Degree Status
Admission criteria to the Master of Music program are in accordance with the Graduate Council of Norfolk State University and the Admissions Committee of the Music Division. The criteria for admission to regular status are as follows:
- A baccalaureate degree in music from an accredited college or university. A foreign student should possess equivalent credentials.
- A minimum overall undergraduate grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- One written letter of recommendation from a person of professional status that is familiar with the applicant's background and prior performance in academic and/or musical activities (faculty and/or employers).
A complete application file will include the following:
- Online application to the Norfolk State University Master of Music program.
- Non-refundable application fee (must be paid online to submit application).
- One written letter of recommendation submitted electronically.
- A complete and official transcript from each college and/or university attended.
- Personal statement of professional interest and goals. The personal statement is an important part of the application for admission and should be carefully prepared and submitted electronically.
Note: All application materials should be received by November 1st for consideration for the spring semester and May 1st for fall semester.
Non-Degree Status
Non-degree status is reserved for
- applicants who meet all requirements for regular admission, but who do not seek to take courses leading to a degree, and
- applicants who meet all the general requirements for admission, but whose overall undergraduate academic average falls below the required 2.5 grade point average.
A person with a baccalaureate degree may be granted permission to take particular courses without pursuing a graduate degree. The courses may be taken on a credit or non-credit basis. If the applicant chooses to apply for the Master of Music program and is accepted, a maximum of six (6) hours with a 3.00 average or above taken by the student may be applied toward degree requirements.
Upon completing nine hours of core courses in the Master of Music curriculum at Norfolk State University with a 3.00 average or above, the student may petition for a change from non-degree to degree status.
Candidates for admission may be requested to attend a personal interview. If desired, an applicant may also request an interview. Persons seeking additional information or forms should call or write to
Admission Committee Chair Master of Music Program
Norfolk State University
700 Park Avenue
Norfolk, Virginia 23504
Phone: (757) 823-9112
Transfer of Credit
A maximum of twelve credit hours may be approved by the Admissions Committee as transfer credit from another institution if the work represents courses comparable to those offered in the Master of Music curriculum in which the student has earned either "A" or "B" grades. No work completed at another institution more than five years prior to the student's registration at Norfolk State University can be transferred to this program. Decisions regarding transfer of credit will be made by the Admissions Committee.
Diagnostic Examinations and Auditions
As a part of admission to degree status, full-time and part-time applicants will be required to take diagnostic examinations in music history and in theory. These examinations are given for placement purposes and normally do not constitute a basis for actual admission. If the student is deficient in certain areas, additional work will be required. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to require a student to take one or more undergraduate or review courses, if needed.
An audition of twenty minutes duration is required on the student’s principal instrument. Applicants should prepare their auditions according to the following guidelines:
Music Education/Performance Majors
Piano
A work by J. S. Bach or Scarlatti, a classical sonata, and one or two compositions from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Organ
Three or four works drawn from the Baroque period and the 19th and 20th centuries. A typical program might consist of a trio sonata movement or a prelude or fugue by Bach, a sonata by Mendelssohn or a comparable work by Franck, and a representative work by Hindemith, Dupre, or Messiaen.
Voice
An Italian song, an aria from an opera or oratorio, French Art Song, and a German Lied should be performed. In addition, a work in English should be chosen. All works should be performed in the original language.
Guitar
Works including a major Baroque or twentieth century piece, such as, but not limited to, any lute or cello suite by J. S. Bach, the lute suites of S. Weiss, the Partitia by Stephen Dodgson, the Theme and Variations or Sonatina by Lennox Berkley, the Variations sur “Solia De Espana” et Fugue by Manuel M. Ponce, or the Nocturnal, by Benjamin Britten.
Woodwind/Brasswind
Perform musically and fluently several compositions from the various style periods. A brief listing of representative works and technical requirements for each wind instrument may be obtained from the Music Department office.
Percussion
A high degree of snare techniques should be demonstrated through such works as Wilcoxon’s Swing Solo, Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm, or any excerpt from the standard symphonic literature. Mallet percussion technique should be shown by the performance of all major and minor scales and such works as Creston’s Concerto for Marimba or Goldenberg Etude. The tympani part of a Beethoven symphony should also be played.
Theory-Composition Majors
Submission of a minimum of three compositions from various media with at least one of the works for an ensemble of four or more instruments and/or voices. Tape recordings of the compositions may be included.
Candidacy
A student in the Master of Music program may petition the Department Graduate Committee for candidacy upon
- the successful completion of fifteen credit hours, including the core courses, and
- the attainment of a 3.0 grade point average or above.
The decision of the Committee will be forwarded to the student and to the Graduate School
Re-admission
Re-admission to the program is not automatic. After an absence of a semester or longer, a former student must apply for re-admission to the program and follow the regular admission procedure. In lieu of the re-admission process, a student may maintain his/her matriculation status while he/she is not registered for classes by filing a "continuous matriculation" form and paying the appropriate fee. 83
Grading System
The grade will indicate a student’s level of achievement as follows:
| Grade | Grade Points | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | |
| A- | Excellent | |
| B+ | Good | |
| B | Satisfactory | |
| B- | Average | |
| C | Below Average | |
| F | Failure | |
| I | Incomplete |
Students should consult the Graduate Catalog for complete policies regarding the University grading system, minimum grade requirements, withdrawal from courses, auditing courses, withdrawal from the University, residence requirements, continuous registration, thesis, and time limit.
Music Education Concentration
Graduation Requirements
| Subject Area | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 11 |
| Concentration and Elective Courses | 19 |
| Terminal Option | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 |
Each degree concentration requires a total of 36 credit hours. They share 11 credits of Core Courses and 6 Terminal credits. The other 19 credits include emphasis area courses and electives, which are different for each area of concentration.
Core courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS XXX | Ensemble (MUS 510) | 1 |
| MUS XXX | Ensemble (MUS 511) | 1 |
| MUS 540 | Analytical Techniques I | 3 |
| MUS 541 | Analytical Techniques II | 3 |
| MUS 590 | Introduction to Music Research | 3 |
Concentration and Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONCENTRATION COURSES | 6 | |
| Emphasis Area Requirements | ||
Applied Musicianship | ||
| MUS XXX | Private Lessons (MUS 521) | 2 |
| MUS XXX | Private Lessons (MUS 522) | 2 |
| Select one elective from the list below: | 2 | |
Keyboard | ||
| MUS 623 | Organ Literature | 2 |
| MUS 624 | Organ Improvisation and Service Playing | 2 |
| MUS 628 | Piano Literature | 2 |
| MUS 527 | Piano Pedagogy | 2 |
Instrumental | ||
| MUS 651 | Band Management | 2 |
| MUS 685 | Teaching Practicum in Brasswinds | 2 |
| MUS 686 | Teaching Practicum in Woodwinds | 2 |
| MUS 687 | Teaching Practicum in Strings | 2 |
| MUS 688 | Teaching Practicum in Percussion | 2 |
Voice | ||
| MUS 520 | Voice Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUS 629 | Graduate Diction and Vocal Literature | 3 |
| MUS 650 | Choral Techniques | 3 |
Students in all emphasis areas may also choose one of the following as an elective course | ||
| MUS 550 | Advanced Choral Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 551 | Advanced Instrumental Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 620 | Seminar in Performance and Repertoire | 2 |
| Music Education Requirements | ||
| MUS 680 | History/ Philosophy of Music Education | 3 |
| MUS 681 | Current Trends in Music Education | 3 |
| MUS 682 | Administration/ Supervision in Music Ed | 3 |
| Music History Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 4 | |
| MUS 531 | Music of the Renaissance Era | 2 |
| MUS 532 | Music of the Baroque Era | 2 |
| MUS 533 | Music of the Classical Era | 2 |
| MUS 534 | Music of the 19th Century | 2 |
| MUS 535 | Contemporary Music | 2 |
| Terminal Requirements | ||
| Select one Terminal Option | ||
| MUS 689 & MUS 690A | Terminal Project Preparation and Thesis | 6 |
| or MUS 690C | Lecture-Recital | |
| MUS 683 & MUS 684 | Special Studies in Music Education and Special Studies in Music Education | 6 |
Terminal Options
Thesis – extended research on a theoretical subject. Enrollment in MUS 689 is required in the initial semester and MUS 690A Thesis is required in the final semester.
Lecture/Recital – a public performance eighty minutes in length with lecture commentary during the course of the program. Enrollment in MUS 689 is required in the initial semester and MUS 690C Lecture-Recital is required in the final semester.
Non – Thesis – specialized field research reporting accomplishment of an exemplary, innovative school program. Enrollment in MUS 683 Special Studies in Music Education-MUS 684 Special Studies in Music Education is required.
Terminal Examinations
- Thesis Option - Oral Examination (including defense of thesis)
- Lecture/Recital – Recital Hearing
- Non-Thesis Option - Oral Examination
Music Performance Concentration
Summary of Graduation Requirements
| Subject Area | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 11 |
| Concentration and Elective Courses | 19 |
| Terminal Option | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 |
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS XXX | Ensemble (MUS 510) | 1 |
| MUS XXX | Ensemble (MUS 511) | 1 |
| MUS 540 | Analytical Techniques I | 3 |
| MUS 541 | Analytical Techniques II | 3 |
| MUS 590 | Introduction to Music Research | 3 |
Concentration and Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONCENTRATION COURSES | ||
| Emphasis Area Requirements | ||
Applied Musicianship | ||
| MUS XXX | Private Lessons (MSU 525) | 2 |
| MUS XXX | Private Music Lessons (MUS 526) | 2 |
| Complete seven credits from the list below: | ||
Keyboard | ||
| MUS 527 | Piano Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUS 623 | Organ Literature | 2 |
| MUS 624 | Organ Improvisation and Service Playing | 2 |
| MUS 628 | Piano Literature | 2 |
Instrumental | ||
| MUS 651 | Band Management | 2 |
| MUS 685 | Teaching Practicum in Brasswinds | 2 |
| MUS 686 | Teaching Practicum in Woodwinds | 2 |
| MUS 687 | Teaching Practicum in Strings | 2 |
| MUS 688 | Teaching Practicum in Percussion | 2 |
Voice | ||
| MUS 520 | Voice Pedagogy Required for Voice students | 2 |
| MUS 629 | Graduate Diction and Vocal Literature | 3 |
| MUS 650 | Choral Techniques | 3 |
| Students in all emphasis areas may also choose one of the following as an elective course | ||
| MUS 550 | Advanced Choral Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 551 | Advanced Instrumental Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 620 | Seminar in Performance and Repertoire | 2 |
| Music History Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | ||
| MUS 531 | Music of the Renaissance Era | 2 |
| MUS 532 | Music of the Baroque Era | 2 |
| MUS 533 | Music of the Classical Era | 2 |
| MUS 534 | Music of the 19th Century | 2 |
| MUS 535 | Contemporary Music | 2 |
| Terminal Requirements | ||
| MUS 689 | Terminal Project Preparation | 3 |
| Select one terminal option | ||
| MUS 690A | Thesis | 3 |
| MUS 690B | Recital | 3 |
Recital Hearing
The student will present recital work to a panel of graduate faculty a minimum of 30 days prior to the scheduled recital.
Terminal Option
Recital – a public performance sixty minutes in length.
Lecture/Recital – a public performance eighty minutes in length with lecture commentary during the course of the program.
Music Theory/Composition Concentration
Graduation Requirements
| Subject Area | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 11 |
| Concentration and Elective Courses | 19 |
| Terminal Option | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 |
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS XXX | Ensemble (MUS 510) | 1 |
| MUS XXX | Ensemble (MUS 511) | 1 |
| MUS 540 | Analytical Techniques I | 3 |
| MUS 541 | Analytical Techniques II | 3 |
| MUS 590 | Introduction to Music Research | 3 |
Concentration and Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis Area Requirements | ||
Applied Musicianship | ||
| MUS XXX | Private Lessons (MUS 521) | 2 |
| MUS XXX | Private Lessons (MUS 522) | 2 |
| Select one elective from the list below: | ||
Keyboard | ||
| MUS 527 | Piano Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUS 623 | Organ Literature | 2 |
| MUS 624 | Organ Improvisation and Service Playing | 2 |
| MUS 628 | Piano Literature | 2 |
Instrumental | ||
| MUS 651 | Band Management | 2 |
| MUS 685 | Teaching Practicum in Brasswinds | 2 |
| MUS 686 | Teaching Practicum in Woodwinds | 2 |
| MUS 687 | Teaching Practicum in Strings | 2 |
| MUS 688 | Teaching Practicum in Percussion | 2 |
Voice | ||
| MUS 520 | Voice Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUS 629 | Graduate Diction and Vocal Literature | 3 |
| MUS 650 | Choral Techniques | 3 |
| Students in all emphasis areas may also choose one of the following as an elective course: | ||
| MUS 550 | Advanced Choral Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 551 | Advanced Instrumental Conducting | 2 |
| MUS 620 | Seminar in Performance and Repertoire | 2 |
| Theory/Composition Requirements | ||
| MUS 546 | Orchestration | 2 |
| MUS 642 | Theory Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUS 643 & MUS 644 | Composition Seminar I and Composition Seminar II | 4 |
| MUS 645 | Counterpoint and Fugue | 3 |
| Music History Electives | ||
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| MUS 531 | Music of the Renaissance Era | 2 |
| MUS 532 | Music of the Baroque Era | 2 |
| MUS 533 | Music of the Classical Era | 2 |
| MUS 534 | Music of the 19th Century | 2 |
| MUS 535 | Contemporary Music | 2 |
| Terminal Requirements | ||
| MUS 689 | Terminal Project Preparation | 3 |
| Select one terminal option | ||
| MUS 690A | Thesis | 3 |
| MUS 690C | Lecture-Recital | 3 |
Terminal Options
Thesis – extended research on a theoretical subject. Enrollment in MUS 690A Thesis is required in the initial semester.
Composition – an original work in three or more extended movements for four or more instruments or a work for a large chorus and/or ensemble as approved by the advisor. A lecture on the composition/s is given. Enrollment in MUS 690A Thesis.
Terminal Examinations
- Thesis Option – Oral Examination (including defense of thesis)
- Composition Option - Written Examination