Program Overview

Music Performance, M.M.

School of Music

The Master of Music in Music Performance is a graduate degree program designed to develop performance or private teaching-oriented career skills in your primary instrument or voice. The program prepares students to enter a doctoral musical program and offers an outstanding education along with rigorous training and performance experiences.

Program Highlights

• Personal Attention: Work with our extraordinary faculty, and enjoy the many opportunities to hear new compositions performed regularly.
• Distinguished School: Since 1969, the School of Music has consistently retained the distinctive National Association of Schools of Music accreditation.
• Authentic Experiences: The community engagement concentration is unique to USC and is nationally noteworthy.
• Supportive Community: Foster your creative learning, skill development, and personal exploration through Spark: Music Leadership at Carolina.

What You’ll Study

• Work one-on-one with faculty instruction on your instrument or voice.
• Perform musical works representative of a wide array of styles in a manner commensurate with masters-degree level musicianship.
• Study theory and history, repertoire, notable composers, and renowned pedagogues.
• Present one full recital and pass an oral comprehensive examination.

Building Skills

• Performance: Presenting oneself creatively through a specific medium to an audience.
• Collaboration: Working with others to achieve a common goal or objective.
• Communication: Exchanging information and ideas through speaking, writing, or other means of expression.
• Listening Skills: Understanding what others are saying to facilitate effective communication.
• Initiative: Taking action and demonstrating leadership without being prompted or directed by others.
• Attention to Detail: Being meticulous and thorough in all aspects of a task or project.

Using Your Degree

• Potential Careers:
  • Entrepreneur
  • Performer
  • Educator
• Job Titles of Alumni:
  • Musician
  • Artistic Director
  • Band Director
  • Suzuki Violin and Viola Instructor
  • Adjunct Professor
  • Director of Instrumental Music
• Average Alumni Salary: Five to 10 years after graduation without additional education: $62,334
• Workplace Settings:
  • Music
  • Arts
  • Entertainment
  • Business
• Employers of Alumni:
  • Aiken Youth Orchestras
  • Lexington County School District One
  • University of South Carolina
  • Opera Carolina Experience
  • Charleston Academy Of Music
  • Cornell College

Advanced Degrees

• Doctorate: Music Performance: Music, D.M.A. (School of Music)

Related Degrees

• Master's:
  • Theatre, M.A. (McCausland College of Arts and Sciences)
  • Piano Pedagogy: Music, M.M. (School of Music)
  • Opera Theatre: Music, M.M. (School of Music)
  • Jazz Studies: Music, M.M. (School of Music)
  • Violin/Viola Pedagogy: Music, M.M. (School of Music)
  • Dance Studies, M.A. (McCausland College of Arts and Sciences)
  • Creative Writing, M.F.A. (McCausland College of Arts and Sciences)
  • Conducting: Music, M.M. (School of Music)
  • Media Arts, M.A. (McCausland College of Arts and Sciences)