Program Overview

Master of Music, Instrumental Conducting Specialization

The Master of Music, Instrumental Conducting Specialization program is committed to musical excellence with a curriculum designed to build a well-rounded conductor/teacher, using the musical and personal strengths of the graduate conducting student. The degree requires a two-year residency on the CSU campus.

Program Overview

The specialization offers students the opportunity to conduct a range of ensembles in preparation for their career. The art of conducting is examined from the perspective of gesture and movement, score study/analysis/ear training, and rehearsal techniques and strategies.

Orchestral Conducting Program

The orchestral conducting program is designed to train and prepare conductors to serve as professional and educational leaders of 21st-century orchestras. It provides unparalleled education and hands-on experience across various orchestral opportunities. Students learn by doing through substantial podium time with our concert orchestra, symphony orchestra, and opera orchestra. The program is tailored to the needs and abilities of each student, helping them consider, shape, and achieve their unique path to the podium.

Band/Winds Conducting Program

The band/winds conducting program is an advanced study in repertoire and advanced wind/percussion techniques with a strong supporting program of theoretical and analytical studies. Graduate wind conducting students work with all band ensembles on campus, classical and athletic. Graduate students in this area gain valuable experience running all aspects of a comprehensive collegiate band program, including rehearsal techniques, performance experience, organizational skills, logistics, and recruiting.

Learning Objectives

1. Develop the skill, intellect, and musicianship necessary among those who wish to become the next generation of leaders in the conducting field.
2. Develop a method of score study to help in all educational and professional settings.
3. Develop the skills necessary to lead ensembles in their specific discipline (band or orchestra, including theatrical accompaniment) with best-practice rehearsal strategies and methodology.
4. Conduct repertoire in all three disciplines of varying difficulty levels, spanning many genres and time periods.
5. Integrate best-practice rehearsal strategies with sound conducting technique to inform instruction with conducting gestures.
6. Develop the ability to think abstractly, analyze complex ideas or phenomena, synthesize or generalize knowledge across disciplines and sub-disciplines, interpret and apply scholarly findings to specialized topic areas, and communicate ideas effectively in oral and written forms.
7. Develop an awareness of substantive publications in music and conducting.
8. Describe the contemporary role of programming and assessment design in the teaching-learning process.

Admission

The conducting degrees accept a limited number of students who pursue a variety of professional goals, including education and directors of choral/instrumental ensembles. Students who are full-time music educators at the middle/high school levels are considered if they have three years prior teaching experience and are presently conducting an ensemble(s). Students who are not public school educators must show a minimum of three years of full-time music/conducting employment and be presently conducting a high school, religious, or community ensemble.

In addition to the admissions processes for the Graduate School and the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, a personal audition with CSU Music faculty is required for admission into the band or orchestra graduate conducting program.

Music Program Fee

A music program fee is assessed with Undergraduate and graduate music and musical theatre majors and music minors, per semester. Does not apply to the following students: online degree students and summers-only master's degree students.

Course Requirements

• Select 10-13 credits from the following:
  • MU 517: Tonal Analytic Techniques
  • MU 518: Post-Tonal Analytic Techniques
  • MU 569: Symphonic Literature
  • Music History
• Select 9 credits from the following:
  • MU 521: Junior and Senior High School Music
  • MU 556: Advanced Instrumental Conducting
  • MU 695B: Independent Study: Conducting
  • MU 696B: Group Study: Conducting
  • MU 630: Methods of Music Research
  • MU 671: Graduate Recital
• Select 0-7 credits from the following:
  • MU 672A: Applied Music Instruction: Euphonium
  • MU 672B: Applied Music Instruction: French Horn
  • MU 672C: Applied Music Instruction: Trombone
  • MU 672D: Applied Music Instruction: Trumpet
  • MU 672E: Applied Music Instruction: Tuba
  • MU 672G: Applied Music Instruction: Harpsichord
  • MU 672H: Applied Music Instruction: Organ
  • MU 672I: Applied Music Instruction: Piano
  • MU 672J: Applied Music Instruction: Percussion
  • MU 672K: Applied Music Instruction: Guitar
  • MU 672L: Applied Music Instruction: Harp
  • MU 672M: Applied Music Instruction: String Bass
  • MU 672N: Applied Music Instruction: Viola
  • MU 672O: Applied Music Instruction: Violin
  • MU 672P: Applied Music Instruction: Violoncello
  • MU 672Q: Applied Music Instruction: Voice
  • MU 672R: Applied Music Instruction: Bassoon
  • MU 672S: Applied Music Instruction: Clarinet
  • MU 672T: Applied Music Instruction: Flute
  • MU 672U: Applied Music Instruction: Oboe
  • MU 672V: Applied Music Instruction: Saxophone (Alto)
  • MU 696I: Group Study: Performance
• Electives: 0-5 credits

A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.

Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees

1. Application for admission
2. Diagnostic examination when required
3. Appointment of advisor
4. Selection of graduate committee
5. Filing of program of study
6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD)
7. Report of preliminary examination
8. Changes in committee
9. Application for Graduation
10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee
11. Final examination
12. Report of final examination
13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form
14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically
15. Graduation