Program Overview

Master of Music

The Master of Music degree is designed to continue students' fine arts studies with deeper focus and analysis.

A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit (33 hours for Music Theory) is required to complete the degree. Up to six hours of graduate credit may be transferred from another institution if such credit satisfies required or elective courses at LSU and is approved by the Area Coordinator of the course area. The master's degree must be completed within five years.

Admission to this degree program is by audition only. Requirements and procedures vary from area to area; for performance degrees, please view the audition requirements. Recorded auditions are possible; however, a live audition is preferable.

Available Concentrations

• Brass Performance: The Master of Music in Brass Performance continues a student's immersion into the world of performance, providing extensive solo, chamber, and ensemble performance opportunities combined with intensive study under applied faculty.
• Choral Conducting: The Choral Conducting area provides comprehensive experience in ensemble leadership, rehearsal technique, literature, academic writing and research, and score study.
• Collaborative Piano: The Master of Music in Collaborative Piano enables students to be inquisitive, to question paradigms, to search for their own voice, and to extrapolate knowledge.
• Composition: The Master of Music in Composition provides composers with extensive exposure and development opportunities, working with top-flight musical ensembles and guided by award-winning faculty.
• Jazz Studies
• Music Education: The Master of Music in Music Education degree has two tracks.
  • The 36-hour option is designed for students interested in advanced study as a stepping stone to a doctorate and culminates in a master's thesis. Thesis research is designed, carried out, and written in consultation with a faculty member.
  • The 30-hour option is designed for teachers who intend to make use of broadened and refined knowledge and skill by returning to the elementary or secondary classroom and rehearsal hall. This track culminates with a comprehensive exam.
• Music Theory: The Master of Music in Music Theory is an excellent choice for the performer looking for a secondary credential, or as a pathway to a doctorate in music theory.
• Musicology: The Master of Music in Musicology is known for stressing diversity and flexibility of approach while providing a firm grounding in historical and theoretical methods.
• Orchestral Conducting: The Orchestral Conducting area provides comprehensive experience in ensemble leadership, rehearsal technique, literature, academic writing and research, and score study.
• Percussion Performance: The Master of Music in Percussion Performance continues a student's immersion into the world of performance, providing extensive solo, chamber, and ensemble performance opportunities combined with intensive study under applied faculty.
• Piano Pedagogy
• Piano Performance: The Master of Music in Piano Performance continues a student's immersion into the world of performance, providing extensive solo, chamber, and ensemble performance opportunities combined with intensive study under applied faculty.
• String Performance: The Master of Music in String Performance continues a student's immersion into the world of performance, providing extensive solo, chamber, and ensemble performance opportunities combined with intensive study under applied faculty.
• Vocal Performance: The Master of Music in Vocal Performance continues a student's immersion into the world of performance, providing extensive solo, chamber, and ensemble performance opportunities combined with intensive study under applied faculty.
• Wind Conducting: The Wind Conducting area provides comprehensive experience in ensemble leadership, rehearsal technique, literature, academic writing and research, and score study.
• Woodwind Performance: The Master of Music in Woodwind Performance continues a student's immersion into the world of performance, providing extensive solo, chamber, and ensemble performance opportunities combined with intensive study under applied faculty.