GRADUATE MUSIC DEGREES
SC H O O L O F M U SI C , T H E AT R E , A N D DA N C E
The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance empowers students to create, collaborate, innovate, and inspire. Through teaching, creative artistry, research, advocacy, and service,
we elevate arts education.
Work alongside dynamic faculty and dedicated students to develop the knowledge and skills for excelling in a variety of fields. Colorado State University offers Master’s of Music degrees in music education, composition, conducting, music therapy, and performance. As a residential graduate student at CSU, your music training takes place in an energizing environment at the world-class University Center for the Arts. The vibrant learning atmosphere fosters and supports creativity and growth while high standards of scholarship and performance are developed. As a distance learning graduate student at CSU, you take courses from outstanding faculty members dedicated to offering the same personalized level of instruction that is standard in our residential offerings. Our innovative music education degree programs in Kodåly and conducting combine rigorous online interactive instruction during the academic year with intensive two-week summer residencies in Fort Collins. The M.M. in Music Therapy online program offers students the same outstanding program as our residential students receive, including courses with our award-winning music therapy faculty. Because it encompasses all three of the performing arts areas, the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance creates special opportunities for programs and courses that draw on the interdisciplinary character of the arts.
AUDITION, VISIT, AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION For audition dates and to register, please visit music.colostate.edu Auditions and admissions: Admission into a graduate program in music requires acceptance by the University as well as acceptance by the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. We urge you to apply for admission to the University as soon as possible. Applicants should possess an appropriate undergraduate degree, as well as potential for advanced study as evidenced by musical and academic achievement. An audition and/or personal interview may be required for admission into specific music programs. You may audition, and are encouraged to audition, prior to acceptance by the Graduate School. Apply online: gradadmissions.colostate.edu/apply Scholarships: Talent-based scholarships are available to music majors, based on the level of their entrance audition and the availability of funds in each applied music area. For more information, visit music.colostate.edu. Additional questions and requests to schedule a visit may be directed to: Murray Oliver, Director of Graduate Studies Colorado State University, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance Fort Collins, CO 80523-1778 murray.oliver@colostate.edu; (970) 491-5193
ON-CAMPUS DEGREE PROGRAMS MASTER OF MUSIC, MUSIC EDUCATION WITH LICENSURE is designed for students who hold a Bachelor of Arts in Music or a Bachelor of Music degree and who would like to earn teaching licensure in K–12 music while studying music education at the graduate level. To be considered for admission, applicants must hold an undergraduate music degree and perform an audition on their principal instrument. The degree can be completed in as few as three years if coursework is taken full-time and in the summer. Many students complete the degree in four years due to the number of courses required for licensure and the fact that one semester is devoted to full-time student teaching. The program ultimately leads to Colorado Teacher Licensure in K—12 Music. Students in this degree program are expected to be in residency year-round in Fort Collins, taking coursework on a full-time or part-time basis year-round. MASTER OF MUSIC, MUSIC EDUCATION SPECIALIZATION is designed for elementary and secondary music teachers who already hold a K–12 state music-teaching license or the international equivalent. Specifically, this program is designed to inspire and develop the next generation of leaders in the field of music education by developing and applying scholarly research skills in the field of music education, the in-depth study of advanced pedagogical expertise, and the impact of contemporary learning theory on K–12 music education. In this program, successful students will have the opportunity to gain content knowledge regarding the history and philosophy of music education, an understanding of how quantitative, qualitative, and historical music research is conducted, advanced skills in music analysis and interpretation, and a contemporary understanding of the pedagogy of music teaching and learning. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in CSU music ensembles to continue to develop as musical artists. Additionally, students are expected to be full-time students in residence and will most likely be given the opportunity to teach or assist with undergraduate music education coursework depending upon level of expertise and program demands. The degree coursework is designed to be completed over a time span of two years, and includes both on-campus and online coursework. Students in this program are expected to be in residence full-time during the school year and are encouraged to take advantage of the diverse summer elective offerings. THE MASTER OF MUSIC, MUSIC EDUCATION, COMPOSITION SPECIALIZATION is a new multi-disciplinary degree designed for students who hold either a bachelor’s degree in music education or music composition. The purpose of the program is to produce professional composers and music educators who can create original compositions and arrangements that align with contemporary K–12 music curricula. Further, this program is intended to aid current educators in the incorporation of composition and related activities (such as improvisation and analysis) into their classrooms. Students receive training in the areas of music education research and pedagogy, applied music composition, arranging/scoring for educational ensembles, and music composition, improvisation, and analysis as related to music education/ pedagogy. This program intends to produce graduates that demonstrate competencies as professional composers and music educators related directly to work in the field of music composition for educational ensembles at the K–12 levels. Graduates will also demonstrate competencies in the application of music composition and related creative musical activities within K-12 music education curricula.
THE MASTER OF MUSIC, PERFORMANCE OPTION is a comprehensive approach to the study and performance of literature in all styles and idioms of music. The curriculum is designed to develop musicianship, technical proficiency, and cultural awareness in both performance and pedagogy. Regardless of degree concentration, the graduate student will maintain regular study on their applied instrument or voice and additional directed areas based on individual goals and needs. Graduate students may choose to specialize in one or more areas as they work toward degree recital requirements. The intent of this specialization is to prepare students with outstanding performance potential to be competitive in performance and teaching careers and to be advocates for the arts in their communities. Upon graduation, they may help meet the needs for skilled performers of solo and small and large ensemble music, and they will be able to teach in a university and help meet the considerable community demand for excellent private studio teachers. THE MASTER OF MUSIC, CHORAL OR 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 program offers two options: the M.M., Choral Conducting Specialization, and the M.M., Instrumental Conducting Specialization, both of which require a two-year residency. By the completion of the program students will have developed advanced, personal conducting and rehearsal techniques that are appropriate to a variety of musical genres. Students learn effective rehearsal techniques, score preparation, and become knowledgeable scholars of important instrumental and choral scores representing repertoire of various music periods and secular and sacred styles. The conducting specializations accept a limited number of students who pursue a variety of professional goals, including public school music education and directors of choral/instrumental ensembles. Students who are full-time music educators at the middle/high school level will be 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. To develop the musicianship and skills that will be important for the student's future professional success, graduate courses are organized in the areas of music literature and theory, the choral/vocal instrument, conducting, and teaching. THE MASTER OF MUSIC, MUSIC THERAPY SPECIALIZATION is intended to provide Board Certified music therapists with advanced training in clinical skills and research. Our curriculum specializes in neuroscience and evidence-based music therapy to improve sensorimotor, speech and language and cognitive function in children and adults who have disabilities. Specifically, the study of music therapy at CSU is designed to prepare music therapists for advanced clinical work in music therapy, as music therapy supervisors and administrators and for teaching positions at the college or university level. Two master’s curriculum tracks are offered: the first is a thesis program of 30 credit hours designed to provide students with the opportunity to complete a substantial research project. The second track is a 32-hour program that requires, in lieu of a thesis, additional course work in music therapy, a final project, and a common final exam. Either program prepares the
student to pursue doctoral study. Our academic curricula are approved by both the American Music Therapy Association and the National Association of Schools of Music. Applicants are expected to be Board-Certified Music Therapists (or eligible to sit for the exam) and demonstrate excellent musicianship and interpersonal skills. The Master of Music, Music Therapy Specialization is offered on-campus or online. THE MASTER OF MUSIC, MUSIC THERAPY SPECIALIZATION, WITH EQUIVALENCY is designed for the person who has earned an undergraduate degree in music and desires to study music therapy at the graduate level. Students in this program concurrently take the necessary undergraduate prerequisite course work to fulfill requirements for entry-level practice and graduate course work in advanced clinical practice and research. As in the master of music therapy program a thesis or additional course work is required for graduation. Students entering the equivalency program must have completed an undergraduate music degree or, at a minimum, four semesters of music theory, two semesters of music history and four to five semesters of applied study. After completion of all course work and a six-month clinical internship at an approved site the student is eligible to sit for the Certification Board exam. Following completion of the internship the student will complete an advanced clinical practicum.
ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAMS WITH SUMMER RESIDENCIES THE MASTER OF MUSIC, MUSIC EDUCATION SPECIALIZATION, KODÁLY OPTION is a graduate program designed for elementary classroom music teachers, independent music instructors, and secondary music teachers interested in developing their teaching, conducting, musicianship, and depth of knowledge about music education. One unique aspect of this program is that it enables students to earn national certification in Kodály music teaching through CSU’s Colorado Kodály Institute while earning a master's degree. The Colorado Kodály Institute (CKI) is one of the select programs endorsed by the Organization of American Kodály Educators. CKI faculty are among the top experts in the United States, and the University Center for the Arts location, at the foothills of the Rockies, provides an inspiring setting for personal growth. The degree is designed to be completed over a time span of three summers with a minimum of 30 total credits (the degree is officially conferred at the end of the fall semester following the term in which all course work has been completed), with several online and/or evening courses required to be taken during the school year. Students have the option, therefore, of living remotely during the school year and traveling to Fort Collins for the core summer coursework. The majority of participants in this degree program teach either part or full-time during the school year, gaining relevant experience while pursuing the graduate degree. As a result, they are continually assimilating real-world teaching experiences into their academic coursework. Applicants are expected to be State-Licensed Music Teachers* and demonstrate excellent musicianship and interpersonal skills. *Exceptions may be made by the Music Education area on a case-by-case basis.
THE MASTER OF MUSIC, MUSIC EDUCATION, CONDUCTING SPECIALIZATION is designed for current middle school and high school choir, band, and orchestra directors who seek to further their personal knowledge and conducting skills while earning a master’s degree, completing most of their course work in three summers. The two-week conducting seminar (four credits each summer) includes daily conducting opportunities in all three disciplines with a workshop orchestra, band and choir, providing further hands-on training. All participants learn to conduct in all three disciplines. In addition, each student takes three, 3-credit academic classes (music history, analytical techniques and music research), one 3-credit music education course (Foundations of Music Education) and three, 1-credit seminars on various topics of interest to music educators. These courses are either offered on campus during the summer or online during the school year. The complete program consists of 30 credits. A maximum of six credits in the academic courses can be transferred to your graduate program from NASM-accredited universities pending approval by your advisor and the Graduate School.
ONLINE GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM MASTER OF MUSIC, MUSIC THERAPY SPECIALIZATION – see on-campus description on previous page.
ENSEMBLES The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance represents the performing arts on campus in a highly visible and prestigious environment. Performance opportunities are extensive and ensemble placement auditions are held at the beginning of the school year. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Bands: Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Marching Band Choirs: Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, University Chorus Jazz: Jazz Ensembles I, II, Jazz Combos I, II, III Orchestras: University Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Concert Orchestra Percussion: Percussion Ensemble, Steel Drum Ensemble, Marching Drumline Chamber Ensembles: String Quartet, Saxophone Quartet, Trombone Choir, Horn Ensemble, Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, Brass Quintet, Woodwind Quintet, Brass Ensemble Ralph Opera Program It Could Be Anything New Music Ensemble
SPECIALIZED MASTERS OPPORTUNITIES ■ ■ ■
Opera Fort Collins Apprentice Artist Program Graduate String Quartet/Trio Online programs, with annual two-week summer residency seminars, in Conducting, Kodály, and Music Therapy. online.colostate.edu
ABOUT THE UCA Opening in 2008 as a world-class facility comprehensively designed to support all art forms, for the past ten years, the University Center for the Arts (UCA) has allowed the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, and the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising to achieve new levels of national and international excellence and recognition. The UCA has become a cherished cultural center for the Fort Collins and Northern Colorado communities, presenting more than 250 events each year. The Office of the President at Colorado State University made the University Center for the Arts one of its highest priorities because of its importance to performing and visual arts programs, students, and faculty. Additionally, the UCA was completed in part through the leadership and commitment of Colorado State University students as funding for the building was largely secured through a vote by CSU’s student body government to increase student fees. Substantial funding was also provided by private donations including the Bohemian Foundation, Griffin Foundation, Kenneth and Myra Monfort Foundation, and the Serimus Foundation. Because of their commitment, the UCA ranks among the finest facilities of its kind in the country.
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance University Center for the Arts 1778 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1778 music.colostate.edu | uca.colostate.edu #CSUMusic