The University of Kansas School of Music offers a Master of Music (MM) degree designed to foster advanced musicianship, deepen knowledge in specific areas of music, and prepare students for professional careers in performance, teaching, conducting, composition, and scholarly research. This graduate program is distinguished by its comprehensive offerings in performance, theory, composition, conducting, musicology, and music pedagogy, providing students with the opportunity to specialize in a wide range of musical disciplines.
Each MM program is designed to provide an individualized path that combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on performance opportunities, ensuring that students gain a deep, well-rounded understanding of their chosen area of music. Graduates are prepared to engage in professional music performance, teaching, and scholarship at the highest level.
Admission Requirements
In addition to all University requirements for admission to graduate studies, students applying to the Master of Music (MM) program must provide and/or meet the following program-specific requirements.
Program-Specific Requirements*
Each program area offering a Master of Music (MM) degree has specific application requirements listed within the application system. All of the possible program requirements are listed below, but applicants should refer to their graduate application for program-specific requirements.
- Resume or CV (please include repertoire list if applicable)
- Statement of Purpose
- A Scholarly Writing Sample
- 3 Letters of Recommendation (provide professional email addresses within application system)
- Audition and/or Pre-Screening Video(s)
- Interview or Introduction Video(s)
These are the admission requirements in place at the time this catalog content was published. Please contact musicgrad@ku.edu with questions.
For additional information regarding the admission process and application deadlines, see the School of Music's Graduate Admission webpage.
*These are the admission requirements in place at the time this catalog content was published.
Diagnostic Examinations in Music Performance
All incoming graduate students in the School of Music, EXCEPT Music Education and Music Therapy majors, MM-Opera majors, and Graduate Certificate in Performance majors, need to complete the diagnostic exam(s) listed below prior to the first day of classes. More information about these exams, along with the exam schedule, can be found on the School of Music website.
- Music History Diagnostic: Online exam available in Canvas
Note: You will be enrolled in the exam course online through Canvas one week prior to the exam date. Details about the exams will be available to you at that time.
- Piano Diagnostic: In-person exam only required for piano graduate students.
Degree Requirements for the Master of Music
Students of the Master of Music will select one of the concentrations below.
Program of Study
A Program of Study must be submitted to Graduate Student Services at musicgrad@ku.edu by the end of the second semester of enrollment. It is the student’s responsibility to track degree progress based on the approved program of study and submit updates as needed. A final degree audit should be requested the semester prior to your proposed graduation term by emailing musicgrad@ku.edu.
Completion Options
The Master of Music (MM) degree allows for the following completion options:
- Thesis (Composition, Musicology, and Theory) including an exam with oral component
- Final recital (Church Music, Conducting, all Performance areas) including an exam with oral component
Master of Music with concentration in Bassoon Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BASN 811 | Bassoon | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| BASN 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Carillon
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| CARI 811 | Carillon | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| CARI 804 | History of Carillon Literature and Design | 3 |
| 2 |
| CARI 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Choral Conducting
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| COND 811 | Advanced Choral Conducting | 8 |
| at least one course in each area | 9 |
| 6 |
| Choral Literature - Late Baroque Era to Classical Era | |
| Choral Literature - Romantic Era | |
| Choral Literature - Contemporary Era | |
| Choral Literature-Renaissance | |
| MEMT 828 | Science-based Voice Education | 3 |
| COND 921 | Seminar | 3 |
| minimum of 1 credit hour each semester | 4 |
| Total Hours | 36 |
Master of Music with concentration in Church Music
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| CHUR 722 | Bales Chorale (4 semesters) | 4 |
| CHUR 806 | Service Playing and Improvisation I | 3 |
| CHUR 811 | Church Music in Context I: The Worship, Aesthetics, Arts, & Music of the Judeo-Christian Tradition | 3 |
| CHUR 812 | Church Music in Context II: The Worship, Aesthetics, Arts, & Music of the Judeo-Christian Tradition | 3 |
| 6 |
| |
| |
| Chamber Choir (2) | |
| Selected Topics in Church Music: _____ (3) | |
| Choral Conducting I (1) | |
| Choral Conducting II (3) | |
| Advanced Choral Conducting (6) | |
| Master's Recital (1) | |
| |
| |
| Organ (12) | |
| Service Playing and Improvisation II (3) | |
| Master's Recital (1) | |
| Total Hours | 38-41 |
Master of Music with concentration in
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| CLAR 811 | Clarinet | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research (2 semesters minimum) | 3 |
| 9 |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| CLAR 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Collaborative Piano
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| PIAN 811 | Piano (Advanced Accompanying) | 9 |
| or ACMP 811 | Advanced Accompanying |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| PIAN 822 | The Accompanist's Literature (The Accompanyinst's Literature) | 2 |
| or ACMP 822 | The Accompanist's Literature |
| PIAN 823 | The Accompanist's Literature II (The Accompanyinst's Literature 2) | 2 |
| or ACMP 822 | The Accompanist's Literature |
| 4 |
| PIAN 898 | Collaborative Piano Recital (Collaborative Piano Recital) | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Double Bass Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| DBBS 811 | Double Bass | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| DBBS 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Euphonium Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| EUPH 811 | Euphonium | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| W&P 704 | Special Studies in Brass Instrumental Pedagogy | 1 |
| 4 |
| EUPH 899 | Master's Recital (Total Credit Hours Required) | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Flute
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| FLUT 811 | Flute | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| FLUT 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in French Horn Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| FRHN 811 | French Horn | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| W&P 704 | Special Studies in Brass Instrumental Pedagogy | 1 |
| 4 |
| FRHN 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Harp
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 4 |
| HARP 799 | Artist Certificate Recital | 2 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Music Composition
Additional Requirements for Music Composition Option
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| MTHC 853 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| 12 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Additional Requirements for Jazz Composition Option
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| MTHC 763 | Survey in Jazz Composition and Arranging | 3 |
| JAZZ 759 | Jazz Arranging | 2 |
| Enroll in 1 credit hour each semester | 4 |
| 3 |
| MTHC 899 | Thesis | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Master of Music with concentration in Music Theory
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 9 |
| 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| MTHC 899 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Musicology
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 3 |
| MUSC 940 | Seminar on Selected Topics in Musicology: _____ | 3 |
| 6 |
| MUSC 899 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Oboe Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| OBOE 811 | Oboe | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| OBOE 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Opera
Master of Music with concentration in Orchestral Conducting
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| COND 745 | Instrumental Conducting | 4 |
| COND 845 | Advanced Instrumental Conducting | 6 |
| 9 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 4 |
| 3 |
| COND 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Organ Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 6 |
| ORGN 811 | Organ | 12 |
| CHUR 722 | Bales Chorale (2 semesters minimum) | 2 |
| 6 |
| ORGN 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Percussion Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| PCUS 811 | Percussion | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| W&P 708 | Special Studies in Percussion Instrument Pedagogy | 1 |
| 4 |
| PCUS 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Piano Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| PIAN 811 | Piano | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| PIAN 921 | Seminar in Performance and Pedagogy: _____ | 3 |
| 2 |
| PIAN 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Piano Performance and Pedagogy
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| PIAN 811 | Piano | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| PIAN 840 | Advanced Piano Pedagogy I | 3 |
| PIAN 846 | Advanced Piano Pedagogy II | 3 |
| 3 |
| Piano Repertoire I | |
| Piano Repertoire 2 | |
| Piano Repertoire 3 | |
| Piano Repertoire 4 | |
| 6 |
| MUS 888 | Curriculum and Pedagogy in: _____ | 1 |
| PIAN 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 32 |
Master of Music with concentration in
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| SAXO 811 | Saxophone | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| SAXO 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Trombone Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| TROM 811 | Trombone | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| W&P 704 | Special Studies in Brass Instrumental Pedagogy | 1 |
| 4 |
| TROM 899 | Master's Recital (Total Credit Hours Required) | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Trumpet Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| TRUM 811 | Trumpet | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| W&P 704 | Special Studies in Brass Instrumental Pedagogy | 1 |
| 4 |
| TRUM 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Tuba Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| TUBA 811 | Tuba | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| W&P 704 | Special Studies in Brass Instrumental Pedagogy | 1 |
| 4 |
| TUBA 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Viola Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| VIOA 811 | Viola | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| VIOA 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| VION 811 | Violin | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| VION 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Violoncello
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| VNCL 811 | Violoncello | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| VNCL 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Voice Performance
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| VOIC 811 | Voice | 12 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 3 |
| 2 |
| VOIC 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
Master of Music with concentration in Wind Conducting
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| COND 745 | Instrumental Conducting | 4 |
| COND 845 | Advanced Instrumental Conducting | 6 |
| COND 941 | Seminar: Band Literature _____ | 6 |
| MUSC 801 | Music Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| 9 |
| 1 |
| COND 899 | Master's Recital | 1 |
| Total Hours | 30 |
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Develop advanced capacities to work independently and make effective artistic and intellectual judgments and decisions in the area of specialization.
- Demonstrate advanced competence in the area of specialization before peers and faculty.
- Produce a final project or some equivalent reviewed by more than one faculty member.
