UofC

Location: Craigie Hall D 100
Program number: 403.220.5313
Fax: 403.282.6925
Email address: musicgs@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL: scpa.ucalgary.ca/music/graduate

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Specializations:

• Composition
• Music Education
• Musicology
• Sonic Arts

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization:

• Musicology

Master of Music (MMus) thesis-based

Specializations:

• Composition
• Conducting^*
• Music Education^**
• Performance
• Sonic Arts

*Choral or band

**Admission to the Master of Music (Music Education) has been suspended. The program is not accepting applications for 2016-2017 academic year.

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, Music requires that all applicants submit:

a) One-page letter detailing their specific reasons for pursuing graduate study.

b) Two reference letters.

Other requirements are outlined below and based on the degree being pursued.

Master of Music (Performance)

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree (or equivalent).

b) A live audition or video/audio recording. Repertoire for the audition must contain representative works from a variety of historical periods and must demonstrate an advanced level of technical accomplishment. Recordings should be approximately 20-30 minutes in length. Live auditions are scheduled for early February.

Master of Music (Conducting) - Choral or Band

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree, including study in conducting.

b) Demonstrated ability in an audition, which can be met in two ways:

• A video of approximately fifteen minutes.
• A rehearsal of a University ensemble (during Fall and early Winter).

c) Demonstrated competence on a major instrument or voice.

Master of Music (Composition)

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree (or equivalent), including study in composition.

b) A portfolio of at least three recent compositions, together with recordings (where available). Applicants wishing to specialize in electroacoustic composition must submit recordings.

Master of Music (Sonic Arts)

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree (or equivalent) with a major, minor or concentration in Electroacoustic Music, Sonic Arts, Digital Audio Arts or similar field.

b) A portfolio of recent sonic arts creative and/or research projects.

c) A research paper.

Master of Music (Music Education)

Note: Admission to the Master of Music (Music Education) program has been suspended. The program is not accepting applications for the 2016-2017 academic year.

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree (or equivalent)

b) Normally, two years of successful teaching experience or equivalent professional involvement in music education.

c) An essay on a topic in Music Education prepared during or subsequent to the applicant’s undergraduate work.

Master of Arts (Musicology)

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree (or equivalent).

b) A research essay or paper of approximately 10-15 pages on a topic in music history or theory prepared during or subsequent to the applicant’s undergraduate course work.

Doctor of Philosophy

a) A recognized master’s degree or equivalent.

b) Composition - a portfolio of works, together with recordings, if available, and an extended research paper.

c) Musicology - one or two extended research essays of approximately 25 pages in length.

d) Music Education - one or two extended research essays.

e) Sonic Arts - a portfolio of sonic arts creative and/or research projects, and an extended research paper.

The deadline for the submission of complete applications for both master’s and doctoral program is January 15 for September admission.

For students wishing to pursue a Master of Music in Performance, an audition of approximately thirty minutes will be arranged on an individual basis from December 1 to April 15 (usually scheduled for early February). Specific dates and times can be arranged by contacting the Graduate Program Administrator at 403.220.5422.

For consideration for university scholarships, complete applications (including the audition and the required TOEFL score, if applicable) must be concluded by January 15. Departmentally-administered funding (such as graduate teaching assistantships and research scholarships) will be decided after April 15.

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission.

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, Music, excluding qualifying courses, requires:

Master's Degrees

Master of Arts (Musicology): Music 637, 631 and 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) approved graduate-level courses.

Master of Music (Composition): Music 613, Music 631, Music 641.01, 641.02 or 653 and 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) approved graduate-level courses.

Master of Music (Conducting): Music 637, 631, Music Performance 632 or 634 and 12 units (2.0 full-course equivalents) approved graduate-level courses.

Master of Music (Performance): Music 621, 623, 637, 631, 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) graduate-level course in Music Theory and Composition or Music History and Literature and 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) other approved course options.

Master of Music (Music Education): Music 631, 637 and 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) approved graduate-level courses.

Master of Music (Sonic Arts): Music 631, 651, 653 and 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) approved graduate-level courses. Music 613 may be recommended.

Restrictions

No more than 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) for the Master of Music and Master of Arts degrees may be taken in an area other than Music.

Doctor of Philosophy

Students entering the PhD program will normally be required to complete at least 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents). Music 631 is required unless this course or its equivalent has been completed as part of a master's degree.

PhD (Composition), (Musicology), (Music Education): An interdisciplinary course (3 units or 0.5 full-course equivalent) designed by the student and supervisor, and 15 units (2.5 full-course equivalents) additional approved graduate-level courses.

PhD (Sonic Arts): Music 751, 753 and 12 units (2.0 full-course equivalents) additional approved graduate courses. Music 613 may be recommended.

Diagnostic tests in music history and theory will be given to all entering master’s students in order to determine if qualifying work in these areas is required.

Language

Master’s Programs

Master of Arts (Musicology)
Applicants are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of a language other than English—normally German. In practice, this requirement and any other linguistic competence that may be deemed necessary for the student’s proposed research area must be met before the thesis topic will be approved.

Other Master’s Programs
While there are no formal second-language requirements for the various programs of the Master of Music degree, students may be required to attain proficiency in a language other than English where this is deemed appropriate for the proposed thesis/project.

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy (Musicology)
Candidates are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of two languages other than English. German is recommended as one of the required languages.

Doctor of Philosophy (Composition), (Music Education), (Sonic Arts)
Candidates are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of one language other than English.

Performance

Graduate students in the MMus Performance program are required to participate in one of the large ensembles for the duration of their degree. Pianists are required to accompany two hours per week in a vocal or instrumental studio if they do not participate in an ensemble. Another option for pianists is to accompany a Junior or a Senior recital. The head of the performance area will make all ensemble or accompanying assignments. Students in graduate programs other than performance are not required to participate in an ensemble, although such participation is encouraged.

Thesis/Recital/Project

Master’s Programs

All master’s degree programs require a thesis or recital or project equivalent (see below), prepared under the guidance of a supervisor and approved by the Music Graduate Studies Committee.

Master of Music (Performance)

The thesis is interpreted to be two public recitals featuring solo performances and chamber music. At least one Canadian work should be included in one of the recitals. The examining committee will evaluate the candidate’s performance in both of the recitals. Recital proposals are to be submitted to the Graduate Program Administrator for approval by the Graduate Committee at least two months before each performance.

Master of Music (Conducting) - Choral or Band

The thesis is interpreted to be two public performances, on or off campus, with University or community ensembles. At least one Canadian work should be included in one of the recitals. The examining committee will evaluate the candidate’s performance in both of the recitals. Recital proposals are to be submitted to the Graduate Program Administrator for approval by the Graduate Committee at least two months before each performance.

Master of Music (Composition)

The thesis is interpreted to be either a substantial creative project and an accompanying descriptive essay related to the project, or a portfolio of creative work, the majority of which must have been created in the second year of residency, and an accompanying descriptive essay related to the portfolio. Normally, the project or portfolio will have been presented in a public recital prior to the thesis defence.

Master of Music (Sonic Arts)

The thesis is interpreted to be either a substantial sonic arts creative project with an accompanying research document or a portfolio of sonic arts creative work realized in the second year of study and an accompanying descriptive essay related to the portfolio. The project or portfolio of works will be performed or presented in public prior to the thesis defence.

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy (Composition)

The thesis is interpreted to be a substantial creative project and an accompanying analytical/research paper approved by the supervisory committee.

Doctor of Philosophy (Sonic Arts)

The thesis is interpreted to be a cohesive sonic arts creative project with an accompanying research document approved by the supervisory committee. The project will be performed or presented in public prior to the thesis defence.

Not applicable.

Maximum completion time is five years for the Master of Music programs and four years for the Master of Arts (Musicology). Maximum completion time is six years for the doctoral program.

The Graduate Program Director will function as the interim supervisor for all newly admitted students during their first term. This arrangement will allow students to use their first term as an opportunity to meet with faculty and to secure a permanent supervisor.

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the program requires:

Master's Degrees

Master of Arts (Musicology), Master of Music (Composition), Master of Music (Music Education) and Master of Music (Sonic Arts)

A comprehensive oral examination encompassing all areas of the chosen field is required. This examination will take place following the completion of coursework and must be satisfactorily completed before the submission of the thesis/project. In (Sonic Arts) the exam questions will be based on a compiled bibliography (readings and works) relevant to the student’s area of research.

Master of Music (Performance) and (Conducting)

A comprehensive oral examination based upon the literature of the instrument and more extensively upon the repertoire of the approved recital programs is required. This examination must be satisfactorily completed at least four weeks before the date of the second public performance required for the degree.

Doctor of Philosophy

Candidacy

This degree requires a candidacy examination with a written and an oral component upon completion of course work, but no later than 28 months after initial registration.
Questions on the research proposal will be included in the oral candidacy examination.

Revised candidacy requirements will be posted in the 2016-2017 academic year.

Thesis Examination

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner must be external to the home program.

Thesis examinations of written theses are open.

Research proposals must be submitted to and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee at least two months before the student intends to defend or perform.

The proposal should include:

• A detailed description of the area of investigation.
• A clear statement of the approach to be taken and the research method to be utilized.
• An account of how the work will be presented.
• An indication of how the project will make an original contribution to the student’s field of study.

Students should consult the Graduate Program Director before registering.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.

For scholarship applications, see Application Deadlines.

International applications will not be considered unless the applicant has completed and passed the TOEFL examination (or equivalent) before the application or scholarship deadline. Students must apply for the Graduate Awards Competition by January 15.

Current faculty members and their areas of interest can be found at scpa.ucalgary.ca.