MM in Performance: Instrumental and Voice
Course requirements
The following is the approved normal course of study for students pursuing the MM degree in Instrumental or Vocal Performance. In all cases a student's particular program should be determined in consultation with his/her academic advisor. Customized tracks, including substitutions for required and elective courses, are encouraged. These must be planned in advance with the advisor and will require the approval of the Music Department Graduate Committee.
| Lessons at the Graduate Level on the Major Instrument or Voice | 16 credits |
|---|---|
| MUS 560-598 — Studio Lessons, for 4 semesters [each emphasis has its course own number; see catalogue] | 16 |
| Departmental Ensembles & Performance Specialties | 8 credits |
|---|---|
| Ensembles (as appropriate to emphasis) MUS 547 — Contemporary Ensemble (at least 1 semester required) MUS 538 — UB Symphony Orchestra MUS 540 — Chamber Music MUS 543 — Percussion Ensemble MUS 550 — Opera Workshop MUS 551 — Choir MUS 556-557 — Jazz Ensemble | 4 – 8 |
Performance Specialties
e.g. MUS 513, 514, 600, or 635 as specified for individual emphases or additional performances electives. | 0 – 4 |
| Academic Seminars | 12 credits |
|---|---|
| Music History MUS 515-517 — Studies in Music History MUS 525-530 — Music History Survey | 4 – 8 |
Music Theory
MUS 555 — Studies in Music Theory [required for all M.M. students] | 4 – 8 |
| Total Required Credits | 36 |
|---|
Foreign Language Requirement (Voice Only)
One foreign language (usually German, French or Italian), and a special examination in the diction of all three of these languages.
Recording Request Form
Students giving degree recitals in Baird Recital Hall or Lippes Concert Hall who elect to have their recitals recorded by the Department of Music must submit a Recital Recording Request Form(109 KB). The form must be submitted to the Slee Recording Studio mailbox in the Department of Music General Office (220 Baird Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260) at least two weeks in advance of the recital date.
Copies of student, faculty, and ensemble recitals are available for purchase. The availability of these recordings is dependent on authorization from recital participants and/or ensemble directors for the release of their recordings. The Recording Copy Request Form must be submitted to the Slee Recording Studio mailbox in the Department of Music General Office (220 Baird Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260).
Additional Performance Concentrations
Students are accepted for these degree tracks on a case-by-case basis. Please review the requirements and contact James Currie, director of Graduate Studies, with questions.
entrance requirements
- Departmental history and theory examinations.
- Demonstration of performance ability comparable to undergraduate jury requirement.
- Conducting ensemble of special interest with three conducting faculty in attendance.
- Interview with conductor of special interest to determine musical skills not tested in the examinations listed above.
course requirements
| Course | Credits |
| MUS 635 Advanced Conducting | 8 |
| MUS 600 Literature in specialized area | 4 |
| MUS 600 Score Reading | 2 |
| Ensemble | 4 |
| Music History | 4 |
| Music Theory | 4 |
| Music Electives | 8 |
Recitals (two; 30-45 mins.) (Written document required with each performance.) | 2 |
| Total | 36 |
foreign language requirement
No requirement except Choral Conducting students: one foreign language (usually French, German or Italian). Diction exam in all three languages for Choral Conducting students.
Audition Requirements
The candidate should perform three major works demonstrating musical and technical ability and a grasp of styles from eighteenth through twentieth centuries, at least two of which are memorized.
Recital Requirements
- A minimum of two recitals in public performances, as described below:
- One solo recital
- One chamber music recital
- The candidate must perform a concerto in a public performance, either as a part of the chamber music recital above, or on a separate occasion. The accompaniment may be on a second piano.
- One of these programs should include a composition written in one of the recent compositional styles.
- All piano solo compositions performed on the required two recitals, as well as the Concerto, must be played from memory.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the normal course requirements, the student will be required to take at least two courses in Performance Specialties (Music 513). These courses are given for two hours credit and can be arranged in one of two ways:
- By enrolling in MUS 513 as announced by members of the piano faculty at the beginning of the semester. This course meets once a week for two hours.
- By consulting a member of the piano faculty and enrolling in a tutorial (MUS 600) for work in a specific area, in which case the student would work for one-half hour per week on a private basis.
All other course requirements are the same as the MM in Performance.
audition requirements
- The candidate should perform three major works demonstrating musical and technical ability and a grasp of styles from eighteenth through twentieth centuries, at least one of which is memorized.
- The candidate will be expected to sightread one or more accompaniments.
- The candidate will be expected to transpose a simple lied or other art song into keys up to a minor third above or below.
- The candidate will be given, two hours before they are to be heard, two works as described below; the candidate shall prepare them and then be permitted a brief consultation with a vocalist or instrumentalist prior to performing them for the examining faculty.
- A nineteenth century lied or comparable work, or an instrumental solo piece
- A nineteenth century aria, or instrumental concerto, or comparable work
Recital Requirements
- The student shall have prepared a recital of solo piano works which must be performed by memory.
- The student shall have prepared the equivalent of one and one-half recitals, composed of chamber music and vocal and instrumental accompaniments. This is regarded as a minimum requirement during residency.
Course Requirements
| Course | Credits |
| MUS 559/560 Piano (4 semesters) | 16 |
| Two courses chosen from: | 8 |
| MUS 525-529 Music History Survey | |
| MUS 515/517 Studies in Music History | |
| Two courses chosen from: | 8 |
| MUS 609/610 Fugue | |
| MUS 607/608 Contemporary Music Materials | |
| MUS 555 Studies in Music Theory | |
| MUS 513 Performance Specialties | (2-4) |
| 1 Solo Piano Recital | |
| 1 and 1/2 recitals of Chamber Music, and vocal and instrumental accompaniments | |
| Total | 32-36 |
foreign language requirement
No requirement except vocal accompanist: one foreign language (usually French, German or Italian). Diction exams in all three languages for vocal accompanists.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the normal course requirements, the student will be required to take at least two courses in Performance Specialties (Music 513). These courses are given for two hours credit and can be arranged in one of two ways:
- By enrolling in MUS 513 as announced by members of the piano faculty at the beginning of the semester. This course meets once a week for two hours.
- By consulting a member of the piano faculty and enrolling in a tutorial (MUS 600) for work in a specific area, in which case the student would work for one-half hour per week on a private basis.
Audition Requirements
The applicant should be prepared to play at least two compositions from the standard solo repertory for his/her primary instrument. Acceptable primary instruments include the following:
- Clarinet (Bb/A)
- Flute
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Alto saxophone
Course Requirements
| Course | Credits |
| Primary Instrument | 4,4 |
| Secondary Instrument* | 2,2 |
| Tertiary Instrument* | 2,2 |
| MUS 513 Performance Specialties | 2,2 |
| Seminar in double reed instruments | 1,1 |
| Music History** | 4,4 |
| Music Theory** | 4,4 |
| Total | 38 |
*One instrument in the two remaining woodwind families must be studied. The family groupings are:
- Flute
- Single reeds
- Double reeds
**Identical with all other MM in Performance tracks
Additional Requirements
- Recital: A full-length public on the primary instrument
- Lecture/demonstrations: One each on the secondary and tertiary instruments. These presentations will be made to the jury, students in the Woodwind major program and undergraduate majors in the woodwind sector of the department. Each of the two sessions will adhere to the following format:
- Brief history of the instrument
- The various national schools of playing
- The relevant solo, chamber and study literature, of which at least one example must be played
- A playing demonstration by the candidate of pedagogical principles regarding tone, breath, embouchure, fingering, articulation and tuning/intonation
Accompanist form
Fill out this form and submit it to the music office no later than 4 weeks before the event.