Music: Music Composition, MMUS
for the degree of Master of Music in Music, Music Composition Concentration
Students must choose a concentration:
- Choral Music
- Instrumental Conducting - Band
- Instrumental Conducting - Orchestra
- Jazz Performance
- Music Composition
- Music Theory
- Musicology
- Performance & Literature
- Piano Pedagogy
- Vocal Coaching & Accompanying
The School of Music has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1933.
Admission
For all degree programs, consult the admission requirements stated on the School of Music’s website.
Requirements for admission to the Master of Music (MM) programs are a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign or an equivalent degree from another accredited institution. Students holding other degrees may be admitted but will be expected to make up for any deficiencies and fulfill all requirements for the graduate degree.
Applicants to choral music, instrumental conducting (wind band or orchestra), jazz performance, piano pedagogy, performance and literature, and vocal accompanying and coaching must pass a qualifying audition for their major area or submit satisfactory recordings. Applicants in musicology and composition must present writings or other evidence of their ability to pursue work at the graduate level. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.
The School of Music requires all-new MM students to complete entrance examinations in music theory and musicianship. These exams take place the week before the fall term begins. See the School of Music’s Graduate Resources page for more information.
A prerequisite for admission to the Artist Diploma is a bachelor's degree.
Applicants to the MM and the Artist Diploma (AD) whose native language is not English must present an iBT score of 79 for admission to the Artist Diploma (AD), 90 for the Master of Music (MM), excluding Musicology; MM in Musicology requires an iBT score of 96. A TOEFL iBT of 103 or higher is required for Full Status Admission to the University of Illinois Graduate College and School of Music. Please see the full English proficiency requirements. Fall admission only; other terms of entry by departmental petition approval only.
Requirements for admission to the Master of Music in Education (MME) are:
For MME applicants with public school experience:
For MME applicants without public school experience:
Applicants seeking admission to the MME + Licensure program should review the online requirements.
Applicants to the MME whose native language is not English must present an iBT score of 96 for the Master of Music Education (MME). A TOEFL iBT of 103 or higher is required for Full Status Admission to the University of Illinois Graduate College and School of Music. Please see the full English proficiency requirements.
The School of Music offers an academic year program and a Summers-only MME. For academic year applications, the School of Music offers Fall admission only; spring term of entry by departmental petition approval only.
Requirements for admission to the Doctor of Musical Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology programs are the Master of Music degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign or an equivalent degree from another accredited institution.
Applicants to the Doctor of Musical Arts programs must have:
The School of Music requires all new DMA students to complete entrance examinations in music theory, musicianship, and score reading. These exams take place the week before the fall term begins. See the School of Music’s Graduate Resources page for more information.
Applicants to the DMA or PhD whose native language is not English must submit an iBT score of 96. A TOEFL iBT of 103 or higher is required for Full Status Admission to the University of Illinois Graduate College and School of Music. Please see the full English proficiency requirements.
See information about admission to the MME and PhD in Music Education.
Language Requirements
For the Master of Music program, applicants in voice and vocal accompanying and coaching must have had at least one year each of college-level French, German, and Italian or the equivalent. Applicants in other applied music areas, composition, conducting, and musicology must have had one year of any language at the college level or the equivalent.
All Doctor of Musical Arts candidates must demonstrate proficiency in at least one language other than English. Each area may specify which language is required or may require proficiency in more than one language. Please review the current Graduate Music Handbook for more details.
Proficiency is required in two languages, depending on the proposed field of specialization, for candidates in the Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology program. This may be demonstrated through two years of undergraduate study in each language.
For all Graduate Degrees:
For those students who do not meet the language requirement at the time of entrance, it may be satisfied by evidence of two years of undergraduate study or the equivalent, by completion of a two-semester, or by satisfactory test scores. For up-to-date information regarding the language requirements of the School of Music, please see the Graduate Music Handbook.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an essential part of the graduate experience.
Financial Aid
Fellowships, teaching, graduate, and research assistantships are awarded on a one-year basis, with continuation dependent upon success in the program. Specific information on application procedures is available from the Music Admissions Office, by phone (217) 244-7899, or by email.
for the degree of Master of Music in Music, Music Composition Concentration
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 528 | Res & Bibliography in Music (sections A1-A3) | 2 |
| MUS 506 | Graduate Level Composition | 12 |
| Courses in Theory of Music | 8 | |
choose one from MUS 408 sections D-E | ||
| Electives selected in consultation with the student's advisor. | 10 | |
| Master's Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Must present a portfolio of their works for approval by the composition faculty. | ||
| Language Requirements: | ||
| Courses taken to meet language requirements do not count toward the degree. See the departmental handbook for details. | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration requirements as listed in table above. | ||
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Concentration required | Yes |
| Minimum 500-level hours required overall: | 12 |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
for the degree of Master of Music in Music, Music Composition Concentration
Students in the Master of Music program, with a concentration in Music Composition, will:
- Develop their musical craft and creativity at a high professional level, using critical thinking, analysis and technology to inform stylistic choices and artistic expression, and will communicate their creativity to diverse audiences through performance.
- Exhibit an ability to summarize, synthesize, and discuss disciplinary content in relation to the theory of music, and to communicate their findings, using appropriate academic conventions, in written and/or oral form.
- Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate methods for library-based musical research and scholarly writing, and a facility in handling print and technology sources.
- Pursue specialized studies, to developing expertise and an ability to synthesize knowledge in areas of interest that enhance their required curriculum and/or professional goals.
- Develop experience and expertise in instruction, pedagogy, and student assessment in their major area of musical study, gaining insights into class teaching and appropriate methods of evaluation.
for the degree of Master of Music in Music, Music Composition Concentration
School of Music
Director of School: Dr. Linda Moorhouse
Associate Director of Graduate Studies: Dr. Reynold Tharp
Program Contact: Jenny Phillips
School of Music website
School of Music faculty
2040 Music Building, 1114 West Nevada Street, Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3459
College of Fine & Applied Arts
FAA College website
Admissions
Overview of School of Music Admissions & Requirements
Music Admissions email
(217) 244-7899
Graduate College Admissions