Music with a Concentration in Theory-Composition (MM)

CIP Code

50.0901.00

Overview 

The Master of Music with a Concentration in Theory-Composition (MM) program will provide advanced instruction in the creation of original works and will expand the students' theoretical skills in the analysis of music from all time periods.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the graduate program in music, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

  1. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
  2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
  3. Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources.
  4. Letter of intent detailing reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
  5. Submission of an essay on professional goals
  6. Resume including educational background and work experience.
  7. Personal interview

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Additional Requirements

The theory-composition degree requires a minimum of a 60-minute public recital (MUSI 6199) consisting of compositions written by the student. The student must pass a pre-recital hearing a minimum of 10 days prior to the recital date.

All students in the Master of Music Program must pass a general written and oral comprehensive exam designed and administered by the student’s advisory committee at the end of the degree program.

Program Requirements

Required Courses - 3 Hours

CourseCourse Name
MUSI 6334Research Methods in Music

Concentration Courses - 12 Hours

CourseCourse Name
MUAP 6281Applied Composition
MUSI 6357Contemporary Techniques
MUSI 6199Masters Recital

MUAP 6281 must be taken four times. 

Prescribed Electives – 18 Hours

Music Theory

Choose three from the following:

CourseCourse Name
MUSI 6350Music Theory
MUSI 6351Music Theory - 20th and 21st Century
MUSI 6352Music Theory - Counterpoint
MUSI 6353Music Theory - Composition/Arranging
MUSI 6354Music Theory - Analysis
MUSI 6355Music Theory - Music of the Americas
MUSI 6356Music Theory Pedagogy

MUSI 6350 may be repeated when the topic varies.

Music History

Choose two from the following:

CourseCourse Name
MUSI 6348History of American Music Education
MUSI 6360Music History & Literature
MUSI 6362Music History and Literature - 20th and 21st Century
MUSI 6366Music History and Literature - Wind Band
MUSI 6367Music History and Literature - Medieval and Renaissance
MUSI 6368Music History and Literature - Baroque
MUSI 6369Music History and Literature - Music for the Stage
MUSI 6370Seminar in Music and Culture
MUSI 6371World Music Cultures
MUSI 6372Studies in Music & Gender
MUSI 6373Music of Africa and the African Diaspora
MUSI 6374Music of Latin America and the Caribbean
MUSI 6375Music, Race & Ethnicity
MUSI 6381Music History and Literature - 18th Century (Classical)
MUSI 6382Music History and Literature - 19th Century (Romantic)

MUSI 6360 and MUSI 6370 may be repeated when the topic varies.

Additional Music Elective

Choose any three hour 6000-level MUSI, MUEN, MUAP course(s). 

Thesis - 3 Hours

CourseCourse Name
MUSI 7300Thesis I
Oral Comprehensive Exam
Written Comprehensive Exam

Total Credit Hours: 36