Music
Graduate Co-ordinator: September Russell
Department Description
The degree Master of Music is offered with the following areas of concentration:
- Performance
- Composition
- Conducting (Choral or Wind Band)
The degree Master of Arts is offered in the following areas:
- Musicology
- Music Theory
Application Dates
Applicants are expected to have supporting materials (scores, letters of reference, transcripts, etc.) available for review by the Department of Music no later than the application deadline date. Auditions where required are also to be completed before this deadline.
Departmental Facilities
The Dr. John Archer Library contains listening facilities, recordings, microfilms, and a broad spectrum of scores, collected works and music texts. Electronic music studios used for composition contain a full range of advanced digital systems for sequencing, notation, editing and recording.
Concert halls include the University Theatre, seating 400; the Schumiatcher Theatre (The Shu Box Theatre), seating 140; and the Education Auditorium, seating 800.
Master of Music Program
Entrance Requirements
Students entering the Master of Music (MMus) degree program will ordinarily hold a music degree comparable to the degree Bachelor of Music offered by the University of Regina. Bachelor of Music Education graduates accepted to the Master of Music program are normally required to complete additional undergraduate music courses, and to do so by the end of the first semester of graduate study.
Applicants for the MMus in Performance degree program (instrumental or vocal) will ordinarily perform an in-person audition arranged through the department head. International applicants, and Canadian applicants who are not within driving distance of Regina, will be considered on the basis of a video recording (an audio recording alone is not acceptable).
Audition Requirements:
Voice: Vocalists are to demonstrate acceptable singing ability in French, Italian, and German as well as English. The video audition should demonstrate a full and representative program, of approximately 60 minutes in length minimum. Applicants may contact the voice professor for more information.
Composition: Composition applicants are to submit four recent compositions and supporting audio/video for evaluation.
Conducting: It is strongly recommended that applicants for Wind or Choral conducting have at least three to five years of teaching/conducting experience before considering an application to the MMus Conducting program. Conducting applicants are to submit a video recording approximately 30 to 45 minutes of unedited material and should not be more than three years old. The camera should be positioned to show the upper body from a frontal view. An audio recording alone is not acceptable. The conducting audition video should provide footage of:
- a performance
- 20 minutes of consecutive rehearsal
Conducting students will also submit a list of all repertoire conducted.
Piano: MMus applicants in piano will be expected to have prepared a full and representative program, of approximately 60 minutes in length minimum. Applicants may contact the piano professor for more information.
Music Theory: Theory applicants must submit a music analysis paper that demonstrates proficiency in the application of analytical principles to harmonic, melodic, formal, and/or rhythmic features of a piece.
Instrumental: Instrumentalists should prepare a program of at least 45 minutes. The program should include three contrasting styles and periods:
- one contrasting movements of a sonata
- one contrasting movements of a concerto
- one own choice selection of any genre or style
- three standard orchestral excerpts
All programs: Applicants may be requested to participate in an online video interview with University of Regina Music Faculty members as part of the application process. All applicants are required to:
- submit a Letter of Intent (one to two page statement that delineates plans for research and performance)
- complete a theory placement exam
- submit a writing sample (a recent, upper-level English essay, minimum 1500 words)
Master of Arts Program
Students entering the Master of Arts (MA) degree program must hold a music degree comparable to the degree Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts (Theory) offered by the University of Regina. Applicants are to submit samples of their scholarly writing, drawing from senior research projects.
Residence Requirements
The student in MMus in Composition or MA program must be in residence for at least two regular semesters and one six-week spring/summer session. The student in MMus Performance or MMus Conducting program must be in residence for a least four semesters, regular or spring/summer. Work toward the degree must be completed within five years, with interruption of not more than two years in duration.
Graduation Requirements
Performance: In lieu of a thesis, students are required to complete:
- a project
- a written project report and
- an oral examination. The project consists of juries and two recitals.
Composition
In lieu of a thesis, students are required to complete:
- a project
- a written project report
- an oral examination. The project consists of a composition portfolio.
The portfolio of compositions for a variety of performing mediums, totaling 45 minutes duration, including one major work of at least 12 minutes. The student should arrange for the compositions to be recorded. An oral examination will cover topics related to the portfolio.
Conducting
In lieu of a thesis, students are required to complete:
- a project
- a written project report
- an oral examination. The project consists of juries and the final major performance with a choral or wind band ensemble.
All graduate students in conducting will be required to take jury examinations for any semester in which they are enrolled in MU 902. The conducting of a major work for chorus, wind band, or chorus and orchestra, or its equivalent, will be presented in public performance as the fulfillment of the project requirement. A preliminary hearing will take place at least one month before the performance date. This will be preceded by a wide range of conducting projects and score study. An oral examination covering topics related to the project is required during the same semester that the recital is presented.
MMus Committee Membership:
The committee to review the graduate recital of a Master of Music candidate shall consist of the candidate's applied music teacher, the Head of the department, two other members of the Department of Music, an examiner from outside of the department, and the Dean of FGSR (or designate). The general requirements for Master's degrees are applied where appropriate.
Music Theory and Musicology Concentrations:
The student is to demonstrate language facility in French or German by means of an examination which carries no credit hours or by successful completion of an approved course. This requirement must be successfully completed before beginning thesis work. Acceptance of a thesis on an approved topic and successful completion of an oral examination on the thesis are required.
MA Committee Membership:
The committee to review the thesis of a Master of Arts candidate shall consist of the thesis supervisor, the designated second reader, one other member of the Department of Music, the Head of the department (ex officio), an examiner from outside of the department, and the Dean of FGSR (or designate). The general requirements for Masters' degrees are applied where appropriate.
Degree Requirements
Master of Music (MMus) in Performance Orchestral Instruments (project)
| MAP 800 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 881, 882 | 6 credit hours |
| MU 813 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 815 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 871 & 872 OR MU 801 & 802 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 902 | 12 credit hours |
| Total | 30 credit hours |
Master of Music (MMus) in Performance Keyboard Instruments (project)
| MAP 800 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 881, 882 | 6 credit hours |
| MU 813 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 815 | 3 credit hours |
| One of: MU 803-809, 811, 816-818, 820, 841 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 902 | 12 credit hours |
| Total |
30 credit hours |
Master of Music (MMus) in Performance Voice (project)
| MAP 800 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 861 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 813 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 815 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 831, 832 or MU 881, 882 | 3 credit hours |
| One of: MU 803-809, 811, 817, 818, 820, 821, 841 or GER XXX, FRN XXX, SPAN XXX, MU 860 (at any level)* | 3 credit hours |
| MU 902 | 12 credit hours |
| Total |
30 credit hours |
*For students in a specialized study, the Department Head may give permission for this requirement to be filled by, for example, a course in Ukrainian, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese or Cree, Dakota or Salteaux. If Italian (non-credit) is used to fulfill the language requirement, an MU 8XX from the list provided will be required.
Master of Music (MMus) in Composition (project)
| MAP 800 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 815 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 816 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 811 | 3 credit hours |
| One of: MU 803-809, 811, 817, 818, 820, 821, 841 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 902 | 15 credit hours |
| Total |
30 credit hours |
Master of Music (MMus) in Conducting (project)
| MU 813 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 815 | 3 credit hours |
| MAP 800 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 801 & 802 or 831 & 832 or 871 & 872 | 3 credit hours |
| One of MU 803-809, 811, 817, 818, 820, 821, 841 | 3 credit hours |
| One of MU 803-809, 811, 817, 820, 821, 841 or GER XXX, FRN XXX, SPAN XXX, MU 860* | 3 credit hours |
| MU 902 | 12 credit hours |
| Total | 30 credit hours |
*Please note it is recommended for those following the Choral stream to take one language course, a language facility examination, or Italian (non-credit).
Master of Arts (MA) Musicology (thesis)
| MAP 800 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 819 | 3 credit hours |
| Two of: MU 803-809 | 6 credit hours |
| One of: MU 811, 816-818, 820 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 901 | 15 credit hours |
| Total |
30 credit hours |
Master of Arts (MA) Music Theory (thesis)
| MAP 800 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 815 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 817 | 3 credit hours |
| One of: MU 811, 816, 818, 820 | 3 credit hours |
| One of: MU 803-809, 841 | 3 credit hours |
| MU 901 | 15 credit hours |
| Total | 30 credit hours |
Courses
The following classes are available for study in the graduate program. They are not offered each semester but rather at irregular intervals, as student demand warrants.
MAP 800 Seminar in Theory and Methods I (3)
Seminar exploring and questioning the history, theory and aesthetics of Media, Art, and Performance, and the diverse and shifting conceptions of Media, Art, and Performance disciplines in relation to other social and cultural forms.
Note: Previously FA 800
MAP 903 Project Report Course (0)
The student submits the final project or critical engagment paper.
Note: Previously FA 903
MU 801 University Concert Band I (1)
Participation as principal in one of the sections of the ensemble. Students will assist in duties contributing toward the presentation of concert events.
MU 802 University Concert Band II (2)
Participation as principal in one of the sections of the ensemble. Students will assist in duties contributing toward the presentation of concert events.
MU 803 Medieval Music (3)
Selected topics in the history of medieval music.
MU 804 Music of the Renaissance (3)
Selected topics in the history of renaissance music.
MU 805 Music of the Baroque (3)
Selected topics in the history of baroque music.
MU 806 Music of the Classical Era (3)
Selected topics in the history of the music of the classical era.
MU 807 Music of the Romantic Era (3)
Selected topics in the history of the music of the romantic era.
MU 808 Music of the Twentieth Century (3)
Selected topics in the history of twentieth-century music.
MU 809AA-ZZ Selected Topics in Musicology (3)
Study of selected topics in musicology.
MU 811 Analysis of Music Written Since 1900 (3)
Emphasis on contemporary music. Detailed study and analysis of selected works in chamber, symphonic, choral and solo literature.
MU 813AA-ZZ Directed Studies in Music Literature (3)
Study related to the performing medium of the student. Repertoire and its stylistic development through a study of selected works.
MU 815 Bibliography and Research Methods (3)
Bibliographical materials for graduate study in music theory, history or performance.
MU 816 History of Music Theory (3)
A survey of theoretical writings from ancient times to the present.
MU 817 Analysis (3)
Techniques of analysis covering a variety of approaches and musical styles.
MU 818AA-ZZ Selected Topics in Music Theory (3)
Research problems and topics related to the candidate's needs and interests.
MU 819 Bibliography and Research Methods in Musicology (3)
Attendance at meetings and presentation of a research paper.
MU 820 Music Theory Seminar (3)
Attendance at meetings and presentation of a research paper.
MU 821 Music Composition (3)
Composing music in the smaller forms and for small ensembles.
MU 831 University Concert Choir I (1)
Participation as section leader. Students will assist in duties contributing to the presentation of concert events.
MU 832 University Concert Choir II (2)
Participation as section leader. Students will assist in duties contributing to the presentation of concert events.
Prerequisite: Permission of Department Head, MU 831
MU 835 University Chamber Singers I (1)
Specializing in a cappella music from the Renaissance to the Twentieth century. Participation as section leader. Students will assist in duties contributing to the presentation of concert events.
MU 836 University Chamber Singers II (2)
Specializing in a cappella music from the Renaissance to the Twentieth century. Participation as section leader. Students will assist in duties contributing to the presentation of concert events.
MU 841 Orchestration (3)
Writing for various instrumental combinations and dealing with the overall problems of blending and balance.
MU 860 Applied Diction for Singing (3)
In this course, the International Phonetic Alphabet is studied, with direct application to the singing repertoire for voice and choir. The course also covers the specific vocal pedagogy associated with its successful application.
MU 861 Opera Workshop (3)
Preparation and performance of principal roles from the opera and musical theatre literature, in departmental productions. Students must possess a voice suitable to the operatic repertoire and have achieved an advanced level of vocal technique.
MU 871 University Chamber Orchestra I (1)
Participation as principal in one of the sections of the ensemble. Students will assist in duties contributing toward the presentation of concert events.
MU 872 University Chamber Orchestra II (2)
Participation as principal in one of the sections of the ensemble. Students will assist in duties contributing toward the presentation of concert events.
Prerequisite: Permission of Department Head, MU 871
MU 881 Chamber Music Ensemble I (1-3)
Coaching in performance problems and interpretation of selected works from the chamber literature that includes the student's instrument.
MU 882 Chamber Music Ensemble II (1-3)
Coaching in performance problems and interpretation of selected works from the chamber literature that includes the student's instrument, culminating in presentation of a chamber music recital.
Prerequisite: MU 881
MU 901 Thesis Research (1-15)
Research supporting a studies-based program (MA in Musicology and in Music Theory) resulting in the writing and defense of a graduating theses of 60-100 pages.
MU 902 Research Project (1-15)
Research supporting a professional, practice-based program (MMus in Composition; MMus in Conducting; and MMus in Performance). MMus in Performance is expected to perform two solo recitals - the first after not more than 6 credit hours of study.
Note: All graduate students in performance and conducting are required to take jury examinations for each semester in which they are enrolled in MU 902.