Master of Music

The MM in Performance provides advanced training and performance opportunities for students planning a career in performance. Students work with an experienced artist teacher and perform music in a variety of styles drawn from various historical periods. Students work to integrate historical and theoretical understanding of music into their performance. Students have the opportunity to perform in many large and chamber ensembles, along with performing one recital.

The MM in Music Education: Distance Learning is designed to strengthen the pedagogical skills and broaden the musical knowledge of the music teacher. Students examine research in the psychological and philosophical aspects of music teaching and learning, and they develop practical applications of theory. To help them refine their daily classroom teaching, students study research methodology, which may also lay a foundation for action research and classroom applications, as well as doctoral-level study. Students may choose one of five tracks in this degree:

1. Online Master's Degree: Non-Thesis Option
2. Online Master's Degree: Thesis Option
3. Hybrid Master's Degree: Kodaly Option*
4. Hybrid Master's Degree: Orff Option*
5. Hybrid Master's Degree: Jazz Intensive* 

*most classes are offered online, with the exception of the summer options offered in a face-to-face format.

Completion of this degree does not constitute completion of Licensure requirements for teaching public school music in Virginia.

The Master of Music in Conducting is designed to produce students who are prepared for careers as conductors. Students concentrate on developing and refining manual and communication skills while achieving deeper understanding of the repertoire through intensive musical analysis. Students broaden their knowledge of music literature and have regular opportunities to conduct university ensembles before their own recitals. Students also learn and perform the administrative responsibilities of running a large ensemble. Students present one recital.

The MM in Collaborative Piano provides advanced training for students planning a career in collaborative piano by allowing them to work with high-caliber teachers, instrumentalists, and vocalists.

The MM in Pedagogy provides advanced training and teaching opportunities for students planning a career in pedagogy. Under the guidance of experienced artist teachers, students work with pupils from beginning to advanced levels on music in a variety of styles drawn from the various historical periods. Students enhance their own performance skills as they work to integrate historical and theoretical understanding of music and learning theory into their pedagogy. Students present one recital and one lecture recital.

The MM in Composition provides advanced training for students planning a career in composition by allowing them to work with multiple experienced professional composers and teachers. Students learn the artistic aspects of composition by creating their own works and studying the works of other successful composers. They produce works, hear them performed, and learn the practical side of being a composer by working with the performers. Students present one recital.

The MM in Jazz Studies provides advanced training and performance opportunities for students planning a career in Jazz performance. Students work with an experienced artist teacher and perform music in a variety of styles drawn from the various historical periods. Students work to integrate historical and theoretical understanding of music into their performance. Students present one recital.

The MM in Multiple Instrument Performance provides advanced training and performance opportunities for students planning a career in performance. Students work with experienced artist teachers and perform music on a variety of instruments and in a variety of styles drawn from the various historical periods. Students work to integrate historical and theoretical understanding of music into their performance. 

The concentration in Multiple Instrument Performance allows students with experience on more than one instrument to enhance their breadth and depth of expertise, increase the versatility of their artistry, and expand the employment opportunities available to them.